Went for these. If the forces use them, they must be good.
Thanks for the help though lads.
Spec me some, Thermals !
- Thread starter Damien.
- Start date
Went for these. If the forces use them, they must be good.
Thanks for the help though lads.
Soldato
Post back if they're any good or not please. I work outside all year and could do with something like this. I usually just put on 2 t-shirts and a jumper under my fleece, but something like this would be a lot better.
Anyone got any recommendations for thermal socks?
I see the chavvy types round here with HELLY HANSON plastered across their backs. On closer inspection it looks like their gear is the real deal after all
Though come to think of it you're right. North Face is no betterBut North Face IS a high-fashion brand!
Thinking bottom end puffa sat on some shaved head idiot on the Croydon tram
Either base layers or other insulating layers, t-shirts, jumpers etc : It's important not to mix synthetic with 100% cotton* - the synthetic stuff wicks away sweat very fast, but cotton does not - you'll be ok when moving about or high activity, but as soon as you stop, the cotton will keep the sweat and reduce your body temperature very very quickly indeed, especially if that cotton layer is next to your skin. And if it's really cold out, aside from just being uncomfortable, you stand a good chance of onset hypothermia. It's really amazing how fast you can find simple task, like opening your rucksack/bergen to get an extra layer or kit to make a hot brew, becoming difficult.
When out and about in autumn/winter, I have the thermal base layer, cotton/polyester mix combat trousers and something similar to a buffalo 'special six' smock (pertex outer windproof layer with a synthetic fleece/pile inner layer - it's not waterproof, but it will still keep you warm even if it and you, are soaking wet) to be adequate when you're moving about a lot. I generally also carry a norwegian shirt* and a roomy synthetic fleece (like the soldier '95 issue kit) and a breathable waterproof jacket and over trousers.
You'll still get sweaty wet with the synthetic base layers, but it will dry fast with just your body heat - same if you get it wet in water/rain etc.
Ideally the base layers ought to be reasonably tight against your skin, not necessarily constricting, but snug.
There's lots of kit out there to choose from. I went for the webtex base layers as they were cheaper than some of the other 'brands' and they've served me well for the last two years, including overwintering in north wales in a knackerd old farmhouse with no heating/fireplace or anything - it was still cold, but without the thermals it would have been unbearable.
Compared to some of the woollen thermals available, the synthetic stuff will smell worse if you're wearing them consistently for many days at a time without washing them... but seeing as they dry quickly you could give 'em a hand wash and put them on slightly damp and your own body heat will do the rest.
As with all of these things, you can throw money at technical fabrics and expensive brand names, but you can almost always find something for half the price that does the same job. Some of the expensive stuff is really good, but unless your climbing everest or something daft, you'll never really find yourself in extreme conditions to warrant spending 50 quid on base layers and anything up to 4/500 on breathable waterproofs.
Best thing is to find what works for you and roll with it, even more so when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg
* I know I said don't mix 100% cotton & synthetic... but, the norwegian shirt is a 100% cotton shirt with a high zip polo neck thing with a towelling pile on the inside - it's what I would add as an extra layer under the fleece/waterproofs if it's really cold, or I'm going to be standing about for a while, or settling down for camp etc.
When out and about in autumn/winter, I have the thermal base layer, cotton/polyester mix combat trousers and something similar to a buffalo 'special six' smock (pertex outer windproof layer with a synthetic fleece/pile inner layer - it's not waterproof, but it will still keep you warm even if it and you, are soaking wet) to be adequate when you're moving about a lot. I generally also carry a norwegian shirt* and a roomy synthetic fleece (like the soldier '95 issue kit) and a breathable waterproof jacket and over trousers.
You'll still get sweaty wet with the synthetic base layers, but it will dry fast with just your body heat - same if you get it wet in water/rain etc.
Ideally the base layers ought to be reasonably tight against your skin, not necessarily constricting, but snug.
There's lots of kit out there to choose from. I went for the webtex base layers as they were cheaper than some of the other 'brands' and they've served me well for the last two years, including overwintering in north wales in a knackerd old farmhouse with no heating/fireplace or anything - it was still cold, but without the thermals it would have been unbearable.
Compared to some of the woollen thermals available, the synthetic stuff will smell worse if you're wearing them consistently for many days at a time without washing them... but seeing as they dry quickly you could give 'em a hand wash and put them on slightly damp and your own body heat will do the rest.
As with all of these things, you can throw money at technical fabrics and expensive brand names, but you can almost always find something for half the price that does the same job. Some of the expensive stuff is really good, but unless your climbing everest or something daft, you'll never really find yourself in extreme conditions to warrant spending 50 quid on base layers and anything up to 4/500 on breathable waterproofs.
Best thing is to find what works for you and roll with it, even more so when it doesn't cost an arm and a leg
* I know I said don't mix 100% cotton & synthetic... but, the norwegian shirt is a 100% cotton shirt with a high zip polo neck thing with a towelling pile on the inside - it's what I would add as an extra layer under the fleece/waterproofs if it's really cold, or I'm going to be standing about for a while, or settling down for camp etc.
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Soldato
@ platypus
hmm.. might have to look into a pair of those socks myself - despite repeated waterproofing, my left boot has a leak in it somewhere. Whilst it's not like I'm sloshing about with a bucket on my foot, the dampness on the toe of my sock is a blister waiting to happen.
Are these the ones I've seen where the guy puts his foot and the sock into water and still has dry feet?
Was considering the old goretex boot liner/sock army surplus thing, but these might be better?
hmm.. might have to look into a pair of those socks myself - despite repeated waterproofing, my left boot has a leak in it somewhere. Whilst it's not like I'm sloshing about with a bucket on my foot, the dampness on the toe of my sock is a blister waiting to happen.
Are these the ones I've seen where the guy puts his foot and the sock into water and still has dry feet?
Was considering the old goretex boot liner/sock army surplus thing, but these might be better?