Thermal Base Layers

[OUT-N-ABOUT]

I Was Looking In The Backpacking Store At Baselayers. They Were Capilene And Smart Wool. Which One Do You Think Would Be Best.and Also Thanks For Info On The Skins. If You Could Not Make Them Whre May A Person Buy A Set.

[angrysparrow]

I Was Looking In The Backpacking Store At Baselayers. They Were Capilene And Smart Wool. Which One Do You Think Would Be Best.and Also Thanks For Info On The Skins. If You Could Not Make Them Whre May A Person Buy A Set.

Clothing is very much a personal preference since different people need different types and amounts of clothing to feel comfortable in any given condition. You'll have to find what works for you. That being said, I've got some Smart Wool that I like a lot.

Tom Hennessy of Hennessy Hammocks has a patent on snakeskins. So, unless you make your own, the only place that sells them any longer is HH.

[Coffee]

I think Smartwool is warmer, but man they take forever to dry. Almost cotton bad. I just swapped out my hiking smartwool for polypro. I do like smartwool for sleeping since it is warmer and smells less. Just make sure you packing method keeps them dry.

[headchange4u]

I like the best of both worlds, the Dufold thermals that are polyester and Merino wool blend. Warmth of wool with faster drying times.

Normally the Dufold brand thermals are like 20-30 per piece (top or bottom), sometimes more. I bought several tops and bottoms from Marshall's for $9.99 each. The also had Columbia brand thermals as well as some others. It might be the wrong time of year to find them but winter is right around the corner...

Marshall's also sell some really nice, thick fleece socks for 4.99 a pair. I have some friends that kayak a lot and they said they paid $15 for fleece socks that were not as nice as the ones I got.

[Otter1]

I own both and prefer the Smartwool for two reasons:

Much less stink than synthetics (maybe I stink more than the next guy, but whew I stink QUICKER in synthetics than anything else!)

And, although I've not had this happen, a spark from a fire, etc could make the synthetics MELT on my skin, whereas wool would just get a small hole.

I must add that synthetics dry quicker in my experience. Both are comfortable.

[FanaticFringer]

I Was Looking In The Backpacking Store At Baselayers. They Were Capilene And Smart Wool. Which One Do You Think Would Be Best.and Also Thanks For Info On The Skins. If You Could Not Make Them Whre May A Person Buy A Set.

Walmart carries some nice thermals at good prices. They ususally get their main shipment around deer season or so. I have a pair of Rocky thermals that work really well. I often scan www.steepandcheap.com and look for deals on a variety of gear. www.sierratradingpost.com is a popular site for discounts.

[Cannibal]

www.sierratradingpost.com is a popular site for discounts.

On that note, they have a sale for 50% off hiking shoes/boots; just got my email ad. Some really good deals.

[Fiddleback]

I rarely use thermals/long underwear while on the trail...I just heat up too much while hiking to need them. In the hammock at night is a different matter.

I agree with just about everything posted above; polys are usually lighter and dry faster. Smartwool stinks less and are probably warmer. But for me the clincher was the feel...I think Smartwool just feels gooood!

It's wonderful to scrub the trail grime off my bod, put on a dry set of Smartwools and hit the hammock.

FB

[Otter1]

I rarely use thermals/long underwear while on the trail...I just heat up too much while hiking to need them. In the hammock at night is a different matter.

I agree with just about everything posted above; polys are usually lighter and dry faster. Smartwool stinks less and are probably warmer. But for me the clincher was the feel...I think Smartwool just feels gooood!

It's wonderful to scrub the trail grime off my bod, put on a dry set of Smartwools and hit the hammock.

FB

I'm w/you, Fiddleback! Dry Smartwool after cleaning up a bit does feel good!!