Most insulatating base layer material for extreme cold wear? What brands are there? Links?

Question

Ive been shopping, and I need a good base layer for extreme cold (-20 ° C / 4.00 ° F) .

Theres Patagonia/Merino/Synthetics/Polypropylen... etc.

im confused!

i just need a good one for extreme cold to hike and to wear to sleep.

Answer 1

Any thing made by KLIM.  There stuff is the best!

Answer 2

I love my "Hot Chillies"  They are warm, yet they breathe well.  I live in northern New England and they keep me toasty on those sub-zero days.  I have livestock so I HAVE to go out in the bitter cold.

Answer 3

http://www.canterburynzusa.com/ionx.php          i like this stuff. similar to under armour but more comfortable and less expensive.

Answer 4

I sort of use a double base layer. I wear a shortsleeve T-shirt and boxers both made from EMS Techwick (Teckwick level 1.) Then layer Techwick Level 3 long underwear on top of that. Both are available at http://www.ems.com

I lead daily hikes and snowshoe trips in Northern Pennsylvania and I also ski all throughout the Northeastern USA. Techwick is very warm and wicks very well. I was wearing this combination under wool pants and with a wool sweater and a Primaloft vest one day in January when the temperature was +3F. After 3 miles I was sweating.

Techwick has similar qualities to Patagonia's Capaline. It is a bit less expensive and I think it does just as good a job. I have used the Patagonia stuff in the past, but since the EMS stuff is less expensive, I don't buy the Patagonia anymore.

When I used to live in Vermont, winter camping was fairly common. I spent many nights outside at temps around -10F. I mostly wear midweight fleece pants and a fleece hooded sweatshirt if it is that cold, but I have a -20F rated sleeping bag too, so often I would just sleep in a fresh set of Techwick. All of the fleece is standard Polarfleece 100 weight from Malden Mills. I have several sets made by different companies, (LL Bean, EMS, White Sierra, Goody's of Vermont, and a local place from Pennsylvania.)

These have suited me well for the past 7 years.

I don't really have any opinion on Under Armor. Although someone who is aged 17 will undoubtedly write something swearing it is the BEST. I wouldn't know...but they do have one h**l of a marketing campaign. It may very well be great stuff, but with the vast majority of their customers being under the age of 20, I have to wonder how many other brands of long underwear the Under Armor fans have actually tried.

I've also used Duofold. This stuff is pretty good for wearing when you are not active. I use it deer hunting sometimes. Once I start moving around, if I'm wearing it, I get really warm and it does not breathe as well as the EMS and Patagonia stuff.

Smartwool long underwear is also very good according to my friend who is also an avid skier and winter camper. It too is expensive, but it works very well. Almost all of my socks (including dress socks) are Smartwool. The stuff wicks like nothing else I've ever used. I started using Smartwool, which is a Merino wool blend, in 1999 and it is the best stuff. I've used ragg wool, Thorlo synthetic socks, and am now testing socks from Teko. Smartwool still has my vote as the best stuff for your feet. I stay warm and dry all day. I also have a Smartwool hat...again, it is warm and it wicks.

http://www.smartwool.com

Stay warm and stay away from anything cotton!