Polypropylene vs wool base layer reddit. This does not mean that there are no other decent base .
Polypropylene vs wool base layer reddit You're better off with a puffy weighing 100g more (if that weight is 80fill down) than a baselayer weighing 100g more, if warmth is your goal. True -- but the weight of the wool in a sock vs the weight of wool in a t-shirt/baselayer are drastically different. For some reason, the term "polypro" stuck, although AFIAK nobody has made polypro baselayers for at least two or three decades. Plated construction of the fabric means that the interior fabric is a combination of polyester and polypropylene and lightly lofted for light insulation, while the face is 100% polyester, smooth and durably pill resistant The Rho Hybrid also uses Merino wool in panels in your armpits. One study suggests that wool/polyester blend down to a 20/80 ratio (that's right 20% wool/80% polyester) is around as odour-reduced as pure wool. Try google "silk base layer" and see what's out there, including Amazon, which sells a number of brands. The important thing is to use wind stopped clothes. This is meant to decrease odors. I usually put a synthetic layer over the wool to wick moisture if i get sweaty. I've got a Polartec Power Grid base layer for warmer days and a Polartec Power Stretch base layer for colder days. When it comes to wool vs. The outer sock should be wool, although not necessarily Merino. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. Dec 10, 2013 · It was very hard to stay completely dry. It's harder to find legitimate merino wool base layers, many of the cheaper like Target's are <26% blends. The brand is 32Cool or 32Degrees. Whats the difference between a Nike Dri fit fabric VS patagonia capilene or other similar product for hiking in term of breathability, ability to wick moisture, to stay dry? Because technicaly, they're both 100% polyester. windbreaker dries quickly above freezing temps, and swapping inner shirts literally takes all the wetness away and keeps you warm. SKIING: 2 sets mid-weight merino wool socks 2 sets merino wool base layers (top and bottoms) 1 heavy-weight BREATHEABLE mid-layer (zippered t-neck) Dec 30, 2024 · So, you wear base layers in early season? Does it have any benefits? Early season here we still see temps in the 80s at times and still have some humidity lingering. I have more synthetic because it overlaps more with my other athletics. Nov 4, 2016 · Base layers will keep you warmer than being naked, or even wearing a t-shirt, but a real base layer (not so called “thermals“) is not meant to keep you warm. Heavier base layers can certainly add some warmth, but it's your insulating middle layer that's the primary keeper of your body heat (not your base layer). Using the two base layers could replace a medium layer in certain weather conditions saving weight/space/etc. Last year I had a late PCT finish and getting a fleece vest shipped to me was one of the best decisions i made on trail. Although the testers perceived differences in the way they felt, core temperature instrumentation showed 0 difference for the five common base layer knit types (1 by 1 rib, fleece, fishnet, interlock, and double layer rib using polypropylene). Used heavily by military and available at outdoors stores. com Jan 16, 2024 · Polypropylene is the worst when it comes to odor retention. I tend to prefer wool on longer trips due to its ability to resist smell. Oct 25, 2022 · then all you’d have to do to characterize a base layer is weigh your base layer, soak it in water until it became saturated, wring it out, weigh again, subtract weights to get weight of absorbed water. I usually HATE wool against my neck or skin, but the lightest base layers don't bother me at all. Alpaca wool has smaller microns, but merino microns are already small enough that most people don't feel the scales. I've got a Smart Wool base layer shirt that has lasted me over a decade of heavy use including sleeping in the field for a week at a time when I was active duty. The reason wool becomes scratchy is because the natural lanolin is removed by detergent, so using a wash that has lanolin in it will maintain its softness and effectiveness. you could thus compare any base layers you had to determine which was best Nooooo cotton! It does not dry quickly or efficiently and can mess with your body temps. Although polypropylene is commonly blended, you can find 100% polypropylene socks. Not a huge wool fan and it's not scratchy or itchy at all. Poly and synthetic are my go to for shorter and day hunts. That determines dry time – the less absorbed water the better. Apr 5, 2015 · As to your question, wool is great. When it’s hot you can always unzip the jersey partway. Polypropylene will also work, but tends to smell worse in short order. I prefer Smartwool or Merino Wool also. Note that some people may mention polypropylene aka "polypro" base layers, which were popular 35-40 years ago and replaced by less stinky polyester. Just from tiredness. As long as you either gentle wash with wool cleaner or hand wash with shampoo, and NEVER put them in the dryer, Merino will truly last a long time. That stuff is way way to thick a base layer for the AT. They are really good about standing by their product too. So I need to change my underwear multiple times a day. Wicking fabric should be next to your skin. And one "heavy-weight" base layer. I hike in synthetic or merino, depending what I pack for a particular trip around the weather, the itinerary etc. Maybe you’ll like the moisture wicking ability of base layers and you’ll want to wear them all day. Jan 28, 2025 · The Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 Base Layers ($119 top; $99 bottom) are another merino wool base layer set, except these are a blend, with a large percentage of polyester and Lycra Apr 12, 2025 · Wearing the Ibex Woolies Tech Long Sleeve Crew over a lightweight, short- or long-sleeve base layer and sometimes under a wind shell on winter and spring trail runs up to 11 miles in a wide range of conditions—sun and clouds, windy and calm, and temps from the 30s to the 50s—I stayed warm even after both base layers became moderately wet Sep 26, 2022 · In the end, if you’re eyeing a heavyweight piece, be sure to evaluate whether or not you really need the added insulation or if your midlayer/outer layer combination can accomplish the same goals. Minus33 is best bang for the buck, imo. Oct 11, 2021 · He was kind enough to share his secret: silk base layers. That’s all you need. That is exactly how socks should be worn, in 2 layers. Then on top of the thick wool base layers - add more wool or fleece. The mid layer sizing is good. Many hiking friends raved about how great merino wool was as a material for a base layer, but for some reason it took me a long while to try them out. Choose a Material: Wool vs. The inner core of the wool is moisture-loving so it draws moisture into it and away from your feet. What base layers are meant to do is to prevent you from getting cold – this might sound like semantics, but it is not. I suggest looking into the USGI EWCS Polypropylene layers. I have ruined lots of expensive wool clothes by mistakenly washing them at 60c degrees. effective at wicking sweat and dry out quickly. This allows more scope for layering up or layering down depending on the temp and on the activity level. Synthetic summer base layers like Patagonia cap cool, or my sun shirts from hiking like an OR Echo or 32 degrees top. Polypropylene and merino wool are two materials that are quite good at what they do. This is a city . You can wear them 2 (or even 3) days They were tested using a wide MET range in cool weather. It’s easy to just use a heavier mid layer if you get cold or even a 2nd base layer. Socks are quite thick, and do hold up to the warm while wet theory (as all thicker wools do) but base layers, T's, and underwear are going to feel pretty cold, but better than cotton. I’ve purchased terramar in the past. From early November to mid-April I wear a wool sweater as a mid layer. It's a tough one to answer really. Ounce for ounce, some of the most warmth you can get. Merino wool or polypropelene base layers are your best options. Mar 30, 2025 · The REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew is the perfect option for those seeking a synthetic base layer crew that combines solid performance with a smaller price tag. I save my merino for hunting. In cold/wet synthetic base layers and wool fleece for warmth, it's a little heavier, a lot bulkier, but it's dependable warmth even if wet and doesn't hold a smell too strongly. Fleece has a much higher warmth to weight ratio than wool but not as high as synthetic puff or down puff jackets. Then apply next layers as appropriate. Ragg wool socks provide more cushioning, but all wool socks serve the purpose of keeping your foot warm even when wet. This isn’t the warmest base layer out there, but a good base layer doesn’t always need to be the warmest thing on your body. However, polypropylene and merino wool are the best baselayer materials that are easily accessible. In the older days we used a base layer sock a wicking tight fitting polypro sock with a rag wool sock over it it kept your feet dry and for the most part blister free I still do today Reply Scottydont1975 • When I search for best base layer for treking, climbing, hiking etc I rarely see product from brand like Nike or Adidas. Wool is only good as a thin anti-stink base layer for hiking or as a clean sleep/camp layer and for that reason you should only go for thin 150 weight wool. If it gets colder I add a synthetic base layer. The fleece pullovers fit well and look good enough for the $12. ) woolen pants over my base. One thing, as previously mentioned, the UA base layers will get stinky and will hold the stank forever. My preferred layer over top of Brynje is a polypropylene base layer from Gore Wear, a tip from u/mtnhuntingislife who has done a lot of testing on layering with Brynje The polypropylene Superthermo version is pretty much indestructable - it's not fragile at all, it's actually thicker than a standard base layer so it can trap the air inside. Not the most flattering garments out there unless you’re into the Right Said Fred look, but worn with something like Paramo, with abundant venting The liner sock should be polypropylene, not polyesther -- polyesther does not breathe well. With this kind of base I didnt find the need to do so as much. Same for polyester. My “lightweight” base layer is a lighter Rapha version, which you could always add for the hotter summer months if you decide you love the base layer but the wool is too hot in the summer. This may be of interest to those frustrated with pure wool's expense and poor durability. Especially in wind. Also I use different grades of merino wool for my bottom base layers and don't think I will switch any time soon. Switched back to my more technical synthetic garments (and went back and forth a bit) and realized it's a night-and-day difference. The 32 Degrees thermal packs at Costco for the win! Great base layer. 99 sale price, both mens and $9. If the silk is too thin you can put merino wool over it. Merino wool has become extremely popular as a material for base layers, including socks. I have seen a few different options out there that are wool blend, usually 60% polyester and 40% merino wool. I've had some for years and they'll go nicely under your clothing and keep you warm while allowing you to swap out your wardrobe for the occasion. The density is normally somewhere between 135g/m 2 and 400g/m 2. As long as the wool doesn't touch your skin directly you should be fine. My Brynje mesh is polypropylene, though, as are other top-quality base layers. All the above garments are made with merino wool. Combine those two with a solid middle weight shell and you’re pretty good to cold temps (especially with a bib). There are two primary categories of materials suitable for performing this function well. Jan 4, 2023 · When you run cold, only wool is warm enough! I wear -33 (brand) merino wool base layers, top and bottom. pllakazanhdgxvepeojkmdzihihyswqazqhpsdoddlbyvmrxowrcnvvvrighdorktixmfrqjbijiriivih