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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: bbassi on September 23, 2007, 08:48:00 AM
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ok, time for some new ones. Any recommendations out there? I usually wear wool outers if it's cool enough, but need something that will wick moisture and add a good thermal layer. I'm mostly a stand hunter.
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I've got Smartwool and Under Armour cold gear for this year. We'll see how it goes. The UA heat gear has been great for me this summer, it wicks well and dries quickly.
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I have two swts of light weight Merino wool long johns from Cabela's and they are just the cat's pajamas. No itch at all, no bidding, under cotton for me they are good to 35 or so, and they just kick wool outwear up a notch. -20 was tolerable.
By the way why doesn't anyone ever talk about short johns?
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Under Armour....
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Smartwool used to wear Duofolds still have them but I like the smartwool better.
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Under Armor is good stuff, althougha bit pricey.
Go to an army surplus storeand look for the poly pro. Usually get a top or botton for about 15$. They will last forever and hold up well. I got hooked on it on a few cold weather "camp outs" at Ft. Drum.
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I will second ishiwannabe above on Uncle Sam's poly pro. We can get it here in TN brand new at the surplus store for $12 each piece. I like the zip top so you can leave it open on the way to the stand and stay cool and ventilated. The factory where they make it is 50 miles from me. The key to making it hold up is to not dry it, unless you have one of the new dryers with the ultra delicate cycle on it. Otherwise hang out to dry. If you have a dryer with too much heat it will shrink big time !!! It will also , " pill up " and seem scratchy next to your skin and is not as warm.
nocams
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I like Under Armour more when moving and Smartwool when sitting still.
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Patagonia Capaline. i have tried almost everything on the market and Patagonia is by far the best at wicking and maintains low oder retention. My first pair was purcased in 1996 when i went to Bosnia following the signing of the Dayton Peace Accord. i spent 90 days in country with one pair of medium weight capaline.
I used the same original pair and a second set in Montana working as a whitetail guide with an outfitter in the eastern part of the state in 1997. That totalled 60 days, my first 30 days i spent scouting and getting to know the land. the following 30 days involved an unbelieveable amount of time, like 18 hours a days, outside in the weather. Both trips i had access to washing machines but only washed every 4 days, give or take a day, sometimes as a test, and sometimes cause i was not able to get to my residence.
I am also a fanatical waterfowl hunter, spending many hours a day in waders either sweeting or freezing my behind off.
I do a little rock climbing, ok, at one time of my life a lot, i mountain bike, hike and backpack, love to do long backcountry style hunts, snowski, snowshoe, and winter camping. i still own that first pair of capaline.
So, just to let ya know i have used polypropalene (dont waste your money, it holds oder from day one and will get real itchy if you by accident put it in the dryer, trust me on this one)
i have thermax, duofold, marmot, northface, helly hansen, cabelas brand, REI brand, smartwool, Under Armor and am currently testing some of the new stuff with X-tatic.
OK, so just to set another part of this story right, i wear Under Armor tec t's everyday at work, 5 days a week. i think i own about 14 shirts from under armor and like it a lot. i have been doing this for the past 29 months. i have not tried their cold gear yet !
to further my lifes goal at trying to be comfortable in the outdoors i have found that i prefer the mid-weight pair as a first layer, after that many times i will wear heavy weight in combination with the mid-weight and then my Sleeping Indian wool as a top layer, or goretex when i am climbing, duck hunting, etc.
I will have to admidt that over half of my longjohns were paid for by work and one set was a gift.
So, basically if i were to spend my hard earned money on longjohns my vote would go to Patagonia Capaline.
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polypro with pure silver metal thread
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I bought Under Armour cold gear before last season. We had an unusually warm winter here in Michigan. Even with the cold gear stuff I could still hunt all day and then decide to sit a stand at night and still stayed dry and warm. I dont think I will ever be without my Under Armour from now on.
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Capaline - nothing better as the base layer (though I am looking at Cold Gear in the near future). Brent, you have seen me wearing it the last few years we hunted together (spring and fall). Check out Sierra Trading Post for over-runs, closeouts, or seconds.......I can't get my sizes there, but they always have "normal" ones.
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Duofold wool/polyprops.
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I second the Duofold stuff! Got some last year and it's great!
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Didn't find Duo to hold up well....
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PolyPro for me also.
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There are several varieties of DuoFold. The Expedition Fleece (brown color) does not hold up too well at all. But the two layer heavyweight Wool/Poly blend outer with the polyprop inner (grey color) is very durable. I have 2 sets that have been going strong for a decade and I wear the lowers a lot.
Go to their Website (http://www.duofold.com/index.asp) for some comparisons. The grey happens to be on clearance right now too. But, I have found it cheaper than their clearance on sale at Dick's or other websites. Try Campmor.com.
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interesting and informative thread. :cool:
3 words;
Silver ion technology
It really really works great as a baselayer.
If you wear the headgear, they just don't smell ya. ;)