Long underwear ???

[pronghorn23]

It's in the teens here now and I'm due for new long johns.  I've been using lightweight polypropylene under heavyweight US Militay ECWS type.

I was planning on getting silk for a base and am torn between Merino wool or Polartec Polar weight.

Any input between the two? Price is about the same. The polartec seems heavier but wool is hard to beat.

Either I'm not acclimated due to a warm fall thus far or I just can't take the cold like in past years.

[MJB]

pronghorn23,
Have you looked at Filson's long handles.

[Stumpkiller]

The merino wool works best next to your skin, not on top of silk ('s true).  I wear tighty-whiteys (cotton) and swap them out (under my polypro, too)..

[McDave]

I do a lot of backpacking in the summer with my wife, and I wouldn't wear polypro on any of those trips unless I wanted to be thrown out of the tent at night.  Polypro really smells bad after a few days.  I have polypro that I wear for skiing or 1-2 day hunts, as it is lighter and seems more durable than merino.  The first day out on our backpack last summer, I made the mistake of sitting on a rock when I was changing into my Smartwool longjohns.  It started a small hole that had expanded to about an inch across by the end of the trip.

[Steve Kendrot]

Merino is the cats meow. Woolpower is nice stuff. Check Midway USA. Duluth Trading Co also has merino at a decent price.

[YORNOC]

Merino has been much better for me than anything else yet.

[Tree Rat]

Woolpower or Minus 33 wool.

[FerretWYO]

Merino is my choice too. I have a few different kinds. Look around and find what fits best. each brand is a little different.

[Orion]

I wear heavy marino wool over silk.  Best combination around IMO. Wool doesn't pick up or retain odor like the synthetic fabrics. Polypropeline on me stinks after just an hour or two.  Polyester fabrics on me aren't far behind in the retaining odor department.  Wool will also keep you warmer when damp or wet. I'm currently using Ufrotte, but there are several other good brands available.

[KSdan]

Not trying to side track the discussion. . . do you guys that wear merino, wear it as a first layer against the skin?

Thanks
Dan

[Don Stokes]

Another vote for Merino wool. I recently bought two pair from Campmor.com, and I really like them. I wear them next to my skin. I can wear them for several days before washing. One pair is lined with silk, but I really can't tell the difference. Price is right. Now my polypro doesn't leave the cabinet.

[Tree Rat]

I used to use silk under wool, but silk is expensive and fragile. With good wool I just use it directly on the skin. It DOES NOT scratch.

The reason some wool is scratchy is that it is made from recylced wool and short fibers. They poke out at the end and scratch. Good wool is made with virign long fibers that do not poke out.

[ripforce56]

Merino for me all the way U-Wear socks etc! Never smells and thermo regulates better than any other fabric on the market! Minus 33 as mentioned above has real good prices on there Merino wool products! I was a buyer at an outdoor store and we replaced our Smartwool, which is a great product, with Minus 33 because of the value sold a ton of it!

[trapper]

I have wore Filson wool longjohns since they came out and I love the feel and performance they offer.

[Orion]

Kdan: Marino wool because of its long fibers is less scratchy than other wools and most can wear it directly next to the skin.  To some, it might still feel itchy.  That's why I wear silk under it.  Absolutely no itch then. Silk feels real good next to the skin and also helps transfer sweat/moisture to the wool.  I haven't found silk to be fragile.  Actually think it's quite tough.

[hvyhitter]

Nice thin Merino wool right next to the skin. I have several sets and just add more layers as it gets colder. Several thin layers work better than one bulky one and stops alot of the wind too.

[Don Stokes]

Found out this morning that the moths like Merino wool, too, when I started pulling mine on. Not much damage, but it got my attention.

[pronghorn23]

Thank you all for the input. I've decided to go with the Merino wool.

[lpcjon2]

The heavyweight fleece polartec are awesome!

[ksbowman]

Ksdan, I've worn Merino wool long johns for several years and wouldn't use anything else. Very soft and comfortable and don't pickup odors easily. When it gets colder I just add another set doubling the layers. Mine are Cabelas heavy weight and when I add the second layer they are cheaper gray wool blend long johns.No itch on either ones.