recommend me.. thermals

[tigersaw]

Looking for some thermals for everyday use, dog walking, stomping down runways in the middle of the night etc. Not for biking especially, although I'm sure I'd use them for that as well.

Looking at 5 seasons stuff,
http://www.simplypiste.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=56058

http://www.simplypiste.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=55438

kind of thing.

Anyone think these not suitable, or have other recommendations?
not looking to spend a mint and go high tech.

[arcdef]

i got my from M&S and they do the job very well, keep me warm on the bike although i do still get abit of wind chill through when wearing leathers, and as soon as im off the bike it can be as cold as you like and ill still sweat! I even used them for 3 days in the cold room at work and was getting hot not too pricey either

[tigersaw]

Actually looking again at 5 seasons, they are described as 'base layers'. Is that the same thing as thermals, just a posh word? I like the idea they wick away moisture, but if they dont keep you warm as well I cant see the use.

[arcdef]

also i just read a review in riders digest about some amazing thermals that are pretty cheap, link is here (http://www.snickersworkwear.com) the article says they are very very good

[Bluepete]

+1 for M&S thermals!

[gettin2dizzy]

base layer / thermals / all the same crap.

Don't buy brands though. It's all the same.

[skeetly]

no they arent
icebreaker.

[matt_rehm_hext]

As skeetly said,

Icebreaker. IMO they are the best and I've been using them for 2 years, widely regarded as the world's best. Pricey, but with good reason if you understand about them.

PM me if you want detailed info, I work for an outdoors store.

[STRAMASHER]

Another vote here for the marks and sparks ones. Bought them for work but keep you toasty on the bike too.

[kitkat]

matalan do pringle thermals. long or short sleeved top and long johns. It was a couple of years ago but they cost £5 for a set.

[madness]

Thermals/Baselayers are definately not all the same. Some contain some cotton which makes them feel nice against the skin but the cotton holds moisture and you'll soon feel clammy in them. There are lots of synthetic ones that don't absorb sweat (they wick). They trouble is that they smell after you've worn them for short time. Some are treated with anti-baterial agents to help stop this. Then there are ones made from merino wool. These can be worn for days without smelling but are quite expensive. In the end you get what you pay for.

[Dangerous Dave]

Get some from a Surplus store.

[Miss Alpinestarhero]

Me and Matt have brought Maximum warmth thermal tops from Marks and sparks - they do a really good job and keep you toasty for a decent price (15 - 17 quid). I wear them during winter when on the bike and I stay relatively warm.

Ive recently bought another set of tops and bottoms from millets (the camping store) but they come under the term "base layers" in preperation for my winter holiday. Ive tried them on in the house and feel boiling after about 5 mins..! They were around 12 - 17 quid respectively.

If you only want them for walking etc then I dont think it would be worth your while to fork out lots of cash on expensive brand names from skiiing shops

[krhall]

Helly Hansen Lifa stuff is supposed to be really good, I'm thinking about some for running.

[gazman]

Merino is the way forward! Here. (http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/227557/Clothing-and-Helmets/Base-Layer-Under-Clothing/EDZ) This is what I'll be getting soon as I find somewhere I can try them on for size.

[Mr Speirs]

I am wearing my thermals at work at the minute :) I love being toasty and warm. Need some thermal socks tho as my feet are always cold.
Oh and they are from Primark...home of the chav.

[chazzyb]

Watch out for Lidl's sportsware promo. I bought mine there last year. Long-sleeved top has an extra layer over the kidney region, legs have extra layer at the knee. No complaints here.

[injury_ian]

+1 on Aldi / Lidl thermals.

Crane sport I think they are called?

[seedy100]

Ive just bought some more from Aldi, these are "Crane Snow", part of Aldi's ski ware range. I also have 2 pairs of the Aldi motorcycle range, these are "Crane sport".

They are different, the Motorcycle ones are compression fit, and work fairly well. The Ski ware ones are less tight and I dont think they are designed to be compression fit, however they are considerably warmer than the bike range.

I shall be buying some more of the ski ones as soon as possible the problem is that they were in one of their "special buys" and who knows when they will do a Ski Ware special again?

Highly reccomended.

[RichT]

Helly Hansen Lifa stuff is supposed to be really good, I'm thinking about some for running.

+1 - Got some for snowboarding/sailing originally... now use 'em for everything...

[Alpinestarhero]

I got some M&S ones aswell, and they have kept me really warm, especially the bottoms...the top dosn't seem to make much of an effect, but thats probably because I'm wearing a whole bunch of layers ontop aswell

[gettin2dizzy]

Thermals/Baselayers are definately not all the same. Some contain some cotton which makes them feel nice against the skin but the cotton holds moisture and you'll soon feel clammy in them. There are lots of synthetic ones that don't absorb sweat (they wick). They trouble is that they smell after you've worn them for short time. Some are treated with anti-baterial agents to help stop this. Then there are ones made from merino wool. These can be worn for days without smelling but are quite expensive. In the end you get what you pay for.
Different types yeah. But different brands mean nothing. They're just woven cotton/polyester. Nothing new.

[crewmanchris]

gotta go for helly hansens. failing that get hold of some raf surplus aircrew thermals - i get mine free if you know what i mean!!

[gettin2dizzy]

If you're willing to spend the money, I'd just buy two cheapo sets. Nothing will ever beat layers.

I wear one super thin polyester layer, and one fine fleece layer, and then only with a textile coat. That kept me warm as toast all through last winter driving Manchester > London every fortnight. Didn't get even the slightest bit chilly over 10k winter miles.

[phil24_7]

Get some Merino wool, it's amazing stuff.

[skeetly]

Icebreaker are fantastic.
I've done a 2 week camping trip in a set of these in 'a very cold place indeed' and they didnt smell of me at all. Bit flecky but no smell :)
And they last for ages. They were a bit pricey (100 quid for top and bottom) but I wear them for work as well during the winter and I havent worn them out yet.
Much warmer imo than any other and you dont get sweaty or cold.

[gettin2dizzy]

I wear them for work as well during the winter and I havent worn them out yet.
I wear my thermals the whole time under 'normal' clothes. Who said long johns are out of fashion! ....toasty... :thumbsup:

[skeetly]

Wearing mine now as i dont want to get out of them.
Nothing else though................

[gettin2dizzy]

Wearing mine now as i dont want to get out of them.
Nothing else though................
woah! We don't have a 'blue-banter' section! :lol:

[ophic]

I wear cheapy Primark thermals and ultra cheapy Netto thermals. Or it could have been Aldi or Lidl - i forget. Still they were on special offer and sommat like £3 per garment. Softer and warmer than the Primark ones, altho also about 2 years younger so hardly a fair comparison.

Now got about 4 or 5 sets cos I ride in winter a lot. I don't think they keep me exactly "toasty warm" but at motorway speeds for an hour each way in -3 temps (like today :mad:) I think "just about bearable" is as good as I can hope for.

[shonadoll]

I used to wear lidl but invested in some Proskins- and love them to bits.

[Jayneflakes]

I use my mountaineering gear on the bike too. I went out for a walk on Saturday and was very snug thanks to my thermals.

I use a (now very) Smelly-Helly. OK, to you non climbers, a Helly Hanson Lifa top. Had it for close to a thousand years, so it is a bit holey and stinks after twenty seconds of use, but I love it.

I also have a Peter Storm short sleeved one from Millets, which is exactly the same, even down to the colours as my posh named brand one, which I have forgotten the name of. They are both in Coolmax fabric and keep me warm and dry all year round.

Others worth a look have to be Lowe Alpine (http://www.lowealpine.com/Products/SearchMenu.asp?ProductTypeID=7). Their stuff was wonderful when I worked in the industry a while ago and what Lowe stuff I still have, does not look like it is nearly ten years old.

[rob13]

Ive just bought some more from Aldi, these are "Crane Snow", part of Aldi's ski ware range. I also have 2 pairs of the Aldi motorcycle range, these are "Crane sport".

They are different, the Motorcycle ones are compression fit, and work fairly well. The Ski ware ones are less tight and I dont think they are designed to be compression fit, however they are considerably warmer than the bike range.

I shall be buying some more of the ski ones as soon as possible the problem is that they were in one of their "special buys" and who knows when they will do a Ski Ware special again?

Highly reccomended.

Ive just bought a set of Crane Snow ones too and while they look similar, they are more "thermal". The motorcycle ones react to heat in both ways, these keep you warm.

Cant go wrong for £8 a piece

[tigersaw]

Thanks for all your replys, its good to know so many people are wearing them :)

I've mail ordered a pair from my original link for now, tried m+s but could not find any, will try millets (peter storm) next time I get a day where I can visit shops, but thats only every month or so.

Will investigate others mentioned in time.

[missyburd]

I wear my thermals the whole time under 'normal' clothes. Who said long johns are out of fashion! ....toasty... :thumbsup:

+1, I've worn mine a hell of a lot since I got them a couple of months back. Especially good when sat about in the cold when having to watch birds :rolleyes:



I also have a Peter Storm short sleeved one from Millets,
I have the long sleeved Peter Storm top and long johns, they're really good, would highly recommend those. Bout £22 for the pair, but that was with a student discount :smt040