Synthetics Clothing

[Hawnjigs]

Since I started buying my own clothes around 50 years ago, my choice has been cotton. Never gets too cold or hot in HI, so feeling a bit chilly or getting soaked with sweat was an occasional minor discomfort. But for this years mainland trip I decided to try Patagonia Capilene polyester shirts, Terramar polyester boxer-briefs, and Royal Robbins Billy Goat nylon pants, purchased way under retail on eBay and Sierra Trading Post. They felt lighter than cotton comfortable and both warmer and cooler when needed. The pants dry really fast after a dunking. When an extra layer was needed for unexpectedly cold weather into the low 20s a thrift shop polyester fleece Old Navy "sweat"shirt helped much more than dept. store poly-cotton blend long johns.

Still learning, so I wonder how you mainlanders gear up for the outdoors? I avoided wool because a beanie cap my wife gave me last year was horribly itchy.

 

[AtticaFish]

I don't have any of the new, all poly, underarmor style of clothing, but have been thinking about getting some to try out. For cold weather, i just layer up and take thing off if i get too warm.

I do have a heavy wool hooded pullover and do wear it in the spring and fall pretty often. It is scratchy but i just make sure i have a long sleeve tee-shirt under it. It stays warm a long time...... but sucks when it gets wet!

 

[quivira kid]

I subscribe to the "several thinner layers" theory.... long sleeve summer (thin) Under Armor, then a tshirt or long sleeve tshirt, then a fleece type jacket, and an overcoat with hood. That is my standard layering for when it is super cold. The trapped air between the layers keeps you warm.... that is the theory. Then you can always adjust and take a layer off at a time once it warms up.

 

[Fatman]

Long johns and a hooded sweat shirt. Tried my sons Under armor t-shirts and they do pull the sweat away. One thing I do reqret was not buying two of the Air Force parkas before I got out of the Air Force, they sure did keep me warm!!!!

 

[toadfrog]

I got to army navy surplus stores . I have 2 or three parkas and long johns . One of them stupid goofy looking fuzzy Russian hats that look like I slapped a piece of roadkill on top of my head . A pair of calf high line mans boots for the snow . Hate getting snow in my shoes . I feel best when it is calm wind and around 25 degrees . Strange but true .

 

[smalljaw]

Like everyone else, thin layers of clothing, I also have an underarmor hoodie I got as a gift and I can understand the cost, it says to wear it at temps under 55 degrees and I can't believe I can go out in 45 degree temps with just that hoodie and a T-shirt underneath, it is good stuff if you can afford it. I too have some wool gaments, I think from wearing it from the time you're a kid you kind of get used to the itchyness of it but nothing keeps you warm like wool, just don't get it wet as nothing is heavier than wet wool!

 

[redman]

Hawn I live in Texas what is cold weather??? Seriously It is heavy corduroy in the winter or a pair of heavy duck cloth pants. Yes they still make them!!! A Pendelton flannel shirt and a old Navy pea coat that a friend gave me. But always a Camo Tee shirt of cotton. With a pair of wool socks with a pair of silk socks under them takes out the itch and your feet will stay dry. Foot ware is a pair of Snake boots but that is summer and winter when I go on the lake. It can't be anything but a camo cap. Come on!!!!!!!

Redman

 

[SaltyBuckster]

I'm probably like you Keith.I've been in the deserts of Arizona for the last 32 years.Came back to the northeast last year.A good pair of longjohns.Tee shirt,and a pair of cold weather Desert Storm Camaflauge pants starts me off.THEN,a sweatshirt.Then a heavy hooded sweatshirt.Then,My outer Woolrich wool hunting coat,lol.That's my winter outfit.Don't forget my shooting mittens that fold back and have half fingers inside.Oh yea,my wool hat with the brim that the ears fold down on.Yea,I think that's it.