Cold Weather - Base Layer

Having been in the same type of work, what worked for me was basic thermal stuff from any department store, including thermal socks. Then you just layer the clothes on top because you can always remove a layer if your too warm. Always have some dry clothes in the trunk, ya never know. Thermal, waterproof boots is a must have.

For the money, the best I have found is Duofold Midweight stuff, it's two layer cotton/poly blend - so it's not perfect ultra tech, but they wear like iron, have a nice "hand" (fabric feel) and don't have the body odor retention issues of pure polypro.

Ha, no basic thermal stuff isn't just cotton. If you really want the good stuff though, it's going to cost a bid more. Go to any of your local hunting, outdoors type stores like a Cabela for the good stuff.

Carhartt is quality schitt. Carhartt or leather, never mind the weather as they say. Have the extreme jacket and hood and can only wear it during the absolute coldest days around here!

The military stuff (cost-wise) is a good suggestion if you need to buy five tops and bottoms. Price wise that will be hard to beat I imagine!

I'm a fan of the Duofold as well, but they seem to have discontinued the tall versions in the line I like, which I prefer due to shrinkage, so I had to look for something new.

With any of this base layer stuff, you have to be mindful of the activity level. It makes a difference in which line you choose. High activity gear is more wicking less insulating. I've noticed that if I wear this stuff with lower activity level, it can make me feel cold, so I only use that if I'm out riding or something. I like the dual layer stuff with a wicking layer and an insulating layer, as MrB mentions. The stuff I like best usually has merino wool in it. Stuff's amazing. I don't get too hot wearing it; very temperature regulating. Good for socks too. Wigwam makes some nice merino blend ones. Tried the People Socks - pass.

Regarding base layers, this year I'm trying the Coldpruf stuff. I like the Platinum line so far. Tails of the tops are longer in the back than on the front so it doesn't pull out if you're doing active stuff.

There's much more advanced stuff than this available, but I like to have a few sets so I try to find something relatively affordable.

Another consideration in the system is a breathable windproofing layer.

@mrbiron I would think you'd want the latest and greatest - E.C.W.C.S. Gen III. I always find midweight base layers to be the sweet spot between warmth and bulk, but they produced lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight in this line I believe.

Costco has some decent stuff for cheap... I wear it all the time.

Haha, Randy.
yeah, that's another thing to consider, like Mike mentioned - circulation.

Funny, yeah, when I was in the Air Force we used to have to wear nylon socks under our boot socks. That kinda stuck with me ever since.

Duofold is very good stuff, with different material weights for differing levels of activity. I refuse to pay full price for anything, pretty much all my outdoor clothing comes from Sierra Trading Post. Check out their site (sierratradingpost.com) and sign up for their Deal Flyer emails, I get two a day with different sales.

I wear mine frequently in colder weather. It will take me about 45 minutes to do the barn chores regardless of the temps and my torso/legs never get cold. My hands and feet can be a different story though. To keep my feet from getting clammy I wear my hiking sock liners for the wicking and wool or wool blend socks...seems to do the trick most of the time. I have yet to find any hand protection to keep me totally comfortable and still be able to use my hands for work.

Ask PFB where the best place to buy skinny jeans. And start there.

I spent a year and a half in Alaska with the USAF and they taught the now universal "layering" technique. Nylon base, then cotton, then wool. I don't think polyprop was around in the mid-70's.

The idea was to keep the moisture off your skin when it wicks through the nylon to the cotton and wool keeps you warm even when it's wet.