Thermal underwear

How good are they? I live in the tropics and planning to travel to the northern hemisphere this January. Since I do not have winter clothing, I plan to stock on thermal underwear. Good idea or not?

I guess it depends on your tolerance to cold. My hubby's family is from Michigan and if we go in winter I always pack thermal underwear. I'd freeze my butt off outside otherwise.

It really depends where you will be, whether that's [a] absolutely necessary; a good idea; [c] a total waste; or [d] somewhere in between. What part of the Northern Hemisphere will be you in?

Thermal underwear is great, but it's usefulness is rather situational. If you're going to be going in and out a lot or if you're physically active, you might get too hot. With a jacket, you just take it off. With the long underwear, you have to go inside and take your clothes off to remove it. Once you've got an idea of the temperatures you'll be out in, you'll have a better idea of how useful it will be.

I have found that I like silk long underwear like this. It all depends on where you are going.

I prefer dressing in layers over thermal underwear because of the reasons Grogs posted.

Its hard to take off thermal underwear

Take today for example....

I had on pants + a sports top + tank top + zipper sweater + jacket when I left to take a walk. The zipper sweater came off and went around my waist.... shortly after I started sweating so my coat stayed off.

In wintertime, if I'm going to be exposed to the elements, it depends on the conditions... I'll wear waterproof pants (thicker than rainpants but not quite snowpants) if I think I need more than my normal pants.

It would be easier to advise if we knew conditions and temp to suggest

I dress in layers too but sometimes the watchword for January here is Carrhart insulated coveralls - the really heavy ones - with the matching fur trimmed aviator's hat. 45 layers won't keep you warm in 40 below with windchill to 65 below but a couple of light layers under that lot really works. I also hate long underwear, thermal or otherwise; wear sweatpants with windpants over top for the most part, sometimes two pairs of sweats. And I always wear my fur hat.....while politically incorrect, it sure keeps the ears from freezing, and besides you lose 20% of your body heat through your head, and a toque doesnt work as well as fur and heavy fabric. So, the thing is, where are you going??

Don't get cotton thermal undies - they hold moisture against your skin and can actually make you colder.

Silk is good, I have a set

Technical thermals are good like the ones made by Under Armor because they wick moisture away to help keep you warmer.

The most important thing is to layer so you can peel off layers if you get too hot.

^I've never seen the silk ones before, though I have heard of them. I'm assuming they're more comfortable?

I prefer layers (even when I lived in Michigan). But that was mostly because of the way the typical thermal underwear are made. Tight cuffs + unbearable fabric texture always drove me crazy - but then I have problems with some clothes.
You might find them uncomfortable. My biggest suggestion is to make sure you get yourself a really good pair of gloves if you're going to be out in the cold. And good socks, of course.

Thank you so much for the help! I really appreciate it.

Where are you going though?

I llive in a "cold" city by definition, and I don't where them

Originally Posted by strange_wings

^I've never seen the silk ones before, though I have heard of them. I'm assuming they're more comfortable?

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The silk long underwear is extremely light and silky yet, somehow, it is very warm.

I'm sorry, I'm only commenting because apparently my eyesight is going.
Every time I saw this thread title, I saw "Musical Underwear"

I like the brand Cuddle Duds. It's a soft extra layer and also a good barrier between skin and itchy wool sweaters. I refuse to pay full price for them though... I'll find them at discount stores.

I would get a few different types of layering thermals and then see what works best for where you are going.

Someone touched on this one:

Warm socks are a must..... same with a hat.

I find that my legs are the last place to get cold, and they only do so if we have a cold windy day

Polar fleece pants are great too.

Smartwool socks are my favorites! They make a lovely medium-weight sock that I just love

Another option for pants is lined jeans. They are jeans that have a nice warm layer on the inside. The downside of these is that if they are too heavy, you are stuck with them whereas if you layer, you can always remove layers.

The only way I'd wear thermal underwear would be if I were outside in below-freezing weather for several hours at a time.

Best to wear lots of layers with a warm wind-proof, waterproof coat. You want to be able to quickly take some layers off if you are getting exercise or going indoors at some point. You can't take off the thermal undies easily - I would get too hot and miserable wrapped up in those things!

Originally Posted by Grogs

Thermal underwear is great, but it's usefulness is rather situational. If you're going to be going in and out a lot or if you're physically active, you might get too hot. With a jacket, you just take it off. With the long underwear, you have to go inside and take your clothes off to remove it. Once you've got an idea of the temperatures you'll be out in, you'll have a better idea of how useful it will be.

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Good point. Unless you're outside for awhile, the thermal underwear will get annoying.
I wear them all the time in winter as I am outside for hours. I like prolypropoline (sp?) best as they're warm, stretchy and comfy.
I have a thermal silk top which is great because it's very warm while being very thin, which is handy for under more formal wear, especially if you don't want to wear a bulky jacket.

Originally Posted by WELDRWOMN

Don't get cotton thermal undies - they hold moisture against your skin and can actually make you colder.

Silk is good, I have a set

Technical thermals are good like the ones made by Under Armor because they wick moisture away to help keep you warmer.

The most important thing is to layer so you can peel off layers if you get too hot.

Click to expand...

those cotton ones maybe work in a lower temperature setting inside, but if you're outside and working up a sweat at all then steer clear!

I'm guessing you are visiting Europe and want to stay warm enough while moving from building to building, train stations etc? Then I'd recommend a decent jacket, scarf, hat and gloves, and thinner style silk underwear for a thermal layer that won't be overbearing.

Being from a cold climate I don't wear any "long underwear" unless the temps are in the mid teens farenheit and I'm going to be outside for several hours. If we go up to the farm in the winter to cut firewood I'll wear my under armour long sleeve mock turtleneck top and patagonia long underwear bottoms under my clothes. I believe the wind is worse than the cold and best to have good socks on, mittens vs gloves (lined at least) a scarf and a hair crushing hat. A coat with a hood helps too.