Winter Sleepwear - Wool or Synthetic

[bluetotto]

Gearing up for the first snowshoeing/camping and planning to take two sets of baselayers (Wool and Synthetic).

Wool vs Synthetic discussion seems to be a popular forum topic and people are polarized on their opinion but from what I've read, it seems to make sense to wear synthetic during the day (for moisture management fast drying overnight) and use wool as sleepwear (for insulation when wet and comfort as I swear fair bit while sleeping).

I am pretty sure it wouldn't make a huge difference either way but what would you recommend for daywear / sleepwear if I had to choose between two?

Or should I just take one set and not bother about taking dedicated sleepwear to change into?

[Moondog55]

Good question
Debate will be fierce as usual
For me it's synthetic all the way

[bluetotto]

Gearing up for the first snowshoeing/camping and planning to take two sets of baselayers (Wool and Synthetic).

Wool vs Synthetic discussion seems to be a popular forum topic and people are polarized on their opinion but from what I've read, it seems to make sense to wear synthetic during the day (for moisture management fast drying overnight) and use wool as sleepwear (for insulation when wet and comfort as I swear fair bit while sleeping).

I am pretty sure it wouldn't make a huge difference either way but what would you recommend for daywear / sleepwear if I had to choose between two?

Or should I just take one set and not bother about taking dedicated sleepwear to change into?

And I just changed my mind thinking I will surely sweat more during the day than overnight...

[Moondog55]

Because modern synthetic base layers dry so quickly I don't change into a dedicated sleep outfit. I do however keep a complete "From The Skin Out" set of dry clothes just in case which is at need my sleeping set.
If I had to choose I'd sleep in the wool [ don't forget the dry clean socks and beanie] as these count for a lot

[Gadgetgeek]

for snowshoeing/trail breaking, you want to wear the one that fits best, and has the best range of motion. all things being equal I prefer wool, but synthetics have some advantages. I'd take both, try both out, and see what you come up with. I think the activity during the day will be the breaker for one or the other, they should react pretty near the same while sleeping. it would suck to leave one at home and find some aspect of the other does not suit.

[Aidan]

I'll try some wool long johns the day my 20 year old Macpac polypropylene 2 piece base layer wears out.
I'm not holding my breath.
I bought 3 pairs many years ago and their only falling is they are looking a little small on me now and don't hide the fact I've put on a few kg since purchase.

Wish my mid layer 2 piece polypropylene cycling set had lasted as long.
I think Macpac called them Zip-zap top and Bee's-knees bottoms.

[slparker]

Gearing up for the first snowshoeing/camping and planning to take two sets of baselayers (Wool and Synthetic).

Wool vs Synthetic discussion seems to be a popular forum topic and people are polarized on their opinion but from what I've read, it seems to make sense to wear synthetic during the day (for moisture management fast drying overnight) and use wool as sleepwear (for insulation when wet and comfort as I swear fair bit while sleeping).

I am pretty sure it wouldn't make a huge difference either way but what would you recommend for daywear / sleepwear if I had to choose between two?

Or should I just take one set and not bother about taking dedicated sleepwear to change into?

whatever's comfortable. i prefer wool for sleeping but synthetics for walking. The important thing is to have something dry to change into (for me) as I get very chilled in damp thermals. My woolies are a heavier grade, which sways me using them for static wear.

[DarrenM]

I'll try some wool long johns the day my 20 year old Macpac polypropylene 2 piece base layer wears out.......... Bee's-knees bottoms.

Best pants ever. My old bees knees are still keeping me warm after all these years. If only they still made them.

[AlexB]

Has anyone tried silk long johns either for activity or sleep? What did you think of them?

[Moondog55]

Warm when dry; cold when wet and very sexy on the right body
Better indoors than outdoors; they do work well tho as a windproof barrier over wool or synthetics [ Google the Mallory Everest clothing] silk seems to work better when combined with wool or cashmere especially in the lighter weights

[Zone-5]

A friend put me onto NZ - Icebreaker Merino Wool for fantastic natural fibre base layers:
Icebreaker - http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html

http://au.icebreaker.com/en/home



http://au.icebreaker.com/en/mens-layering-baselayers

They are having a 75% OFF sale right at this moment!

[devoswitch]

Are those prices with 75% off? $80 for a short sleeve? Wow I just realised my job doesn't pay me enough apparently.

[Travis22]

Na these are the items for sale:

http://au.icebreaker.com/en/web-special ... 0%25%20off


Ive had my Icebreaker 260weight thermals for a long long time now and they are in a different league to the cheap stuff ie. The Aldi merino (which i did purchase during that last sale there). I cannot remember what we paid for the Icebreaker ones, iirc it was around $70-80 each on sale.

Travis.

[devoswitch]

Nice one thanks Travis

[Moondog55]

OMG thos prices are ridiculous You can buy Cashmere from Uniqlo for not much more

http://www.uniqlo.com/au/store/cashmere ... 90008.html

And Merino for lots less

http://www.uniqlo.com/au/store/efm-swea ... 30024.html
And the Uniqlo stuff is soft enough to wear against the skin

[bluetotto]

Reporting back feeling like yet another victim of outdoor gear marketers...

Tested three different base layers (Polyester-Kathmandu) , Polypro powerdry 200-Mont, Icebreaker 260).

I had very high expectations for Merino as it was double the price of the polypro but found no real difference in warmth, breathability, comfort, drying time odor control ect. Only + for merino is that it felt a bit lighter against the skin when it is actually heavier but don't think that little bit of luxury doesn't justify the cost difference.

I'd happily pay extra for polypro power dry over polyester any day but can't see myself buying myself merino base-layer ever again...

Now I am going synthetic all the way, has anyone tried both Polypro Powerdry and Patagonia Capilene? - If I am gonna pay extra for base layer again, it might as well be for the better synthetic.

[Travis22]

Yes full RRP is a bit silly but the Aldi merino was $40ea and say my 260 Ice breaker thermals were $80ea by comparison IMO the Ice breaker thermals are 10 times nicer then the Aldi ones. Much much much thicker, and a nicer feel and better fit.

Id buy another set of Ice Breaker ones in a heart beat but i wouldnt buy the Aldi ones again.

Travis.

[north-north-west]

So funny reading these sorts of threads. It's all about personal preferences and personal experience.

I don't wear polyprop any more because it makes me itchy. Merino is more comfortable and doesn't smell. But I'd never spend money on Icebreaker again. I have one of their (extremely expensive) long-sleeved tops which has done very little bush time - one winter as a walking top - but is already falling apart. Yet the Merino Skins which cost a third (if that) are still gong strong after more than ten years (not to mention being warmer), and the Brubek Comfort Top - which has been worn on every single walk since I got it about 18 months ago - is fine except for the holes in the sleeves caused by scrub bashing.

[bluetotto]

for snowshoeing/trail breaking, you want to wear the one that fits best, and has the best range of motion. all things being equal I prefer wool, but synthetics have some advantages. I'd take both, try both out, and see what you come up with. I think the activity during the day will be the breaker for one or the other, they should react pretty near the same while sleeping. it would suck to leave one at home and find some aspect of the other does not suit.

I took your advice and tried both. It seems to come down to personal preferences / disposable income as I couldn't really feel a dramatic difference between two. Not quite sure if it is the snug fit or material but felt like polypro drew moisture little better for the day activity. Wool seems to regulate little better as, unlike polypro, I didn't have to remove a mid layer when the day warmed up.

I've decided that I can live with taking one set of synthetic base layers only for both day activity and sleep but totally agree with everyone who suggested they'd choose wool for sleeping if I want to take dedicated sleepwear and had to choose between two.

My dream sleepwear for a really cold night fis not 260 weight icebreaker but. It'd be a thinnest skin-tight merino baselayer I can find (wool + lycra blend?) + polartec power stretch onsie (with hood, sock and glove built in if anyone decides to make one). Picked up a pair of power stretch pants and totally in love with this fabric.

[slparker]

Na these are the items for sale:

http://au.icebreaker.com/en/web-special ... 0%25%20off


Ive had my Icebreaker 260weight thermals for a long long time now and they are in a different league to the cheap stuff ie. The Aldi merino (which i did purchase during that last sale there). I cannot remember what we paid for the Icebreaker ones, iirc it was around $70-80 each on sale.

Travis.

I wouldn't call 260 weight merino a base layer. To me that's a midweight and would be way too hot for aerobic activity in australia. I use very lightweight merino for walking and its very good but neither durable nor particularly cheap.

I have a great icebreaker 260 weight top that i have never, and will never, carry into the bush because it's too hot, too heavy and saggy when wet and, quite frankly, too expensive to damage -even getting it on sale from christchurch.

I use icebreaker for travelling only where it's heavier weight, pong reststance and aesthetic cut and design is more important - and where i can dry the garments over a heater overnight.

[Travis22]

Slparker,

Ive never worn thermals while doing any sort of aerobic activity. My comments were re: winter sleepwear.

I will put my 260 weight thermals on at the end if the day before going to bed when its cold.

Ive never had a seriously nice or warm sleeping bag before so they have been a great addition for me when its freezing in the high country.

Times are changing tho, my cheap and heavy synthetic sleeping bag has just been replaced with a OP Bushlite -15!

My old bag and 260weight thermals will now be religated to car camping only.

My basic understanding gathered by posts here is wool for sleeping and synthetic for aerobic activity is a good combo and while ive never had any synthetic stuff like that im interested to give it a go now.

Travis.

[AlexB]

Regarding cheap merino, I wear the Target merino long johns from the underwear department, which retail for $30 a piece and are available year round (at least in Ballarat where I live). Not just for bushwalking but around the house and out and about in town, everywhere! In regular rotation (each piece being worn once a week on average) they last me 1 year looking pretty good, and another 1-2 years starting to look a little shabby, with eg. small holes appearing in the sleeves of the tops or wearing between the thighs on the pants; I would usually toss them out after 3 years. This is with regular machine washing (cold water) and line drying.

I figure they're cheap and cheerful and I like that they don't have that "sporty" look. They're cheaper if you wait for Target to have an underwear sale, too If you are shopping online at Target, search for "wool thermal" -- they don't use "merino" in the name.

Oh! One other thing to note... they are *slightly* transparent, so I wouldn't wear the bottoms without something over them, and although I'll wear the tops by themselves when I'm bushwalking I probably wouldn't do so for daytime wear in the city.