Polypropylene vs polyester base layer reddit. Rayon is NOT suitable as a base layer.
Polypropylene vs polyester base layer reddit I find synthetic base layers do a great job of holding in warmth in colder weather, and wick perspiration away just fine in hot weather. The mid layer sizing is good. Oct 17, 2024 · I’ve used many 32 degree products for years. Oct 14, 2023 · Polyester offers a level of comfort and is often used in clothing due to its resistance to wrinkles and quick-drying properties. You'll need to repair/replace any parts that have worn/torn yearly. I wear normal boxer briefs during the daytime hiking and then switch into my base layers as it gets cold, but that’s just my personal preference. Here there are a lot of options - polyester, wool, cotton, microfiber, canvas, etc. Lightweight and quick-drying, they’re also usually more durable and budget-friendly than merino wool. Voormi makes some interesting base layers where the inside is wicking polyester and the outside is wool. I stick pretty religiously to my R1 hoody (just switch to the R1 pullover to drop the hood though, can't have a hood on every single layer). You can wear them 2 (or even 3) days Personally, even at -15C temps I still prefer a lighter base layer (usually 150 weight merino, sometimes 200) to wick well, and then rely on a mid layer (or layers) and a shell for warmth, with a down puffy to hand for stops. That’s all you need. Polypropylene base layers will wick moisture like polyester, but keep you warm when they are saturated. They go by many names… baselayers, next-to-skin layers, thermal underwear, long johns. Note that insulation should be mainly provided by the mid-layer clothing (fleece jacket, down jacket etc. Cotton is poor for this purpose because it feels wet easily, promotes heat loss, and dries slowly. Someone posted a link to “Minus 33” for wool leggings/base layers when this question came up. Mar 6, 2025 · Layering Systems: Base, Mid, and Outer Layers. The polypropylene Superthermo version is pretty much indestructable - it's not fragile at all, it's actually thicker than a standard base layer so it can trap the air inside. I haven’t had a chance to try Stanfields merino stuff yet as 1) I never really knew it existed until recently and 2) as someone who works 15-18+ hour shifts, the thinner base layers have never lasted. Outdoor Research Echo hoody (100% polyester) I like this one for colder weather as a base layer but it also works great in the heat. 100% cotton was a disaster. I guess it really depends on where you are in Canada. Synthetic Base Layers. A plain knit polyester is not a fleece, fleece also denotes a structure to a knit or woven. You can literally wear them all year, which for my budget is a much better value. " ----- (A question in response) We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In cold weather (below freezing), my base layer is midweight thermals, which allow me to hike without overheating. I'm female, though, so ymmv based on how heat affects you and your activity level. the outer surface of merino wool is not moisture-loving (hydrophobic) and so this keeps a dry feel. The trick is to only wear the one layer of lightweight (preferably light coloured) 100% wool in the summer, and then layer with something that keeps the heat if it gets a little colder, like a cotton sweatshirt. Jan 4, 2023 · 20 years ago alot of the synthetic stuff was polypropylene. Jun 29, 2020 · We compare merino, merino blends, alpaca, and polyester fabrics as part of a framework to help hikers choose the best base layer. But that has all night to dry. ’ If you’re looking for cheap, cheerful, and very washable (a great place to start), Blacks have a similar polyester base layer top and bottom set for just £21. There are more chemical and physical differences, but our intention for this post today is to explain how the differences effect those of you who wish to craft with either material. Would be worn stand alone, under thermal or combat top. A layer meant for hiking or skiing will work, but truly not going to be a lot cheaper than something of quality mean for a dry suit. 99 sale price, both mens and $9. Outdoor Research Astroman Hoody (Nylon with some elastine). r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. The Base layer should be a wicking layer. Although polypropylene is commonly blended, you can find 100% polypropylene socks. I would do a cap air as your base (or byrnje mesh) and put your light poly layer over that. Regardless of what you call them, your next-to-skin clothing layers are vital for ensuring your backpacking trip is safe and comfortable. Combine those two with a solid middle weight shell and you’re pretty good to cold temps (especially with a bib). It’s SPF 30 to 50 depending on the color. with that being said, you can find better bottoms than the poly pros, but you won't be disappointed with the top. I don't know if there's a big difference between cashmere and merino. Two issues here; I think you are conflating all polyester layers with fleece. The research is behind it - it out performs polyester and polypropylene in all conditions. In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. Polyester can absorb more of the liquid, which increases the risk of stains from spills. The options are endless, but time and again Patagonia’s Capilene baselayers come back as a top pick. The list goes on. They are much cheaper of course, but not sure at what cost. You don't need to buy a fancy base layer from a dive shop, but you do need a good base layer. Absolutely love it. The discussion was about base layers. Polyester is by far the most common synthetic and a nice cost-effective alternative to merino: It keeps up in terms of moisture wicking, comfort is still fairly high, and it tends to be much more hardwearing. These base layers will keep the wearer warm when combined with ski wear. The base layer of clothing is one of the most important layers for thermoregulation or control of your body temperature. If the high of the day is below 50 i wear the 150 layer top and bottom. That being said, a snug next-to-skin layer with an insulating wool sock over it is still a great combo that helps to transfer the friction you would have experienced between the sock and your foot to between the 2 sock layers. That is exactly how socks should be worn, in 2 layers. I’m blown away by the popularity of wool as a base layer. Pea gravel is going to be it's own serious pain in the ass. I want to get some Merino wool base layers but the 100% merino wool are outside my budget. Why? Polyester typically doesn't pill (get those bumps when regularly rubbed) and it's highly stain resistant. The 32 Degrees thermal packs at Costco for the win! Great base layer. Personally I feel the single layer of the Montane is more suitable for this That’s good to hear. Once you go merino, you won't go back. But if I'm doing a single day hike, a 3D shoot, or just working outside I'll generally throw on a poly base layer under another shirt. i would say anything 80% cotton 40% polyester. It also is less abrasion resistant than polyester and wears out faster. If the high is below 40 i wear the 250 layer. It used to be that performance long underwear was always polypropylene, but now it is commonly polyester. These types of socks are great for hiking and other outdoor activities. My preferred layer over top of Brynje is a polypropylene base layer from Gore Wear, a tip from u/mtnhuntingislife who has done a lot of testing on layering with Brynje IMO Merino is the "simple" solution to base and midlayer garments where as polyester is the higher performance and more "appropriate". Not to mention recycled polyester, which comprises most of Polartec's fleece production, FWIW. Oct 16, 2018 · Base layers made of wool with a density of 170g/m 2 and less are suitable for use at high temperatures while others are mainly intended for winter, spring and fall use. There are three major functions of the base layer: managing moisture, protecting the skin, and maintaining your body’s correct temperature. A Buyers Guide to Base Layers - Base layers are designed to sit next to the skin and wick sweat away or provide an extra thermal layer as a second skin Oct 25, 2022 · Wool vs. I use Smartwool baselayers since they blend their Merino with synthetic fibers so you get the best of both worlds. I've got a Polartec Power Grid base layer for warmer days and a Polartec Power Stretch base layer for colder days. This is why polyester based (e. Feb 16, 2016 · The market for high performance baselayers is pretty crowded these days, with a bewildering assortment of pure fabrics and blends with various treatments or paint-on silver dots. It goes against all of my cold weather training. Polyester has its benefits also. Polyester lacks the quick-drying properties of polypropylene, but it is washable and wrinkle-resistant, qualities that make it easy to care for. SmartWool is definitely my favorite baselayer right now. So I need to change my underwear multiple times a day. PFAS are especially problematic since they do not decompose over time, but instead, they build up in the body, causing terrible If yes, 3 layers of the polyester, not polypropylene, commercial grade landscaping fabric will block weeds for the next year. Nylon absorbs a lot of water, can't imagine it making for a good base layer. On the flip side, with mesh, their base layers are a lot lighter than regular knit base layers. The Power Stretch layer is also so warm, I tend to wear just that and a hardshell to Depends upon the length of the trip. Overall, while both polyester and nylon can be suitable for base layers, polyester is often preferred for its superior moisture-wicking properties, faster drying time, and softer feel against the skin. I have seen a few different options out there that are wool blend, usually 60% polyester and 40% merino wool. Another notable difference is that polyester is oleophilic (oil absorbing) and thus prone to retaining body odors. Whether the provide the best and/or the worst of both is debatable. Synthetic base layers will largely be made from polyester and polyester blends. It may be because polypro melts easily if you put it in the dryer on high heat, or it may be because polyester garments are cheaper to manufacture. Found it on the marketplace for a stupid cheap price and it had been professionally cleaned prior to selling. I've had mine for several years (in NZ - worn in all conditions) and they wear beautifully - still look perfect after many many trips and hard use. The “waffle” tops make great mid-layers on top of the base layer. Poly pro is great, when people say that military gear isn't ideal for backpacking they're usually right, except for the poly pro tops. Jun 30, 2019 · Thick garments are obviously warmer than thin garments while tight fitting garments retain more body heat than loose one. Base layer clothing should be quick-drying and thus made of relatively thin fabrics. Which Baselayer Is Best? — Merino Wool vs Synthetics. There is more complexity to textiles than this, such as breathability, dry time, and skin feel. For bottoms I'm thinking about getting something merino wool, but seems the merino is usually mixed (50-60%) with another material, most common being polypropylene and polyester. Pack one base layer top and one base layer bottom. For me, shirts that are all polyester suck, but a poly cotton blend is pretty good. Synthetics are much better at wicking than wool. The base and mid layer products have very different sizing, I need to size up on the base layer model or it’s far too small, especially the bottoms. Wool is hydrophilic, while polyester is hydrophobic. qyjj cujhvzt npimxuq tks jdz kqccdlp vhipzbgz ylid wbn ifne caadcx exlwg qrtykt ikdgjg doxjBytePlus harnesses the expertise and technology of