Thermals on the O.T.

[MichaelJ]

I am planning the Overland Track in late September, but having spent my whole life in North Queensland, have no idea how to use thermals....Do you sleep in them? Do you put them on at the start of the day in case the weather turns, or do you only put them on if the weather looks threatening? Can't imagine carrying a 20kg pack uphill wearing thermals, but when in Rome....
Many thanks for any advice.
Michael.

[Strider]

I suggest you familiarise yourself with the layering principle, I.e. base layer, mid layer, shell layer.

I always walk in thermals, unless its mid summer and the weather is amazing.

[dannnnn]

Hi Michael, fellow qlder here. Definitely wear them after dark. Wear them during the day if you're too cold in long pants and a jacket - just remember they are a pain to take on and off, so its easier to swap outer layers first.

[Scottyk]

In this area I think everyone os different so we can probably just tell you what we would do and you can figure out what you do.

I wear a merino thermal long sleeve top more or less all the time, pull the sleeves up if it's hot and wear it to bed most of the time.

I walk in shorts and gaiters all the time so I tend to save the long johns for camps or wearing under wet weather pants if it's a really wet and cold day. The long johns are only polys not merinos as they are cheaper and I rarely wear them for long enough to get too smelly. Wear them to bed if it's really cold.

Then as Strider said above learn about layering. For me at the moment it means the thermal long sleeve top, a 100 weight fleece top and then a down jacket for around camp (careful not to get it wet, that means don't hike in it as your sweat will wet it out) and the the last layer is your rain jacket. Bottom half layering is just long johns and then rain pants, if your upper body is warm then your legs will fine with this set up.

When I am walking I am always surprised at just how warm you are with very few layers as long you're moving. Normally I walk in shorts, gaiters, long sleeve thermal top. Then add rain jacket if it rains or the vegetation your pushing through is wet.

Hope this helps, see this topic also as it's more or less what you need http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... e+layering

Scotty

[Scottyk]

In this area I think everyone os different so we can probably just tell you what we would do and you can figure out what you do.

I wear a merino thermal long sleeve top 100% of the time, pull the sleeves up if it's hot, this saves the weight of a short sleeve shirt. Wear it too bed. Quarantine it at then end of the trip until it is dumped in the washing machine!

I walk in shorts and gaiters all the time so I tend to save the long johns for camps or wearing under wet weather pants if it's a really wet and cold day. The long johns are only polys not merinos as they are cheaper and I rarely wear them for long enough to get too smelly. Wear them to bed if it's really cold.

Then as Strider said above learn about layering. For me at the moment it means the thermal long sleeve top, a 100 weight fleece top and then a down jacket for around camp (careful not to get it wet, that means don't hike in it as your sweat will wet it out) and the the last layer is your rain jacket. Bottom half layering is just long johns and then rain pants, if your upper body is warm then your legs will fine with this set up.

When I am walking I am always surprised at just how warm you are with very few layers as long you're moving. Normally I walk in shorts, gaiters, long sleeve thermal top. Then add rain jacket if it rains or the vegetation your pushing through is wet. On the OT you'll find if your moving, your warm.

Hope this helps, see this topic also as it's more or less what you need http://www.bushwalk.com/forum/viewtopic ... e+layering

Scotty

[KANANGRABOYD]

Ok I should be asleep as heading out for 2 weeks early tomorrow.
I am assuming you are gonna get an entry level set of thermals. That being something like 100 weight Icebreaker or the general Macpac Merino thermals. Now before others get on the thread - do yourself a favour and ( if you are like me) do your homework and research all the hiking forums around the world - you will see that for "most" climates - Merino is the best option in terms of warmth, wicking and comfort. I could rant on for ages about textiles and CLO values, wicking and moisture transfer etc, but basically here is the go:
- base layer ( next to skin) - lightweight Merino thermals - any brand is ok, but average and the price I'd hand over is between $50-100Au for a set. Macpac is just as good as Icebreaker. Aldi ( Crane) are as good as those two. North Face, Mountain Designs, Kathmandu et al - pretty much all the same - yeah sure we all love our own brands, oh yeah you betcha!, but just go with the best you can afford. Merino is really good overall. Otherwise the standard that has been tested for years is the Patagonia Capeline range. Expensive, BUT really nice gear. Also the Marmot equivalent is worth a look at. Don't be fooled into going with a cheap option of the lower priced polypro thermals. I know some die hards will argue - but before the backlash starts - be smart and do you own homework and research before you buy - why is Merino the most popular?????- because it works!.
Layer with merino top/pants, then either a fleece or windstopper like next layer that is really breathable and also warm and windproof, or then next layer with a windproof layer - like event or similar. It is up to you, but standard wear in winter is a pair of thermals, then layer over them. Yep wear them all day and night, Merino absorb sweat and stink less over time, and they feel great against the skin. I own and have used over 10 different types of thermals or base layers over the years, I was one of the first in Australia to get the new Marmot Driclime stuff etc, and have used every brand - from K-mart to Patagonia. Buy what works for you. Go online and look at the stuff in the states online. See what everyone is wearing. NZ Merino Icebreaker is really trendy over the last few years. It is EXCELLENT apparel, however very pricey. For the brands available here in Oz, my advice would be to go and buy the MACPAC Merino - it is Excellent, and I own a tonne of their stuff, as also Marmot, Patagonia, MEC ( Canada), Aldi ( Crane) and also Icebreaker. My faves are either the MAcpac or Aldi!.
But as Strider said - L-a-y-e-r-i-n-g. Thermals, then fleece or equiv, then shell. Base/thermals are the items you will wear the most - so make sure you love em. Yep you wear them pretty much 24/7 - so you want something that can handle all your personal "funk" and the like - you know what I mean.
I'll summarize by saying, if you can afford it - Merino is the "obvious" choice. You won't be disappointed.
Cheers,
KB

[Mark F]

I agree with whats been said. I use merino on top and polypro legs. My reasoning for the polypro legs is that as I mainly wear shorts or very light pants, the legs get used during the day only in wet and cold conditions. I want the legs to dry quickly and be able to put up with a certain amount of abrasion, scrub etc during the day. Polypro dries faster, is much cheaper to replace and I feel it handles abrasion etc somewhat better than merino. I use merino for the top as it is usually better protected and performs a bit better than polypro.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Merino for me works the best, i own the macpac and icebreaker, both just as good as each other, Ive tried others including Patagonia Capilene, Was disappointed with the Patagonia Capilene.

[Peaksnik]

Another Queenslander here (Brisbane). I'm heading down to Tassie on Saturday to visit Frenchmans Cap or into and around Pelion Hut. I feel the cold more as I get older.

I don't know anyone who would put on thermals only if the weather turns. Rather they would wear a top thermal or both bottom and top and then add layers to suit conditions. It's a case of wear what you think will be comfortable when walking and add layers if you get cold (e.g. when stopping, in camp, or for weather protection - wind or rain).

You will feel the cold immediately when you arrive and it may take some time to adjust. Tasmanians living and walking there will have acclimatised over many very mild summers and harsh winters. You will respond differently to them - I have north Q. friends who have to wear an extra layer than me when they visit Brisbane in winter or anytime other than the height of summer. But individual differences also come into play so you have to be prepared to trial and adjust to find your comfort levels under different conditions.

As other have done I'll say what I will wear. I always wear a thermal top when walking in Tasmania and NZ. For me it must have a zip neck to allow venting and at this time the top will be long-sleeved merino. Sleeves get pushed up and zip down when when working hard. I always wear light stretchy trousers rather than thermal leggings even above snowline in winter. This time I'll be wearing newly purchased light alpine pants - I'm hoping they won't be too hot (they do have vent zips on thighs). I'll add shell layers if it gets wet or windy. If I'm still cold when walking after adding a shell jkt I'll put on a 200 weight wool long-sleeved, with zip neck. That's a very rare occurrence when working as I prefer to feel cool rather than warm (my aim is to keep sweating to a minimum). When I stop I'll also chuck on a another layer. It might be just the shell or a down jacket. Because I prefer to sleep in clean clothes I will have very light thermal leggings for night wear and a non-zip thermal T. Judicious use of beanies helps to regulate warmth too. I'm follicularly-challenged and so have a light merino beanie and a thick poly beanie. I'll start walking with just a cap and add a beanie if I get too cool before adding another layer to the torso.

[MichaelJ]

Thank you for all your help, guys. I am very impressed that people would respond in so much detail and with such useful ideas. Time to get some merino thermals, and at least now I have some idea of how to use them.
Thanks again.
Michael.

[tigercat]

Although merino is more comfortable, I wear polypro in the day and carry a merino for camp. Polypro dries much faster than merino and is lighter.

[Lophophaps]

I agree with the above. I used to walk in shorts, but now wear long pants, mainly to stop the sun. These pants are very light and dry quite quickly, and give quite a good degree of warmth. In hot weather they are light enough to not be a problem. I don't wear thermal pants in the day.

Mostly I wear only a long-sleeved cotton shirt that is light, drys quickly and has a little warmth. If it gets cold I put on a long-sleeved thermal top with a zipped neck that reaches my light thermal balaclava. Depending on the conditions I may have a broad brimmed hat or a thermal hat. If it gets windy there's a short light windproof jacket that folds into its own pocket, mass 200 gram. It has a hood, not much use as it has a condition called flop. The windproof jacket is great for cold fine windy days. The jacket dries very quickly. When the weather gets nasty I add a blizzard jacket.

At night I have a complete change of clothes: short socks, thermal pants, and a thermal top. This top does not have a zipped neck, as it's not really needed and the non-zip version is lighter. In really cold conditions I may wear some day clothes at night. Care needs to be made that night attire is not too constricting, as this can stop the flow of blood and make extremities cold.

I have a long silk sleeping bag liner. This keeps the sleeping bag clean and allows me to have a layer in front of my mouth, partially rebreathing exhaled air, which is warmer.

If you get cold then try shivering faster.

[elray]

just completed the o.t. I lived in my merino "icebreaker" all day ever day. Gortex jacket over the top and down jacket for the hut. Remember to take sleepers for the hut.

elray

[Ellobuddha]

Elray,

Were you wearing thermals on the legs or just pants and rainpants?

EB

[biggbird]

I have to agree with ScottyK, almost always have a thermal on up top (icebreaker something), but only ever wear thermal bottoms at camp/huts. I guess my legs just don't get cold. Plus, especially when walking through snow/wet vegetation etc, thermals will just get wet, I'd rather just not have them on! I guess this would be mitigated by wearing overpants, but I don't have any and don't really see the need for them just yet. If I knew I was going to be slogging through snow all day, perhaps I'd use them, but even then, your legs dry out pretty quick...

Having said that, I just spent a few days up the top end of Lake St Clair in the wet and snow with a friend, and while I was quite happy and warm with just shorts and gaiters, he complained his legs got numb after being outside the hut for about half an hour! Guess everybody's just different. Probably helps to have hairy legs like me too, I guess

[Genesis]

Also being an ex Queenslander, I was also new the whole thermal thing, but Now I have two pair.

I walk used to walk in longs but now am a convert to shorts! I may be becoming Tasmanian

If the weather is cold I wear at least a long sleeved thermal shirt under a poly short sleeved shirt and possibly leggings (Rarely).
I have a second pair for around camp and sleeping in, these stay dry and warm and do not smell up your bag and tent
and it gives the other pair overnight to dry.

I also have poly not merino, again a choice due to cost. I am sure merino do perform better and smell less however
I cannot justify the price.

But all in all I believe they are a necessary piece of kit when walking down in Tas, it is said prepare for the worst and hope for the best!

Genesis