Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire What kind of thermal under garments for cold weather

Was wondering what folks are wearing these days for camping in the cold weather. The lower 48 states. I want to get back into hunting and need to update my hunting clothes. Does anyone where the one piece long johns like the old miners used ? You always see them in the old western movies. Looking for same concept but with modern materials. Alan

I wear some polypropylene thermals. They're a huge difference from the old cotton waffle thermals by giving greater warmth and staying dry. I'm sure you can get fancy merino or other wool types, but the poly has worked fine for me.

Don't know if you can get them outside of knowing someone that's in the military, possibly military surplus, but I have been wearing the brown thin polypropylene layer under the waffle top for years now that my son's handed down to me from the military, I haven't found anything better, prior to these I tried the under armour cold gear and it doesn't even come close. With all the upgrades in camo clothing and the outdoor industry in general I am sure their are better options available now.

I have some polyproplyene long handles. They work good. I like my merino wool tops and bottoms as well. Both keep me warm. Both synthetic and merino wool have their good and bad characteristics depending on your activity and how long you are wearing them. I don't think I have had any waffle type in at least 25 years.

Merino wool here.

I haven't found anything better than merino wool. Poly always ends up stinking, for me at least.
Read the labels .. get as close to 100% as possible. I put a cashmere sweater on top of that (also 100%). Quiet, very light, no stink, comfortable. Fleece on top of that when necessary and a waterproof shell if it's raining.

Merino wool or smart wool,

I always wore Under Armor in Montana.

Had some merino but preferred the UA stuff.

Yes I have the one piece, they were a gift many years ago. Sorry I don’t recall the brand they just have a crazy logo on them. Zip open rear panel. They are a good underlayer for sure when I’m winter hunting and working.
A t shirt, then the one piece, then a good turtleneck, outer layer and I’m good in nearly any weather.

My son had gotten them for me and at the time told me they were what skiers were wearing. Maybe look in that sports direction for clothing options?

Osky

The 1 piece union suit (so called because the top and bottom were united) started out as women's wear around the Civil War. It quickly caught on with men, too. I've never had one as I prefer a 2 piece. All of my bottoms are polypropylene. When hunting in the cold, I wear milsurp wool pants over them.
Several years ago, Costco was selling merino long sleeved t-shirts for like $20. I bought 8 which was all they had in my size. I love those things. They're thin enough to wear under anything and very warm and soft for the weight. Unfortunately, Costco only had them that 1 time.

In my ice fishing days, I started with silk on skin, then fleece and then coveralls and coat. Silk is thin, comfy, and amazingly warm. Doesn't bunch up or stink, either. Hands, head and feet are separate issues, of course. Sitting on a bucket at 10 below for hours never chilled my core.

Polypropylene works, but I much prefer merino wool and silk. If I wear polypropylene I’m okay as long as I don’t think about it. Once I do I can’t wait to get it off.

I wear woolpower brand merino wool.

I’m a fan of merino/poly blends.

I wear a layer of silk followed by a layer of wool.

here in FL, medium or light weight poly thermals work fine. Usually just a cotton tee under a long sleeve shirt is adequate.

Merino wool

This. I have the UA 4.0 base layer and it is unbelievable, IMO. Don't believe they make it in one piece, though. I have separate top/bottoms.

Same. It's good stuff.

I have silk, top, and bottoms.