Underwear "help"

Ok, It's not what you are thinking. I'm wondering about the "Under armor" $70+ stuff that the younger guy's that I'm working with (outdoors work) rave about. I've worked outside all my life and pretty much swear by having cotton on my skin, and pretty much all the way out to the last layer unless wool is called for.
I'm pretty cheap also and for $70 + bucks, it better be "12oz duck canvas" and say Carhart on the label!
They talk about different versions or weight, 2.0-2.5-3.o etc. I do remember when the polypropylene (under) socks came around, I think I tried them, supposedly wicking away moisture but I must not have been overly impressed as I do not remember them being great or use them now.
The idea of a lot less bulk sure sounds nice but it's hard for me to believe the "young guy's" that were not born yet or still chitin green when I started spending winters outside! Is there anything to this plastic expensive underwear, or is it just a cool logo fashion statement.
Also anyone used the cheaper "knockoff" stuff from Sportsman guide?

 

Are you talking about long johns or normal underwear? Underarmour is no fly by night brand, they make good stuff

 

I have some Under Armour. Works as advertised and is light. I have some SmartWool (merino) that I think I like even better. Merino never smells.

 

If you are talking about underwear for keeping warm, nothing beats the merino wool stuff, but that can be even pricier than the synthetic materials.

 

Yes, the stuff for winter. Could you recommend a weight? the 2 or 3 etc? (active work, not sitting in a duck blind)
I do have some Merlino wool blend socks that I like.

 

I have some Under Armour also. Maybe this is my personal preference, but nothing beats good old fashioned long johns!

 

I'm all for trying something new, and would be one happy camper if those "young guy's" on my crew are right, but I'm doing some homework before I pry that wallet open for underwear that cost more than the rest of my clothing

 

I don't like normal long johns for active work, I find that synthetics stay comfortable even when you get sweaty, etc

 

I have Under Armour only because an uncle worked there and I got it super cheap. I like it for hunting but know nothing about fabric weights etc. It is nice to reduce layers for work as well. I am not allowed to wear it at work because of the melt factor so I just wear cotton long johns. I don't like loading the stove a whole lot with it on but that's me. I have some cheaper stuff that's a little older and it's just not the same. Not sure about the newer stuff though.

 

I got some two years back. I work outside in Michigan. It is worth it. It's super nice to be able to wear a few layers of it and not have the bulk. I've been known to wear a stretchy mock turtleneck with a 1.5, 2.0, & a 2.5 layered on top with a couple carhart hoodies on that when it gets below zero. All the stuff had held up great after 100s of wash and wears. Don't use fabric softener in the washer or dryer with under armour.

The numbered stuff are their 'base layers'. The higher the number the warmer the stuff. The .5 stuff is a blend of two weights. For example the 2.5 is a 3.0 body with 2.0 sleeves.

We have an outlet store nearby and you can get the stuff a little cheaper there if you can find what you want.

 

Walmart sells a similar product, that I have found to be pretty good. The wicking ({polyester blend) is nice to assist in keeping you dry. as Pyroholic said, the elimination of bulk is nice as well. In theory, and if you really needed, you can still wear your preferred thermals/long johns on top of this layer. s

 

It works. I've been outside working in under armour 2.0 I think with a T shirt and one hoodie or flannel over top at 10 degrees above.

 

I don't really wear any less layers with it necessarily, I'm just a lot warmer than before. I'm kinda a wuss when it comes to the cold, but I make do as I'm outside all the time whether at work or play.

 

It has taken a layer or two away from me. If you stop moving with all cotton I would get cold and be soaked with sweat. A lot of places out in the west say cotton kills when hunting or hiking.

 

I have the camo long underwear..works pretty good...$100 a set i believe..

 

I have an UA sweatshirt . It's great if your going to be outside for long periods of time.
I'm in/out of shop/truck/office all day and I'd rather drop 1 layer than 2. If you have Underarmour on youll be sweating yur bawlz off in less than 5 minutes inside.
Below 10 degrees out and if I know I'll be out long periods of time I'll wear it. Above and its layers of other stuff.
Last winter pipes froze in the crawl space under my GF's house . The day it happened it never got above -22 . Underarmour saved the day . Spent about 5 hours trying to locate the freeze point crawling around on my belly. Worth every penny that day.

 

I got into under armour stuff for awhile. It worked, but now it's all been replaced with merino wool. UA underwear doesn't breathe well IMO, and really sucks if you start to sweat in the cold. For underwear, I absolutely love my Stoic merino wool underwear, it's great in cold weather and not too bad until temps get into the 80°'s. Wool is incredibly better for both active and not so active (tree stand hunting) cold weather outdoor activities.

For warmer weather, my underwear choice is ExOfficio Give-N-Go. It breathes well and is super comfortable.

Either way, I've cut cotton out for a base layer, it's terrible in the cold once you start to sweat and sticky (and stinky) in warm weather. For the money that you pay for the UA name, you can get good merino wool. Check out Backcountry.com, they sometimes have pretty good clearance deals on Stoic and Smartwool base layers.

 

Check out the hardcore winter hiking gear. It's usually the best stuff, even the socks. I have been out of the loop so can't recommend current brand names. The good stuff is pricey but well worth it.

 

I just bought an llbean set of merino wool long underwear, was around $100, really like it and you can't beat their guarantee.

For socks it "Darn Tough", made in Vermont with a lifetime guarantee, good stuff.

I can second bassJam's nod to ExOfficio for warmer weather stuff.