 Poster: A snowHead
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Ok, it's been quite a few years since I've been skiing and our family is going to Heavenly at the end of December. I need thermal underwear or base layer recommendations. I've looked at silk, polyester, polypropylene and others but I can't decide. I know to NOT buy cotton. I don't want to spend $40 or more for each piece (top and bottom) but I don't want us to freeze our tails off either. I have 2 young kids that will probably be stuck with polyester since there's not much out there in their size. Can someone with experience please give me an opinion?
Thanks in advance!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Marmot, UnderArmour, DuoFold (in that order). I like the newer Marmots with embedded silver, since they tend to last longer before the odor catches up with me...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I got some base layers from mountain warehouse fro £10.00 an item the quality seems good and I tried the wicking properties whilst exercising and they work fine. Definitely worth the money.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I use (pops into the bedroom to read the label) Vaude Polartec.
Had them for 3 years.
Fantastic stuff.
Although it's bottom layer / underwear it looks fine as a top too.
In Tignes (in the sun in April) I skiied with my shell jacket half open and just that one layer.
In Val d'Isere this year it was down at -18 so I put on a decent technical sweater too (oh, and I zipped my jacket up  ).
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Used to be a polyester/Polypropylene man and have all sorts of different base layers by different maufacturers. Just last season a guide reccommended Merino wool - it's expensive but it doesn't stink and has great thermal properties (12,456,4132,487,681,231 sheep can't be wrong  ). You can get away with wearing it for a few days. Merino wool doesn't itch like normal wool either as the material fibres are much finer. A lot of top outdoor baselayers (biking, skiing, mountaineering) are being made out of Merino wool these days.
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/news/article/mps/UAN/1909/v/2/sp/332967698162328212332
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DB, yep. The original is from NZ - it's called Icebreaker
Don't be put off by the idea that it's "wool" - it's wool that's been through a weird and wonderful process.
Other than retaining heat like the proverbial sheep, and feeling soft and lovely, it now acts like manmade fabric in that it wicks moisture away, and breathes. And it doesn't pong!
Dunno where you'd source one in N America, sorry. Beware imitations tho.
Alternatively there's nothing wrong with traditional Helly Hansen route. Cheap, cheerful, polyester - my skiing wardrobe includes 3 Helly tops.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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DB, Grrrrrrr. Grrrr, I say!!! Most good kiwi inventions get nicked (pavlova, flip flops, Crowded House, Russel Crowe, bungy jumping, votes for women, guerilla warfare, etc, ad nausem).
Sigh.
Good to see kiwi ingeniuty is keeping folk warm on the slopes.
There's also an apres wear fabric that's still exclusive to NZ - called MerinoMink. Sounds weird, feels wonderful. Try http://www.merinodiscovery.co.nz/md_brands.html# and click through to the Merinomink page.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I use Helly Hansen Lifa, it's great, and does not smell.
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I like Lifa as well. Mine does get a little bit whiffy by the end of a weeks skiing though. Does that make the ladies want me more?
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You know it makes sense.
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More what?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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More clean 
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'ill have you know that I change my underpants once a week whether they need it or not
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Echo the positive comments about Icebreaker - I've a couple of tops and they're really very good, but I wouldn't run the gauntlet of recrimination from wife and family by extending the wearing by more than 2 days max!
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FAQ
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