 Poster: A snowHead
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When I started out buying ski gear I purchased a couple of pairs of full length base layer pants made by Parrellel - from Mountain warehouse I think! To be honest I've not had a problem with them... comfortable and warm... but I do need to buy a new pair now.... both are well worn!
So rather than just re-buy the same I have been doing some research... findings range from £9 to £109!! Now my pocket does not stretch to £109 but I was curious to know whether there really is a noticeable difference between fabrics, wicking technologies etc. and what other skiers had experienced.
I'm hoping to get a bargain - not necessarily looking for the cheapest - and I do need them for a potential -20 degrees environment.
In case you are thinking surely no base layer costs £109... here they are! http://www.onebelowzero.com/cw-x-ladies-insulator-stabilyx.html ( and no this is not a plug for OneBelowZero!)
Comments welcome
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi Scorpio,
I normally use Odlo base layers there about £30 in a snow and rock and have never had a problem with them, Well worth that little bit extra in my opinion.
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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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scorpio21, I use cheap stuff all the time and its fine for vacation skiing. I think Parallel is Sport Direct and they still do it.
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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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TK Max had an excellent selection before Xmas
3/4 length bottoms etc
I got some Falke tops & 3/4 bottoms appx £12 a piece
Sweated like a beginner & was very pleased with performence :wicking etc
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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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Millets!......Peter storm on offer.....got Peter storm, thermals and a berghaus fleece for £60.....
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
| The Insulator Stabilyx Tights use Auto-Sensor nanotechnology fabric to maintain a constant comfortable surface temperature in a variety of conditions and perfect for the cold weather athlete. The patented CW-X Support Web bands together the muscles and ligaments of the lower leg to stabilize the knee and reduce vibration for increased efficiency. The CW-X Support Web also harnesses the midsection, supporting the lower abdominals, hips and back to channel power through the core. Variable compression facilitates circulation during and after activity, minimizing lactic acid build-up so that you can be active longer and recover faster. |
I ask you! Surely only blokes could be so stupid as to fall for this faux techo-waffle?
Just tell us are the important stuff;
1. Are they flattering?
2. Do they come in pink?
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lol
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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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I like Helly Hansen stuff, if you can find it cheap it is a very warm base layer for its thickness, and it has lasted well over the years. Not bonkers expensive even at retail price.
For seriously cold days, I have HH base layer and then a cheap thermal from Sports Direct over the top, which they think is a base layer but isn't really - they are about £6 for top or bottoms, and work just fine for me, but they don't have anywhere near the same wicking properties as the HH.
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I pretty much exclusively use wool baselayers there is a toss up between warmth and wicking ability. The main benefit of wool for me is that it's still warm when wet and it doesn't develop the stink synthetics do. You can get it in various weights from various manufacturers but typically I use the 200gram Icebreaker stuff for everything in the mountains summer and winter. If I'm too chilly with that and a shell on then I'll use a combination of really lightweight fleece and/or a bigger fleece under the shell whilst active and bung on a down jacket when standing around.
I'm suspicious of the kinesiotaping stuff already so wouldn't bother spending money on a baselayer that claims to add support to muscles.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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another vote for HH gear. Best value by far IMHO.
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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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scorpio21, I've got both expensive base layers and cheap ones.
The ones I wear every day were 99p from Decathlon in their sale. If you can get to a Decathlon then I'd start there.
The Marks & Spencers thermal base layers have had some really good write ups in outdoor magazines this year.
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I use HH ones that I've had for donkey's years. Can't really fault them.
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You know it makes sense.
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scorpio21, I have those exact baselayers but I paid £20 for them not £109! I'm never really sure if the compression thing does work, I have some compression cycling shorts and I think my lergs feel a bit better wearing them but not really sure 
I've got merino leggings and just got some Patagonia Capilene 4 ones to try as I often get really cold. I like the wool stuff as if you do get sweaty you don't feel cold, I used to have various bits of HH stuff I used for skiing and cycling and found I got really cold in it if I ever got the slightest bit sweaty so now I pretty much use wool in summer and winter. I get really hot and really cold very easily so for me good base layers are worth it although I would still never pay anywhere near full price, I think everything I wear skiing was bought at more than 50% off. If you regulate your own temperature quite well then good baselayers probably aren't so crucial.
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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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I have a few different brands of base layers D2B, HH, Nike, trespass, eurohike, etc but to be honest the ones that were on offer in Lidl recently are great for the money. good support and thermal properties.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Icebreaker merino wool base layers are good. A bit pricey but they keep you warm, don't stink and seem to last forever - mine have done hundreds of days and still going strong.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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+1 for icebreaker - not cheap but good value
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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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Great to get feedback - seems there are a good few selections out there to be tried and not costing the earth..... I now know what my Saturday plans are... decathlon, lidl and cheshire oaks!
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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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Odlo - Awesome stuff.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I have a pair of "Skins" 3/4 length leggings and they do help with fatigue and were warm enough in -25C
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+1 for Helly Hansen. Generally "Lifa Dry" as it's now called, though I'm thinking about getting a "Lifa Warm" for the very chilly days.
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I just use stuff made by Fox (fishing brand) that I blagged through work a few years ago. Looks very tired now. Might have to buy some from TK - £10 limit though 
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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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willc, I agree on the HH lifa dry... great in spring conditions too as the wicking ability is supurb, some of the mountian bike tops are just as good and often in sales on wiggle, chain reaction etc. Lowe Alpine dry weave t shirts and wicking tights are also a fav of mine.
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I use under armour, the cold gear stuff. Never had a problem and would definitely recommend! Usually about £35ish for tops and similar for bottoms.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Was in Mountain Warehouse t'other weekend,
and they had a bogof on thermal baselayers
It seemed rude not to take advantage
Seem OK here - better made than Trespass/D2B
Truth will out on the slopes - but to be honest,
don't really expect to need them much! Don't seem
to feel cold legs
Sorry - edit - £20 for 2 pairs
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