inexpensively layering your legs in winter - help!

[twochordcool]

Hello friends!

I finally got around to getting a good North Face jacket shell - I found it on sale last year.

I can't really afford, nor do I see it as necessary to spend a lot of money on layers and a shell for my lower body. (Correct me if I'm wrong!)

Having said that, can any of you recommend any specific inexpensive pieces that work well and are a "steal"?

I've seen plenty of fleece pant layers in the $20 range which should work well, and are inexpensive enough you really only need them to hold up for a couple of trips.

Are there any good synthetic base layers - perhaps less expensive and equally as good as the Patagonia ones?

And shells, do they come any better and/or less expensive than let's say the Marmot Precip Pants? Perhaps some well tested no-name stuff?

I have most of my gear now but I'd like to buy some more stuff for my legs - I have like 12 fleece shirts / jackets and like one or two sets of layers for my legs!

As usually any and all help will be tremendously appreciated!

[DuctTape]

I recently bought some inexpensive base layers (poly) from Campmor.com.

[Hobbitling]

Never underestimate long underwear for base layer. Its dirt cheap. look in army-navy stores.
I got some super cheap campmor baselayer too this week.
I also recommend campmor. click on web bargains. they are selling pac-tec rain pants for 19.

[twochordcool]

Thanks fellas!

Hey, that long underwhere you are referring to is synthetic or wool, right?

[adkdremn]

As everyone else has said.....Campmor, Campmor, Campor.

There deals are great. My layering system for winter is pretty simple. A pair of long underwear, mine are Columbia (nothing fancy) and a pair of snow pants that I got for $20 from Campmor. That's for when I'm hiking, when I'm at the lean to then I might add a layer for a little extra warmth...a pair of fleece pants also in the 20 buck range.

[Hobbitling]

Thanks fellas!

Hey, that long underwhere you are referring to is synthetic or wool, right?

Oh yeah, dont even bother with cotton base layers. Once it gets wet your as good as hypothermic.

[TEG]

I use duofold 100% polypropylene long underwear under a pair of tough canvas pants for when I'm hiking. I also use the marmot precip pants.

[redhawk]

I get the better grade polypro from Walmart in their sporting goods department.

You can find wool army surplus pants on line for around 12.00 and shells with liners for around $30.00

[twochordcool]

Thanks a lot everyone.

Yeah, Redhawk, you're right about Walmart - there are some pretty good deals on clothes in Walmart's camping and hunting department.

Just stay clear of the Coleman sleeping bags and the Ozark Trails tents!



Can't go wrong, though, with the inexpensive Woolrich Expedition socks that are basically the same as socks costing twice as much at EMS.

[michaelb]

For a cheap shell pant, the red ledge thunderlights may work pretty well. I bought the full zip version last year, but haven't worn them yet (I rarely or never put on waterproof pants, and only carry them for emergencies), but they get good reviews. Quality seems decent. Full zips are good if you are not wearing them, since you can them pull them on over skiis or snowshoes, but if you plan to wear them, the cheaper ankle zips would be ok. With long underwear, this should probably be adequate for most any winter day use (add fleece for overnights).

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=12906862&memberId=12500226&storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1

For winter use, you may not need waterproof though, so fleece under uncoated nylon also works very well.

[redhawk]

Can't go wrong, though, with the inexpensive Woolrich Expedition socks that are basically the same as socks costing twice as much at EMS.

You meant the Smartwool? Yeh I get those there too and you are right at about $8.00 a pair they are a lot cheaper then EMS or anywhere else.

They're seconds, one sock always has a snag in it. I buy several pair, take the snagged ones and make pairs out of them and then return them for a refund. That leaves me with perfectly fine pairs.

[dog]

wool , merino

www.vermontcountrystore.com © eghaley 2005
search item # 44794

NICE !

[adk joe]

moosejaw.com Great place, great prices and great customer service, check it out they are always giving things away dirt cheap!

[Kevin]

Like most here I pick up a few grades of base layers, I have 3 total - thin long underwear for warmer days, mid-level warmth in the form of a union suit I got for $50 a year or two back through a forum member ordering from canada, and a heavier set of duofold synth underwear like TEG mentioned. You could use all three if it got real cold, but I find the union suit is about right for most winter conditions. Best part, there's no drafting between the layers! I sometimes add the lighter long underwear for a little added warmth in the legs, which can get cold if I stop for a long time.

For my legs I'm up to an expensive goretex bib. It was a necessity because my pants kept slipping off my waist too much and causing a draft, especially on but slides . There's varying degrees of bibs available, campmor and sierra trading post have several 'grades' for $50-100. If you layered well underneath, I can't see why you couldn't get away with decent rain pants in the winter. Just be sure to wear gators to prevent the crampons/snow shoes from digging into the inner pant leg. Rather repair a set of $45 gaitors then a $100 shell.

I find my NF jacket and liner with the union suit are plenty for my upper body. I carry a spare liner in case I sweat a lot I have something dry to keep my core temp warm on the descent (where I'm generating less body heat).