Long Johns

[walleye tattoo]

I see you all pay alittle more than UA costs for the right stuff.

[Grumpyoldman]

Not so. We are paying looooots less for thermals that are made of the same material as Underarmour.  Case in point are the Guide Gear thermals ($17.97) that Surflizard pointed out from Sportsmans Guide that are made of the same material (96% polyester), and they have a heavier weight material (10 oz. as opposed to UA 7.5 oz.).

Don't buy the hype, buy great gear for less. There is a ridiculous amount of markup on clothing.
         

[walleye tattoo]

I have two outlet stores within driving distance and cold gear tops are $15.00 tall neck are $17.00.I did see on the site you suggested what looked similar and about the same price point.I may be missing something here so I will look at it again.

[Grumpyoldman]

I found that my wool blend base layers kept me warm, but didn't breath.  Any physical activity made me overheat.     

I bought the ECWCS base layers a couple years ago and they have performed well.  They breathe well and yet keep you warm.  But not warm enough.   
ECWCS is made of polypropylene/spandex, and this material is currently all the rage as the ultimate base-layer.

The polypropylene is good enough for a sport with a level of moderate physical activity, however, it seems to me that only wool blend base-layers provide the level of warmth necessary for a sedentary sport that ice fishing can be when you're not drilling holes or moving around etc. 

I'm going back to low-tech wool base layers. 

[Gills-only]

Whats the need for long johns with the new fishing suits, I have a striker suit and have never wore long johns under it, never got cold, and don't fish in a shanty!!!

[mrgundog]

Depends where you are. I have a brand new striker suit I love it. But alone it would not cut it. A cold snap to some people is normal to others.

[Whopper Stopper]

After due consideration and given all available input I have purchased the following from Outer Sports:
Black Heavy Weight Fleece Polypropylene Underwear
$20.95
THESE ARE OUR WARMEST THERMALS! Military Expedition weight polypropylene thermal underwear is the thickest weight that we carry and has a nice terry finish.

    Sounds like you did good!

        WS

[Grumpyoldman]

They were $45 at a popular retailer, but only $20.95 at Outersports when I bought them.  They're alright but still not warm enough. 

I'm not impressed with the polyester or polypropylene base layers.   

[defish]

Wickers has good quality made in the USA thermal underwear for way less than UA and they have 20% off sales fairly regularly.  They also have TALL sizes which I appreciate.

http://www.wickers.com/performance-thermal-underwear.cfm

[Maddog]

Spend the extra money and buy Under Armour, I have #3 and the wife has #4, never get cold.

[Slimbobbin]

bass pro has there redhead  brand of military fleece long johns with seem to be working very well for me this winter i wear that and have become a big fan of layering in fleece layers with a good wind and water proof outer shell and have stayed amazingly warm and it does not seem nearly as bulky

[thomasthepikehunter]

The best I have ever found is made in USA 100% polypropylene. Both top and bottoms are $16 shipped and come in lots of sizes.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/181209152226?var=480270342525&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[feklar]

I like silk long johns, good breathability and insulation, but they don't last long.  if you wear them every day in winter, they are worn out in 1 winter.  I think the denim in my jeans wears them out.

[9huskies]

For the bottoms I wear Patagonia silkweight Capilene. They are expensive at $50 but they fit better than anything else I have tried. There are less expensive brands that appear to be made from simillar material but it is worth paying for a better fit. For the top I use a brand called Weatherproof that I bought at Sam's Club last winter. The fabric feels like Capilene at 1/3 the price. I have their bottoms but the fit doesn't compare to Patagonia.

[Grumpyoldman]

I have Duofold and ECWCS Long Johns.  Both work very well.  The Duofold is sweat to death warm and the ECWCS is not quite as warm as the Duofold, but it's still very good and it breathes.  A friend gave me an Under Armour upper base layer.  I never would have bought it for myself at $50 a pop.  I now love Under Armour.  Overpriced, but apparently worth it.  Send money so I can buy more.   

[Rebelss]

I got some Poly Wicker's at Fleet Farm for like $20 each piece. Works fine for me.

[Grumpyoldman]

My Duofold and ECWCS work fine for me too.  But, Under Armour is really good.  I was impressed.     

[WYIfish]

I love my soft poly's.
Hot tip, the light brown army mountain polypropelene tops and bottoms are around at gun shows or surplus stores.
Warm and wick very well, wind proof.  Down side, don't put in a sizzling hot dryer.

I think I paid $5 each.

[Clarkie_0415]

Coldest days I'll wear this.

Upper body:
Base layer- c9  (target house brand) long sleeve athletic crew. Poly
Mid layer- llbean dual layer long john top.  Wool blend
Outer layer- under armor cold gear 1/4 zip.
Pack a fleece+shell jacket for after the gears on the ice and the holes are drilled.

Bottoms:
over the calf socks under the bottoms
Base: llbean dual layer thermal bottoms
jeans/bdu pants
Surplus gore tex bottoms
Heavy surplus wool pants (suspenders)

never frozen, decent mobility, cold gear top and long Johns were most expensive but I work outdoors all winter so they pay for themselves in the overtime I can stand to work...

The dual layers have cotton in them however the wool does well to regulate your internal temp.  I still prefer the thin c9 top to help wick moisture but straight poly layers can chill you with a good breeze.

[Bucket Brigade]

I have had a union suit for some time now. Love the thing and keeps me warm in all conditions. Was out working in -10* without much problems, other than fingers.