Base Layers WON'T Keep You Warm
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- čas přidán 1. 06. 2024
- In this video, Tayson (founder, Outdoor Vitals) tells you all about base layers for adventuring out in the wilderness. He addresses questions and common misunderstandings about what base layers are actually used for. Are base layers meant to keep you warm while backpacking in cold weather or can they be a death trap? What about the materials? What's best for base layers? Cotton? Wool? Synthetic materials such as Nylon and Polyester? How should base layers fit? All that and more are answered in this video.
Dragonwool Products:
DRAGONWOOL HOODIE: bit.ly/3C9VsNs
OUTDOOR VITALS MERINO WOOL NECK GAITERS: bit.ly/3n7noxu
DRAGONWOOL ZIPOFF THERMAL: bit.ly/3C9oVHB
DRAGONWOOL BOXER: bit.ly/3DkqELi
Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
00:33 What Base Layers are For
00:55 Common Misconceptions (Cotton Kills)
01:35 Synthetic Fabric
01:59 Wool
02:24 Weight
02:51 Fit
03:05 Dragonwool (bit.ly/3C9VsNs)
03:43 How to Choose the Right Base Layer
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VENTUS ACTIVE HOODIE: bit.ly/3C8FKCc
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#liveultralight #outdoorvitals #backpacking #baselayers #wintercamping
I've just discovered mesh base layers. It's been known for a long time to be a great base layer and Norway still utilizes it.
Your merino wool light base layer is also a good outer piece in summer so it’s duel use
Good video and I do agree with much of what you said but I also disagree with one portion. A base layer does add an insulating layer just by virtue of trapping air. But the major issue is what you addressed, managing moisture, that is the important issue. You can add all the insulating layers you want and that if they get wet as you said, they go beyond being useless and they then become dangerous. Thank you for a good video.
You seem very informed. Can you kindly explain to me the physics behind why
1)
Why is it that when a fabric gets what it loses its insulating activity?
2)
The advantage of poly over wool i assume is wicking but wool is able to suck moisture off of you, and i assume traps air better, wont it keep u warmer?
3)
Does “trapped air” stay trapped simply because it wasnt moving much in the first place? Intuitively it seems air thats trapped can easily fly through the big pores of any fabric
4)
If my feet tend to sweat easily, and a poly will just wick the moisture down to the underside of my toes and foot, does it lose its advantage over cotton? Or does poly also trap air better than cotton so u would still choose it if u had to choose.
Thanks so much!
@@MathCuriousity@MathCuriousity 1)
Heavy particles that move relatively slowly easily transfer that energy (think truck collision), but if that slow moving particle hits a light weight particle, that small particle still gets energy, but it's not gonna be moving faster than the heavy thing it collided with. (think truck collision with a feather), and that light weight particle isn't gonna make whatever it hits travel much faster. This is how insulators work to keep things warm but will work the other way to keep things cool (like a flask). So pockets of air inside fabrics are those lightweight particles, and these high energy but slow moving heavy particles are your skin. Replace that air with heavy water particles, and this no longer works.
2) no clue.
3) kinda & no. You guys remember you're talking billions of air particles, many of them will escape and be replaced by colder particles, but not the majority, or at the very least, the average. The more a material can trap them, the better an insulator it is.
4) Wherever that moister goes, it's not at the points of friction your feet have with your boot. The underside of wherever might become wet idk, but wherever that is, won't be a point of friction and so you're saved from blisters.
This is by far the best explanation of base layer materials I've ever heard. Thanks!!!
Glad it was helpful!
The dragon wool hoodie was one of my first pieces of back packing clothing i purchased. Definitely still one of my favorite base layers
The density of the knit and thread diameter make a lot of difference even when using the same base material (starting, let's say, with blocks of chemically identical polyester).
Also, polyester is hydrophobic by nature. Wicking is accomplished by fabric structure in polyester, not the polyester material itself. It can be helped along with chemicals added to the polyester before it is made into yarns, or surface treating the yarns after manufacturing.
Remember, polyester (silpoly) is the preferred material in inexpensive rainflys and tarps because it doesn't absorb as much water (it's hydrophobic) as silnylon, and doesn't stretch when wet.
Thank you so much for this information...now it makes sense why the base layer is cold if you're not doing any type of activity. geez
I usually use synthetic as my base layer. By the way I love my Ventus Hoodie as a midlayer! Great information in less than 5 minutes! You get an A plus!
Excellent recommendation 💯
Glad you think so!
Wool is my favorite. The old standard works fine
Agreed, polyester always tends to stink faster too
Stumbled across your site and products from Dan Becker's page, just joined your membership and can't wait to get the Shadowlight pack and Summit bag for an upcoming trip. However, I have a feeling I'm going to need to stay off your page as much as possible, or my shopping budget may go WAYYYY over for the year. I love the fact you go out and put your gear to the test and let us all see it is real use. Love your videos and thank you!!!
Thanks for watching! Glad you found the membership, that really will give you the highest performance per dollar!
I came across a few newer videos that are discussing another layer option, which is wearing an inner Mesh fabric layer. I have even seen Merino Wool Mesh as well.
Good, informative video. Never heard of Dragon wool so learned something new
Glad it was helpful!
Love my dragonwool hoodie base layer it is my go-to underlayer.
Skipped Nylon. Many are slightly allergic to polyester, most don't know it. What about the importance of color? Dark on the inside, light on the outside? What about other specialty fabrics, such as Toray or eVent? Realize you have Dragonwool that must be sold, but this discussion seems a little narrow and self-serving?
You didn't mention fishnets. That has the maximum moisture flow.
I added something on fish net. The new poly fish net is great and no odor. or arm pit rot.
A thin polyester _base_ layer next to my skin wicks moisture and then a layer of Merino wool over that wicks and insulates - that is what I've been doing for years. It's called layering and it _does_ keep you _warm_ and dries out rather quickly with a wool sweater over that! I'm sure I'm doing something wrong because you say that doesn't work. Riiiight!
Good informative video Tayson ... A couple questions ... W/respect to the merino wool base layer you talked about ... What weight would you recommend? ... W/respect to the polyester base layer ... When I shop for one ... What should the percentage of polyester be on the label? ... Are you willing to recommend any particular merino wool or polyester base layer? ... Thanks for your time in advance ... Craig
I an curious as to what you wore for your first 2 different base layers! Maybe new OV products?
Good explanation. Can you do a video on best long sleeve top for hot/humid weather.
Starter made some poly thermals that the Wal used to sell. Moisture wicking, lightweight and best of all cheap.
Great information. Thank you. What fingerless gloves are you using?
Great video, Sir!
Glad you liked it!
Great info thanks👍👍
Glad it was helpful!
This is really good stuff. I remember 25 years ago I used to wear nothing by Cotton, but at least I was somewhat smart about it. What I did back then would hike up to the top of a mountain, wearing nothing by cotton and then I would stripped down naked wipe all the sweat off with a towel, and then put on dry clothes… I would sit at my hunting spot all day without being cold. Obviously if I decided to do a long distance hike, you would have to bring a lot of clothes because like you say cotton doesn’t dry fast….
Great Vid!!!!! Informative and full of tips, like keep it close fitting! My question: I and many others in my circle trail-run and 'adventure race' (meaning, spending hours cranking the heat, slowing down for a breather, eating or self care, and kicking it back up again) in temps down to -10F, the joys of living in WI/MN/MI, and we really sweat a lot, so start with a bunch of layers and peel down, a layer at a time, allowing each successive newly-exposed layer to dry. What do you recommend for this extreme moisture management situation. Thanks again for the great videos, do not yet own any of your products but always looking to improve my gear for comfort, and survival!
Great question! For this level of activity in low temperatures, I recommend layers that will still insulate when wet, and that will allow you to breathe. DragonWool dries 4x faster than regular merino wool but still has the insulating capacities of regular wool. A great mid layer is the Ventus Active Hoodie. It breathes, insulates when wet, and gives incredible warmth for the weight. I've found it to be perfect for heavy activity in low temps like you've described!
@@TaysonWhittaker Hey, thanks for taking my question and providing the guidance! I'm heading over for a look right now! Thanks again, and Take Care out there!
wool even when wet keeps 90% of its thermal value
Half the time I'm hiking above freezing I'm wearing a long sleeved base layer. If my base layer didn't keep me warm, I could just go with a short sleeved base layer....but I don't.
"Next to skin" would be a better name than "base" if you think about it.
Good stuff!
Good to know now
Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful!
A fishnet wool+poly is said to be the best.
Is your beard part of your base layer, mid layer or outerlayer? Or do you just mix it up and tuck it inside during the rain, but let it out when it rains?
Can you wear viscose as a base layer?
Linen was the base layer for thousands of years. Linen is natural fiber, wicking, drys quickly, manages oder reasonably well, washes really well. Linen does NOT insulate when wet - but as pointed out, that is not the purpose of a base layer. In my use, linen dries quicker than wool, but not as quickly as synthetics.
I live in a hot & dry (relatively) climate. I strongly prefer linen as my base layer in the warmer months.
You are rockin that beard.
Sorry but your statement that base layers don't keep you warm is just plain wrong.
Tru
Probably clickbait. Now everyone with an opinion puts it on CZcams and calls themselves bushcrafters.
@@davidvaughn7752 you're right the
So what should you sleep in to keep warm. Would you still use a base layer? I have a 20 degree rated bag and still freeze my butt off in 40 degree weather.
I would double check what type of rating your sleeping bag has. Is it a comfort rating, a lower comfort rating, or a survival rating?
The next thing to check would be the R value of your sleeping pad. No matter how warm your sleeping bag is, if your pad isn't warm enough, you'll still be cold.
Many hikers sleep in base layers, but if you're cold keep more than that on. You can keep as many layers on or take as many off as it takes to be comfortable! Make sure what you are wearing isn't too wet, and isn't made of cotton.
I love my dragon wool hoodie! I do wish it was a little more lightweight. Maybe it’s not possible, but I typically wear it as a mid layer without a base layer. So it knocks out that category, but I would love to have a much lighter option that’s dragon wool. Something I could wear as a base layer but layer over with another mid layer then my puffy. Is that something you guys have in the works? Or is it just not possible because it’s both poly and wool?
We do have another wool layer in the works that is lighter! It's not DragonWool, but it'll be brand new and VERY lightweight! Stay tuned for more info in the coming months!
@@TaysonWhittaker ahhhhhh!!! Heck yeah
Looking forward to that!
Ever try a fishnet base layer? I’ve heard great things
Yes, a little too much chafing for us...😛
What is the durability on merino?
Not that great, so you have to be careful with them. Especially with the high cost.
Nature sorted these issues out on its own.
"layers won't keep you warm" ..." So here I am wearing layers....lmao 🤣😋
😅
@@TaysonWhittaker great video
uh base layers ¿dwf.😂 um they keep me warm personally idk what ur talkin about lol if i took off my inner shirts i wld be freezing maybe i'm misunderstanding? 😂 i love cotton. it's not hard to stay dry. and easy to dry it off. in my experience. it's not a big deal whatsoever. maybe i'm just used to it. Always always- cotton tee or tank top, long sleeve cotton shirt, sweatshirt.. in snow, winter, rain, my whole life in the North. not a problem. and fleece is king. anyone who thinks otherwise is doing life wrong lol
Polyester is plastic and will not hold water so will dry fast, but will cause you to sweat.
✌️👊
What if you are allergic to wool?
Merino wool definitely has less inchy properties but some people still report they can't wear them if their skin is very sensitive
How old was I when I learned that base layers don’t keep you warm? Today! 🤦♀
lol. did anyone ever see any info that said a base layer would keep them warm?
Grail situation - Don’t sweat
Grail layering, rather
subed cuz the beard
🤙
Disagree. The Airblaster Ninja suit does an outstanding job as a base layer.
I get what you're trying to say but the statement base layers WON'T keep you warm is wrong on two counts.
1. As you say, the job of a base layer is to manage moisture. If a base layer is doing it's job and is keeping you dry that is going to keep you warmer. Wet clothes means the loss of insulative value and the conductive transfer of heat, so the base layer does keep you warm, just not in the straightforward way an insulating layer is supposed to.
2. Even a thin Merino, Polyester, Polypropylene etc. baselayer does have insulative properties by virtue of trapping air.
+1, don't count on base layers to perform the insulation functions you need. They're BASE layers, a base with nothing on it is just that: nothing.
Dont wool make you itch lol, as you can tell ive never worn wool but i have used wool blanket.
Most merino wool layers are actually very soft. Merino wool is a much finer wool than what you might find in a blanket.
Merino is so soft!
'Purpose of a base layer is to keep you dry....wetskin is cold skin'....er....so base layers do keep you warm...part of a system.
Base layer won’t keep you warm…? yeah not by themselves but in a system they will 100% keep you warmer.
Norse Net, Scandinavian Knitters classic fishnet best. Norwegian and Swedes know best.
Indeed! Most outdoorsmen in the U.S. are completely clueless when it comes to fishnet underwear. I readily admit that I was in that camp myself. Nothing manages "next to your skin" moisture like fishnets.
My 2 cents bases on many years of real winter experience...
1) A single base layer of any material will help contain heat to keep you warm. They are not meant to be worn as a stand alone.
2) Wool is best.
3) Use Cotton or other natural materials correctly and they will keep you dry and warm.
4) Synthetics are useful when used in combination with natural fibers but carry there own set of issues.
5) Get Any material wet with no way to dry it out and you'll have issues.. especially in winter.
6) Thermal regulation is key with all fabrics to staying warm and dry.
when irt is hot all you need is a UV base layer.
What would be correct vs incorrect use of cotton?
Basically keeping it dry. it'll keep you warm, unless it gets wet. @@MathCuriousity
@@JacopoSkydweller so would it be ideal then to have a Cotten that’s lined with some sort of dry fit layer underneath?
Ideal is no cotton at all. I have a wool underlayer, then synthetic layers above, with a fleeve lined waterPROOF and windproof jacket it things get really wet out side.
Wool stays warm when wet, and also wicks sweat away keeping you dry.
You are trying to keep wet from weather outside either via jacket, poncho, whatever. But more importantly is keeping yourself from sweating a bunch do to intense physical activity, because now there is water inside. That is the best thing you can do to stay dry and warm in cold/wet environments.@@MathCuriousity
Good information with the best of intentions! But why cheesy name as Dragon wool? Stick to what it actually is or give it a less misleading name. I understand that it's just marketing. But exaggerated naming schemes, just to sound cool, further complicates the gear industry and confuses the beginners. What's next? "Argonauts fleece" or "Thanos mittens"? Excuse me if I sound too harsh. I'm just tired of juvenile and misleading naming in marketing.
I’m disgruntled about the campaign against cotton clothing for cold weather outdoors survival in the cold. Yes cotton is bad when it gets really wet as it gives no insulation. But it is warm af when dry. Just keep it dry. Wear a wool or polyester base layer that wicks sweat. Use cotton thermals over that and and a waterproof shell on top to keep it all dry. You will stay really, really warm. I camp in the coldest weather imaginable and this really works.
You do not need expensive fashion gear
1
youre not supposed to get wet. if so, you overdressed.
True, but sometimes you just can't avoid getting sweaty
LIES