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rorymax

Settler
Jun 5, 2014
943
1
Scotland
I have never worn them, what's to know ? about the good and the bad :)

Recommendations of good places to buy them from would be great.

Thank you,

rorymax
 
Their good but only when its freezing or below. It can be difficult to judge if you need them and its a bugger to change if you get too hot. I have some issue synthetic ones & some Ullfrotte Woolpower ones - the Woolpower are the best if expensive. Avoid pure cotton options. You can also get Polartec 200 'tights' which an be worn as an outer layer or under waterproofs, their great for mountaineering.

A better option for winter might be some wool trousers or thick combat trousers combined with insulating over trousers. You can put these on & off as required. Again army surplus are good value just watch them by the fire.
 
They are good but it has to be pretty chilly for me to put them on. I don't wear them often so I've got some unbranded merino (or so they say) mixed with loads of random stuff. They're ok and the most run outs they get are as night wear if it's going to be cold. I wear a lovely Aclima merino top base layer which is great for the same weather- the same company do long johns too but I reckon it's not worth me buying nice one as I barely wear them :).
 
-The good? They keep you warm.
-The bad? They keep you warm.

Do you need them? Ask yourself the following questions:
-Do I work outdoors? Night shift?
-Do I hunt early in the morning (on a stand before daylight?)
-Do I do anything outdoors in the cold where I'm sedentary?
 
See when it's thon icy cold windy wet that seeps into your bones ? They're absolutely brilliant.
When you're working hard and you're layered up in trousers and waterproofs, they're an uncomfortableness I don't need, until I stop and then they're a blessing.
When it's cold and damp and you're tired and just wanting to do not very much, they're a lovely warm gentle padding; sitting around a fire blethering in a Winter's evening.

Quality ? don't buy cotton. If you want to try them and have something very useable that won't cost a lot, then look for them coming into Lidl's and Aldi's. Theirs are fine for most uses, and they might be inexpensive, but they're not 'cheap', iimmc.

I like the silk ones from Patra or Cambridge.....but then, I know that I will use them if the weather's right for them :)

atb,
Toddy
 
The US ones's are called 'Union Suits' (Civil War reference). They're full suits & start red. After a few washes they go a bit pink.
When you wear them you can pretend your're Clint Eastwood & go get a bath at a house of ill-repute.....
'button up hatch in the backside called drop-seat...
 
The US ones's are called 'Union Suits' (Civil War reference). They're full suits & start red. After a few washes they go a bit pink.
When you wear them you can pretend your're Clint Eastwood & go get a bath at a house of ill-repute.....
'button up hatch in the backside called drop-seat...

You're partly right. The full one piece suits are called Union Suits; but they come in lots of colors now and have done for over a century. And many of the better ones zip rather than button.
 
The one piece union suits will be the warmest BUT! The two piece type will be more versatile. You can wear either the top or the bottom or both as needed.
 
I usually wear synthetic ones during winter hikes.
Around here you can buy them everywhere in winter and it's not uncommon for people to where them to work. Good for standing still waiting for the bus.

I'm prone to overheating even in freezing temps but wearing longjohns and polycotton on my legs all day and doing all the adjusting and venting to the torso works for me.
That means wearing only an undershirt or tank top and an anorak when active.

Merino is a better choice for some. I find they wear out too quick but then again I can't be bothered with using special detergent etc.

The lightweight crowd reportedly wear womens panty hose to much the same effect.
 
It has to be pretty darn cold or I have to be pretty darned immobile in moderately cold conditions to wear them - but when I do I like silk or Merino (Aldi do some good ones) and not overly heavy weight.
Synthetic ones get sweaty and pongy and the Angora ones I tried were just too warm!
 
I love them for working outdoors in the Winter - combined with British Army Arctic socks. My current favourite is bamboo - very comfortable. As John says - much less fragrant than synthetic.
 
I am a believer! I will be honest I wear them in winter but then again I cycle and camp out more than most in winter so perhaps I appreciate them more
.Personally I have e bay ones, different army surplus ones and Merino ones The only ones that get any specific consideration are the heavvier German army ones which are too warm for UK conditions really. The e bay ones are great as a starting point
At this price there is not a lot to lose http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Ther...t=UK_Men_s_Underwear&var=&hash=item3f1ce610dd
 
Hi AJB,

Can you give me a link or 2 to the products you suggest?

I'm keen to see the various options.

Thank you,

rorymax

Sorry mate, bought a couple of years ago, I think they were two pairs for £9, just search on eBay (11,658 results for mens long johns)
 

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