Thermal Trousers Recommendations?

[Bushcraft4life]

Hi all,

Any recommendations for thermal combats? Or just warm combats in general? I work outside and have been off for 2 weeks so ideally want something toasty.

Or am I better off getting Thermal long johns etc?

 

[Broch]

I prefer a thermal layer under heavy trousers. I have a quilted layer I wear, if I'm sitting not working, on top of that.

 

[Toddy]

I worked outside too, and honestly, layers are better. The lined trousers, like the Craghoppers, ended up with the inners shredding.

Thermals are excellent these days, even the ones from shops like Lidl and Aldi's are very good.
I worked in wet and muddy sites, white thermals are an exercise in frustration trying to keep them decent.
Buy darker colours

 

[Nice65]

I have a pair of the old Craghoppers on at the moment and though the fleecy lining isn't shredding, it kind of twists about and feels clingy.

The only other trousers I have similar that are wind and rainproof are some Ridgeline pintail Explorer. These are great for work, but also snag, even feel a bit sticky when I've got too warm. I wouldn't be without them for kneeling down chopping or in the bitter wind but I've attached some hammer fixed jeans buttons and braces to them because they slip down and my top layers get untucked. They're also mad expensive! I was lucky and got mine free, but I'd never pay £150 for them.

I hate the feeling of tight thermal underlayers, and anything baggier causes the same problems as a sewn in thermal layer.

To be honest, a pair of wind and water resistant anything would do considering the amount of wear they're likely to get. I've been in my Craghoppers for 3 days so far in the cold, and about the same for the Ridgeline over the whole of last year.

 

[Chris]

Merino wool longjohns would be my preference.

If the merino wool ones are a bit too pricey (they aren't exactly cheap) then synthetics can do the trick, though they start to smell pretty rapidly.

 

[Bushcraft4life]

Merino wool it is, ideally want a top as well so shall shop about. Any recommendations for a set welcome.

Mountain Warehouse see to have a decent sale on a set at the moment.

 

[johnnytheboy]

Isobaa are well priced, I live in my Isobaa top at this time of year!

Love it!

 

[oldtimer]

I'm wearing lined Craghoppers at the moment. As my default trousers are normal Craghoppers, the lined version are familiar in terms of pocket layout etc.They are warm enough but not as versatile as regular plus long John's. When they wear out they won't be replaced.

 

[Nice65]

Merino wool longjohns would be my preference.

If the merino wool ones are a bit too pricey (they aren't exactly cheap) then synthetics can do the trick, though they start to smell pretty rapidly.

Added bonus of being comfy pj bottoms if camping out in the cold.

 

[Herman30]

Wintertime I use the british army softie trousers on top of my normal trousers. Toasty and warm enough to be bicycling in -20 C. Colder than that I add a pair of thick merino underpants.

 

[oldtimer]

A colleague complained to me that her soldier husband stole her tights to wear under his uniform when he had to go on cold weather manoeuvres.
Unfortunately, Madame takes a very small size so I've never had the chance to try the idea.

 

[HorseGuy]

Hi all,

Any recommendations for thermal combats? Or just warm combats in general? I work outside and have been off for 2 weeks so ideally want something toasty.

Or am I better off getting Thermal long johns etc?

I find layering work best. Preferably merino long johns for the base layer but cheap army surplus long johns work well too. Then if it gets really really cold I wear a pair of pajama bottoms in between the long johns and the cargo pants outer layer trousers to give me a third mid-layer of insulation.

 

[MikeLA]

Can’t get away wearing long johns personally. Usually carry the older army version softie trousers. May be too hot if moving more for static use.

Otherwise recommend any “slightly” thicker trousers and good long winter wool socks knee length

 

[MikeLA]

A colleague complained to me that her soldier husband stole her tights to wear under his uniform when he had to go on cold weather manoeuvres.
Unfortunately, Madame takes a very small size so I've never had the chance to try the idea.

That was a common thing to do when kit was bad 70s and 80s but heard it worked. (Never tried it myself honestly Sir !)

 

[Toddy]

I have to admit that if it's dry and it's not windy, then cords are awfully comfortable

 

[Ozmundo]

Tights with the feet cut off was popular on site in the winter “when I were a boy”.

I have a cheap pair of polypro long johns. They seem as warm as the marino ones I have. Tend to wear the cheaper ones when working.

I also have some moleskin like shooting trousers (Percussion or New Forest Clothing) that have a breathable drop liner.
Not quite as warm as combats and separate long John’s but very windproof so quite good for being in and out of vehicles.

Got some level 7(?) surplus puffy pants in the wagon too.