ok, cant cope with winter - thermal underwear recomends please

[kezimac]

after freezing to death this evening out competing I have realised i cant go through another winter like last yr. I need thermal underwear recommends please - something to wear for yard jobs so say under jeans etc - and something for riding - so going under breeches - cant be done with ski trouser type things as feel too far off horse though so need something underneath. Especially if doing winter evening dressage comps!!!

 

[Britestar]

I use base layers at the top, and just have leggings under trousers/breeches.

 

[lucemoose]

i have about 4 sets of ICE BREAKER long sleeved tops and leggings, they are amazing. Been wearing just the tops today under a t shirt and toasty as!

 

[rambling]

Penneys ( Primark) have super thermals at the moment , the leggings just seem to come in black but the tops come in colours and stripes , some have a half zip front. They cost €12 here and the sizing seems generous.

Undersilks are super if you can find them.

 

[kerilli]

could you cope with fairly thick winter breeches? because i can't cope with an extra layer on my legs, even just tights under breeches, i think they're too bulky and ruckle up. ditto ski pants, just can't ride in them. but properly cut winter breeches are different.
i'm sitting here at the moment in these:
http://kerrits.com/Equestrian-Apparel/pc/Sit-Tight-N-Warm-Fullseat-Breech-34p1923.htm

and i've been absolutely toasty all day. they're sticky-bum full-seat (don't have to have that if you don't want it though!)
well worth a look i think. i order mine direct, or Three Lows Equestrian will get them in if you want, I think (sole U.K. stockist afaik.)

 

[Foxford]

i have about 4 sets of ICE BREAKER long sleeved tops and leggings, they are amazing. Been wearing just the tops today under a t shirt and toasty as!

Echo icebreaker, they are expensive but worth it!! I also have Helly Hansen leggings, as I find they are more "lycra-ey" and fit better under jods. I feel the cold and after losing weight over summer I'm really feeling the chill this week.

 

[rossiroo]

For really thin silk stuff that is great under competition clothes try PATRA silk undies. Not as thick and bulky as some but just as warm.

 

[MegaBeast]

I've got some bog standard cheap ones from Go Outdoors. They've got snug cuffs round the ankle so don't ride up as I pull my breeches on and are very thin so don't feel like they add any bulk.

If you want Winter breeches then try mark todd - I've got a lovely pair in beige that I use for Winter shows.

Thermal socks are a must and I also find using a buff under my hat is a god send plus a fleece neck warmer tube.

ETA and my thermals are "Trek mates". They're a technical fabric so nice and breathable.

 

[TarrSteps]

could you cope with fairly thick winter breeches? because i can't cope with an extra layer on my legs, even just tights under breeches, i think they're too bulky and ruckle up. ditto ski pants, just can't ride in them. but properly cut winter breeches are different.

This really should be my specialist subject but I'm the same. Lots of people in Canada ride in thermals or tights under jeans or breeches but the feeling drives me up the wall. I do have a nice pair of wind/water resistant breeches that are very warm. I find proper full chaps (not the baggy wax ones, the fitted ones that were the only game in town when I was young) are the way to go - I used to have leather ones but now have "Pro Chaps", which are weatherproof as well. I do find I have to get used to them a bit when it gets colder but much more effective than riding in over pants.

Tbh, I almost always ride in jeans and half chaps (I'm a Colonial, what can I say ) and have ridden in temps below -15C (about the temp I give up!) in a heavy/lined pair.

 

[kezimac]

some excellent suggestions so far - will look at thermal breeches - good idea - can ride in them if a bit thick that not a prob its the padded ski jobs i cant deal with!

Will be definately stocking up, i feel, just could not get warm last night after being out and the car reckoned it was 6 degrees!!!!!!! - well if thats 6 what the hell is winter going to be like cos it was ridiculous.

 

[sbloom]

Agree wtih Icebreaker baselayers, much much nicer than synthetic "thermals" which are grim to wear IMO. I have fleece lined Boink riding tights from the US which are for cold, dry, and then Irideon Wind Pro tights for not quite so cold but possibly wet . Feet are important - I ride in MOuntain Rider Rimfrost long boots, but they can feel bulky. For lessons where i wanted to ride in my Cavallos I had Mountain Rider base layer leggings that I cut down so they ended under my knee - my long boots are much too tight gat anything other than thin breeches underneath!

Decathlon is great for cheaper merino and good socks, but the merino is a little itchy for me, but I'm very sensitive. I prefer Icebreaker but it's twice the price.

 

[Fourlegsgood]

Goose fat and brown paper? I am surprised no one has suggested that!!

 

[hobgoblin]

Don't post often and don't feel the cold but have suffered really badly the past few years with chilblains on my legs which look horrid and feel worse! I also hate having loads of layers as feel like I can't move!
Invested begrudgingly , as they were expensive, in the musto snugs, which I wore to death and have just bought another pair for this winter they are shower proof to!
Not the most stylish legwear but definatley do what they say in the tin !

 

[gracemoran]

My husband bought be Under armour last year from christmas and I was not convinved. However the'r stuff is just fab and doesn't seem to wear out! They do all sort of different things so you can pick and choose what suits best.

 

[Vetwrap]

Full on winter gear is M&S cotton vest top, then Berghaus zip neck base layer, then cotton roll neck, micro fleece, body warmer and Kyra K coat over the top. Toasty!!!

I also swear by winter weight breeches and my Musto Snug chaps. They don't seem to make them anymore, but they do sometimes come up on Ebay.

When I am really cold, I do put plastic bags on my feet to stop my feet freezing - but between two pairs of socks.

TK Maxx and either Aldi or Lidl (I can't remember which) are great places to find cheap base layers...

It's going to be coooooold this winter... apparenlty!

 

[little_flea]

I too am from a colder climate originally (Sweden - riding in -20 is common in the winter) and swear by layering. Patagonia base layers/fleeces are amazing and I could not live without my Pikeur winter breeches.

 

[Kat]

Look for a baselayer with a long sleeved top and leggings as you can wear these under anything. The tops with a high zip neck are good as they keep you a bit warmer but you can also vent if you get too warm.

The following are good brands to check out:
Icebreaker - lovely but expensive
Helly Hansen - reasonable prices for the synthetic stuff and they have been making it for YEARS so they know what they are doing BUT it can start to smell a bit with heavy use over years which you don't get with merino. They do a merino range which is a bit more expensive.
Paramo - having heard brilliant reviews I've just bought one of their base layers to try, but haven't used it yet so can't report. The person who recommended it to me rates them as better than icebraker. They are reversible, you wear them one way to keep you warm and the other to help you cool down in summer.
Smart Wool - another brand that does merino wool, very good, I have one of their tops and it is lovely and comfy and warm without being sweaty. It also looks good enough to wear on its own, so I tend to save it for days when I want to look more respectable as you can go into the pub in it without looking like you are just back from a run!

Avoid Berghaus, I don't rate their base layers at all, not only do they not wick very well they are too short in the body and the fabric sort of grips your over layer so you feel uncomfortable.

I have tried thermals from places like BHS and primark and they are OK for extra warmth but they don't perform as well as the technical base layers mentioned above which will help stop you over heating as well as keeping you warm. The brushed cotton jersey type will be nasty if you get sweaty as it won't dry quickly. If you are looking at cheap generic brands I would only spend money if it is merino wool as otherwise you may be getting nothing better than a cheap longsleeved t-shirt or a pair of tights.

 

[racingdemon]

definitely the best technical base layers you can afford... & make sure you get a good fit... i've bought stuff in the past that just hasn't fitted me, so ended up with material in all the wrong places

i have also just bought some Ornella breeches from treehouse.... water proof & windproof & so comfy (despite not looking it) that i wore them yesterday for my jumping lesson

TK maxx is great for mid layers, & some times they have decent base layers,

& get a snood..... in the depths of winter you can only see my eyes!! ha ha ha!!

 

[TarrSteps]

As above, scarf/snood and a good hat are musts. I'm not a fan of hats but I'm not a fan of freezing either. Same with socks - good quality wool. I like ski socks as they also give a layer of calf protection. I also buy my winter boots a size up so I can wear thicker socks but still have room - if you squash your toes they get colder, faster. If you want to up the waterproof quotient try Sealskinz socks.

Perhaps if the weather trend continues I should look at importing winter horsey stuff from Canada.

 

[Kat]

Perhaps if the weather trend continues I should look at importing winter horsey stuff from Canada.

You should! The stuff available here is generally rubbish! The only things I buy from horsey shops are boots and jodhs, everything else I buy from hiking/cycling/running shops.

 

[muddy_grey]

UniQlo Heattech thermals are great. Supposidly they create heat from your moisture!
Shops throughout the UK or uniqlo.com

 

[millsandboon]

http://www.xcelcius.co.uk/

This -25 degree stuff Is brilliant. Really warm. Is bulky though, has to be worn as an extra layer.

 

[humblepie]

Am off to investigate. Not for wearing when riding am fine with that but for sitting in the office where I work. Get much colder sitting than when outdoors working.