Warm, not bulky clothing. Fleece, wool jumper, something else?

[Meowy Catkin]

So the weather is turning and my thoughts have turned to buying warm clothes.

Any recommendations for really warm but not too bulky items?

I love my down gilet, but it's too bulky to wear under my coat (which is already one size bigger than I normally need to allow for extra layers). I have mixed experiences with fleeces as some are far warmer than others and they don't last well). Maybe I need to fork out for a cashmere jumper...

 

[fatpiggy]

Merino wool longsleeved undershirt (cyclists use them) and/or silk vest and longjohns.

You must be buying very poor quality fleeces. I bought a gorgeous Musto half-zip top which I can remember seeing for £75 in the catalogues etc (paid £5 for it in a charity shop and it is still going strong with no pilling or worn areas 10 years later.

 

[ihatework]

Go for merino baselayers - the type you get for ski-ing, hiking etc

 

[hnmisty]

Was also going to suggest baselayers, especially merino wool.

Have a look on Cotswolds or similar outdoor kit webites for some of their insulating jackets.

 

[Spring Feather]

Silk or merino under shirts are great. If you can shell out to buying Pikeur fleeces they really are far superior to any other fleeces I have.

 

[TrasaM]

Merino wool base layer.. Helly Hensen do a nice range and they dont get smelly. My favourite item is a heavy weight cashmere jumper and a Rohan down gilet which is the cosiest garment I've ever worn. I've tried getting another but they've not had the same ones since. I'm not liking the return to cold. Just managed to get my season ( hah! LESSON) in today before the rain started.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

One of the ones I have is a Musto one, *sigh* it must have been a faulty one 'cos it's crap.

Right - marino baselayers seem to be they way forward. I'll also look at Pikeur.

Thank you.

 

[martlin]

Cheap solution - Tesco have thermal tops, I buy mens S and they fit me well, wear great, wash easily and are very warm. Only about a tenner, too.

 

[Brightbay]

Yes, merino wool baselayer. I got them last year for the first time, and they're the best thing ever! They wash really well, keep their shape, don't go smelly or bobbly like fleece and they're really really warm!

I got one in TKMaxx last autumn, and it was so amazing I did a tour of the local TKMaxx shops buying up all the ones in my size They're quite expensive, but worth it. The brand was XTM, they were about £24 and they seem to stock them in about October/November.

 

[Goldenstar]

Merino wool longsleeved undershirt (cyclists use them) and/or silk vest and longjohns.

.

My best freind gave me a merino undershirt for Christmas she climbs that's where she came across them they are fantasic .

 

[Bexx]

In winter I use a thermal base layer, a normal tshirt, a wooly jumper and a thin hoody or coat, always struggled in the winter until I replaced a fleece with a wooly jumper

 

[its_noodles]

every time my merino gets warm up, i can smell of wool...
its a very distinctive smell and i can never get used to it...
good luck though