[Closed] 2 piece merino thermals ( for sub zero ) anything a better deal than HH ?

not merino, too warm

north face do some featherlight manmade stuff. warm and ace.

Personally I now go for uniqlo, but I do also know the daughter of the family who founded Helly Hansen.

Two words: Al Di
Sorry, one word: Aldi

I have some Aldi merino stuff that is great. Some of it is ski targeted stuff and I don't wear it biking usually as it is too warm most of the time. It is great for skiing and open boating though.

I'd using it more for working/ pottering about outside in the winter than biking in because as you say it's too warm for strenuous / high intensity activities.I wondered about alpkit's offerings too.I have had Aldi layers before but not their merino.It's undoubtedly good value but I've found it less comfortable because of the seams.

Icebreaker. Best there is. Use two different weights.

That Isobaa merino that SportPursuit stock is really comfortable. Lots of different weights..
(sorry, not sure what a 2-piece base layer is, so might be irrelevant)

Sport Pursuit. Do a search for merino and see what comes up. Bear in mind though that 100% merino is relatively fragile. I destroyed a pair of Sprayway merino leggings in a few months of regular, non-technical use, they just rubbed through and holed at knees and crotch. Merino / synthetic hybrid fabrics as per your HH stuff, are considerably better for abrasion resistance. Stuff with polyester next to skin and merino on the outside are good for wicking.

I really rate my HH Merino mix and it's ancient now. Warm and tough (pure merino is a bit delicate). Seems to still have the non-smell benefits of merino.

Quote not working, can't be bothered 🙁

icebreaker

Based on my experiences of 3 seasons of winter arctic races, I don't recommend merino if you're active - it simply doesn't wick well enough / holds too much moisture. A good base layer can make this difference between comfort and misery when it's really cold. Modern synthetics keep you warm without the clamminess - X-Bionic is my choice, not cheap (some good deals about) - I wore the same set for 5 days straight where the average temperature was -20C. Their warmest grade is actually too warm for any activity above zero.

Two words: Al Di
Sorry, one word: Aldi

I've found Aldi / Lidl merino pretty hit and miss. A cycling top that was sold as 'merino' was actually 70% acrylic but was pretty useful and robust- and would have been just as useful if it was 100% acrylic. A short sleeve merino base layer that actually was merino got shorter and wider with every wash - would have been a good look with legwarmwers and roller-boots.

I generally find a matching top / bottom set of base layers doesn't work so well - I want different qualities from the tops and bottoms. For general pottering in the cold (my unheated, drafty 150 year old workshop or working out on location) rather than anything more sporty, merino longs (ice breaker) paired with polyester / polyprop tops seems to work best. Merino top and bottom is too much.

In fact what I've found works really well is - wearing two longsleeve poly tops. No less wicking/ breathable but really nice comfortable quality of warmth.

tops and bottoms

Oh, duh. Thats what a 2 piece is 🙂

I don’t recommend merino if you’re active – it simply doesn’t wick well enough / holds too much moisture.

+1

I generally find a matching top / bottom set of base layers doesn’t work so well – I want different qualities from the tops and bottoms.

+1

My winter skiing combo is Power Stretch tights and an Arteryx RHO LT for really cold weather.

I found Icebreaker kit heavy, didn't hold it's shape and held too much moisture. Gave it all away to the local charity shop.

I really rate my HH Merino mix and it’s ancient now. Warm and tough (pure merino is a bit delicate). Seems to still have the non-smell benefits of merino.

+1

Mine are proving bullet proof, cracking balance of warm, warm when damp, more wicking that pure merino. For winter they are my 'go to' - so far my two sets have been worn for nearly 10 years (almost non stop for 4 months of the year when in the outdoor centre) and are just starting in holes and worn parts.

I actually prefer one piece when it's really cold ..the problem comes after your morning coffee and nature calls! Not many are made with what I call a "crap flap" and it must be worse for the ladies.
Please excuse the vulgarity but it made me titter . Some great ideas above . I've plenty of HH lifa pp tops so may try doubling as suggested. Otherwise I'll look into the other suggestions .Every winter a decent set of thermals has been the key to being able to potter about in the garage etc in relative comfort and really are a game changer for those that suffer but as we know many would rather shiver than be unfashionable!
cheers all.

Look at the Ussen Baltic thermals. They are all polypropylene, should be pretty warm.

The Brynje string vest stuff is ace. I use this and merino. Prefer the Brynje esp on the bike.
Its very easy to dump excess heat for climbs with vents, or just opening the zip.
Doesnt hold onto sweat like merino does.

Another vote for Brynje. I can only use it on the bike rarely because it is very warm.

It is brilliant when you are just stooging about though and not working hard.

when I googled that vest I thought you must be taking the mick....Still not sure!

Not merino but I use a Roka thermal set, think they are more skiing background but have proved superb. They do collect smell though so if really sweaty, they need washed at ens of the day. However, they keep me very warm when really cold so can't complain.

PSA - SportPursuit have Isobaa on sale just now.

Brynje string vest.

???

Seeing that vest it reminds me that my mother used to crochet string tee shirts for me to wear out hill walking, etc.. Worn under a normal base layer they were as warm as, well.. a warm thing. Back in the early seventies though - do mums still crochet?!?

Initially I thought the vest was an odd suggestion but it does make sense I guess ..trapping the air in the gaps.