Serious question about underwear...long underwear

[TZ]

So I am a cold weather wimp. However, I am going to the inaugural on Tuesday,which means being outside in the cold most of the day.
The temps are supposed to be in the high twenties low thirties... I get cold easily so I figured I should get my self some thermal underwear for this. Since I've never really needed this before (never gone skiing or anything like this) recommendation on types?
Thanks.

[malta blue]

1. get thee to EMS...

they have fleece that fits under you clothes :D

[TZ]

2. EMS?

Fleece sounds lovely....

[malta blue]

4. sorry - Eastern Mountain Sports (EMS)

http://www.ems.com/index.jsp

they don't sell the fleece as long underwear but it is so thin, it fits under my clothes

[Gormy Cuss]

5. or REI or any other serious outdoor sports place.

There are lots of lightweight undies options out there.
http://www.rei.com/FindStores?state=MD&radius=900

[NewJeffCT]

3. I figured you

would just go with several beefy football players to keep you warm...

[Sequoia]

6. Get some from L.L. Bean

That bumpy kind.

You know what' strange? I live in a farming town and I can never find flannel shirts, not even in the boys section at Sears. Nor can I find sweat shirts that aren't hoodies with a zipper. And I totally refuse to buy anything with a logo like GAP. I guess I'll just have to go online and find things. And on edit: You are not a whimp, but smart to know that you have to layer. Otherwise you could be in serious trouble.

[eauclaireliberal]

12. Where do you live?

Wisconsin has Blain's Farm and fleet (not to be confused with Mills' Fleet Farm). It is a farmer's and sportsman's paradise. Horse saddles, Truck tires, winter wear (shirts, coats, boots), Dog food, ammo... you know the kind of place.

[Sequoia]

14. I live in

Santa Rosa, CA. We have cows and vineyards. I'll have to see if Blain's Farm has on-line version. Thanks.

[MajorChode]

7. Layers, layers, layers

Personally I like silk long underwear. Even though it is light, it insulates quite well and allows good movement. For extra warmth, go with a standard set of cotton/poly thermals over that (fruit of the looms work well), a cotton hoodie, and a light jacket over that, preferably one that's long. Thinsulate gloves. Thick socks with boots. If the sun comes out and you get too warm, you can take off the light jacket and tie it around your waist. The great thing about the silk/cotton combo is it will wick away any perspiration and prevent moisture from collecting close to your skin, so even if you are physically active and make yourself sweat, you don't freeze when you stop.

[eauclaireliberal]

8. You really are a wimp!

It is in the negatives here in Wisco...minus 35 wind chill. High twenties/low thirties is tropical.

Oh that's right, you wanted my expert opinion-Land's End is my choice. Built to last. The pair I'm wearing now has lasted five seasons. Don't forget hat, gloves and scarf. I wear sweats over my long undies, sometimes two pairs of sweats. Full down-parka. All I'm missing are those goggles that guys in the antarctic wear.

I don't think that all that is necessary in D.C., but you get my point.

[MajorChode]

13. You forgot to mention the bunny boots, neoprene facemask....

ushanka, and chemical warmers to go inside your mittens.

[eauclaireliberal]

17. Nah LE Boots are good

I do need a neoprene face mask though (blaze orange of course)...for those nice long walks in the park. :o
ushankas don't fit under my hood all that well.

[madinmaryland]

9. This thread will be worthless without pictures!!!

:evilgrin:

[TZ]

10. nice post DuStrange!

:rofl:

[madinmaryland]

15. Don't forget that for them to be effective, you must wear them on the outside of your pants!

:rofl:

[AlCzervik]

11. yes get silk ones, really warm and they feel nice against your skin.

http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=1~

[leftyclimber]

16. Silk is lovely.

SmartWool also makes some really nice merino wool ones (soft, not itchy).

If you're on a budget, plain old capilene will do you. Medium-weight is probably OK for the predicted temps.

If you run really cold, think about also getting a pair of fleece pants to put on over the top of your long john bottoms. This works well with a baggy-ish pair of pants over those two layers (NO COTTON! It does not insulate, and if it picks up any moisture at all you will get really superduper cold and be more likely to become hypothermic). On top I like to wear a lightweight fleece vest in between my longies and a down jacket. YMMV.

Any outdoor store worth its salt should be able to hook you up.

Oh -- and if you have cold hands like I do consider investing in a pair of glove liners to go under your regular gloves. You can also slip handwarmers into the wristbands of your gloves if you want a quick warmup. Make sure you're wearing a really good hat, too.

[DeepBlueC]

18. merino wool

silk is really not winter warm and I emphatically do not recommend the "technical fabrics" they are flogging these days. Merino wool is snuggly, non-itchy, warm even when wet. I wish they made merino wool bras.