Do you use a liner?

JKM said:

The Rohan Ultra silver base layers seem very popular!
I have a pair of the undies and they are exceptionally light, comfy and quick drying. Do the L/S tops and leggings keep you reasonably warm also?

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Define 'reasonably' - yes they do keep the chill off, but not in a wind. I've been using them for several years; time to buy some new one's.

Like many I used to use liners - now don't bother as I too find them 'twisty'. I try and wet-wipe wash my calves and feet before getting into my bag - but to be real, that depends on how knackered I am....

I use a Jag bags silk liner when it's stupid hot.

I've tried a silk liner but it always ended up twisted around me and I woke up feeling like I was in a straitjacket. Now I use a silk base layer. Much better and still keeps you warm when sitting up to make tea in the morning. Also doubles as a spare base layer as well, of course. I got mine from Patra - more expensive than a silk liner and a little heavier but so much more versatile.

I use Silkbody long Johns and silk body top, the benefits of silk but in a wearable form. Furthermore, I have been impressed by the cooling effect in warm weather and warm effect in cold weather of silk.

Roger B said:

I use Silkbody long Johns and silk body top, the benefits of silk but in a wearable form. Furthermore, I have been impressed by the cooling effect in warm weather and warm effect in cold weather of silk.

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I notice this too, silk is very tolerant of temp changes.

Teepee said:

I notice this too, silk is very tolerant of temp changes.

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Yes, silk is good stuff. Interesting how backpackers are rediscovering natural materials like wool and silk, instead of synthetic alternatives.

I'm in the base layer camp.
1) It's nice to have your arms covered while sat in a sleeping bag cooking.
2) Padding round a hotel mid trip while going commando in leggings and a shell jacket, because they have let you use their washing machine, is shocking enough for those who think they are roughing it by wearing tweed to dinner. Catterpillaring my way to the "walker friendly bar" in a liner might be funnier though.

bumbly said:

Catterpillaring my way to the "walker friendly bar" in a liner might be funnier though.

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I'm sure it wouldn't impede the function of the liner too much if you cut some arm and leg holes in it, couple of eye slits, mouth hole - tie a top knot and probably add a belt to cinch it in at the waist.

You could burn a few crosses too...

as well as bridges...

Never used liner before, always prefer to sleep in my Coleman sleeping bag.

nobody uses a liner until they come to sell their sleeping bag....and then it was always used with a liner...honest.

I use clean base layers that I'll use the next day or day after and gives cloathes dual usage.
But may consider a liner for a week long trip.

Gave up with the silk liner for the same reasons and go with merino base layers +/- down socks.

I do have and sometimes use a Sea to Summit Reactor Extreme liner when its a bit cool and the wife has nabbed my warm bag but hate how it twists- tend to use my montane prism trousers now though if Im that cold as I love them for camp wear and normally have them anyways

I mostly sleep in a merino base layer bottom (which is normally only used at camp anyway), the clean pair of socks and my spare t-shirt. Very occasionally, I take a silk liner, the mountain warehouse one is just over 100gr (and has a bit for your head which not all do) and was resonably priced.

Meco base layers

No liner. Sleep in clean spare base layers + socks and/or 'down troos + jacket +socks + hat' - if needed.

I do try to avoid getting skin in contact with my precious sleeping bag .

Merino base layers has got to be the way to go. Getting into a liner then the sleeping bag is a nightmare....

Diamond Dave said:

Merino base layers has got to be the way to go. Getting into a liner then the sleeping bag is a nightmare....

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I've found Merino to be one of the worst materials for anything hiking, cycling or running related.

It's expensive, delicate, doesn't keep you are warm as synthetic (per gram), chances of getting it dry while on a hiking trip in the UK is pretty much impossible and it's terrible at keeping you warm when wet.

Being a stingy git i still use my Merino stuff, but the last couple of years it's only used around the house.

I find synthetic to be better in every respect.


Should say, i don't do much outdoors stuff in below freezing conditions though.

gixer said:

I've found Merino to be one of the worst materials for anything hiking, cycling or running related.

It's expensive, delicate, doesn't keep you are warm as synthetic (per gram), chances of getting it dry while on a hiking trip in the UK is pretty much impossible and it's terrible at keeping you warm when wet.

Being a stingy git i still use my Merino stuff, but the last couple of years it's only used around the house.

I find synthetic to be better in every respect.


Should say, i don't do much outdoors stuff in below freezing conditions though.

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Apologies for going a bit off-topic. There`s 2 good things about merino - keeps you warm when wet and doesn`t smell. That said I have my questionmarks about the usefulness of merino too. Contrary to my expectations, I never actually worn my merino baselayer pants in the rain (and there has been plenty of that). I`ve only ever worn them in camp and in my sleeping bag. So that removes the“wet” advantage. Merino is also quite heavy. Here in la Palma, I left my merino down below and only took my phd downtrowsers (pretty much the same weight but much warmer. That worked out well but I`m still pondering its merits for longer hikes.

gixer said:

I've found Merino to be one of the worst materials for anything hiking, cycling or running related.

It's expensive, delicate, doesn't keep you are warm as synthetic (per gram), chances of getting it dry while on a hiking trip in the UK is pretty much impossible and it's terrible at keeping you warm when wet.

Being a stingy git i still use my Merino stuff, but the last couple of years it's only used around the house.

I find synthetic to be better in every respect.


Should say, i don't do much outdoors stuff in below freezing conditions though.

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Having spent a few nights Hammocking in sub zero temperatures I have found Merino an excellent base layer and antibacterial fabric. Never used synthetic gear but might give it a try to see how it stacks up.

Tom,

I've read and heard the "keeps you warm when wet" statements, it just doesn't add up in my experience.

If it's slightly damp it may well keep you warm, but if it's wet then not even my 260 weight merino tops provide any insulation at all, to the point where i have removed the merino top and just wore my raincoat with no other layers and found i was noticeably warmer.

I've tried removing merino tops and wringing them out, then putting them on again, no warmth
I've tried different weight of merino, no warmth when wet
I've tried different qualities of merino top, no warmth when wet
I've even tried different mixtures of merino and other fabrics, still they offer no warmth when wet

Think i mentioned this before, but i bought some synthetic long sleeved tops (Nike branded) they're about the same thickness material wise as my 200 weight merino, but they provide a decent amount of warmth even when soaking.

I've been out running and caught out in storms without my rain jacket, i found if the rain isn't pisitively possing it down if i take the top off, wring it out and put it back on again it provides enough insulation to keep me warm down to about 5c (i'm running mind).
There have been a couple of times when it's rained for the first half of my run, but between wringing my top out and my body heat, my top was pretty much dry by the end of the run.

The only good thing i've found with merino is
1/ It lasts a fair while before stinking
2/ It feels better against my skin than some of the synthetic tops i have (100% polyester type)

I've gone the same way with socks, i've given all my wool socks away, i only use cotton or synthetic now (prefer coolmax)

http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/hiking/wool-when-wet2.htm - page 2 and 3.

Whilst wool is good at keeping you more 'comfortable' when wet………. at some point if you want to dry it, then you need to expend a lot more body heat to evaporate away all the water held in the fibers.

I find merino much nicer as a thermal layer than manmade fibers, but drying it out from wet takes longer.

Have to admit I've my doubts about merino too, the only aspect of it that really works for me is the ability to go ages without smelling too bad. Can any synthetic tops manage this to a worthwhile degree?

JimH said:

Have to admit I've my doubts about merino too, the only aspect of it that really works for me is the ability to go ages without smelling too bad. Can any synthetic tops manage this to a worthwhile degree?

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My Outdoor Research Echo, treated with Polygiene, didn't stink THAT heavily after 6 days of continuous wear during the Escapardenne or 5 days in the Alpes.

I sweated a huge amount during the latter trek. In my experience, it didn't smell worse then my Icebreaker-top.

Then again... it could explain why no one wants to hike with me...