Autumn / Spring base layer question

[cajun]

As I get older I find I am perspiring a lot more as I walk. This is leading to issues for me during breaks when the weather is cooler and there is a breeze as the wet shirt becomes uncomfortably cold. Not so much a problem during Summer.

I always carry a spare shirt for the end of the walk.

With the OLT coming up in April I have purchased polypro thermals which I hope will do the job, but I am looking for ideas on a base layer that "wicks away moisture" during the warmer months. I normally walk in a long sleeve well ventilated fishing shirt. Having skin similar to that of Snow White means long sleeves and trousers nearly all the time.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ken

[north-north-west]

Brubeck Comfort Merino. It may seem counter-intuitive to wear merino in warm weather, but I found the stuff really works.

[peregrinator]

My answer to your question is a little indirect, but not actually going off tangentially. For most times of the year, I don't wear a base layer, just one layer. I chose merino and find it dries fairly rapidly but even with a little dampness it rarely feels cold -- on some summits in a breeze excepted, of course, when I add an outer layer. You can get long-sleeved merino shirts (and easily roll up the sleeves if required). The only negative is that merino possibly does not have the longevity of some synthetic fabrics. Feels so much nicer to wear though, especially when one works up a sweat.

[Lamont]

May I ask are you wearing too much non venting/non- porous stuff now in the cooler weather and that is what is causing the sweats? I am getting on a bit and realised over the last while that what I was wearing was cooking me! Stopping/minimising sweating has been a bit of a mission for me.
Also Autumn -Spring where? Really need temps and apparent temps in this monster of a country! Ha ha.
When it is about 15 degrees and below, I wear a Torpedo7 merino tshirt under something (depends on how cold it is). The quality is better now than when I bought mine, but I got them on special for about $20 each so bought two. They are very close fitting which is what I wanted, they need to touch the skin to wick. I have worn it (and nothing else) under a Fauxdini windshirt (weighs about 70 grams) at about 10 degrees (apparent temp)and been very comfortable while moving. I suggest whatever you get (that Dave Brubeck stuff looks very good!) it is thinnish and close fitting. I find if it is too thick and I wear something on top I can cook unless it is really cold. The Aldi merino stuff is excellent but you have to wait. Always a big merino sale at the end of June.
Hope it works out.

[peregrinator]

. . . (that Dave Brubeck stuff looks very good!) . . .

Yeah, probably would, but I've never seen a transcription. It sure sounds good.

But, yes, your on-topic observations are pretty good as well.

[cajun]

Thanks to all - very much appreciated.

NNW - Yes it does seem counter intuitive to me I found your appraisal on the Brubeck here with further searching. John from Globewalker has provided great customer service, and I have ordered a T shirt. The athletic tank top looked pretty good too, but they are out of the lighter colour. He tells me he has a new order in.

peregrinator - thanks for your thoughts, I have thought along similar lines, but the light weight fishing shirts so far have provided what I need with UV cover, they just fail where the pack sits and a breeze pops up. I also have half a dozen of em already

Lamont - I am based in Sydney, but have trips to North Island NZ in March and Tasmania (OLT and East Coast) in April this year. RNP, Blue Mountains and Morton / South Coast are fairly regular haunts - usually day walks from 5 to 20+ks.

Thanks again.

Cheers
Ken

[Lamont]

Torpedo7 AUS shop too.
Perigrinator, you win -take 5 out of petty cash.

[Nuts]

Iv'e always worn long clothes but find thermals tedious, too hot in spring /autumn.
Good to sleep in I'd agree wool is probably less shocking than others for the sweat patch chill.

Just as another option.. an insulated top to slip over everything?

I ended up with these cheap insulated pants, same as these with a long zip:
https://www.amazon.com/White-Sierra-32- ... 82YI6?th=1
They are light and warm very quickly, lightweight shirts/ pants seem to dry out quicker under these insulated layers.

so these can both boost a sleeping bag rating substantially if needed.

[Moondog55]

Same as my summer ones Uniqlo Airism but in long sleeves Also mesh sports/running tops Sometimes called basketball weave

[cajun]

Thanks again all.
More food for thought.

Cheers
ken

[wayno]

polyester polo for warm weather, breathes well, wicks well. feels cool.

[cajun]

Brubeck Comfort Merino. It may seem counter-intuitive to wear merino in warm weather, but I found the stuff really works.

I am very happy to report that the base layer NNW suggested worked an absolute treat over 8 days of walking in the North Island of NZ (Coromandel and Lake Waikeramoana) in a variety of weather. Thanks NNW

The other success story was KMART Alpha Coolmax long leg undies that had been suggested in an earlier thread to prevent chafing. They worked a treat as well.

Cheers
Ken

[wildwanderer]

I'm going to approach this from a different angle entirely. I also sweat alot and was uncomfortable and chill when stopped.

My solution wasnt to try and find a slightly more wicking shirt but to change packs. My main issue was a saturated back, switching to a harness that allows airflow to the back eliminated/greatly reduced the problem. (Now using osprey exos) and wouldn't go back to a harness that rests against my back.