Jovan, I wear undersilk. Its light enough to not be a burden when you're inside (sweatwise) and it really keeps you warm in the coldest pf biting January winds.

 

When it's cold, I have a rotation of cotton long johns. (they are getting hard to find.. nearly all are synthetics anymore)

Due to my scouting and skiing experiences, I also have polypropylene long johns for more extreme cold.

 

Do you really need long johns in Gainesville?

 

It depends on what you want to wear. If I was going to use an overcoat over a sportcoat/blazer with a scarf, then no. With long johns, I can manage with just a tweed over a sweater to about the high 20s.

Granted the winters are not particularly long or bitter down here, but we do see teens from time to time.

 

When it gets really cold (sub-zero with winds whipping down Wacker) I'll pull out my Pearl Izumi cycling tights to wear under my grey flannels. Works great as they are made for movement but wick sweat if need be.

 

As mentioned above, really cold days in my area are few and far between. However, when I traveled to all corners of the world my under garments were the same as today; tighty-whities. In the northern climes I would add a long overcoat when outside.

If I was planning to be outside in sub-teen weather for an extended period of time I could dig out an old pair of military issued cotton longjohns.

 

Do you really need long johns in Gainesville?

I was thinking the same thing.

 

Slightly oversized long-thigh compression shorts that hit at the knee with over-the-calf socks that end at the knee. If there are knee garments out there, I guess I could look at acquiring those so I can complete my base layer.

 

I have a pair of the Underarmor cold gear pants that are the tight fitting synthetic. I used them in college playing baseball and skiing and during cold weather under my normal pants. They are great with a wind breaking layer like chinos, wool, or jeans; just any pants will make them great. While they work quite well they do get a little uncomfortable to wear all day. Its hard to explain but its not a great feeling to have them on for 8 or 10 hours but I have dont it without much trouble. Also there are some very nice silk long johns that I have been looking into that seems to be thin, breathable, and all day comfortable.

 

under your pants

I was in a big city last winter where the weather was in the 20-30 FH. Because I live in Texas, this was realllly cold to me. I wore my WinterSilk long underwear and it felt great walking the downtown streets.

But, when I went inside, I became warm. It became uncomfortable. I would have rather been a tad chilly walking than going through that again. At the end of the day, unless you are doing some outdoor activity (skiing, camping, hiking, etc), I can't see the need for these. You will generally be inside more than out.

 

You've never visited downtown Chicago in the winter :icon_smile_wink:

Seems like the last few winters we've had sub-zero cold spells for up to a week at a time and wearing an extra layer on your legs is literally life-saving, especially with the number of people who rely on public transportation and spend 10+ minutes waiting for the bus/el/Metra. It's not a big deal as everyone else is bundled up, too, but the trick is to wear just enough that you're not roasting once you get to your office. Silk or synthetic as a base layer is the way to go as any outdoorsy person knows, cotton kills. I'll leave the cotton longjohns for the Waltons.

At the end of the day, unless you are doing some outdoor activity (skiing, camping, hiking, etc), I can't see the need for these. You will generally be inside more than out.

 

Do you really need long johns in Gainesville?

I was thinking the same thing.

Yes, I do.

 

Whats under my trousers?

Why, my shoes...I hope!

 

In winter, aren't cordovan balmorals the go-to?

 

Nothing special. I would die indoors wearing thermal underwear.

 

You've never visited downtown Chicago in the winter :icon_smile_wink:

Seems like the last few winters we've had sub-zero cold spells for up to a week at a time and wearing an extra layer on your legs is literally life-saving, especially with the number of people who rely on public transportation and spend 10+ minutes waiting for the bus/el/Metra. It's not a big deal as everyone else is bundled up, too, but the trick is to wear just enough that you're not roasting once you get to your office. Silk or synthetic as a base layer is the way to go as any outdoorsy person knows, cotton kills. I'll leave the cotton longjohns for the Waltons.

Heavy flannel trousers are the thing for Chicago winters. If I'm wearing a lighter worsted then wool/silk longies.

 

The overcoat is the key. I don't want to wear long johns inside, because I overheat easily. If you have a long, warm overcoat, then you should be fine with 110s in a Chicago winter.

Of course, I might just be a bit unhinged, since I had a great time on a cross country ski trip, sleeping outside on the same morning that the record -60F air temp was recorded nearby.

 

longjohns

I only wear longjohns when the themperature is below - 20 C.

I prefer freezing, the longjohns simply get to warm once you have reached the office.

 

+1 to all the comments about the problem once you're indoors. In the US, at least, indoor winter temps often run in the mid 70's (23C).

 

I may be an outlier.. my company sets the thermostat to 68 in winter and 78 in summer. This is why the cotton longjohns are a good match.

 

You've never visited downtown Chicago in the winter :icon_smile_wink:

Seems like the last few winters we've had sub-zero cold spells for up to a week at a time and wearing an extra layer on your legs is literally life-saving, especially with the number of people who rely on public transportation and spend 10+ minutes waiting for the bus/el/Metra. It's not a big deal as everyone else is bundled up, too, but the trick is to wear just enough that you're not roasting once you get to your office. Silk or synthetic as a base layer is the way to go as any outdoorsy person knows, cotton kills. I'll leave the cotton longjohns for the Waltons.

Definitely. I am one of those people who is standing on the el (subway) platform waiting for the train to come in the freezing cold. I can't see myself ever wearing longjohgn under trousers that I am wearing to work, but if we have another winter like last year, I might have to do so. The only place I've ever worn longjohns is to a Bears playoff game in January and Cubs game in early April.

 

The only place I've ever worn longjohns is to a Bears playoff game in January and Cubs game in early April.

Times 2.

 

About 8 inches.

 

You've never visited downtown Chicago in the winter :icon_smile_wink:

I remember just before Christmas of 2000. It was the most horrible cold I've ever experienced. After that year my annual shopping trip to Marshall Field's was done a couple weeks earlier.

I have several pair of Orvis silk long johns. They're very warm, lightweight, and move freely against the trousers.

I made the mistake of loaning a pair to a female friend. I never got them back, even though she bought several pair herself when she moved to Chicago.

 

Jovan, you're right to make this a seperate thread, it's very unsubscribed though, people either find it boring or excuse the pun, something beneath them, strange, considering we all have to make this decision, unlike whether to go to BB, HF, or even Saville Row, everyone needs to determine, what goes with their birthday suit.

Transporters' post reminded me that men working outside started wearing womens' tights, to keep warm, , , they claimed.
I think I will visit Orvis's site though.

In London and the south east of England, a week of snow and slush is rare, perhaps every ten or fifteen years, I'll avoid saying these days so as to not tempt fate, I remember February 2004 when an 'expert' said on television "we probably wont see snow in London ever again" you can guess what happened a week later.

I have often found November mornings to be the biggest challenge to keeping warm in the street but have frequently nipped into a toilet to remove undershirts and sometimes long johns later in the day, for the afternoon and the journey home.

Now there is an excuse to shop for an expensive brief case.

F.