What temp for long underwear

I feel like I'm always going back and forth on whether to wear long underwear. at what temp do you think its worth breaking them out?

Under 50 degrees, pants only. Under 40, pants and long sleeves.

When the temp is cold. When I lived in the Bay Area anytime it was below 50 I was in long underwear, here in Bishop it needs to be in the low 30's before I'm cold enough to put it on.

Removable underwear makes the decision less critical

https://www.kuiu.com/collections/base-layer-bottoms

Good rule of thumb - if too hot, remove a layer. If too cold, add a layer. I find standing still in cold temperatures makes me cold, while being active in those same temperatures might make me too hot.

Your Experience May Vary.

"Removable underwear" I had no idea they made that. Now how do I get these nonremovable undies off?

Mark Frumkin wrote:

"Removable underwear" I had no idea they made that. Now how do I get these nonremovable undies off?

I had not seen those either. Though I'd be concerned about how comfortable they'd be with a zipper, especially under a harness. 

An alternative I've used for those in-between days is wearing leg warmers (long wool socks with the end cut off) that go up to the knee, under long pants. These provide a lot of warmth, but are very easily removable. Works great for chilly-morning multipitch routes. Wear the leg warmers for the first few pitches until the sun hits you, then just pull them off (can be done easily even with harness and rock shoes on) and put them in the pack for the warmer part of the day.

Mark Frumkin wrote:

"Removable underwear" I had no idea they made that. Now how do I get these nonremovable undies off?

Seriously I'm struggling to think of a circumstance where that zipper is helpful.....

I prefer to layer on top, rather than underneath my main layer, and remove those outer layers when climbing.

I usually climb in leggings. It is very easy to put pull-on stretchy fleecy pants on top of leggings. The fleece pants can go on top of the harness, I can just push them down a bit in front, to attach the belay device. And taking them off/putting them on is quick and easy, I don’t have to remove the harness to do it.

Same with the upper body layers: Tank top, T-shirt, long sleeved shirt, fleece, down jacket. Take off as many as needed before climbing. 

Christopher Smith wrote:

Seriously I'm struggling to think of a circumstance where that zipper is helpful.....

Obviously any sudden need to go commando?

With Peloton part of the name? Another possibility is these get used as layer TWO, over cycling tights or shorts. Easy and fast layer to get off, without taking off shoes, makes sense. Also being sleek makes sense. 

We tend to think of getting that top layer off to cool down, but an inner layer can make some sense, too, if you think about it. 

It also means you could swap out yer boxers, without undressing. That's also pretty practical, if it's cold enough to want that warmth in the first place. If the top layers unzip enough, that's doable.

My dad worked in an aluminum plant, not much heat where he was. So, long johns, under his one piece coveralls. Sweatshirt then coat over the top half. Fine and dandy.

Until that day he got the long johns on backwards. Oops.

Best, Helen

JCM wrote:

An alternative I've used for those in-between days is wearing leg warmers (long wool socks with the end cut off) that go up to the knee. These provide a lot of warmth, but are very easily removable. 

Cheap-o cycling leg warmers can be found on ebay/amazon in either spandex or insulated versions and they work great for hiking days where it's cold in the morning but going to warm up significantly once the sun is up.

Another thing to consider is the different weights of for bottom base layers, for example (in order of warmth):
* Running tights - Basically just spandex, just enough to add a little warmth
* Normal thermals
* Fleece lined tights
* Expedition weight thermals
* Insulated fleece running tights

The other game you can play is different weight and/or windproofness of your pants.

I use very very light capilene wool for 35-50F, sunny, windy, and dry conditions. They breathe great so if I do get some swamp going on, they’ll dry out before the next belay is done.

For shady and sub freezing, I have a pair of thicker nylon long undies. I prefer to have my bottom half insulated and ready for the worst conditions, and then modulate my temperature with my upper layers when too hot.

I’ve wished I had my long undies far more often than I’ve regretted having them on. My partners give me crap, but then again they’re the ones freezing their butts off at the unexpectedly shady, snowy, or windy belay stations.

Christopher Smith wrote:

Seriously I'm struggling to think of a circumstance where that zipper is helpful.....

Muddy boots, crampons, etc. Just drop your pants and unzip. 

Ari Stoner wrote:

I feel like I'm always going back and forth on whether to wear long underwear. at what temp do you think its worth breaking them out?

Um, ask your mommy? Seriously, you're 28 and you can't figure this out on your own?

https://youtu.be/jOT6fh4ab0k

80s spandex solved this problem. 

While this is an important question I think much more crucial is asking at what temperature (how hot) does it need to be before a boulderer takes off their beanie?

Eric Engberg wrote:

While this is an important question I think much more crucial is asking at what temperature (how hot) does it need to be before a boulderer takes off their beanie?

Pete S wrote:

80s spandex solved this problem. 

I myself prefer ass-less chaps. They keep you warm, but the ventilation is out of this world. 

perhaps this is the inverse to the crazy hot matrix?