Thermals

[Crumble]

I'm after some thermals for under my drysuit, and just wanted some input as to the best ones to go for. Ideally I'd like to be able to use them for sailing, under my foul weather gear (yacht sailing rather than dinght, but should be able to have one set of thermals for all)

[DaveBland]

Go for an all in one. Loads of folks make them. Mine's a LevelSix one, but they are all good.
If you are on a budget go for a TK Max special, but honestly, any of the polartec ones are the dogs. Even in freezing Canadian water, I rarely need more than a thin merino top extra. The best thing is nothing rides up and there's no cold bits around your kidneys.

[MediumD]

Go for a onesie. I hate having separate thermals that ride apart at the mid-rift under drysuits.
I use an IR onesie under my drysuit. It's super warm and I've only had to put on one extra top layer when paddling in Scotland in the middle of Winter. It's also got good wicking properties, I've been fairly sweaty paddling on warmer Autumn & Spring days and it's rarely given me a problem. That means my kayak clothing only ever needs to consist of my drysuit, IR onesie and a cheap fleece incase the temperature drops.
Also it's neck-entry which means no irritating zip. I live in it on long cold weekends away.

Downsides: the disappointment of having to taking it off almost fully to poop. It needs a poop flap (it does have a boxer-style opening for a slash). And the price-tag is £90.

[mattdennies]

I'm a fan of the IR onesie too. Had mine for years and it still looks brand new, shame it doesn't smell it anymore!
It's super warm and comfy and is cut really well so that there is no pulling under the arm pit, giving you a complete range of movement.
The neck entry is simple but clever keeping it comfy with no zip.
Occasionaly on days when there's snow around I put some very thin thermals underneath it just to stay extra warm.

I know it has a high price tag but you can't put a price on staying warm and comfortable when paddling, definitely worth a buy!

[sprintpaddler]

I use Helly Hansen seperates which I have found to be comfy & very durable. A long sleeve top & longjohns ( with pee-hole of course ) as you don`t want any skin against the suit. I layer over with thin Polatec top & bottom if it`s cold, & always come out dry. My drysuit is an IR Double D which seems to breathe well. Not sure how the above would work with a non-breathable suit though.

Cheers,
Ted.

[ion]

Go for an all in one. Loads of folks make them. Mine's a LevelSix one, but they are all good.
If you are on a budget go for a TK Max special, but honestly, any of the polartec ones are the dogs. Even in freezing Canadian water, I rarely need more than a thin merino top extra. The best thing is nothing rides up and there's no cold bits around your kidneys.

Just a note on all-in-ones...make sure the one you buy has a double ended zip or other means so you can actually take a leak just by opening your drysuit fly...in fact make sure the openings even remotely align...I know it seems obvious but there are several out there, including one by a kayak specific company.