timmythecop Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 As you may know, I do not have a car. I commute every night/morning to the midnight shift at work, and it can be cold here in DC. We have two weather patterns: Africa Hot and Ice Station Zebra. I have spent ages trying to perfect the cold weather gear solution. I discovered a few years ago the military long underwear called Poly-Pro. It is a bit thicker than regular undies, but it sure works. Very very warm and cozy. The only downside is that you must wear it against your skin for it to work correctly. You can get them in tops and bottoms from a surplus store and run about 20 bucks each. Very very worth it, plus they now come in black instead of only olive drab. But now, I have discovered an even BETTER set-up. I bought some innovation from my local thrift store (right next to Andrews Aire Force Base): a brand new Army issued undershirt. The tag says "SHIRT, SLEEPING, HEAT RETENTIVE, MOISTURE RESISTANT" I paid 3 bucks for it and lemmee tell you it is magic. It is THINNER than regular long underwear and has an almost ultrasuede inside. Very comfy and so, so, so warm. I love it. it has a tall collar with a micro zipper and really long sleves. Perfect for our application. I cannot believe how warm this thin shirt is ! So you can go buy the Aerostich Windcheater 5000 for 97 bucks, or you can stop at thrift stores and surplus places that are not on the way home. Do it. Thank me here later. Here is the new shirt I bought: This is the poly pro stuff: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFR4Lee Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 What is Natick Formula IV, that it "is to be laundered in"? per the tag. Looks worth trying in any case at $3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 I think it is Army nomenclature for "Tide" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Conedodger Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 I think it is Army nomenclature for "Tide" Ha! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 I've been wearing those things for at least 5 years and have about 10 of them.......... Of course I got mine at REI for about $40 a shirt.... Good find Timmy......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 My Timmy, you are looking so buff these days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer V-FORE Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 great memories...I was issued those back in the early 80's, yes they are wonderful I will have to look for some again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer y2kvfr Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 I still have my Army issued poly-pro bottoms. I wear them when hunting. Unfortunately the top crapped out after several years of misuse. Ebay is littered with the sleeping shirts... I'll have to check the local Goodwill. Thanks for the tip Timmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Duc2V4 Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 I bought some Champion Sportswear tops from Target ~$19. They are fitted long sleeve mock turtle necks and do a great job under my leathers, but at $3 a pop, these are definitely a better ROI. Thanks for the post Timmy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer jvick98 Posted December 4, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 4, 2013 I started using this product about 8 years ago and it extended my riding to year-round. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Classic-Accessories8482-QuadGear8482-ATV-Mitts/716428.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Datv%2Bmittens%26WTz_l%3DHeader&Ntt=atv+mittens&WTz_l=Header Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 something else: yesterday morning, I put on this new shirt, a long sleeved t shirt over it and then my textile suit. I was delayed from leaving the station house, so I got pretty warm in there. I was warm and toasty on the way home, BUT when I took the stuff off, the t shirt was damp with sweat and the sleep shirt (next to my skin) was absolutely dry. I didnt used to belive in these space aged cloths before, but I do now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer dadofseven Posted December 5, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 5, 2013 There is also a sleeping cap, same material, looks like a pilots skull cap, small Velcro strap under the chin, thin enough not to interfere with helmet size...used both on and off for 30 years..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vtcyclist Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 I started using this product about 8 years ago and it extended my riding to year-round. Elephant Ears!! I used to use a similar product on my Husky for winter hare scrambles. Hands stayed warm with summer MX gloves, Grips stayed clean and grippy. They were/are awesome. To the OP, Thanks for the heads up on the "sleeping gear". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 ANy tips on hands? I'm doing a cottom/poly thermal layer under my street gloves with grip heaters turned up to "melt". Still get cold fingers, meaning my pinkies had almost no feeling for 20 minutes after getting to work. Same for feet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 ANy tips on hands? I'm doing a cottom/poly thermal layer under my street gloves with grip heaters turned up to "melt". Still get cold fingers, meaning my pinkies had almost no feeling for 20 minutes after getting to work. Same for feet? You may have a peripheral circulation problem...see your doctor, but have you ever tried heated gloves like the Gerbings T-5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 ANy tips on hands? I'm doing a cottom/poly thermal layer under my street gloves with grip heaters turned up to "melt". Still get cold fingers, meaning my pinkies had almost no feeling for 20 minutes after getting to work. Same for feet? You may have a peripheral circulation problem...see your doctor, but have you ever tried heated gloves like the Gerbings T-5? Are you saying I need viagra for my peripherie's blood flow? :)Haven't tried heated gloves. Was hoping for a proven glove and boot liner. I've got the Widder vest which uses the velcro arms chaps which connect to heated gloves. pia to use the arm chaps, even though they're effective. Need a simpler solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer RED RUNNER Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 what would be the commercial equivalent? Trying to get my head around what the material really is. Fleece? Synthetic wool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer vfrcapn Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 I bought one of those poly pro undershirts a few years ago for a few $ and it's the warmest thing I've ever worn. The OP shirt is available at my local surplus store for $6, going to check it out this weekend. Thinking of sewing some insulating gloves up from that poly material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted December 6, 2013 Author Share Posted December 6, 2013 what would be the commercial equivalent? Trying to get my head around what the material really is. Fleece? Synthetic wool? It is hard to describe. The outside is nylon-ish and the inside is fleece-ish, but the whole thing is increadibly thin. ANy tips on hands? I'm doing a cottom/poly thermal layer under my street gloves with grip heaters turned up to "melt". Still get cold fingers, meaning my pinkies had almost no feeling for 20 minutes after getting to work. Same for feet? try riding without the liner. (use good leather winter gloves) You need some air in there for the warmth to have a place to go. My hypothisis is that the heated grips warm the leather and that in turn warms the air inside the leather. I do know with boots that if 2 pairs of socks makes it really tight, one pair is always warmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2thdr Posted December 6, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 6, 2013 +1 to what Timmy said...make sure there is room in your glove for air space...you don't want a tight fitting glove like in the other seasons. You may need to get a glove that only fits with the liners in and is too big otherwise. I would stay away from any cotton on the liner since it holds moisture and will cause your hands to be colder. A surplus ski or snowboard shop will have straight polyester glove liners that are thin for cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Switchblade Posted December 7, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 7, 2013 Timmy do you ever drive a 4 wheeled vehicle to work ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmythecop Posted December 8, 2013 Author Share Posted December 8, 2013 Not often. My wife is very possessive of her Fiesta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer rdguy Posted December 8, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 8, 2013 Hey Timmy, How's the sizing on these? I'll have to do eBay, so I need to know how they stack up to civilian t-shirt sizes. Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer YoshiHNS Posted December 8, 2013 Member Contributer Share Posted December 8, 2013 I found that they are not that easy to find online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auspanglish Posted December 8, 2013 Share Posted December 8, 2013 I found that they are not that easy to find online. That's a well-founded satement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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