I understand this question is very subjective, but thought I would ask.
I'm going to be climbing in Joshua Tree over new year's weekend and am in the market for new long underwear. As usual, way too many options. Can anyone fill me in the temp difference between light to mid weight long underwear? I know heavy is really for winter mountain stuff so just trying to figure if a light weight would be the best choice for morning/day climbing in January. Thanks in advance!

Depends on how hard you work. If you're gonna be going hard continuously, go with a lighter option. If you're not going to be pushing it hard constantly, go medium weight. Also depends on what you'll wear over the long johns.

im going over new years too! I will probably be wearing warmups in the morning, and then TIGHTS! TYE-DYE TIGHTS! see the tihgts tread for more info

-Jace

I really like the cheap REI brand stuff. It's $20 a piece and for about what you'd pay for a set of lightweight Capilene you can buy a set of lightweight and heavy weight from REI.

I can hike a good pace in lightweight during the winter or pre-dawn without overheating too bad. I haven't yet found cold enough weather here in CA to be able to stand the heavyweight while hiking but I sleep in it when I'm in the backcountry and it makes getting out of bed so much easier because it's so warm.

drpw wrote:I really like the cheap REI brand stuff. It's $20 a piece and for about what you'd pay for a set of lightweight Capilene you can buy a set of lightweight and heavy weight from REI.

I can hike a good pace in lightweight during the winter or pre-dawn without overheating too bad. I haven't yet found cold enough weather here in CA to be able to stand the heavyweight while hiking but I sleep in it when I'm in the backcountry and it makes getting out of bed so much easier because it's so warm.

Cool - thanks for the info. I'll give it a check out.

I'll second the vote for the REI midweight long underwear. The stuff is comfortable, doesn't pill (at least not yet) and is warm. I like the crew-neck long sleeve tops as a hiking shirt. I've been surprised at how resistant to snagging it is, given the type of material.

The lightweight is on sale now, but I still prefer the midweight type of material.

Howard

Icebreaker. Not cheap, but I like it.

My trips to J-Tree in winter always included mid-weight capilene, along with other layers. There may be days when you can climb at Echo in the sun with less clothes, and other days when you will wear everything you brought with you (and still be cold.) Have fun!