Warmest long underwear that don't impact mobility?

Something to wear under your hard or soft shells that you don't have to work against to get those high feet?

patagucci. . . 

Nano air pants from Patagonia.  I haven’t really worn standard tight base layers since I got the nano air.  Your legs/knees slide inside of them and there is very little friction compared to the interface with normal base layers and outer layers.  I refer to nano air pants as technical sweatpants and highly recommended them if you can find them.

(disclosure: I’m a Patagonia ambassador)

I use the Patagucci Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms. Have not tried every other option, but I´m pretty happy with them. I´ve climbed in -30 C with those and softshell pants.

Could anyone compare the warmth of the capilene thermal weight vs the capilene air bottoms?

Rab power stretch pro

I use Nike running tights under my Arc Sigma softshells. Both my thin and warmer tights have a smooth face, causing less friction/grab inside the softshell. Works well for NH ice days. 

The dead bird RHO LT bottoms have been stellar.

NRS polartech fleece onsie is what I wear on the coldest days. It's designed as a drysuit liner but works well under climbing gear as well. 

Bug Boywrote:

Could anyone compare the warmth of the capilene thermal weight vs the capilene air bottoms?

Anyone?

Mikey Schaeferwrote:

Nano air pants from Patagonia.  I haven’t really worn standard tight base layers since I got the nano air.  Your legs/knees slide inside of them and there is very little friction compared to the interface with normal base layers and outer layers.  I refer to nano air pants as technical sweatpants and highly recommended them if you can find them.

(disclosure: I’m a Patagonia ambassador)

Why does Patagonia stop making the things I really like?  Nano Air Hoody, Cragmaster approach shoes and I could go on.  The Nano Air stuff goes for a premium on eBay now and fortunately I've found some new old stock Cragmasters to rotate through but it seems just when I find something that really works its discontinued.

Kevin Mokracekwrote:

Why does Patagonia stop making the things I really like?  Nano Air Hoody, Cragmaster approach shoes and I could go on.  The Nano Air stuff goes for a premium on eBay now and fortunately I've found some new old stock Cragmasters to rotate through but it seems just when I find something that really works its discontinued.

The Nano Air Hoody is definitely still in the current line and I don’t see it leaving soon and it appears to have broad appeal.  (Though I’m not always privy to long term plans).  Check out the Hybrid Hoody if you like the Nano Air stuff.  I run warm and find the OG Nano Air too warm but the Hybrid is great!

And ya, I hear you in the Cragmaster!  I loved those shoes and had a bit to do the overall design.  Unfortunately Patagonia lacked enough control of the shoe line as it was co developed with Merrell.  I believe we had hopes of improving the environmental side of shoe production but that turned in to a big challenge.

What other products do you miss?  Designers are always asking us what old products are missed.

@Bug Boy -  I haven’t worn the Cap Air bottoms or tops that much as I didn’t love the fit on me.  But I think you will be hard pressed to really notice much of a difference.  If anything I think the Cap Air will be slightly less warm but more breathable.

Mikey Schaeferwrote:

What other products do you miss?  Designers are always asking us what old products are missed.

I've been wanting to buy some Houdini pants for many years. 

Mountain equipment Kenesis base pant. Best bottom base layer I’ve ever used and I’ve used a lot of them. 

I have owned and used those 2 for the past decade:
https://www.ortovox.com/fr-fr/shop/homme/p837650-calecon-3/4-185-rock-n-wool-short-pants-m
https://www.icebreaker.com/fr-fr/mens-baselayers/legging-3%2F4-thermique-m%C3%A9rinos-200-oasis/104368E2.html?dwvar_104368E2_color=001&dwvar_104368E2_EU=in_line&_gl=1*1asjihi*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4vKpBhCZARIsAOKHoWTAF8tG4fR0U5HR9fhMrAIXXdGpP6ZMdHajudJ-b8WOPbcOWfV-gqsaAm93EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Like them both, plenty warm for winter (skiing, mountaineering or ice climbing)

I know people will have a different opinion but for me the key is to buy the 3/4 versions so you don't have an extra layer all the way inside your boots destroying your lower legs coz the boots are pressing on it.
I just tuck the very end of the underwear inside the top of the socks so the small overlap is way above the boots and things stays in place. 

side note: looking at those url the internet guys at Ortovox know their job better than those at Ice breaker ;)

I love my patagonia midweight capilene bottoms.

As an aside, montbell makes a thermawrap pants and vest that are basically same as nano air, and they have an identical product to the houdini wind pants but cant remember the name right now. 

Not super warm/thick, but the Smartwool Intraknit Thermal is the best fitting long underwear I've ever used.  Crazy weaving tech that enables them to alter weight and weave without seams.  For thick/warm, look at Kokatat Outercore pant from the kayaking world.

I've been using the Mustang Survival Kazan Drysuit liner for winter and spring whitewater boating, but like @newt riverman, I've also been using it for cold ice climbing days. It appears to be a combo of R1/R.5 fleece equivalent mapped in different areas, and it's got hydrophobic cuffs in the wrists and ankles which provides a nice tapered fit for socks and gloves to go over.

@Mikey Schaefer, Some products I miss are: 1) The original black hole bag, the one that was made out of hypalon? 2) I think around 2007, they made a down pullover with a marsupial type hand warmer pocket. It was a dope lightweight bivy jacket that stuffed into its own pocket. I think later it became less warm, more sewn in construction. Maybe that could use an update with a pertex fabric?  3) Long time ago they made these things called impact tights. They had <1/8" thick breathable foam type material in the knees and butt and I think were insulated with lightweight capilene or maybe even just spandex. They were sweet as an underlayer for winter sports. It would be cool if they made those again with Cap 4 Or R1, or maybe made the foam removable.    

Dave Cramerwrote:

I've been wanting to buy some Houdini pants for many years. 

I had a pair for like 8 years that were pretty shredded. I took them into a patagonia store, they said they'd send them back to be fixed (as opposed to taping them back together with tenacious tape at the store). I told them that I sew, and that I would very much not want them to be trashed if they can't fix them, that I would make my own attempt, since they no longer made them. Well, they threw them in the trash, and sent me a voucher for what I paid for them, which is cool, but damn. I wish they kept their word about not throwing them out so I could fix them. I've been saying ever since that I would make my own and just never did, but they were great. Bummer. 

And as far as answering the question this thread is about- merino wool is so much better than any synthetic for long John's, to me. I like icebreaker for longevity, I have some that have holes in the knees but still keep me warm, that I bought in 2015 and wear a lot every winter. I also really like rabs merino blend stuff, and the eddie bauer merino wool is actually really great, just wait for it to go 60%off. Actually, don't buy anything from eddie bauer until it goes 50 or 60% off, which it all does a few times a year. 

John Sigmonwrote:

Montbell have an identical product to the houdini wind pants but cant remember the name right now.

Dynamo wind pants. Love them. Lightweight, short ankle zips, some mechanical stretch. Very nice, “matte” fabric that feels great against skin.