Wicking and Baselayers

I finally broke down and purchased a Kokatat paddling suit for all the ocean fishing I do!    Figure I want to be as safe as possible for the 1 or 2 times I am on the big blue.

Anyway, after trying to do some research on baselayers, I'm not any closer to deciding than before my investigation.  I've read about wicking layers and base layers however some of the new stuff does both all in one.  Some of you swear by polartec but after looking that up also, I'm confused.  Is it a technology, or a brand, or both?

Under my current Kokatat Tempest pant & jacket combo, I wear a Hot Chilly M's La Montana Bottom & Hot Chilly M's La Montana Panel Zip-T but wonder how warm it would keep me should I be fully immersed for some time.

I'm considering some Under Armour gear but want to know what you're wearing under your drysuit/paddling suit?

Thanks for any and all help.

Great topic for sure. I wear a base/wicking layer of polypropylene long underwear made by cabelas and generic fleece tops and bottoms made of 100% ployester. I have been in high 40 degree water with no chills at all with these 2 layers. Many prefer the mysterioso base/wicking layer too. The main thing is choosing non-cotton garments that don't attract water and ensuring you have a bit of fleece to create some space between you and the suit.

Also dressing to ensure you will be able to spend a few hours submerged is necessary and that often comes in conflict with the above water temps. Splashing water on the suit is the key to managing the temp difference. I paddled a day in Cambria for the CSD tourney in mid fifty degree water and almost 80 degree surface temps and was still comfortable as long as I was wet.   

All, sorry if my bolded and italicized text turned people off.  I wasn't trying to yell at anybody, just didn't want my question to get lost in my longwinded post so I tried to make it stand out.

Also, used the search function and found a few single posts but couldn't find any thread solely dedicated to the topic.  If it's out there, please include the link so we don't have to rehash an old post.

Definitely no cotton, good point.  I failed to mention that.

I'd forgotten about mysterioso.  I have some of there socks but nothing for the body.  Might need to check them out.

REI heavy weight Polartec undies or Mysterioso. 

REI heavy weight Polartec undies.

These?

Polartec is a brand, they make a variety of Polartec fabrics, most notably fleece. There are other brands of fleece but Polartec in my experience has kept their quality up, not to say other brands aren't just as good. But as shown below some of the other brands might just be Polartec under a different label.

Excerpt from Wikipedia-

Polartec offers over 400 different fabrics including:
 Polartec Power Dry
 Polartec Power Stretch
 Polartec Classic Micro, 100, 200, 300
 Polartec Thermal Pro
 Polartec Wind Pro
 Polartec Windbloc
 Polartec Power Shield
 Polartec Power Shield 02
 Polartec Power Shield Pro
 Polartec Power Shield Stretch Wovens
 Polartec NeoShell
 Flame Resistant Fabrics and Layering Systems
 
Polartec's customers include all branches the United States Military, Patagonia, The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Cabela's, Lands End, LL Bean, Jack Wolfskin, Lafuma, Eider, Millet, Rab and many other technical apparel brands around the globe.
 
In 2011 Polartec launched a waterproof breathable fabric called Polartec NeoShell. This is a new category for Polartec – competing directly against GORE-TEX and other waterproof breathable fabrics. Polartec NeoShell's differentiating feature is a high level of air permeability. [

Thanks Dale.

So it appears that Polartec makes many different kinds of fabric that other companies use in their product.  But do they make their own line of product for retail?

+1 on the REI polartec.  One layer is all i wear under my drysuit - I'm comfortable when it's hot and cold.

Under my Kokatat T3 drysuit, I wear bluejeans and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. And socks & boxer shorts. It's like I'm sponsored by Cotton. If I know it's gonna be cold, I wear my Hodgeman fleece pants (made to wear under waders). 
I know it goes against every bit of advice ever posted. Just being honest. But I plan to get some mysterioso under-layers before the next RF season open in May. 

A lot of drysuit divers use 200-400 gram one piece suits with a polartec base layer of some sort under there drysuits. Many on Scubaboard, including myself have bought on eBay from a seller named Rondell101bjrr. $89.00 bucks and great quality. Two way zipper, heel and thumb loops make doning a breeze. Over 2600 sales and 100% feedback. These are made to keep you warm even when wet. 2¢

Thanks,
John

REI heavy weight Polartec undies.

These?

Yes - Thats the one. I use the hell out of mine.

That particular one is on sale currently 30% off right now.

Under my Kokatat T3 drysuit, I wear bluejeans and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. And socks & boxer shorts. It's like I'm sponsored by Cotton. If I know it's gonna be cold, I wear my Hodgeman fleece pants (made to wear under waders). 
I know it goes against every bit of advice ever posted. Just being honest. But I plan to get some mysterioso under-layers before the next RF season open in May. 

Bad Sin Coast, bad!

I've been very happy with the durability of my mysterioso stuff (2 shirts and pants). last season I got a heavyweight fleece top from NRS that is really nice for cold days, and this spring I added an NRS hysroskin shirt as my base layer. I also carry either a neoprene shirt or vest, depending on how cold/wet i expect to be. As you can tell, I tend to get chilled easily.  I'm still using a wetsuit.

One word on Mysterioso-when I bought mine at Kayak Connection they warned me NOT to wash it with detergent ever. Rinse in fresh water only. Detergent will remove the odor killing stuff in the fabric and then, well, you'll smell like Rumplestiltskin after a dumpster rave. No bueno.