British OD Thermal Undershirt

Very comfortable, nice "blendy" OD colour but not really "thermals" in the sense kiwis think of thermals.

I use these as a combo with the long johns aswell. Really comfortable and warm. Great for under the work overalls.

I have now taken my British OD under layer combo ( both this shirt and the long johns ) on a few good jaunts up in the bush and I feel experienced enough now to write a review.

Being cotton, these are immediately more comfortable to wear than any other thermal I own. Merino and Polyprops tend to cling and itch me in any conditions other than freezing and moving, so these cotton under layers are better for me for wear daily around town or the house.

However, when it comes to tramping in them, I have found that the performance of the cotton blend doesn't hold up to other thermals. Once the shirt gets wet with sweat after a bit of exertion, it stays wet and got cold, I've had to swap it out for my merino top in those situations. The next morning it's still wet too, it won't dry like a poly or even a light merino. So for tramping use it's not the best.

Another point, being that it's used, I found my one gets smelly alarmingly quickly. I have a natural odour which eventually permeates my clothing, so much so that my brother refuses to let me wear his t-shirts, but this thermal top goes pongy within a day of sitting around on the computer. Not sweating, just sitting there. Maybe the previous British army owner dude had a mighty BO, maybe some others won't have this issue.

I like the colour and how they wear a lot, and I got them at a great bargain, but for outdoor winter use they won't do it for me.

N

Have been wearing this top as outer layer,more often by itself for 3 months now & am very pleased with its performance.Keeps you warm & don't seem to overheat & get as sweaty as my other thermal tops(all top brands)do.When wet it is easy to remove(the others need 2 people to remove,a bugger when you're on your own).
My other tops have shrunk even with careful washing & tend to be too short in the torso & always ride up leaving me with a cold back.
After a couple of days hard use they start to smell like an old billy goat ,which is good if you want the hut to yourself.

My other tops are now relegated to sleepwear & other less strenuous activities.

I've found my new go anywhere \anytime top & am looking forward to winter as I'm sure it will do the job & more.
I need to buy another as backup because this one will need to go in wash at some stage.

Overall very happy

Thanks guys