How loose should long underwear fit?

Question

I'm going snowshoeing, and have never used long underwear before. How tight/loose should the tops and bottoms fit? Should they be like a "second skin", or is it okay if they're a bit looser and kind of flabby in some areas? Would the fit vary depending on the sport (i.e. if I were to ski or snowboard instead)?

Answer 1

"Either" is actually correct...but it depends on the underwear.

For snowhoeing I wear a tighter fitting set of long underwear that has wicking qualities. The idea here is that you will be moving and generating a lot of your own heat. When I wear loose long underwear I get overheated quickly because of the dead air. But if you are just out for a short trip, or don't plan to work up a sweat (or you get cold easily) then you may want loose fitting long underwear.

However, most days I skip the long underwear all together. I almost always wear just heavy fleece (Polartec 200 or 300) and I wear boxers made from wicking material. I wear a lightweight wicking long-sleeve t-shirt and a windbloc fleece jacket. I wear gaiters over my boots. I keep a lightweight rainsuit stashed in my pack that I put on if I'm taking a break or the weather goes foul.

I wear the same fleece under my ski pants and I vary my upper body layering systems so much depending on the conditions it's hard to explain. On REALLY cold days I MIGHT put on the loose long underwear...but it's got to be below 0F.

Last night I was out making snow. While I wasn't on snowshoes, I figure I was generating about the same amount of body heat as I do when I snowshoe. I was wearing my fleece pants under a waterproof shell, a wicking shirt, a thermal wicking shirt, and a windbloc fleece jacket...no shell. I was roasting.

Answer 2

I ski in mine more than anything, but they are a bit loose and I like them that way. I think you'll be fine snowshoeing in a slightly loose fit.

Whether they shrink or not depends on the material and how you wash them. if they're wool and you dry them on hot, of course they will shrink. I hand wash my polypro and air dry them as recommended) and they have not shrunk in 3 years.

Answer 3

They should hug the skin but should be able to stretch enough for comfort, a good test is to run your hands through and touch your knees, if its comfortable then they are good fitting. Then again its all based of preference.

Answer 4

fit should be skin tight but they should still have some give and stretch,

Answer 5

buy them a size bigger the will draw up if you dont and then they wont fit.... and it dont really matter you can wear them either way id just go big