Gear

> I also suffer from reynauds LiL

Me too.

> i was thinking of just cutting/sewing some thumb loops in my merino baselayers

Of course, the base layer needs to be long enough if it's going to usefully cover the wrist and hand...  But simple thumb loops of cord can be sewn on to the cuff to stop the base layer riding up the arm.

Cutting does certainly just feel risky somehow. Sundry other styles though

A simple loop of material on the inside of the sleeve to hook the thumb into (as I think CP is describing?) is entirely plausible but won't extend the sleeve at all, and I've not been totally convinced of its comfort.

Another could be to sew an extra band of stretch material past the existing end of the cuff on the sleeve. A simple circle, but offset a bit where the thumb goes. I'd actually say that that's  probably the most effective of the few designs I've got and seems as if it should be easy enough to sew.

Might take some pictures tonight, because I do find all these different designs quietly fascinating in a strange way

> A simple loop of material on the inside of the sleeve to hook the thumb into [...] won't extend the sleeve at all, and I've not been totally convinced of its comfort.

Agreed.

As semi promised (threatened?) photos of some of the various intriguing thumb loop arrangments people have dreamt up. Very much non exhaustive of course In particular missing the 'basic' cut a hole near the wrist option, because thats well dull. And perhaps not quite optimal in terms of performance.

This is the basic one with a strip of material sewn where it'll catch under the thumb. Sort of OK and probably easy to add but perhaps not quite ideal. Maybe as good as 'normal' ones, with the plus that if/when it does rip, you've not damaged the main fabric.

This one is nice, but would be a real pain to sew into an existing garment. Basically entire palm area/bit over thumb in a distinct, light stretchy thing and the fleece taking the back of the hand. Which must help with the warmth there. Also seemingly used in that Haglofs Endo jacket that got previewed on here recently.

This is just full scale hand gaiters in a different material. Cuffs folded back a fair way to show where it joins. Perhaps a touch silly on a casual fleece this, but on reflection you can see why you'd do it this way to put thumb loop style things on a non stretchy, slightly loose fleece. Perhaps you could add it to an existing thing?!

Didn't have this one with me right now, so doctored an image off their website. Think it shows how the thumb loop works though. The apparent gap there really is a gap for the thumb.

I do think this one works well, and is perhaps the style that'd be worth looking at adding to existing stuff. Seems simple enough, but I have basically no sewing knowledge so it might be a real pain

Martin Carpenter wrote (see)

In particular missing the 'basic' cut a hole near the wrist option, because thats well dull. And perhaps not quite optimal in terms of performance.

I actually did that to an old baselayer I was using for running in the winter. As it was on its way out I thought I would try it out. I used it for a couple of months and it worked really well! I cut it to just above the heavy stitching at the cuff and it worked magic and it never tore.

Guess I'm a bit dull