Merino wool base layers

[mattpsu1]

Looking at some heavyweight base layers. Hear a lot about First Lite. Are they the best? How are the Sitka Gear ones? Looks like they’re not 100% Merino wool. Anyone try both?

 

[Topdog]

I have no complaints with my First Lite stuff, Minus 33 was not for me, it felt heavy and just wasn’t for me. My favorite bottoms are Kuiu zip offs, those things rock, stop and drop your pants and zip them bad boys off and leave your shoes right on and keep hunting, merino wool is the best stuff I have ever used and you won’t regret it, sometimes in the off season deals can be had, places like Sierra Trading Post, shop around, I’m sure there is other brands that are good that’s just been my experience. I have some Icebreaker stuff too that was good.

 

[BackSpasm]

Do any of you guys find merino to be a little scratchy next to skin? Even the high dollar stuff?

 

[TooheyBirdie]

I've never found merino to be scratchy in the slightest... I've got FL Kiln and furnace tops and bottoms... I wear the kilns when it gets below 50 and both once it's below 30... stayed toasty warm this year in MN

 

[Hlzr]

I use a combination of kuiu and woolx, I prefer the woolx, the pieces I'm using from them are 400gr heavyweight and I really like them.

 

[GCTerpfan]

I have had several different brands of Merino wool. Some have been "scratchier" than others, it's based on how thick of a Merino wool is used. The absolute best I have found has been Meriwool. It's some of the softest, the quality is as good or better than anything I've had and it's half the price of the first lite and Sitka stuff.

https://www.meriwoollayers.com/

 

[KYHunter]

I have FL, Kuiu and Meriwool. I would highly recommend FL but also Meriwool. Kuiu was not as soft or supple in my opinion

 

[SHF Hunter]

I have had several different brands of Merino wool. Some have been "scratchier" than others, it's based on how thick of a Merino wool is used. The absolute best I have found has been Meriwool. It's some of the softest, the quality is as good or better than anything I've had and it's half the price of the first lite and Sitka stuff.

https://www.meriwoollayers.com/

I will 2nd the Meriwool. They also have outstanding customer service and stand behind their products.

 

[gcr0003]

I have mid and heavy wt. merino wool layers from REI. They’re competitively priced on sale, warm, and comfortable or soft.

I also have merino heavy layers from black ovis/camofire. They’re not as soft but not bad. They’re warm and also affordable price.

 

[monty33]

Based on a recommendation here I recently order some merino base layers from black ovis/camofire. I went with the heavyweight top, and the 3/4 midweight bottoms. Have not taken them afield yet though. I really like the idea of the 3/4 bottoms combined with a really good merino sock. It will be awhile before I can try them out though.

 

[tarafrost]

I have lots of FL merino layers. Love the stuff. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

Got the zip off Kiln long johns. Love 'em! And various weights of tops.

 

[NimbleTimbo]

I have the FL furnace. They are solid and pretty warm. I don't find them itchy. I went with the boot top zip-offs and I'm glad I did. If I plan on covering a lot of miles it's nice to be able to add or subtract them as I roam around, without taking pants or boots off entirely.

 

[mattpsu1]

I have had several different brands of Merino wool. Some have been "scratchier" than others, it's based on how thick of a Merino wool is used. The absolute best I have found has been Meriwool. It's some of the softest, the quality is as good or better than anything I've had and it's half the price of the first lite and Sitka stuff.

https://www.meriwoollayers.com/

I purchased the Meriwool 400g tops and bottoms in the off-season last year. Only had to wear the top a few times and never needed the bottoms. I didn’t have any issues with the Meriwool. I was just under the impression that the First Lite ones were maybe better. Again, no experience with the First Lite ones. Thanks for the input. I think I’ll just hang onto my Meriwools and spend my money on something else I don’t need. Lol

 

[GCTerpfan]

I purchased the Meriwool 400g tops and bottoms in the off-season last year. Only had to wear the top a few times and never needed the bottoms. I didn’t have any issues with the Meriwool. I was just under the impression that the First Lite ones were maybe better. Again, no experience with the First Lite ones. Thanks for the input. I think I’ll just hang onto my Meriwools and spend my money on something else I don’t need. Lol

I haven't owned any FL stuff but, have held FL pieces in my hands on several occasions. The quality of the two appears similar. I have owned and worn Meriwool, Black Ovis, Kryvo, Terramar and Smart Wool. IMO the Meriwool is the best that I have owned. In my job I can be in an office, outdoors or both on any given day, so between work and hunting I wear merino base layers almost daily from late September to May. The Meriwool not only is the softest but, has held up the best.

Edit: If you've only got the 400g set, I would recommend getting a mid weight set. It's way more versatile. I have the 400g Meriwool top also. It only gets brought out on the coldest of days. My 180g and 250g pieces get worn the most.

 

[Plebe]

I'm not really in love with Merino wool base layers for my hunts.

I bought 1st Lite stuff a long time ago when they had just started their website and only sold ASAT and I think maybe black. Can't tell you what models the stuff is. I got the boxers and long bottoms, base layer tops, and the heavier zip up. The zip up has held up great but it's heavy, stiff material, and not that warm. The base layer top is super nice against the skin, but not very warm, not very durable, and not very good at minimizing scent (contrary to their marketing at the time). The boxers were like the top, and the long bottoms in-between the top and zip up comfort wise. None of those held up really well.

So far I'm happiest with stretch poly with odor treatments for my hunting base layers. (I'm using the Sitka Core Heavyweight series)

But, lightweight merino is super nice for walking in and bagging up at destination, where I switch to my poly base layers. If I wasn't hiking any distance, I'd just run polyester fleece baselayers.

 

[overspined]

Down and wool is about all I wear, and that’s for 30 years of elk, turkey, and deer hunting. I’ve used most of the merino brands, imo woolpower is the best. Dries faster, more dead air space equals more warmth, more breathable. It’s more delicate so you don’t wear as an outer layer, and it’s more susceptible to wind blowing through so again, not generally an outer layer. But all in all I like this as the best, and layer over it. That’s where I’ll maybe use like a first lite or something over it, or your camo layer etc. The 200 is basically the normal weight, 400 is some heavier stuff. it’s more like a light jacket. Their socks rock too.

 

[overspined]

of the flat material brands, FL is ok, I still think smartwool is pretty hard to beat by any brand For that 200 weight. They’re all just so similar. Kuiu is not really any different or better, FL same. the biggest advantage I’ve seen is years is the zip off pants. Love that. I have a pair of kuiu and FL zip offs. Minus 33, all of em are very indifferent overall. The FL technology doesn’t matter imo, let’s be honest, dead air space is actually what insulates. So in all those cloth types they’re just not different, it’s all the similar material thickness. That’s why I have a huge preference for woolpower for actual performance.

 

[Pyronole]

I use the black ovis and skre brands, and have come to prefer the skre. The Skre is high quality and I don't find them scratchy. I live in S Florida and actually use Skre's lightweight merino (I think its 150 weight) tshirts, both short and long sleeves, during the summer here when doing yard work. They definitely keep me cooler by pulling the sweat away and drying quickly plus they don't stank.

 

[Still Kicking]

I've had several sets of 400 weight and would recommend 125-250 weight as a baselayer. I use the 400 as a mid layer in real cold weather now. The brand isn't as important as the size and length of the fibers. 17.5 to 20 micron fibers are usually not going to feel scratchy. I just got some 250g Meriwool and they are well made, not scratchy, and reasonably priced (for Merino).

 

[Lowg08]

I have first lite and kuiu. I find myself using the kuiu 145 zip off bottoms allot. I also have the 97 synthetic zip offs. I can layer them both. I find myself using the 150 fuse first lite nearly all the time.