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Base layers

A

Alud555

Active Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2020
Messages
104
Talk to me about base layers. I currently have under armor base layers which are not merino. I don't have any issues with them but I'm not afraid to upgrade either.

Why are merino layers better? I'm not backpacking so I don't need to wear them for days on end. Also, is there any difference in merino base layers? Are first lite that much better?
 
Following. I use UA base layers a well and they work great. I’d like to know what, if any benefits merino has. I recently started wearing merino socks but not base layers. I’ve heard they have some scent inhibiting properties but don’t know for sure.
 
I have been using merino for several years now and won’t use the old poly stuff anymore except for a mid layer. If it contacts skin it’s merino.
 
Merino wool!!! I'm a fan. I use a 200 weight. 40deg and down. I feel dryer when it's warm if I sweat a little. If it's really cold I put it on first, and then my UA cold weather layer I have. If I use just the UA polyester I tend to sweat on the walk in and climb, and then I feel wet for a while. Takes a while to dry out then i go thru a cold spell for a bit. I feel dryer with the wool underneath. I haven't broken down to get a heavier wool layer yet. Been watching for a sale. FL stuff has good reviews. There is a thread on here some where about all the brands guys like..
 

Base layer wool

Looking at getting some new base layers, Merino Wool. Think I am favoring the FIRST LITE MEN'S FUSE LONG JOHN - if I need more in future I can overlay with the FURNACE ones looks like (?) For those that have, size seem true, I wear a 36 size in jeans but would wear 35 if they made them. 5'10...
saddlehunter.com
 
If you’re pounding ground walking a lot and sweating. Merino makes sense. It still insulates when wet.. If you aren’t then synthetic are fine
 
I’m not a spend all your money on hunting clothes kind of guy, even though I personally do. I just do so on sales and what not.

I have the First Lite Furnace series and they are awesome. Super warm. I can’t say I’d recommend wearing hardly any merino while walking in. One it’s too warm and too merino isn’t crazy durable. Even though mine have surprised me since I have warn them out a few times. The heavyweight series from Sitka is awesome as well. It’s a synthetic.

You can find crazy good deals on all major name brands just gotta do some leg work. I once paid 800$ for a set of first lite stuff used. Kept two pieces and sold the rest for 700$. I kept 300$ worth if you bought it out right new. Not bragging or anything. Just simply showing you can do it if you out in effort to save some money.

I’ve been eyeing Black Ovis merino as well. Can be found on Camofire crazy cheap. Can’t speak of how good it is though.
 
Bowtie747 said:
I’m not a spend all your money on hunting clothes kind of guy, even though I personally do. I just do so on sales and what not.

I have the First Lite Furnace series and they are awesome. Super warm. I can’t say I’d recommend wearing hardly any merino while walking in. One it’s too warm and too merino isn’t crazy durable. Even though mine have surprised me since I have warn them out a few times. The heavyweight series from Sitka is awesome as well. It’s a synthetic.

You can find crazy good deals on all major name brands just gotta do some leg work. I once paid 800$ for a set of first lite stuff used. Kept two pieces and sold the rest for 700$. I kept 300$ worth if you bought it out right new. Not bragging or anything. Just simply showing you can do it if you out in effort to save some money.

I’ve been eyeing Black Ovis merino as well. Can be found on Camofire crazy cheap. Can’t speak of how good it is though.
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I just started running Black Ovis Merino this year. Purchased from Camofire and saved good cash. I can't compare as I am relatively new and have not tried other brands. But I saved a butt load of cash and Black Ovis fits perfectly and is lightweight and warm.
 
I have Minus 33. I like that it doesn’t smell if I wear it multiple days and it’s not itchy. It’s actually really soft and if you sweat it will still keep you warm.
 
Ive gone to Kuiu synthetic stuff completely. It dries way way faster than any merino. And tho 90% of people will disagree, I hate the way merino feels on skin. I had it from FL, Sitka, and Kuiu and it never felt non itchy to me.
Synthetic definitely smells funky after a couple of sits but we hunters have access to these wonderful things called washing machines so it's a non issue.
 
I’ve been wearing merino people socks for more than 10 years and they’re awesome year round. Feet never get sweaty in summer and keep me toasty in the winter. Hiking/ camping they don’t stink after days. I’ve got merino base layers but I actually keep going back to other options for next to skin. The typical tight weave doesn’t seem to wick sweat that well and I feel wet/clammy. UA synthetic base, Eberlestock airbase layer over that is good for 30 degrees. Colder days or all day sits I throw heavy merino over that, or wear heavier pants or a bib over. I typically wear more layers on bottom than top
 
Bowtie747 said:
I’m not a spend all your money on hunting clothes kind of guy, even though I personally do. I just do so on sales and what not.

I have the First Lite Furnace series and they are awesome. Super warm. I can’t say I’d recommend wearing hardly any merino while walking in. One it’s too warm and too merino isn’t crazy durable. Even though mine have surprised me since I have warn them out a few times. The heavyweight series from Sitka is awesome as well. It’s a synthetic.

You can find crazy good deals on all major name brands just gotta do some leg work. I once paid 800$ for a set of first lite stuff used. Kept two pieces and sold the rest for 700$. I kept 300$ worth if you bought it out right new. Not bragging or anything. Just simply showing you can do it if you out in effort to save some money.

I’ve been eyeing Black Ovis merino as well. Can be found on Camofire crazy cheap. Can’t speak of how good it is though.
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I have a few pieces of black ovis. It’s ok if you’re a skinny guy but dad bod toting fellas like my self need to order 2 sizes to big lol
 
The scent lok merino bare layers are phenomenal. They don’t advertise as wind proof but I must say they Deffinately cut the wind. I can wear them with my early season gear well into the 30s. My only complaint is the top how it fits. I’m not a tall guy I don’t have a long torso and I’ve never worn a tall size shirt but their top is to short wish they would revise it or make a tall size as well. It’s fine walking in but once you’re in a tree it pulls out and you get a draft
 
I prefer synthetic for wam weather/high activity/high sweat situations as it moves moisture a bit better and dries faster which compounds its abilities (preference Byrnje Super Thermo with a lightweight synthetic over top). For cold weather/low activity/low sweat I prefer wool at least in part (preference Byrnje Wool Thermo with either a fleece or heavier merino on top). Merino is going to stink less throughout continued use, I personally make it a point to wash my synthetic base layers every one to two days of hunting (because they will get a bit funky).

First Lite, in their Wick series, has some of the benefits of both... I have a few pieces of this, but I don't wear very often unless it's so warm that I don't want a two-layer base layer system (and then it's direct to skin contact) because the mesh systems work more efficiently for me.
 
Swampwalker said:
Meriwool!
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I second this. I spent 10 days in Wyoming with two baselayers, maybe a shower on day 7 and my layers didnt hold any of the funk you would imagine. Synthetic seems to hold that funk for eternity regardless of how many washes you put it through.
 
arthurpete said:
I second this. I spent 10 days in Wyoming with two baselayers, maybe a shower on day 7 and my layers didnt hold any of the funk you would imagine. Synthetic seems to hold that funk for eternity regardless of how many washes you put it through.
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Atsko Sport Wash in "tap cold" with a soak cycle!
 
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