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Best Bang for the Buck in Base Layers?

robertreed711

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2019
Messages
237
Is there such a thing? Really wanting to get some better base layers, I really think it's the weak point in my gear right now. I know from research that I should lean towards merino or possibly alpaca. The problem is most of this stuff is quite pricey! Is there a way to save a few bucks and still get some quality gear or do I just need to step up and do the whole "buy once cry once" thing???
 
Kuiu has zip off pants - best thing since sliced bread. Walk in with no base layer and don’t sweat, then drop trow without taking off boots. Zip on base layer. Pull up pants. Rock and roll.

They have a puffy pair for 300.00. That’s a stupid amount of money, but I’m sure something like this can be had for less. My hunting partner bought the LL bean puffy pants, and had a seamstress sew on full length zippers. He likes em so far.
 
Get merino, their base layers so don't need to be camo. I have got some from scentblocker, pnuma, and just some off amazon. You can get some decent sets off amazon in OD that work just fine.
 
Watch Sierra trading Post. They usually have Merino wool stuff from various companies for good prices. I just bought my son some midweight smart wool stuff for about $100 for the set.
 
Watch Sierra trading Post. They usually have Merino wool stuff from various companies for good prices. I just bought my son some midweight smart wool stuff for about $100 for the set.

I'll keep an eye out.

What do you guys suggest for direct skin contact? Lightweight wool or synthetic?
 
I'll keep an eye out.

What do you guys suggest for direct skin contact? Lightweight wool or synthetic?

This is the first year that I have completely switched to merino wool as my next to skin base layer and I have been extremely happy. I have had several sits in the 20's already this year, and on more then one occasion got a little hotter then I wanted to walking in. The merino has kept me dry and warm every trip.

I forgot to mention another place to keep an eye out is camofire. The base layer top I've been wearing the most is a midweight black ovis top I got from camofire this fall. I've seen them come back around a couple times since then.
 
I have been running the Black ovis merino top and bottom base layers and have been happy. I got themfor around $40 a piece off camo fire. I will probably get more since they are a lot cheaper than the first lite I have been using.
 
The military surplus ECWCS polypropylene stuff off ebay is by far the best bang for your buck. I upgraded to a midweight LL bean merino wool top, but bottoms are going on 5 years and they were under 10 bucks. I do like the zipper idea that was mentioned above.
 
Midway USA has their Merino wool base layers on sale. Got me some a while back and really like them. They are 100% wool tho and can git holes in them easier.
 
I just bought first lite hoodie and bottoms in mid weight. My question is should i also wear my underarmour base layer 1 with it?
 
I ran Minus33 for the longest time. Make sure you follow the care instructions with merino. I now have scentlok for midweight and love them. For heavyweight I have cabelas insulated, they're primaloft and merino. They're expensive but worth it, I'd wear them to bed if I could.
Merino has great thermoregulating properties, keeps you cool when hot and warm when cool.
 
I have just got a Minus 33 merino wool top and I absolutely LOVE it, so much so that I have a pair of their bottoms on the way already!!!! I will never go away from Merino wool!!!! I sweat real bad no matter the temperature so I have had alot of problems until I found merino I sat this morning in real feel temp of 19 degrees and it was super comfy!!! Thanks @Exhumis!!!!!!!
 
I have just got a Minus 33 merino wool top and I absolutely LOVE it, so much so that I have a pair of their bottoms on the way already!!!! I will never go away from Merino wool!!!! I sweat real bad no matter the temperature so I have had alot of problems until I found merino I sat this morning in real feel temp of 19 degrees and it was super comfy!!! Thanks @Exhumis!!!!!!!
Glad you like them!
 
I believe synthetic is actually scientifically better than wool at drying faster than wool, but synthetic feels like crap on your skin compared to wool when it's damp. Plus it stinks after you wear it and sometimes almost impossible to wash the smell out. I've worn a wool shirt for a week without washing and ball it up and take a big sniff and it's odorless, amazing stuff.
 
I don't doubt merino is superior, but I got some fleece bottoms off STP for dirt cheap, they are fantastic.
 
Sure why not. The question is, why do you want too? Do you need the extra warmth?
I get really cold and didnt know if if the furst lite would keep me warm. I wear artic sheild h3 in bibs and coat. Idk, unsure of this layering method
 
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