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Mid Layer

I would argue with the exceptionality of wool's moisture transportation abilities, aside from the increased abilities of wool blends (i.e. FL Wick series), but wool does insulate well while wet.

Another piece of the "wool" puzzle, maybe the final one, is that alpaca wool is superior to merino due to the hollow fibers. Merino is more readily available and at lower prices, that being the offset.
 
bowhunthard88 said:
I would argue with the exceptionality of wool's moisture transportation abilities, aside from the increased abilities of wool blends (i.e. FL Wick series), but wool does insulate well while wet.

Another piece of the "wool" puzzle, maybe the final one, is that alpaca wool is superior to merino due to the hollow fibers. Merino is more readily available and at lower prices, that being the offset.
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This is why I specified merino:

EDDC1E73-4C09-4A32-ADE7-2962B2E600B4.jpeg

But there are others that are even better in some respects:

reactual.com

The Warmest Socks, Gloves, Hats and Scarves - Reactual

I've been researching the warmest wool products available. Here's what I discovered:
reactual.com reactual.com
 
bigmike23 said:
I've used the source over 30 times in two seasons. I cannot articulate enough how fantastic that piece is. It's a perfect mid layer and love it as an outer layer on warmer days. Especially turkey hunting.
I thought nothing could top my old Celsius Midi but they did it.
The ambient jacket sucks imo. The cuffs are awful
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I love the first light cuffs. Tight on the Back and flexible on the front.
 
Maverick1 said:
Wool excels at transporting moisture, retaining heat when wet, and being quiet. That makes it suitable for a base layer. It does not provide good insulation, making a poor choice for a mid layer.
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Sort of however the way I sweat, I like a wool t shirt, wool long sleeve t and a wool zip hoody before I get to my origin or source layers
 
Nosaj said:
Sort of however the way I sweat, I like a wool t shirt, wool long sleeve t and a wool zip hoody before I get to my origin or source layers
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For really tough hikes in, I’ve been wearing old first-lite wool bottoms and top (or a T-shirt). But during a hunt this year, I wore a Sitka poly top because I misplaced my lightweight first-lite merino shirts. I usually do a full change out at my spot, but only did the top this time. The moisture in the bottoms was annoyingly present throughout my hunt. Yet, I don’t remember the poly top feeling wet when I changed it out. It was of course, just, I didn’t feel it. Seemed like it had wicked the moisture away from my skin. I’ll have to try that again and see how it plays out.
 
Plebe said:
For really tough hikes in, I’ve been wearing old first-lite wool bottoms and top (or a T-shirt). But during a hunt this year, I wore a Sitka poly top because I misplaced my lightweight first-lite merino shirts. I usually do a full change out at my spot, but only did the top this time. The moisture in the bottoms was annoyingly present throughout my hunt. Yet, I don’t remember the poly top feeling wet when I changed it out. It was of course, just, I didn’t feel it. Seemed like it had wicked the moisture away from my skin. I’ll have to try that again and see how it plays out.
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Synthetics definitely wick better! I personally won't change base layers at my destination. Another reason that I wear Byrnje.
 
bowhunthard88 said:
Synthetics definitely wick better! I personally won't change base layers at my destination. Another reason that I wear Byrnje.
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How do you find that synthetics are with body odor? My experience has been that if I have to cover a lot of ground and build up body heat wool base and mid layers don’t hold odor, but my synthetics do and therefore require constant washing and even then, as they age when they get heated they radiate old smells.
 
Jammintree said:
How do you find that synthetics are with body odor? My experience has been that if I have to cover a lot of ground and build up body heat wool base and mid layers don’t hold odor, but my synthetics do and therefore require constant washing and even then, as they age when they get heated they radiate old smells.
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Polygiene and silver treatments are pretty good against odor. Single day use, no problems for me.
 
Jammintree said:
How do you find that synthetics are with body odor? My experience has been that if I have to cover a lot of ground and build up body heat wool base and mid layers don’t hold odor, but my synthetics do and therefore require constant washing and even then, as they age when they get heated they radiate old smells.
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So there may be sacrifices to be made on a multi-day hunt, but within the controllable aspects of day hunting, scent control should be managed. I typically wash my synthetics every 2 to 3 days of use depending on the activity level, also keep in mind any clean layers will manage moisture better than dirty ones anyway! A washing tip to keep any stuff fresh is to use Atsko Sport Wash in tap-cold water with a soak cycle and then dry as recommended. This wash cycle works for down, gortex, wool, etc. I haven't personally found a detergent that compares to Sport Wash for effectiveness...
 
I'll second Sport Wash. You guys have once again cost me $$s. Ordered some Badlands Shift to try.

Has anyone used the Cabelas Instinct puffy jacket?
 
Another rabbit hole to dive down with synthetics is nylon vs. poly. Most of my base layers are poly or wool, but... My next-to-skin layer will usually be Byrnjie Wool mest or Super-Thermo mesh. Then I will have a secondary "base-layer" over that which will work in conjunction towards my intended purpose!
 
There is no one magic bullet, multiple goals need multiple solutions. The system as a whole, consisting of multiple pieces, is key. I personally will add layers at my destination, but I do not remove/exchange layers, and that includes boots/socks. My hat may be the exception lol.
 
bowhunthard88 said:
I would argue with the exceptionality of wool's moisture transportation abilities, aside from the increased abilities of wool blends (i.e. FL Wick series), but wool does insulate well while wet.

Another piece of the "wool" puzzle, maybe the final one, is that alpaca wool is superior to merino due to the hollow fibers. Merino is more readily available and at lower prices, that being the offset.
Click to expand...

Also, alpaca itches less than merino. Lower quality merino makes people with itchy skin slightly itchy. Folks sometimes say this is impossible, but it's not. If I recall, they actually treat the merino one step to fill in the itchy scales (which are smaller than on regular wool).

edit: I read that alpaca is actually classed as a hair for some reason (like ours on our head).
 
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