I Need Opinions On Base Layers

[WPAtrapper]

Well, my birthday is coming up and I told the wife I'd like a good set of base layers for hunting. Most of my hunting will be stationary,either treestand or on the ground. I'm leaning towards merino wool or is there a synthetic that is better? I was kinda leaning towards the Kuiu Merino 185 series. Is this more geared towards high activity or is it good for stand hunting? What are some of you guys' favorites when it comes to base layers?

[Hattrick]

I would use or should i say i do use good silk as a bottom layer(cabelas silk) then merino wool over top.  Pending on how cold it is depends on how heavy or # of layers of wool i use.. This is the best combo i've found period.. Silk wicks wool wicks. Layers and staying dry is the key to staying warm

[jhg]

No, there is nothing better than merino wool,


because even if synthetics can hang performance wise, the wool wins regarding oder control by far.

But never run your wool through the dryer. It will always perform better if it never sees that kind of drying IMO.

Also, look into some of the synthetic base layer kayakers/rafters use. I have one that is fuzzy and super toasty. I can live with its synthetic characteristics of stinking after a hard day but that might not be an issue for you.

[John Scifres]

You can find an endless supply of merino wool sweaters at Goodwill this time of year.  I also found a nice solk sweater that makes a nice system with the wool.

I use DuoFold wool/polyprop base layers a lot too.

[stalkin4elk]

Check Minus 33 brand of merino... get 2 or 3 bottoms or shirts for the same price as the big names and its great quality. I think its better than Smartwool for one example.
400 Wt. if its really cold or 200 wt. if warmer or hiking.

[WPAtrapper]

Originally posted by stalkin4elk:
Check Minus 33 brand of merino... get 2 or 3 bottoms or shirts for the same price as the big names and its great quality. I think its better than Smartwool for one example.
400 Wt. if its really cold or 200 wt. if warmer or hiking.

Thanks, I will check them out.

[TDHunter]

Merino WOOL......   I use it sheep and goat hunting , it comes in all different thicknesses for different weather, it's way better then any synthetics I've tried. Plus you can where it for days and it doesn't stink!!

[Orion]

I use silk as a base layer and merino wool on top of that, followed by more wool if necessary.  Silk/cotton blends also work, but pure silk works better.  Wintersilks is the brand I prefer, but any pure silk will do.  The polyesters and particularly the polypropelines retain and amplify my body odor.  I stopped using those years ago.

[swampthing]

Depends a lot on the expected temps. I like that wool power stuff, also called ullfrotte. It is like wearing one terry nit sock comfy, circulating, and insulating. With that stuff as underwear, you can just adjust your outerwear for the conditions, wind, rain, etc.. Etc..

[Spectre]

+1 on silk skivvies. I like them under a union suit, then Carhartt quilted work pants, a nice wool shirt, hoodie, and my Swanndri. Gaitors, too.

[Sticks2117]

WOOL!!!! I have tried all the synthetics you can buy and finally settled on wool its the best here is where I get mine

 http://www.hanksclothing.com/

Good Luck

[RLA]

Ice-breaker brand wool, good stuff!

[Ari]

Wilderness wear Australia, make a great range of base layer gear.

[straitera]

Sweating is the enemy. Carry top layers to prevent sweating even when cold on the way in. Once on stand add layers as needed. I always add a windproof liner under my outer barrier plus US Army wool neck wrap.

[Tree Rat]

Silk or wool.

I really liked silk but I have not found any that is very durable. Because of that I use wool now exclusively.

I have Ulfrotte and Minus 33. Both are excellent but Minus 33 is lot less expensive.

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by straitera:
Sweating is the enemy. Carry top layers to prevent sweating even when cold on the way in. Once on stand add layers as needed. I always add a windproof liner under my outer barrier plus US Army wool neck wrap.

Nailed it.    

  The change after walking in is the best way to stay warm IMO.  I try not to change the bottoms (but am prepared to if necessary) since I'm often on soggy ground and not very graceful, but wear a cotton top in to soak up the sweat I work up carrying all my gear.  By the time I have my stand assembled and I'm ready to climb, I change the sweaty t-shirt to a comfy warm and dry merino wool base layer.  Then I climb the tree and put on the rest of my layers, at least the ones I wear on top of my safety harness.

Avoiding the build up of sweat is the key.  It can be "bracing" to strip down to sweaty bare skin in single degree temperatures, but well worth it an hour or two later when you are nice and warm, not cold and clammy...

[Trad-Man]

As other have said...dry = warm

As others have said...Wool/silk don't hold stink

I'll add...Sweat and cotton are killers...

Early season in the AM I wear the merino blend (silk/wool) union suit with light weight wool over it and a wool pullover...Asbell/KOM Trapper.

In the evening I trade the merino wool for a set of silks, ditch the pull over for a wool vest.

When it get cold...I ditch the silk, use heavier merino wool on the base.  Outter wear selected accordingly.

One thing I find most hunters don't do is dress loosely.  I buy all my shirts one size larger and in the "tall" catagory.