Base layers

[Catahoula12]

Looking at buying a set or two of medium weight base layers. Want merino wool and was considering First Lite base layer clothing. Anyone have these or similar type... Merino wool only. Pricey but I don't care the cost. Opinions on would be great.. Thank you.

 

[ivorytip]

check out kuiu.

 

[ssliger]

There are many brands out there. I've used First Lite, Icebreaker, Smartwool and a couple others. Haven't had any issues with any of them.


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[sneakypete]

Like Ivory Tip said, checkout KUIU, there's nothing better than there zip on & off bottoms without taking off your pants and boots!

 

[ScottR]

I am your height, KUIU and Sitka fit well. I have never worn First Lites bottom bases, but my guess based on their pant sizes.


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[JMSZ]

I have redram shirts and icebreaker pants, got them both at Sierra Trading Post for cheap. I like them both a lot, I wear the shirts in the winter under other regular shirts now, nice on chilly days.

 

[Iron Mike]

Like Ivory Tip said, checkout KUIU, there's nothing better than there zip on & off bottoms without taking off your pants and boots!

I agree sneakypete - I love my KUIU merino's especially my zip off bottoms!

 

[CoHiCntry]

Base layers have to be the most over priced piece of gear out there. Check out camofire, they have some good deals on both Sitka and Core 4 Element merino wool. I bought some Core 4 Element and have been happy with it. Nothing like a $50 pair of underwear!

 

[LaHunter]

I've been using First Lite merino base layers for about 3 years now. Couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Slugz]

Costco merino wool base layers. I have a pair of First Lites and Kuiu and the incredibly cheaper ones from Costco are just as good. Wife found them there.

 

[Travisitguy]

At what temp do you find Merino too warm? Also whats a great layer to wear over this base layer. anything cotton I would assume isn't good since it will just get wet and cause you to get cold.

 

[Slugz]

Last week was too warm. High 72 low 45. I made the mistake of thinking I was cold one morning. Took them off by 0800.
If I know the weather is gonna be not to wet I wear a Chamois shirt. Wool is your best option if its cold enough. I stopped taking in rain gear and just duck under a tree if needed. I'm usually either in Chamois or Fleece.

 

[Iron Mike]

At what temp do you find Merino too warm? Also whats a great layer to wear over this base layer. anything cotton I would assume isn't good since it will just get wet and cause you to get cold.

All merino is not the same. Good merino can also have cooling properties as well. It also has a natural ability to keep your odor to a minimum. There is great stuff out there. I happen to use mostly KUIU but I have First Light boxers I love. I wear light weight merino even in warm weather. Opening weekend of bow Elk here in Oregon I was in a long sleeve light weight KUIU merino wool T shirt with my merino boxer underneath all day.
Edited to point out the the T shirt was worn as an outer layer

 

[Travisitguy]

Iron Mike, I typically hunt elk, either late oct or first of November eastern Oregon area. You know how the weather has been last few years and you also I am sure are aware of the terrain. its frustrating when you want to put your feet to the ground for awhile and then find a spot to sit and end up freezing because your clothing system just isn't cutting it. I will have to just bite the bullet and buy the good first layer gear so I can do the hunting I like.

 

[Iron Mike]

Shoot me a pm with your number if you would like to discuss further. I will be in the Eagle Caps starting next Friday till the end of September!

 

[HOGSJL]

I got a top and bottom set in heavy weight from Cabelas for the same price I got one medium weight shirt from Smartwool. Funny thing is they are both made in the same country.

Shane

 

[Head in the Clouds]

I have icebreaker merino boxers that I love. However, I dislike my icebreaker merino long sleeve (200 weight?). Aside from being too warm for this early, it also has that scratchy wool feel to it. Last weekend, my buddy raved about the perfection of his kuiu peleton (140?). I'll probably own one soon.

I stay pretty warm usually but need to pick up some lightweight merino bottoms because I hate sleeping in my hunting pants.

I wore my kryptek Valhalla shirt the last two days in lieu of the merino and it was also too warm but much more comfortable. Also, I keep a plain 100% polyester t-shirt in my pack for mid-day hiking to avoid a bunch of extra sweat on my hunting shirts.

 

[Finsandtines]

Personally was not comfortable in icebreaker but first lite and core4 did well for me. Kept warm at night 30 degrees and not bad in warm temps of 75-80 during day.

 

[Retterath]

I used fist lite in alaska last year fo 6 days and it was great. Does not stink like synthetics. I love the first lite clothing and continue to buy it. I personally love it

 

[JMSZ]

At what temp do you find Merino too warm? Also whats a great layer to wear over this base layer. anything cotton I would assume isn't good since it will just get wet and cause you to get cold.

I will go out with a merino t-shirt, carhartt poly lightweight shirt and a field jacket and light weight merino pants and BDU pants as my normal "base".

I can run around in the mountains during the day with temps up to the 40s and 50s comfortably. It's usually cool enough outside that I don't want to take any of it off. At lower altitudes, though, it could easily get warm enough during the day to want to take them off.

If it starts to get cold, my next layer is medium weight polys, used to be military but I've recently gotten some lighter REI ones, that I wear over my base layer merinos. Heavier weight merino would be just as good IMO, but the poly stuff is cheaper.