Merino Wool Long Undies - Who has what and how do you like them?

[JMSZ]

I've been looking through these and there a number of manufacturers.

I've found some on sale for around $35, but...

Apparently, Icebreaker has several brands that they sell merino wool under, including Red Ram, and the quality seems to vary between the brands.

Reviews of Terramar had a lot of complaints of tears the first or second time wearing them.

One brand had a pair with no fly in it...

Besides those, there is Kuiu, Smartwool, Patagonia, etc, etc.

Obviously I expect to be wearing mine for several days and I'm only looking to get 2 or 3 pairs for now, so I'll gladly pay more if the comfort and reliability justify it.

So, I'm curious about whether particular brands seem to hold up better than others, have better little things, like the waist band, etc.

Thanks

 

[Fink]

Check out Core4Element's merino base layers. They've dropped the price on their website, but I believe you can still get them cheaper on Camofire. I really like my base layers from them. Their boxer briefs are awesome as well. All of their merino wool stuff is 190 weight, so they are a little light, but mine have held up well for a year or so.

I've had the boxer briefs for about 2 years now, and they are excellent, and have held up very well, except for the pair that the dog got ahold of..

 

[ssliger]

I have some First Lite, and a Smartwool shirt. Love them both. I have a question for the members. Why buy base layer bottoms in camo? I understand the camo tops, you may take all your other layers off and only have your top baselayer on. They charge more for the camo. I hope I'm not offending those who pull off hunting in only camo base layers

 

[Murdy]

Why buy base layer bottoms in camo?

Makes my old lady hot. Can't explain it, but that's good enuf for me.

 

[RUTTIN]

+1 for Core4

 

[Drhorsepower]

I have smart wool and redram. The smart wool is way thicker but has some tears in it, the redram is thinner more comparable to kuiu 185 which I used to own. The redram has held up really well. It's a little on the light side as well if you are not looking for a thick layer. The kuiu I could see having problems with down the road.

 

[dihardhunter]

Tough to beat price of Redram or Terramar - I've got a pair of both for around $20 each watching sites like steepandcheap.com or Sierra's TP. Core4 is nice stuff too, but you'll pay a tad more on Camofire's deal days. Merino underwear is merino underwear, I buy cheap and as long as it's 100% merino, it's still quality stuff and won't stink like a pole cat 2 days into a 7 day hunt.

+1 for the Core4 boxers - best for the $.

 

[dustin ray]

Core4 and first light good stuff
but the core4 boxers are great my junk has never been happier worth every penny

 

[CRIT'R GIT'R]

I have been very happy with the Kuiu Merino. Wore the 185 base layer for the first seven days of a ten day backpack sheep hunt before I couldnt stand myself. I also own a few First Lite items in the heavier merino that are top notch. But I prefer the Kuiu because the fit is so good and they have great service. Merino is the best thing since sliced bread, wish I would have known about it years ago.

 

[twp1224]

Look at Minus 33. I bought a pair last year and they are great. Soft and not itchy. I paid $30 for them on sale.
http://www.minus33.com/catalog/saratoga-men-s-lightweight-bottom/719

 

[Steve O]

I wore one pair of Sitka Gear Merinos on a 10 day pack trip in the Utah mountains in September. NO complaints! Cool in the heat and warm in the cold.

 

[JMSZ]

Thanks everybody

 

[Maineboy]

+2 on the minus33 and I like the kuiu as well.

 

[John G]

Just got a top and bottom camo from Minus33 this stuff is great My black set is 3 yeas old and it still in good condition

 

[az.mountain runner]

I got the red ram and no complaints ,LOLwore my boxers 5 straight days to put them to the test, I was amazed,just started to smell on the fifth day.

 

[JMSZ]

I picked up a pair of Smartwool long johns at REI, I needed to use my 20% discount, so I grabbed a pair of them.

As a fitting note, I'm 5' 11" ~225lbs with a big butt and big thighs and the large fits me just fine.

Also, I found out that the different sizes are priced differently...I saw a pair of mediums and they were $75, so I grabbed the large, tried them on and got to the counter thinking they were $75. They rang up at $83, WITH the discount. Turns out they were $95.

I needed to use my discount, I wanted to use it on the most expensive thing I needed and I was in a hurry, so I ate it for these, but I won't make that mistake again.

 

[Murdy]

Currently there's Minus 33 in smaller sizes and First Lite boxers in larger sizes about 50% off on their company websites clearance sections.

 

[SprintNShoot7]

I have the First Lite base layers, and I love them. Try to shop around, especially this time of year and get a good deal on last year's models. I did that and was able to get the long sleeve shirt and long pants for the price of just the pants not on sale.