Wool base layer

[Huntinjunkie]

I'm asking for reviews of wool base layers. I have under armor and scentlok base layers but would like something less bulky.
I bought some first lite stuff that was 30% off and I've worn it the past 2 mornings and felt like I could have been warmer.

[FEETDOWN]

100% Merino wool. I just retired a pair of First Lites I've had for years. Replaced them with these, which I highly recommend....

https://chenegear.com/collections/ba...erino-wool-top

https://chenegear.com/products/merin...pr_seq=uniform

[Phone Man]

I have some of the black ovis merino sets. Really like em. Can get em in sale on camofire

[Glenn]

Merino from any source. At this time of year it’s hard for me to think you’ll need anything above a first lite wick weight or other brand of similar thickness. It’s just not that cold here. Black Ovis os great quality without the premium price point of Sitka, first lite or others. Merino is the take away. Not the brand.

That being said, the first lite furnace weight merino is warm enough to heat a frozen casserole. I can’t wear them if I’m walking any further than 100 yards or I’ll be sweated up too bad. I got their zip offs so I can just put em on when I get to where I’m going and take them back off before the walk out.

[Black Bart]

Surprised you don't just kill the sheep with your bare hands.

[Huntinjunkie]

Merino from any source. At this time of year it’s hard for me to think you’ll need anything above a first lite wick weight or other brand of similar thickness. It’s just not that cold here. Black Ovis os great quality without the premium price point of Sitka, first lite or others. Merino is the take away. Not the brand.

That being said, the first lite furnace weight merino is warm enough to heat a frozen casserole. I can’t wear them if I’m walking any further than 100 yards or I’ll be sweated up too bad. I got their zip offs so I can just put em on when I get to where I’m going and take them back off before the walk out.

I understand what merino is. I even know it comes from sheep. I have plenty of stuff for now I'm just looking for something less bulky for when it starts getting into the 20s. I tried the first lite kiln and wasn't impressed with it in the low 50s granted there was a pretty good breeze yesterday morning and I only had a thin pullover on over it.

[Gregory]

Kuiu merino. It doesn't itch.

[Huntinjunkie]

Kuiu merino. It doesn't itch.

I was looking at that

[Glenn]

I understand what merino is. I even know it comes from sheep. I have plenty of stuff for now I'm just looking for something less bulky for when it starts getting into the 20s. I tried the first lite kiln and wasn't impressed with it in the low 50s granted there was a pretty good breeze yesterday morning and I only had a thin pullover on over it.

Source as in manufacturer. Not animal.

And you seem like a cold natured fella. Get the furnace layers.

Two of each.

[hightide03]

Any 100% Marino wool base layer is going to retain the most body heat.
I have used the Icebreaker brand for hiking and duck hunting out west for a few years and it goes on every day of the season.

[JABIII]

How hard can it be to buy merino wool in 2022? Buy it for $30 or buy the same with a branded label on it and spend as much as you want...

[Palmetto Duck]

Get a hoodie version and wear the hood. Keeping cool air off neck and head is like turning on the heater. Add a truly wind proof jacket and you’re covered for most all weather around here unless you’re soft. I don’t know where you’ve been the last 2 mornings but if you were in SC anything more than a short sleeve cotton t shirt should have been more than enough. You may want to look for down options if you’ve already been cold here.

[banded_mallard]

Get a hoodie version and wear the hood. Keeping cool air off neck and head is like turning on the heater. Add a truly wind proof jacket and you’re covered for most all weather around here unless you’re soft. I don’t know where you’ve been the last 2 mornings but if you were in SC anything more than a short sleeve cotton t shirt should have been more than enough. You may want to look for down options if you’ve already been cold here.

I have been wearing a hoodie at work for over a week now lol. Guy I work with wore a flannel shirt all day yesterday.

[CofC Waterfowler]

First lite boot cut with zipper on side. Also the short sleeve smart wool t-shirts are the best piece of clothing for sc fall and spring that I’ve bought in years. They get worn daily.

[Huntinjunkie]

God almighty I said I could have been warmer, not freezing to death. I was looking for something when the mornings were in the 20s that was less bulky than what I currently have.

[buckpro]

Kuiu merino. It doesn't itch.

This, and the fact that you can take them off without taking off your boots.

[Gregory]

How hard can it be to buy merino wool in 2022? Buy it for $30 or buy the same with a branded label on it and spend as much as you want...

Not quite true. I've had plenty of merino itch.

[quackaddict]

God almighty I said I could have been warmer, not freezing to death. I was looking for something when the mornings were in the 20s that was less bulky than what I currently have.

Then you probably need to stick with synthetics. Merino moves moisture really well, doesn't stink, and is comfortable. Unless you get a hybrid material or something really heavy like that furnace doggie doc was talking about, merino isn't going to be as warm as synthetics, IMO.

[quackaddict]

And get something with a wind blocker layer. That will make a world of difference.

[BigBrother]

I use a polypro base layer because I am hot natured and need it to wick away any sweat a wool baselayer brings. My layering technique:

Polypro
wool
cotton
wing/waterproof outer shell.

In SC I have to peel out of some of it mind morning.