Base layer options...

[tater]

I have First Lite, Ist Gen Kuiu, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Icebreaker, Smartwool, Arc'Teryx and Core 4 Element Merino wool (i am always wearing at least one piece of merino every day).

If camo is a priority, then First Lite or the Core 4. If drab muted tones work for you, then Arc'Teryx and Icebreaker. Don't rule out the merino/poly blends. If they are 65/35, you get the benefits of no funk from merino and better wear/easier clean of poly (Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear). Don't go less than 60/40.

 

[HOPTOAD]

If you dont need Camo check out your local TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Goodwill. I was able to find a heavy merino wool sweater for about 15$ (TJ Maxx- some Irish Brand) a medium weight shirt ( Joseph H Banks) and a lightweight shirt (Banana Republic) at Goodwill for 5$ a peice. Sure I could wear these on casual friday at the office but for 5$ its worth it, besides the majority of the time it will be under other clothes or a jacket anyway.

Now if I could find a good deal on some pants/bottoms I would be all set. Might just have to break down and by some.

 

[In God We Trust]

I guess I should have been more specific in my original post. I am going with merino wool. Was more so curious on the different brands. Have been eyeing the first lite but haven't pulled the trigger due to promotive being back ordered on my size. Figured it gives me extra time to shop around. Appreciate the responses. Is the inseam longer on the first lite than on the kuiu 145 zip off? I don't really care for how the kuiu is higher than my sock line. I understand the concept behind it just don't know if I like the feel of it.

It does seem a little bit weird at first when you put them on and they run short. But after wearing them I like the idea. I count on my quality socks and boots to keep my lower calves warm not my base layer anyways.

 

[5MilesBack]

Huntaholic, I have put in close to 500 plus miles a year in my gear. There has not been one base layer problem for me from KUIU in the 4 years I have been a customer.

I tried the KUIU base top this year by itself one day when I was literally running and chasing to get in front of a herd multiple times. I was soaked in sweat from top to bottom and that top when wet stinks to high heaven. Now......I will admit that the First Lite camo Llano's get an open sewer pipe smell as well when they are wet too, but nothing like that KUIU camo top. Add a heavy chemical smell on top of the sewer pipe smell and that's the KUIU. It was so bad, I took it off and just wore my camo Microtex by itself.

The odd thing is.......the solid colors from First Lite have all been fine in this regards. Maybe it has something to do with the dies???? But I'm sticking to the solids from now on.

 

[Nick Muche]

The smell of merino when wet/sweaty will go away after use... wear it more.

If you buy merino, wear it for 5 days a year on your one hunt, yeah....it's going to stink for that 5 days, and then again the next year on that 5 days.

I'd guess I wear merino of some sort every single day, none of it stinks when wet or sweaty any more.

 

[BroodBuster]

I like the Filson's bottoms. It just last a lot longer than the FL. I don't like the Filson tops though as they are cut way too loose in the armpits and makes layering above uncomfortable. So I like the FL in light and medium for the tops. I just figure I have to replace the FL once a season as it falls apart on me whether I wash it or not.

 

[Jeff Martin]

907, I own it all. The only way the KUIU Basel ayers would itch is if you had the original 250 as a next to skin layer. I call BS on this. KUIU base layers are made in New Zealand by the The Merino Company. The new Nuyarn made by The Merino Company has zero itch, even the heavy layer.

I would not call it itchy but it is certainly rougher feeling that the others like FirstLite, Ice Beaker, etc. No comparison really. If I had to describe it, I would say KUIU feels like 20 micron and First lite feels like 17 micron. The others are just softer - hands down. I can see where sensitive skin might think it is itchy....but for the most part, KUIU is very wearable. I wear KUIU wool along with my others. KUIU is just not the best IMO....It also smells when the others don't...I wear a ton of KUIU gear, so this is not a KUIU sucks thing...

 

[5MilesBack]

The smell of merino when wet/sweaty will go away after use... wear it more.

I have some camo First Lite Llano's that I've had and worn for about 5 years now, along with the solid color as well. The camo ones still stink even after dozens of washings. I'll admit, I've only washed the KUIU camo one a couple times now. I'm tempted to just put it back in my laundry basket after I wash it, then continue to wash it every time I do laundry all year long......just to see how long it takes to lose the "smell".

 

[Jeff Martin]

I have some camo First Lite Llano's that I've had and worn for about 5 years now, along with the solid color as well. The camo ones still stink even after dozens of washings. I'll admit, I've only washed the KUIU camo one a couple times now. I'm tempted to just put it back in my laundry basket after I wash it, then continue to wash it every time I do laundry all year long......just to see how long it takes to lose the "smell".

Have you tried SportWash? You might give it a try.

 

[907Campbell]

Well aren't the forum police out in force today..
Josh, I'm telling you when I wear the Kuiu base layer (nuyarn) it feels itchy to me. You obviously know more about how this feels on my skin so please tell me more. Maybe I got a bad shirt, maybe my skin just doesn't like it, I don't know but it feels itchy on my skin.
Wrench: I apologize, I meant to write "good Merino" wool. I'm typing this on my phone at work while doing other things. I am NOT saying they're using some other fabric and calling it merino.

 

[Josh Wright]

Well aren't the forum police out in force today..
Josh, I'm telling you when I wear the Kuiu base layer (nuyarn) it feels itchy to me. You obviously know more about how this feels on my skin so please tell me more. Maybe I got a bad shirt, maybe my skin just doesn't like it, I don't know but it feels itchy on my skin.
Wrench: I apologize, I meant to write "good Merino" wool. I'm typing this on my phone at work while doing other things. I am NOT saying they're using some other fabric and calling it merino.

Maybe there are differences in how some people's skin reacts. I will concede that.

 

[5MilesBack]

Have you tried SportWash? You might give it a try.

That's all I use on my hunting clothes, and sometimes even on my regular clothes.

 

[DWinVA]

Merino and I prefer First Lite and Smartwool.

God Bless.

 

[sdsliberty]

I definitely prefer Merino Wool for comfort and heat. However on multiple day hunts I feel like my merino wool stretches out quite a bit and hangs on me, which becomes pretty uncomfortable. I also feel like it's a lot more fragile than my synthetic pieces, but then again I've had a couple pair of REI merino wool hiking socks that have survived 3+ years of hard wear.

 

[Romo]

+1 on First Lite Llano and Charma. Also, Patagonia.