Base layers

[SeanC]

In the planning stages of my first elk hunt next September in colorado. And lookin to order some merino wool base layers have looked at first lite and kuiu. Which brand and weight do y'all prefer for colorado September weather and would like to be able to wear it deer hunting in texas. Thanks

 

[doverpack12]

I've never hunter in Colorado. But most of September in Montana I wear First Lite Llano or Kuiu 185. The First Lite Chama and Kuiu 230 are not that much heavier if you run a little colder. Also good reports are coming in on Kryptek merino and if you don't mind non camo colors there are alot of other companies offering merino layers.

 

[SeanC]

Thanks for the reply I will check into the others as well

 

[gobbler1662]

I wear the Paradox merino poly blend, sold through Costco for a fraction of the price and actually
Some pretty good stuff.

 

[Bmcox86]

The core4 element stuff I have works pretty well for me so far.

 

[mtswampfox]

a big fan of merino for everyday wear here in se ga. in the summer. have kuiu first lite c4e and they are ok. just bought Minus33 Merino Wool Algonquin Men's Lightweight S/S Crew Shirt 703 and am really impressed on first looks and feels. very well sewn and some of the softest merino going.have not worn enough to launder so not sure of durability. not sure if available in camo tho. try it you may like it....

 

[doverpack12]

I wear the Paradox merino poly blend, sold through Costco for a fraction of the price and actually
Some pretty good stuff.

Mine has a funny smell I could never get rid of and its only 15% merino

 

[2rocky]

First light chama is a good piece as is the Tshirt from Kuiu.

the funk fighting properties are for real. After 3 active days in the same clothes, I had a young blonde lady tell me "you smell a lot better than most hunters that come in here, Just sayin'..."

 

[marc]

I prefer my first lite over the KUIU I have. The 185 t zip is nice.

 

[Displaced Nova Scotian]

I just purchased Ice Breaker for a sheep hunt I just went on; it comes in black, grey and maybe green? I was hunting in northern BC at the end of September/first of October with day time temperatures between +10C and -2C and have got to say this is some great product. I wore the same long johns and shirt, both in 200 weight, for four days straight and they didn't smell, at all. It kept me warm when the wind kicked up and cool when the temperature was higher and breathed incredibly well.

I found that the price point was a bit high however you can buy from websites such as www.backcountry.com and they generally have great deals. The stitching appears to be done well as well but only time will tell there.

 

[Browtine]

I just purchased Ice Breaker for a sheep hunt I just went on; it comes in black, grey and maybe green? I was hunting in northern BC at the end of September/first of October with day time temperatures between +10C and -2C and have got to say this is some great product. I wore the same long johns and shirt, both in 200 weight, for four days straight and they didn't smell, at all. It kept me warm when the wind kicked up and cool when the temperature was higher and breathed incredibly well.

I found that the price point was a bit high however you can buy from websites such as www.backcountry.com and they generally have great deals. The stitching appears to be done well as well but only time will tell there.

I have some Icebreaker tee's that are going on 6 years old and still holding up great. I do have some holes in my long johns from crawling around in a floorless tent though. All in all, I think they make quality stuff.

 

[Matt W.]

Its gotta be 100% Merino for me. I use Smartwool, KUIU, and First Lite and am pleased with all three. What I like about the KUIU and the First Lite over the Smartwool is that the surface seems to stay the same over time where the Smartwool gets a little fuzzy/furry. I can find First Lite on sale now and then and they have solid color options. First Lite also has additional products that KUIU does not: the hoodies, vests, etc.

I prefer my base layers to be a solid color as I use them year round. I've seen that Core4E, Kryptek and Sitka have merino options, and in my favorite color (gray). I've also heard good things about Minus 33, but have never used them. Lots of good options in merino these days.

 

[sk1]

my favorite is firstlite and then minus33 for non-camo items....i feel these are the two best quality i have used

 

[fillthefreezer]

im really liking the venting used on the kryptek merino, its pretty sweet.

 

[Ross]

KUIU and smart wool here....when wanting camo I go to the kuiu and smart wool for hiking in/out when getting heated up....no complaints with either and have all weights with KUIU....only thing to be aware of is these wool tops will snag easier on brush and the lighter the weight the easier you get snag holes. Some places this not an issue but around here it is just going to happen.

 

[Mudd Foot]

My results with Smartwool is the same as Highcountry. Icebreaker, while running small in the sizing, seems to have a more durable outer finish. That said both products perform well.

 

[aaron14]

Big First Lite fan here! I bought a bunch of it over the summer and am very impressed. The Llano and Chama are my favorite pieces. The Red Desert Boxer and Allegheny Bottoms are great as well.

 

[theedz]

I have a First Lite Llano and the boxers and love them! I also have Icebreaker 230s top and bottoms for colder weather and like these alot too. I tried the Kryptek Merino and while I really liked the venting system I did not like the feel of it. Not as soft as first lite and the icebreakers I have and also the sizes seemed to run a little big for me so didn't like the fit. I have found that with the first lite and the Icebreakers I can run with my Kryptek Alios and Cerdic Hoodie from about 35-85 degrees F and be very comfortable. If I am being very active in hunting I could probably run in some colder temps but have gotten a little chilled when stopping to glass or setup or in a tree stand. You have already made the best decision and that is going to Merino Wool, now it is really just a matter of personal preferance.

 

[MattB]

I have been less than pleased with the durability of my Kuiu wool tops, First Lite seems better but not great. Icebreaker is WAY better from the folks I have talked to who have used both. I am looking forward to trying the Kryptek, hoping it is the best blend of camo, wool, durability and performance.

 

[Matt W.]

Interesting.. Can you expand as to how Icebreaker is WAY better? I'm curious.

I am in no way saying KUIU is the best, but the below article does a good job explaining the source of Merino Wool for KUIU.
http://blog.kuiu.com/2011/07/05/kuiu-merino-101/#sthash.Q3qUxycW.dpbs

I would like to better understand the differences between the processes and suppliers places like KUIU, First Lite, Smartwool, Icrebreaker, etc use.

New Merino blends?
http://us.rab.uk.com/reference/technology/baselayer/meco.html
This looks like a new way of blending merino with other products. Probably similar to something I thought I saw via a post by First Lite somewhere.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino
From what I can read merino is merino. Sure some might be slightly better quality, but I think the real differentiation lies in the production process. ?? Any merino experts who can help explain this? What separates one merino product from another?

I don't know the differences, but I can feel the difference in the various pieces of gear I own. I am ditching the Smartwool due to the "fuzz factor." My KUIU Pants and my First Lite top have a totally different feel. Is that the quality of the merino used, or is the process First Lite and KUIU use? I have a T from Stoic that feels different than either of the prior mentioned companies. How? It feels slightly rougher, but it too does NOT get the fuzz like my Smartwool has. Perhaps all merino will "fuzz" out over time and its just that my Smartwool is older?

Another variable has to be the "weight" of the material. My assumption is that the heavier weight is more durable than the lightweight? Is this true? I've always run mid to light weight stuff and just layered up. When comparing products are we fairly comparing weights?