Best Merino base layer (smoothest & most comfortable for a week)

[Where's Bruce?]

Who has the most comfortable Merino base layer? Sitka? Don't say Core Element. It's so-so. Price is not a concern, absolute comfort and skank control is.

 

[tipsntails7]

First lite and sitka, as far as camo options go. Icebreaker is my favorite merino. Sitka is never cut long enough for me personally so I normally go first lite. Kuiu is nice but not as durable in my experience. I almost exclusively run a short sleeve merino under a Kuiu tiburon or sitka ascent for most of my hunting. I've got a couple core4elemnet, and for the 38 bucks I payed for them I'm more then happy, I just wear a short sleeve merino under them.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Icebreaker eh? Haven't tried that one. Is it silkier than Sitka at all? Any specific cut? I see they have a few.

 

[Justin Crossley]

My Kryptek merino is probably my favorite long sleeve shirt.

 

[Shrek]

I bought some Terramar woolskins from STP and I'm real happy with them so far. I'm a big guy and they are cut long so they are almost too long. They are also smoother and silkier than the icebreaker and first lite I own. They seem to have a harder finish than the others.

 

[greyghostnw]

kryptek merino's my base layer for all activities that require a layer as such. have the kalamata color for when camo's not needed. devils clubs nor stickers did any damage when in contact with such, have used since the design with venting under arms came out witch is a well thought out addition to the garmet, worth a look.......

 

[Jared Lampton]

Icebreaker. Haven't tried Sitka or kuiu but imo icebreaker is much silkier and more comfortable than my firstlite llano. Just don't put icebreaker in the dryer.

 

[tipsntails7]

Icebreaker eh? Haven't tried that one. Is it silkier than Sitka at all? Any specific cut? I see they have a few.

For me personally I feel that it is nicer next to skin. But honestl it's not a huge difference. I've got a couple of the tech t ultralights. If you wanna try one now would be a good time they are 30-50% off

 

[jpolson]

smartwool.

 

[todd kelly]

Icebreaker has been the best I have used so far. Best next to skin feel and the most durable. Both my old man and I have not had much luck with the kuiu merino. We both have had stitching come apart and a pile of holes develop really fast with it.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

For me personally I feel that it is nicer next to skin. But honestl it's not a huge difference. I've got a couple of the tech t ultralights. If you wanna try one now would be a good time they are 30-50% off

Gotta link to this sale?

 

[Rent Outdoor Gear]

I really like the internal softness of the KUIU 230 top. It's got a brushed finish on the inside that's almost fleece-like. Zero irritation with it. I also like my first lite merino. Very soft and comfortable against my skin. My wife hates wool and I tricked her into wearing my KUIU 230 top on a winter outing and she never bitched. That's saying something cuz she usually starts itching just looking at a sheep.

 

[ckleeves]

Icebreaker. Haven't tried Sitka or kuiu but imo icebreaker is much silkier and more comfortable than my firstlite llano. Just don't put icebreaker in the dryer.

X2. Out of all the merino I have used ( First Lite, Kuiu,Smartwool, and a few others I can't think of) Icebreaker has been the most comfortable and durable. The dryer advice is spot on. My wife now has 2 Icebreaker tops because of this.

 

[tipsntails7]

The first link is the entire sale for men, second one is the SS tops I wear under pretty much everything

http://us.icebreaker.com/Sale/sale,en,sc.html?prefn1=gender&prefv1=Mens|Unisex

http://us.icebreaker.com/Tech-T-Lit...37&cgid=sale&prefn1=gender&prefv1=Mens|Unisex

 

[charvey9]

I am very happy with my Smartwool merino. In colder weather I wear the top when I go for a run in the mountains and it is very comfortable. It is expensive, but worth it in my opinion.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

First Lite seems to come out on top for me.

 

[cwoodyt87]

I currently have the Kuiu 185 top and First Lite Chama QZ. Quality goes to First Lite, fit goes to Kuiu (I like more form-fitting base layers - Large in Kuiu, had to size down to Medium in First Lite).

 

[Corbo74]

IceBreaker for me smoothies and not itchy and lasts a while

 

[ScottP]

I really like the internal softness of the KUIU 230 top. It's got a brushed finish on the inside that's almost fleece-like. Zero irritation with it. I also like my first lite merino. Very soft and comfortable against my skin. My wife hates wool and I tricked her into wearing my KUIU 230 top on a winter outing and she never bitched. That's saying something cuz she usually starts itching just looking at a sheep.

I believe the liner on the 230 is synthetic fleece, not merino.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Since the Icebreaker fans appear to have tried others and provided a direct comparison (here and elsewhere I asked) I not only selected Icebreaker...I got the tops and bottoms FREE! The missus gave me $150.00 in Bass Pro gift cards for Valentine's Day! Perfect timing babe. Thanks for the input guys.