Best of the Best: Merino Sun Hoody

I am absolutely over the top impressed by my Outdoor Research alpine onset hoody. My brother had one for snowboarding and I saw that it basically has a built in neck gaiter and that sold me. Got it and have hunted a crap ton in it. It is the first thing that I reach for when I am hunting in the early season. I find myself reaching for it more than my wick hoody. It's definitely not as soft as the wick is (seems similar to the old minaret), but I find it thinner and more breathable along with it basically having a build in facemask but without the stupid sewn in stuff like other baselayers.

I am going to try some synthetic sun hoodies this year since I do tend to hunt in temperatures close to triple digits sometimes where wool is just too much, but for the vast majority of my hunts, I am sure that hoody will be on my body.
 
Stone Glacier Chinook is what I use as my ultra-lightweight merino sun shirt.

 
Stone Glacier Chinook is what I use as my ultra-lightweight merino sun shirt.

it is when of my favorites as well, but the 170g/m2 weight is bit heavy for warm to hot hunts.
 
Anybody have any tips for how to reduce static and “cling” of merino shirts? I don’t wanna use dryer sheets, hair spray, or any of those weird home remedies. Hoping somebody has a scent proof way to remove static and keep it away. Seems like merino is much worse in regards to static and clinging than bamboo for some reason.


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I’ve used first lite, ice breaker, smart wool, free fly, Sitka, kuiu, and others but still am on the hunt for the perfect sun hoody. Lately I’ve been researching Alpaca but there don’t seem to be options that are quite light enough for high output summer scouting or archery hunts.

Curious what you all are using, what you think is the best, and why?


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I have various wool shirts from at least 6 different companies, which I wear basically everyday. I recently bought a short sleeve Minus33 Wolverino, and I am smitten with it. I've only worn it once, so nervous to build it up so, but I already have a second in the mail. I don't have their sun hoody, but that will happen soon too. It's 145 gsm I believe, not the lightest, but it feels like they nailed it.
 
I have 4 sun hoodies. I love Merino wool, but for a sun hoodie I do like the synthetic better. My Smartwool sun hoodie gets used, but the piling and slower dry time in the heat is what keeps me from using it more. It is great for colder weather though.
 
I have an older and newer model Voormi, I like both even in hot direct sun. Find myself reaching for the old model GOHunt synthetic more often during fall seasons though.
 
I’ve had the best luck with kuiu as far as durability and comfort. Stone glacier feels a bit heavy for my liking. Sitka is silky smooth but durability is not stellar. The durability of smart wool has been absolutely terrible for me. I’ve tried a few other cheap off brands that are a blend like 32 below and they are okay but it’s not apples to apples. Kuiu gets my vote hands down
 
No doubt that in real hot temps a synthetic is the way to go. Something like the Sitka equinox or similar very light synthetic. Haven’t found light enough merino for 85f+ for me
 
I’ve had the best luck with kuiu as far as durability and comfort. Stone glacier feels a bit heavy for my liking. Sitka is silky smooth but durability is not stellar. The durability of smart wool has been absolutely terrible for me. I’ve tried a few other cheap off brands that are a blend like 32 below and they are okay but it’s not apples to apples. Kuiu gets my vote hands down
Interesting.. Kuiu 145 is one of the least durable I've tried. I've been wearing merino for like 14 years and didn't care for it.

Personally, I've grown to love a merino blend hoody. But if it's too hot, then you've got to go synthetic. My vote is Sitka Equinox Guard hoodie if you live anywhere with bugs.
 
Interesting.. Kuiu 145 is one of the least durable I've tried. I've been wearing merino for like 14 years and didn't care for it.

Personally, I've grown to love a merino blend hoody. But if it's too hot, then you've got to go synthetic. My vote is Sitka Equinox Guard hoodie if you live anywhere with bugs.
Very interesting. All of my Kuiu merino base layers are 2015 vintage and still going strong. I’m not even sure on the exact model at this point but I have two tops and two bottoms of what was their lightest at that time. I do hand wash my merino to be fair, dry it lying flat on a table. What vintage is yours?
 
Anybody have any tips for how to reduce static and “cling” of merino shirts? I don’t wanna use dryer sheets, hair spray, or any of those weird home remedies. Hoping somebody has a scent proof way to remove static and keep it away. Seems like merino is much worse in regards to static and clinging than bamboo for some reason.


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Hang dry, don't use the dryer, or just dry very shortly then air hang dry
 
Anybody have any tips for how to reduce static and “cling” of merino shirts? I don’t wanna use dryer sheets, hair spray, or any of those weird home remedies. Hoping somebody has a scent proof way to remove static and keep it away. Seems like merino is much worse in regards to static and clinging than bamboo for some reason.


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Definite challenge-- I've had good success with liquid Tide (unscented) with liquid Downy softener (unscented) and dried with scent free bounce dryer sheets-- its not perfect but I'm happy with it. It's also cheaper than any of the "scent free" products produced by the hunting industry.
 
The best merino option ive found yet has got to be the Sitka 120, but admittedly probably because its damn near a merino version of the Core LW.

Personally, my new cheat code as of this last year is the Brynje Merino mesh under a Core LW hoody. I don't know that my merino hoodies will be seeing much field time anymore.
 
I used the Sitka merino 120 hoody last weekend and was really impressed. 9mi hike up to a lake in the Weminuche, sweated my ass off climbing some ridges, was windy and cold on the early and late hours, the softness was there the whole time and dried very fast and never smelled. We’ll see how it survives 7-10days of this on my deer hunt in September.

The fabric did get a bit loose when wet but other than that it was about perfect.


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