How should base and midlayers fit?

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Jan 30, 2022
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In my unending quest to tinker myself into oblivion.....

I have been playing around with a bunch of different layers and how they function leading up to elk season

What I'm finding is- base layers perform better when they are close to skin. It seems that when they make contact, they can move moisture better.

Mid layers seem to function better from a moisture management perspective when they match up with the base layer. However, I find more comfort and breathability when the mid layer is a bit more loose.

For example, I have been playing aith a sitka midweight zip T for my morning runs. I have 2 sizes, large and xl.

The large moves moisture better, but feels warmer during exertion. The XL seems to be more "flowy" and therefore seems to be more comfortable in the heat, like it moves air within the garment better.

Puffys seem to perform best when they have room to loft and create dead air space to insulate. This one is a no brainer to me because it lofts, but the midayer piece has me rethinking a bit.


What have you guys found in this regard?
 
I like a pretty tight fitting base layer. They look pretty douchey though when I'm just wearing it. I find it performs better and most importantly layers better.

Mid layers fleece just slightly loose. Active insulation just a little looser. Puffy nice and loose not snug anywhere. They tend not to stretch too.
 
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I like a pretty tight fitting base layer. They look pretty douchey though when I'm just wearing it. I find it performs better and most importantly layers better.

Mid layers fleece just slightly loose. Active insulation just a little looser. Puffy nice and loose not snug anywhere. They tend not to stretch too.

This aligns with what I have found as well. I think I had too loose of base layers for much of the past, and maybe too tight of mid layers and shellsl
I like a pretty tight fitting base layer. They look pretty douchey though when I'm just wearing it. I find it performs better and most importantly layers better.

Mid layers fleece just slightly loose. Active insulation just a little looser. Puffy nice and loose not snug anywhere. They tend not to stretch too.

Do you find that you adjust the fit based on temp and activity level?
 
Base layers snug but not tight. They must be very stretchy for me. Mid layers I want loose fitting and also stretchy. Light jackets or shirts like 3/4 zips need to be loose fitting and stretchy. Outer gear and rain shells can be a bit less stretchy but must be loose. I’m a big guy and I don't want to be fighting my clothes binding me up.
 
Base layers snug but not tight. They must be very stretchy for me. Mid layers I want loose fitting and also stretchy. Light jackets or shirts like 3/4 zips need to be loose fitting and stretchy. Outer gear and rain shells can be a bit less stretchy but must be loose. I’m a big guy and I don't want to be fighting my clothes binding me up.
I agree with you on the not too tight part. I dont think under armour compression type fit does me any good for baselayers.


When it comes to your base and mid, do you adjuat the fit of your mid based on what baselayer you use?

I used to use thicker baselayers but now I pretty much always run very thin, think core lw type baselayers and then add warmth at the mid layer for me
 
I agree with you on the not too tight part. I dont think under armour compression type fit does me any good for baselayers.


When it comes to your base and mid, do you adjuat the fit of your mid based on what baselayer you use?

I used to use thicker baselayers but now I pretty much always run very thin, think core lw type baselayers and then add warmth at the mid layer for me
My mid layers fit is always somewhat loose and stretchy so I never adjust fit. I always use merino mid weight base layers. I will double up base layer tops if need be. They are snug and stretchy. I am 6’1 325 lbs. So different fits might work better for a smaller person or a person that is fit. How snug my hunting clothes are can depend on how stretchy they are. I don't want my layers so loose and baggy they bind or bunch up under the next layer. So stretch is important to me. A thin guy might find a piece with less stretch just as comfortable. This is just what my preference is for the climate and conditions I hunt in.

You might need to go thru a few different fits and materials until you find your layering system that you like. You could fill a pick up truck bed with all the different stuff I have tried over 40 years. What I use now I been using for about 10 years. Replacing worn out stuff every year. My hunts last for 7-21 days so I have five sets of base layers and five sets of mid layers. All the same stuff. I am lucky enough to hunt out of a small cabin so I have the luxury of being able to bring as many sets as I care to bring.
 
@Erussell01 You are always dropping experience-based knowledge bombs on technical clothing, especially midlayers. Thanks for letting me learn from your experience.

It seems @Bump79 has it right. Next-to-skin baselayer tight/form fitting for better moisture moving efficiency, mid-layer for more static endeavors can be tighter and for more active endeavors should be a little looser for breathability.

Just thinking out loud here but that seems counterintuitive though as moisture management relies on temperature gradients so you'd think for more active styles you'd want a tighter mid-layer and for more static you'd want more of a loose fit for more loft. Never would have thought about it this without it being pointed out.

So which is it then? ha
 
I t
@Erussell01 You are always dropping experience-based knowledge bombs on technical clothing, especially midlayers. Thanks for letting me learn from your experience.

It seems @Bump79 has it right. Next-to-skin baselayer tight/form fitting for better moisture moving efficiency, mid-layer for more static endeavors can be tighter and for more active endeavors should be a little looser for breathability.

Just thinking out loud here but that seems counterintuitive though as moisture management relies on temperature gradients so you'd think for more active styles you'd want a tighter mid-layer and for more static you'd want more of a loose fit for more loft. Never would have thought about it this without it being pointed out.

So which is it then? ha

I think you're spot on... it depends haha. To get the absolute most out of moisture movement from layer to layer they have to make the most contact possible without being restrictive. For me that means the ambient 75 in large tall which fits snugly, but not tight anywhere and still allows room for a billow effect from the fabric moving. For sitting still nothing beats dead air trapped in the system, but that can and probably should come from a lofted insulation type layer depending on the temperature and just how much activity you have before getting to your spot. So for all my whitetail mid layers (ambient 150, 200, Puffys etc) theyre all xl to make sure I have room to layer under, and also to trap air and let my body warm it up.

For elk and high activity, they're slightl more form fitting. I have dropped the number of layers needed for all occasions with this concept and never use more than a base, mid, vest or puffy and shell now and I'm almost never cold anymore. I used to over layer to the point where I would have no joke 7 layers on top and I could barely climb a tree or walk with my arms not stuck straight out and I would still freeze every time because I'd trap moisture and over compress and eliminate the dead air that could have helped me stay warm.


I also find that for me personally, my system for hunting has little use for mid to heavy merino layer anymore unless I'm static or know it will be lower activity, and going to be in them for multiple days where I don't want to stink to high heaven.


My most constant baselayers now are either core lightweights or sitka merino 120 and I have tried a mortgage payment worth of them (we all know I'm a gear whore at this point and I love to tinker).

For me, I chose merino in either very mild weather, or very very hot weather because of it's breathability. Sitka really changed my mind with their 120 series because it's the closest I have personally seen to a perfect merino base and it also happens to be very durable and very comfortable.

When it's really cold, I want the most moisture regulation I can get so I'll go light base, active mid and then usually a synthetic puffy although now with the ambient 75 I think I'll end up with the ambient 75 and 200 under a shell to really move moisture and handle the compression of the shell.


I have no issue with mid and heavyweight merino- I just use it differently now. I actually love to run or ski in just a merino kiln hoodie or long sleeve on the cool but not windy days because I know I'll be home in a couple hours so even if I'm not dry, I'll be fine and it breaths really well in that scenario. Some guys love midweight merino for all season comfort and I can't blame them, it's very comfortable and I still have a whole bin of it... I just learn to lighter bases across the board
 
Seconded. Warmth is better derived from the loft of a midlayer. I found that a 120 merino and Kuiu 97 or 200 outperformed any heavyweight baselayer I tried. Breathes better, is warmer and dries faster.
I agree with you on the not too tight part. I dont think under armour compression type fit does me any good for baselayers.


When it comes to your base and mid, do you adjuat the fit of your mid based on what baselayer you use?

I used to use thicker baselayers but now I pretty much always run very thin, think core lw type baselayers and then add warmth at the mid layer for me
 
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