Rate the merino base layers

[Where's Bruce?]

I'd like to see how you guys rate the popular 100 percent merino base products by manufacturer. You know, companies like First Lite, C4, Icebreaker, Kuiu, Sitka...any other popular mfrs on a scale from one to ten...10 being the most comfortable. This would for extended backpacking trips. How do the lines compare? What do ya like/dislike?

 

[charvey9]

I own some KUIU, Icebreaker, and Smartwool merino base layers.

For pure comfort, I recommend the Smartwool. It seems to be a finer merino wool than the others I own. Definately a 10. I go jogging in Smartwool top all the time in the winter, and the bottoms are just as comfortable.

Icebreaker is a close second, at like half the cost of Smartwool. About a 8 on the comfort level.

The 100% merino KUIU isn't ichy as much as it just feels a little abrasive on the skin. I'm hoping it kind of "breaks in" with use and gets a little smoother. About a 6 on the comfort level. However the merino blend KUIU, like the 230 series, have a fleece liner I believe and those feel very comfortable on the skin. Their Merino jackets are like this too, and I love mine.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

First Lite is the most comfortable that I have worn.

 

[Jon Pynch]

i own kuiu and smartwool. like both, but smartwool gets the nod for comfort everytime.

 

[Ryan Avery]

First Lite or smartwool. Tried most of them other brands make me itch.

 

[Shrek]

First Lite and Icebreaker I have are very nice. The First Lite feels tougher to me. It has a smoother finish to me . I'm not that sensitive to wool ich so it's not a factor to me. I can wrap an old wool army blanket around my bare skin and sleep fine. My Icebreaker sweater pilled up on the inside quickly and same with the long underwear. No pilling on my First Lite yet.

 

[ckleeves]

Icebreaker is my favorite because of the fit and quality. Kuiu fits me well and is pretty durable in the blends. I like FL but the cut is rather strange if your tall and thin. There is enough material to make another shirt out of the excess in the gut lol.

 

[westside elkhunter]

I have First Lite and Kuiu merino base layers. I have worn both about the same. To me me they rate about the same comfort wise

 

[worx53]

I have Kuiu, Smartwool, Firstlite.
I like KUIU the best then Smartwool then Firstlite....actually getting rid of all the Firstlite long underewear and tops ...had 2 tops that ripped...imo Firstlite is too fragile but very soft. Firstlite underwear is tougher than their tops though...keeping these. The Kuiu is most durable and tightest woven and my favorite. Smartwool is very soft....but necks of t-shirts too big.

 

[dotman]

First lite for me, you should make this an actual poll.

 

[Nick Muche]

First lite for me. Some people say that the KUIU one's don't itch, but for me they do a little. The FL's have never made me itch. I don't think you will find a better merino in camo than FL.

 

[Ross]

If not looking for camo smart wool has no itch for me, kuiu is very close and have not tried first lite. The wife as well luvs smart wool due to its none itch factor.

 

[Shrek]

Is there any smartwool that is 100% merino or is it all blended fabric ? Does it resist the stink as well as pure merino ?

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

Kuiu was terrible for me so damn itchy!! Icebreaker had virtually no itch what so ever, but no camo options. I switched to first lite and it's amazing. It has virtually no itch and has great quality.

 

[dreamingbig]

SmartWool isn't exactly hunter friendly. I would look to Kuiu or FirstLite. I have both and don't itch in either.

 

[justin davis]

First lite is the best I have used. Love their merino

 

[armyjoe]

^^ x2 First Lite has amazingly comfortable merino. Best I've used and I've used close to all of them. Icebreaker would be my second choice

 

[tipsntails7]

Fl, icebreaker, Kuiu, sitka,C4e in that order. Sitka and Kuiu are a out even. Fl and icebreaker are well ahead of them. I just wish FL's were longer

 

[Jason Snyder]

Surprised Minus33 wasn't part of the conversation. I wear it all the time. No itching at all and seems to be very durable.

 

[hodgeman]

I've been using Minus 33 for the last several years. Good durability in the heavier weights and no itch or stink at all.