Rate the merino base layers

[beaston]

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

Same here. I've had a set of M33's that I wore WT hunting for five years and they look and smell like new. I bought some Sitka light weights for my hunt this year, will see how they hold up.

 

[dangerousD]

I've used First Lite, Minus33, Stoic, and Core4Element. I can't really say anything bad about any of them. I would say the FL and Stoic are the highest quality of the ones I have. I'm not sensitive to wool so they all feel good. Minus33 is mid-weight tops and bottoms are OK. Can't complain. Don't care for their underwear though. Just doesn't fit real well on me. I really love my Stoic tops. Quality is top notch and I wear them all the time for hunting base layer as well as workouts or around town. Lifetime warranty I believe.

 

[charvey9]

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

All smartwool base layers are 100% merino.

 

[Roy68]

I own FL, Kuiu, Smartwool, Icebreaker, & Core4 in most all weights tops, bottoms, & briefs. I have no real complaints about any of them, and have been running Icebreaker (my first merino) for better than 5 years now. I also don't have itch issues with wool, so I have no input there. FL & Icebreaker at the top of my list for tops & bottoms. FL wins if I need / want camo. Otherwise its Icebreaker for everyday use. Never any itch, and they both wear well. If I could only have one brand it would be FL due to the camo option only. All of my FL merino stays in my hunting gear storage. My icebreaker is used everyday. I do this simply to keep from the tearing the FL up in everyday use. FL desert boxers are awesome but pricey. Every day briefs are Core4 & Icebreaker. Core4 boxers tend to ride up. Icebreaker briefs stay put. Kuiu merino is good, but I notice a funk with it after about day 3 that I don't notice with the FL & Icebreaker until about day 4 or 5. However that is likely dependent on the day, humidity, sweat level, etc. I also notice that my lightweight Kuiu Merino T's have a rougher feel to them. I have no experience with the Sitka, Stoic, or Minus33 stuff. I have only paid retail for the FL merino. http://www.steepandcheap.com/ is a great place to buy Icebreaker & stoic merino.