Short Sleeve VS Long Sleeve base layer shirt?

Joined
Aug 13, 2014
Messages
85
I'm debating what to do for my upper body layers for September elk hunting in CO. Can you get away with just a camo long sleeve merino shirt if you expect to be out in the woods busting brush? Or are you better off with a short sleeve merino shirt for a base layer, and then wear a lightweight long sleeve over that to have a more durable shirt?
 
I wear my merino long sleeve. I'm fine even if the temperature gets high. It has some holes in it from the brush but it's 3yrs old. My partner takes both and switches out when it gets warm.
 
In sept in CO I wear a long sleeve baselayer (thin merino, like FL llano) and a button down wool work shirt over that if need be (in addition to warmer layers if needed, of course). I have used every variation of layers from just a baselayer to totally bundled up in September.

I also own a short sleeve merino. I wear that when it's HOT. Like July archery season in north-central California hot.
 
I like a short sleeve for my first layer. I usually have a medium weight long sleeve over that. I have had it 80* one day and snowing the next so I layer for hot and cold weather. The short sleeve usually gets the nod for the hike in too.
 
Since the hunting area always seems to be located 1 or 2 thousand feet above wherever I camp I think a good strategy is to wear a cotton long sleeve T leaving camp. You can use the sleeves to mop sweat from your face and head until you get to your first lookout, then use it for a final towel off before replacing it with a nice dry, warm long sleeve Merino.
 
Last edited:
Since the hunting area always seems to be located 1 or 2 thousand feet above wherever I camp I think a good strategy is to wear a cotton long sleeve T leaving camp. You can use the sleeves to mop sweat from your face and head until you get to your first lookout, then use it for a final towel off before replacing it with a nice dry, warm long sleeve Merino.

That's the worst idea I've ever heard. If I did that, my cotton shirt would be sopping wet and then I'd have trouble even getting it off my body. It would be heavy and I'd be guilty of littering as I'd have to just drop it where I stood.
 
Short sleeve merino T (neutral color) for first layer in Sept., then throw a camo long sleeve layer on when in "hunt mode". Really nice to be able to push hard in just a T to minimize sweating when there is a dedicated climb/hike involved, and then go back to "stealth" mode with the camo overshirt once at the intended hunting desitnation. When it cools down in Oct/November for rifle seasons, long sleeve merino as first layer (still neutral color, it is rifle season after all).
 
Great insight. Starting to think going with a short sleeve merino, lightweight long sleeve camo synthetic shirt, and then a lightweight softshell (like the Kuiu Teton) should allow me to handle a pretty wide range of temps and excursion levels.
 
Great insight. Starting to think going with a short sleeve merino, lightweight long sleeve camo synthetic shirt, and then a lightweight softshell (like the Kuiu Teton) should allow me to handle a pretty wide range of temps and excursion levels.

For 90% of Sept archery hunting in CO, I wear my merino base layers and my Microtex Lite (very lightweight synthetic camo) and that's it. For about 5% of the time I also throw on a microfleece mock T between the layers. Then the last 5% maybe a rain jacket if raining, or heavier fleece jacket later in the season. This year I never got past the merino and Microtex in 20 days of hunting, awesome weather the entire season.
 
That's the worst idea I've ever heard. If I did that, my cotton shirt would be sopping wet and then I'd have trouble even getting it off my body. It would be heavy and I'd be guilty of littering as I'd have to just drop it where I stood.

I have to agree, not sure why bring unneeded extras that do nothing but get sopping wet, merino drys quick enough.
 
I didn't read all the posts, but all things being equal for me and if I'm hunting above 7,000 feet, long sleeve Merino (FL Llano or the like). Rarely wish for a short sleeve unless I'm hunting lower elevation country or unseasonably warm temps hit.
 
Back
Top