Just wondering who you guys think make the best, warmest base layers. I need to order up a set and have been looking at the under armour 4.0 but cant find a whole lot of information on it I don't mind spending the money I just want the best I can get trying to cut back on the bulky clothes its hard to shoot the recurve with those big sleeves. Any help is appreciated.
UA 4.0 is great if you are not moving a lot. There are also several companies that make wool base layers. I prefer KUIU and red ram.
I recently bought some minus33 merino wool base layers and like it alot. Its very warm and soft, the most comfortable I have tried. I think its all I will use from now on.
Merino wool is hard to beat. Different weights are available for different levels of physical activity.
ditto - Merino, it's all I wear.
I wear silk long johns, followed by under armour or thermax, then a wool or berber fleece. Best system I have found to date.
Of course Oklahoma is not known for its cold temperatures, Up until this last week, that is. :)
Merino wool for me. Not only is it warm and comfortable but it doesn't stink up like the synthetics do.
sorry to hi-jak this thread but staying on the subject with a question to you guys with the merino wool what brands are you using,, also the wool base layers how are you washing and drying? finally have any of you bought a size too big and shrunk them on purpose for a tighter weave?
minus33 is the best bang for the buck IMO. Standard washer and dryer. They don't shrink when washing.
I've had no trouble washing Smartwool long underwear in cold water and drying in dryer. I wear the thin stuff so it breaths and transfers to the next layer. Look for it on sale at the end of the season in cross country ski shops or backpacking stores or other outdoor places. The local cross country ski shop has a buy one, get one for one penny sale at the end of the season and that's where I typically get mine.
Wool by far the warmest, after switching to wool, you couldn't pay me to wear under armour base layers again
Merino wool for me too. Especially if you plan on going back country ever. I wear the same under garments all week and the smell is minimal...seriously. It is all I wear.
Look on backcountry, skiing and backpacking sites for stuff on sale. I prefer Icebreaker if on sale, if not look at Kuiu or minus33. I have hard a hard time with smart wool smelling like our horses do after I start to sweat for some reason. PM for places to find it.
Smart/Marino wool !,
Okay so Merino Wool it is have any of you guys used the minus 33 compared to the First lite ?
Not compared to First Lite but I have had Filson Merino, IceBreaker Merino and Minus33 Merino. The Minus33 has been the best. Icebreaker is 2nd - quality was good but the price was high. Filson is last as I didn't think the quality of the knit was very good. I have not had any Ulfrotte as the price is out of my budget.
I prefer the silk base layer topped with merino wool. It is light but very warm. Fortunately for me, it doesn't usually get cold enough around here to need any more under layers than this, especially when topped by wool trousers.
I like compression UA Cold Gear against the skin and merino wool for the next layer. If really cold, then the Simms fleece union suit, made for Winter wading in icy rivers, over the first two.
I have merino bottoms and top from Filson. Warm, but not made very well in my opinion. The knees wore out really fast and have had to be sewn up. Not worth the money. Go with other merino wool makers. Also, I like the Cabela's ECWCS stuff. Really warm, and not bulky, even the polar weight stuff.
I made an investment in some Ulfrotte wool. Love it. Much better than UA in my opinion. Base layer doesn't have to be tight. In fact a little loose is better.
http://www.woolpower.se/en/material/ullfrotte-original-the-material/
I haven't tried the First Lite, but also have minus33 and like it a lot. As others have mentioned, it's very soft, quiet, warm, and machine washable.
I also suggest getting the Woolpower. That's what I use.
If hunting in northern cold, one little layer won't cut it. I sometimes use 4 base layers. That's really uncomfortable with a loose base layer.
It depends if we're talking "down south" cold, Midwest cold or Canadian/Montana/Minnesota cold. And then it matters if one is moving about or mainly sitting still for long periods of time.
FYI.... I spoke to the owner of Schnee's last week while I was downtown shopping. He told me they have a new project in the works to develop a Montana "field to shelf" next to skin quality wool. The company will be called Duckworth.
I guess some rancher in Dillon has a breed he has been developing for thirty years. It will rival New Zealand wool. He claims most wool on the market... Firstlite, smart wool, etc is just commodity wool. Alot of it originates in China. Anyway, I'm excited to see the results.
PS he's a budding trad archer as well. I left him with a lengthy reading list and a the address to this forum. We'll see.
I like quality poly-pro for a base, then wool and or fleece. If I'm moving a lot I really don't go to heavy, wool shirt and a fleece vest. Some day it may come back to bite me if there is a severe weather change or I have to spend the night in the woods......so far that has not happened. Plus the older I get the warmer I want to be.....lol!
I asked for woolpower thermal wear for Christmas, used to be Ulfrotte...well see If I've been nice enough...of course coal keeps yea warm too but yea gotta stay near the stove to make it useful....
I have not found anything better than merino wool.I have used Justin Charles merino wool for the last 8 years and could not be happier and warmer! :archer:
My best investment to date has been merino wool. I have first lite, minus 33 would be my next choice. You wont be disappointed getting merino.
I finally broke down and bought some merino wool (minus 33 top and bottom) this past year and I love it. Wish I would have done it a long time ago. I also just got the cabelas ECWCS and really like it. The minus 33 is my first choice though. I found it cheaper on the big auction site.
I have wool from first lite, kuiu, core 4 element and some stuff from Sierra Trading Post, it is all good.
I've used merino wool base layers arc'terex, first lite and minuss 33 for bowhunting, backpacking, commercial crabbing, night time wildlife surveys and I am happy with both first lite and minus 33. Minus 33 appears more durable, but I haven't had any issues with either.
I just bought a set of first lite and when I tried them on I thought it would never keep me warm. But on stand it feels warm but not hot. All other long underwear gets hot spots like in the crouch area but not this. You don't seem to over heat while moving either. Haven't used them much but so far I like them.
Check out Ulfrotte (sp?) knit wool. The warmest I've found