Base Layer

[Scattergun2570]

I am not so impressed with Under Armour Cold Gear. I have a 3.0 top,,but it doesn`t seem to work all that well. What is the best material to keep warm,and not sweat to death? I have heard Polartec is very good,,any suggestions?

[awbowman]

Merino wool.  Get the various weights and layer as needed.

[rraming]

The polartec, fuzzy stuff, seems best to me. Cold Gear is good for running in the winter.

[Marc B.]

Merino wool x2

[bfrbmj]

merino wool x3-  I wear it year round for all activities and use the different weights for different temps.

[Rob W.]

I have been using some made by Indera. Poly and wool blend. Best I have found.

Price is right also about $20 a piece

I really like the Sitka Traverse stuff for a base layer. I think it actually works to both keep you warm & dry. Get the one with the quarter zip so you can adjust temperature. Add an outer layer of wool and you're good to go for all but the windiest/coldest days. Then add a windproof layer.

[swampthing]

You would be better off with a system approach. From base layer to top layer based on temp and your activity level. Cold Gear would be fine if you had on an outer layer of wool on.
  These base layers are designed to control your skin moisture level not insulate! Poly products evaporate moisture quickly to keep you dry when it is cold, a back full of sweat with a t shirt on in sub 32 deg temps will not keep you warm, but a poly shirt that dries up quickly after you sweat will keep you from freezing. That is the base layer. Your insulation goes on the outside to keep you, on the inside, regulated. Poly, fleece, poly fleece, polypropylene, gore tex, supplex, etc etc. are not insulators they are loft, and water/wind barriers,  wear lots of it and you will trap air inside the layers and keep warm, or just wear real insulation, like wool, and keep warm.
Stand hunting on a cold day: expedition weight poly long johns next to skin, 27oz wool pants, shirt, hat, add a vest or jacket if it is windy, or, really cold around 15deg or so. Wool longjohns if you are stationary all day is fine, but if you are walking around, hiking in and out, the poly products will evaporate your sweat much faster then the wool longjohns.

[Robhood23]

Merino wool X4 I like first lite and Kuiu!

[Dirtybird]

Merino wool as well for me.

[psychmonky]

X2 on the idea of LAYERING. Cold gear works great when worn next to the skin with other stuff on top of it. It isn't warm, nor is it really supposed to be, if worn by itself.

Under armour's whole appeal is that it is so good at wicking moisture away from the body. Use it as it was intended and you will have good luck. Its not supposed to be an end-all thermal solution.

[sneakybow]

merino wool xwhatever the count us up to now

[Easykeeper]

Originally posted by awbowman:
Merino wool.  Get the various weights and layer as needed.

[doug77]

     

doug77

[mark land]

APX has been working very well for me and keeps the moisture off your skin, but you better put something warm over it cuz you will cool quickly with it alone.  I use micro fleece layers over and will stay very warm, I just carry my 2nd layer with me to the stand on long hikes and change as I get setup to eliminate extra sweating.

[Tom Leemans]

I'm a wool guy too. Use something wicking underneath.

[Iowabowhunter]

I bought some Cabelas ECWCS in polar weight. Merino wool base layer, fairly expensive $70 each for top and bottom, but should be well worth it! I'm not a fan of Under Armour, is too clingy and makes me itch like crazy! It was real nice during football season when it got colder though

[NEB]

All great advice. I use UA cold gear bottoms under my wool pants. My top base layer is a $4 merino sweater I bought at Good Will. I wear a wool military sweater over that.

[Hoyt]

I like the Minus 33 midweight merino wool.

[NoCams]

JMHO..... Try as he may man cannot beat what God made when he made merino sheep and gave man the smarts to shear them ! No man made fiber can do what merino wool can.