Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Merino wool base layers

Most of the itchiness will be gone with the first or second washing. This is due to the fibers that stick out after weaving.

The best products I have used for washing in descending order are: Eucolan, Nikwax wool, and Woolight. All of these have lanolin in them and that's best for wool as each washing reduces this and the properties that make wool so good.

Unfortunately they all have an odor. I add cedar oil and then air them out. Both cedar and eucalyptus aide in moth proofing.

After you wash them in one of the above and use them all buyer remorse will be gone. I even like a minor bit of itchiness as it seems to help stimulate circulation and makes me feel warmer.

I sent both the First Lite and Cabelas ECWS back and bought Icebreaker 260 Tech Tops. My first experience with Icebreaker a while back must have been an anomaly because these shirts are the ticket. No scratch/itch right out of the box. I did keep the FL Labrador sweater and Allegheny bottoms. I love wool sweaters and this one is very nice.

I think I discovered the layering system for me - Icebreaker 260 top next to skin, Allegheny bottoms, FL Labrador sweater, FL Uncompaghre puffy, with Kuiu Guide jacket/pants, Smartwool socks (heavy crew). The puffy will ride in the pack until its needed. That system is light, warm, breathable, and has the athletic fit I was looking for. I don't know how waterproof the Kuiu Guide system is but expect to find out this spring chasing turkeys.

The Cabelas ECWS is made for boys or women. I couldn't get the medium shirt on and the bottoms felts like some kind of dancer tights. Needless to say, if you buy them order at least 1 size larger......