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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
NO rush RE opinions, I was about to order a set for CArolyn and I, I missed that part of my notes from last year...
We've done smartwool, and Carolyn is sensitive to wool, but smart wool works.
Evidently its been some time since we ordered and didn't realize the bottoms were 100 bucks these days.
I don't mind spending money, but just wanted to see if there were better options, not always dollar wise but quality wise.
If smart wool is still "top of the line" IE good quality and all, we'll order some when we get back, or maybe drop into SW in Wasilla on the way home if we have time etc...
But looking for opinions. I know I did buy another brand once of merino, it was cheaper, don't recall the name, but it was certainly a bit itchier and Carolyn didn't care much for it.
Thanks for any input.
Jeff
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,943
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,943 |
Not an Alaskan by a far stretch, but I have been buying First Light stuff whenever I catch it on sale. Midway has had end of season clearances on lots of First Light stuff over the past couple of years. Its good stuff. Its what I wear on any of my out of state hunting / camping trips. It really softens up after a wash. Though itchiness is pretty subjective...good luck finding whatever works for her.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554 |
Jeff, check Core4Element, I know they have merino wool base layers just not sure about size.
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
Why core4? Price? softness? longevity?
Off to google.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,554 |
I've got a couple of pieces of base layer merino wool garments and they've held up well for about 3-4 years now. Price was pretty good too.
That's ok, I'll ass shoot a dink.
Steelhead
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
cool, thanks, price was sure better than 100 a piece. I guess we got likely 10 years out of the smart wool so not a bad deal...
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,839
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,839 |
Another vote for First Lite. I have several pieces and like it alot. I've also bought some Icebreaker and have been happy with it.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
I've layered KUIU's Merino wool from Alaska to New Mexico - great stuff.
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,774
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,774 |
First Lite is amazing stuff. I take it to some bad places in really bad weather and I won't hunt with another type of base layer.
It is expensive but its worth it.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,007
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,007 |
I've got a set of woolpower used to be called ulfrotte. Good stuff. I don't notice any itch.
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,323 |
The Minus 33 stuff has been great for me.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,886
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,886 |
I've had the smartwool and the ice breaker stuff.
I like it all. I think the smart wool is better, but I've been able to find the ice breaker for half at STP.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 791
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 791 |
Another vote for First lite. If looking for Core4 element i believe Camofire has a lot of Core4 on sale.
Also like Kuiu stuff.
Both brands i dont think are itchy.
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,471
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,471 |
Might not help at the moment but a long distance shopper might keep an eye on sierra outdoors. Kind of a clearing house for all kinds of stuff. Ranges from hardcore granola hiking to hunting stuff. Have scored Merino on there 50-70% off several times...but again, not when you want it but when its on sale...depending on the day, any of the brands mentioned might appear.
Liberalism; The impossible yet accepted notion that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,029
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,029 |
Not an Alaskan now, but I have an older pair of Thermawool from Terramar, purchased from CampMor I believe. Not sure how their newer stuff stacks up. Mine is 100% merino or close to it. One of their newer products is 70% polyester fleece with merino. Their website shows merino long bottoms for $35: http://terramarsports.com/catalog/mens/m-bottomsMine have held up for over a decade, numerous hunts down into single digit territory. I have no problem with itching, they work for me as I sweat with synthetics next to my skin. Good luck, Geno PS, keep us informed if you find something nice at a decent price.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 39
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 39 |
Ibex...buy it on sale or at the outlet on sale. Top quality
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474
Campfire Kahuna
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OP
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 57,474 |
Not an Alaskan now, but I have an older pair of Thermawool from Terramar, purchased from CampMor I believe. Not sure how their newer stuff stacks up. Mine is 100% merino or close to it. One of their newer products is 70% polyester fleece with merino. Their website shows merino long bottoms for $35: http://terramarsports.com/catalog/mens/m-bottomsMine have held up for over a decade, numerous hunts down into single digit territory. I have no problem with itching, they work for me as I sweat with synthetics next to my skin. Good luck, Geno PS, keep us informed if you find something nice at a decent price. Thanks! This will have a year to accomplish... terramar is the cheaper brand now that you mentioned the name I rmeember, it was more itchy than smartwool FWIW. DIdn't bother me any though. Carolyn was sensitive to it though. Silk is the other thing we'll have to add some to by next year too.
We can keep Larry Root and all his idiotic blabber and user names on here, but we can't get Ralph back..... Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over....
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 88 |
Ibex Is great stuff!! I love first lite as well, but am wearing holes in them quicker than most.
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,029
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,029 |
An option might be a thin silk layer under the "cheaper/scratchier" merino layer? That gives one the option of just using the silk in slightly less cold situations.
Good luck again,
Geno
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men. In it is contentment In it is death and all you seek (Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 128
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 128 |
I have had asthma and allergies since i was 6 months old,56yrs old now.I could not even be around wool. I started with merino socks and moved on to base layers ages ago Merino wool does not bother me, I met 1 guy on a caribou hunt that merino made him itch but real wool did'nt.
Callin Varmints
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