|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841 |
I'm looking to buy some new merino wool base layers. Some of the prices are steep.
Activity is October elk hunting in Colorado. Temp range will likely be teens to 50. I hunt alot in this temp range in a couple of States each year so I can get multi-purpose from base layers in that range. I adjust using various base/outer layers.
What are you guys wearing that is a good value - not the cheapest but value for the dollar?
Thanks.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841 |
I'm also curious what sock/sock system you all are using. Been using Smartwool but wonder what else is better.
Thanks.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
I have merino from Kuiu, smartwool, and Ibex.
I don't notice a quality difference between them. I use the Kuiu 185 weight more than anything, and add a heavier weight top when it is colder. If moving/climbing, I'm usually stripped down to just that 185 weight top, and then layering back up when I top out or stop to glass. Bottoms are tougher to layer, and I adjust with puffy pants with full length leg zippers there.
For socks, I prefer darn tough over most everything else. That said, because my boots are mail ordered at the last minute, I use a poly liner and Carhartt boot socks (thickest ones I can find). The combination takes up enough space to get a good fit.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,343
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,343 |
Check out STP for Ice Breaker and Smartwool, I vary 180 to 260 weight depending on temps.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841 |
Not too sound like an idiot - what is "STP"?
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 17,927 |
First Lite Chama Hoody is badass....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 111
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 111 |
Check out STP for Ice Breaker and Smartwool, I vary 180 to 260 weight depending on temps.
Im guessing Sierra Trading Post
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,841 |
That makes sense. Kind of funny, I was on STP when I posted that question. You'd think I would have put 2 and 2 together...........
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,414
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,414 |
For socks, I used to use smartwool and and have moved on. I use Darn Tough as my go-to sock for all outdoor purposes...they are simply indestructible. Recently I have been using the Dahlgren alpaca wool. These are the best/warmest socks I have ever used.
Last edited by setch; 09/17/14.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,649
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,649 |
For socks, I like the REI branded wool hikers. Nothing really different over Smartwool, which I also like, but they are cheaper.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 997
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 997 |
1st choice - first lite 2nd choice - ice breaker (can find a deal now and then which moves it to 1st choice when happens) 3rd choice - everything else
Socks - Darn tough and if going cheap cabelas branded.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 518
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 518 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 85
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 85 |
I base layer Minus 33 from head to toe during hunting season. The mid-weight stuff is super soft against the skin and it never gets the stink of synthetics. Someday I'll find some Ice Breaker on sale and try that out - looks nice as well.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 22,735 |
Not too sound like an idiot - what is "STP"? I thought it was an engine oil additive. Oh well............
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425 |
MEC.ca still has a sale on some of their Merino Wool Zip-Ts. They're about as good as my Icebreaker tops for way less.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 134
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 134 |
For socks, I used to use smartwool and and have moved on. I use Darn Tough as my go-to sock for all outdoor purposes...they are simply indestructible. Recently I have been using the Dahlgren alpaca wool. These are the best/warmest socks I have ever used. X2 first choice Darntough 2nd
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 50
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 50 |
I am a fan of SmartWool's 150gm2 crew top and bottoms for those temps. A great buy can be had on "camofire" for the Core 4 Merino in the 190gm2.
7mm-375Ruger Stiller TAC 300 Broughton 5C 9tw @ 28" Jewell Trigger Greybull Precision stock 180VLD @ 3145fps
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,311
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,311 |
I've been using smartwool for years for no good reason except I found it locally, it's been fine, but a couple of years ago I caught a sale on patagonia merino long johns and felt they were a major step up in quality and seemed to be even less itchy. Besides they were made in America (at the time anyway). "Dahlgren" if memory serves me right (was 30 years ago!) this was the brand that carried boiled wool sweaters & jackets and other clothes. I only had their hat but talked to someone who had the boiled wool jacket and it was unbearably hot for anything but the most extreme weather. Thanks... I'll have to look them up. Jerry So much for memory serving me right... it was dachstein http://www.bradleyalpinist.com/cart..._id=476&zenid=Knz1Odj5jwn1gv4KGFKS33
Last edited by jerrywoodswalker; 09/23/14.
Si vis pacem, para bellum
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 315
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 315 |
anyone tried this stuff?http://www.alexoutdoors.com/html/400_and_600_gram-_full_zipper-_monkey_paw.htm
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,194
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,194 |
Everything i find is $95 though.
Last edited by ihookem; 10/02/14.
But the fruits of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5: 22&23
|
|
|
|
408 members (10Glocks, 160user, 12344mag, 17CalFan, 10ring1, 163bc, 36 invisible),
2,589
guests, and
1,025
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,191,285
Posts18,467,804
Members73,928
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|