I have had swanndri, fleeces, and all the rest. THere is only one answer for me, and that is Merino Wool. buy a zip-neck from icebreaker, or Ibex, or smartwool. they are the quietest, and most comfortable base layer on earth.

And, unlike all the fleeces, which stink on day two, and reek on day three, and gag you on day four, you can wear a merino base layer for four days and stay fresh.

once you try a merino wool base layer from the sub-20 micron size wools, you will understand.

if you are completely wool-sensitive your outta luck, and stay away from the Filson coarse-merino wool it sucks big time.

If you buy icebreaker from NZ, make sure and get it extra size large, as NZ sizes are at least a half size smaller than US sizes.

Oh yeah, its washable but use warm drier, not a hair dryer!

Jameister

Been out testing gear, including a new supplex type shirt called Treklite, and seeing how a Hornady Interbond performs if you shoot it through a dead sapling before it hits a deer (six inch oval entry wound).

I got a present of a Treklite Mossy Oak camo shirt in a soft nylon that is slightly different than supplex. It feels a lot like cotton but is 100% nylon. Mine is 2XL for a roomy fit over two layers of fleece. It is well made, partially lined with mesh. Works well as a light wind and snow shell. Downside: the Treklite fabric will not slide on synthetic fleece. It grabs fleece whether it is going on over or under it, so that it is downright hard to layer on or off without extra pulling, gripping cuffs tight and working at getting arms through sleeves etc. without major bunching, etc. Bizarre friction when next to fleece. I like the shirt except for that, and the friction with fleece is not enough to make me toss it, yet. Sometimes I like the camo rather than my sage colour supplex fly fishing shirts.

I agree with Jameister, I have had and do have a whack of shirts plus other bush/mountain clothing for both work and play in northern and western Canada. It has been known to be cold, windy and wet here and I primarily hike and backpack.

Swanndri and Filson are the finest wool OUTER clothing I know of and Cabela's Microtex and Micro-Berber fleece are the best synthetics I have yet used. But, I bought four Smartwool ziopneck tops last year and these are BIG bucks here, however, they are my favourite bush shirts by far.

I have Cabela's Guidewear Supplex pants, super for hiking, too noisy for hunting (for my taste), so, I wear Microtex in warmer weather, Filson whipcords in colder weather, with MEC merino wool bottoms and the Smartwool tops under Microtex-berber shirts/Henley's and am more comfortable than I have ever been.

I would pack a Supplex shirt rather than use Windstopper lined tops, but, each to his own. I prefer wool for hunting, but, a good synthetic has it's advantages, especially in warm, rainy conditions. Microtex is VERY useful, worn over merino wool and it's cheap, so, buying spares is a good plan and this is what I would suggest for backpack hunting, overall, as much woolen clothing, such as Swannies is too bulky/heavy for this type of use.

Hey Mark,

Did you come up with a winner?

I was a big fan of wool garments for many years. I still use wool for pants at times. I'm wearing a lightweight wool pant as I write this.
I quit using wool shirts some time ago. That's because I found that quality fleece is much warmer pound for pound and, above all, really good fleece drys much faster. Not all of it does. I've got a Patagonia fleece top call an R2 top, that's 1/3 the weight, warmer and dries far faster than the classic remaining Pendelton Wool Shirt I have. None of the Polarguard or Cabela's fleece will match it. I've got both. No contest.
None of them block wind. The Polarguard stuff will do the best, but at the cost of not passing moisture or staying dry as the cost. Not worth it. It, the Polarguard top, is cheaper and heavier, BTW.
If you need to block wind, I suggest a lightweight shell. Again, far lighter and more efficient than the "one garment does all" which really doesn't work when it comes to staying dry from the "inner storm".
I know this isn't the inexpensive answer you seek. However, these things are so efficient, that I really need nothing else. I literally use them for lots of uses. I have no need of the multiple garments bought by others. E

Yep I did, (I think) it'll get a test run this week for my wifes late elk hunt.

Actually I got two and gave the first one a good test on a late elk hunt (-14F) the other day, it is a good one and I've worn out one other like it. It is a LL Bean Huricane cloth, nothing fancy but it sure does work well for me and I love the shirt.

Mark D

Mark,

I've been using the Hurricane shirt for a few years now. It's been great for me as well, really durable and does well to fight the wind without much sound (after its softened up a bit.)

NH Hunter.

I like the Air Strip shirt from Ex Officio. It's made from Drilite, it weighs next to nothing, has handy pockets, sleeve tabs, etc.

Fun posit. I had a few shortlist suggestions, but I'l consider a bit more before I post.

I take it Mark, that you require a shirt to last and 'look' as worn, as some of those rifles of yours? Thye "7mm Dober merino"....