Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting Best Base Layer

Anything new out there? Looking for quicker drying than merino, and not as stinky as full on synthetic. My mid is a lulu lemons synthetic, and kuiu chugach for outer. Puffy for mornings and evenings.

Looking to redo some of my layering.

edited to add, 5-7 days of hunting in it.

Take a look at First Lite Aerowool merino wool/synthetic blend base layers. First Lite products are pricey but top quality.

For you guys using Aerowool are you using the 150 or 200 ?

I've stuck with Polartec (Capilene) of various weights. I genuinely dislike wool as a baselayer. Guess I'm the odd man out, but I don't find it stinks any more than anything else.

Bring a fresh change or spare like Terramar Dri-Release!

I bought a bunch of synthetic/merino blend stuff at Costco a while back. Love it. It's like 20 or 30% merino.

Warm, dries fast, cheap, has held up, doesn't stink.....

FL Aerowool is the real deal. I've been running it for the past 2-3 years - didn't know they had 2 weights. I'd guess I have the 200 weight.

I've worn them for 4 straight days elk hunting the past couple years - no stench and work as advertised.

I also like Sitka, all weights, for the bottom. Patagonia midweight works well.

I still use merino.

Do you wear undies and a T-shirt? I usually don't take changes of layers but do try to change the things that contact skin directly (undies, t-shirt, socks). Maybe rotate some high tech stuff under your wool.

I'm not hunting in hot weather so everything I use in First Lite is midweight. Even midweight is light. I didn't mention in my first post that Blackovis is a good quality merino first layer at a lower cost...especially if you catch them on sale. I like their boxers and tees with First Lite or Sitka as mid layers as needed.

FirstLite AeroWool all the way.

I still use merino too. Thin t-shirt minimum and long johns/long sleeve shirt if its cold.

I'm shopping for new winter base layers, as my current stuff is sort of worn out.

Nice. I'm starting over as my merino is fairly tattered. Have to go with the aerowool.

Living next to the Smoky's I dayhike alot all trough the year. I wear FL Aerowool or Patagonia light or midweight tops. The Patagonia will stink after a day or so.

BTW: someone mentioned underwear. I get serious chaffing on the inside of my legs. Can't walk chaffing........... Been using Sitka undies and seems like problem solved. I need something that extends below the crotch and tighter fitting than boxers. Boxer briefs are the ticket. Wore the Sitka 4 days straight this past year without issue. We even had chili one night early in the hunt <G>

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