Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Backpack Hunting need merino base layer

The old thermax long handles are worn out and I would like to replace them with some merino wool. So who makes the best and why are they the best. Is it Filson, Patagonia, Icebreaker, Smartwool or Woolpower? Thanks for your input.

I have only tried the Icebreaker out of the list you mention, rdd.
However, I am very pleased with the Icebreaker products. They seem quite warm and do not pick up body odors as much as capilene type synthetics do.

+1 on Icebreaker. The 200wt bottoms work well for stop and go activities. No experience with the other brands.

No experience with Woolpower or Filson base layers. Own lots of Icebreaker and Smartwool though. Not much difference IMO. I'd buy either of those that fit the style (such as zip neck, crew neck etc.) you want at the best price.

I have only had a couple Patagonia wool pieces and have found it to not be as durable as the IB or SW.

I find Ibex to be very durable, but not as soft as icebreaker. Nice product, worth a review. they have sales online often also.

IB is my choice; softest, comfy, and a durable mix. I particularly really like the middle bottoms.

the others, like smartwool, only last a year or so for me. which may be fine if you find it on sale.

sierratradingpost has some good deals on Icebreaker right now especially if you have an e-mail code or link. picking up a few Tornado tops myself.

I've got several Smartwool garments in light and medium and find them to be good.....my Boyt lightweights are really only so-so.....recently bought two sets of Minus 33 medium weights and I like em especially at half the price of Smartwool.

the woolpwer has my eye but to know everything about it you will have to ask for the opinion of JACKFISH that boy knows about cold weather gear....that one mans knows cold weather gear from the aspect of the down to earth everyday hunter....his comments on marlinowners.com and on AR.com helped me tool up a couple of rifles and keep me warm through some very sub normal east NY winters....if you have any questions about marlins or clothing ask for a reply from JACKFISH.....he knows his [bleep]....bearit.....

I have some Smartwool tops that are going on six years old that had nearly daily use for 2 winters and they are still good as new.

I have been extremely happy with my Smartwool stuff. Only one year old, but terrific so far.

I've been running Terramar mostly, and Patagonia more recently. Both work well, with the comfort going to the latter. If I still had some gear money left, I'd jump on the Filson sale. I've eyed it in the store several times and think it'd more than pass muster.

I have Patagonia and Smartwool merino bottoms. I like the Smartwool best because they are the softest and for the price the Patagonia are on the thin side, OK if I need a lighter weigh. The Patagonia run large and work well for layering. I don't have any Icebreaker bottoms but love the tops and have six in different weights.

I like the looks of the Kuhl full zip merino sweaters also.

TK

Thanks for all of the input. Hope I can find some good sales to jump into the merino wool game. I will be at Cabelas on the 2nd and will check out the Woolpower first hand.

Bob

Saw a line of Smartwool underwear in the ski shop last weekend that came in three different weights. For the life of me I can't remember the exact brand, but it looked and felt great, and with the weight options you could wear the one that suited your weather. I usually use good poly-pro, like Helly Hanson, but my next purchase may be Smartwool. I use a lot of wool for my second and third layers.

I'm always looking for merino longs for less than the $40-$80 a piece that they get for Smartwool, Ibex, Filson and Icebreaker. The Minus33 midweight stuff is a little heavy at 230 g/m�, but at $36 a piece is worth a look. I get by with Stanfields Superwash or Windsor Wear longs which are a little itchier than most, but are also in the mid-thirty bucks. Terramar Thermawool perform pretty well and can be found for $30 a piece.

If you are looking at Ibex, Smartwool and Ice Breaker you can usually find them for 20% off at amazingsocks.com.

If you are looking at the Woolpower stuff, Montana Woolen Shop has the old Ullfrotte 200 g/m� stuff in limited sizes for $30 a piece.

bearit, thanks for the kind words.

A recent jaunt at 15 below zero:

I have Woolpower and Smartwool the Smartwool has the texture of a T shirt and is comfortable next to the skin the woolpower has the larger loops on the inside and the shear surface on the outside. Between the two woolpower gets the nod for warmth (the larger loops trap more dead air) they are a warmer garment the Smartwool.

Wool power has less shrinkage in part because they are not 100% wool.

Smartwool has the much better marketing campaign so more people are familiar with them and it is a decent product.

For my money I would go with Woolpower I have three of their garments and one Smartwool.

I've been extremely happy with Smartwool.

I can't go with Icebreaker simpily because I fear I'd get kicked out of the He-man Woman Haters Club. Here's a few pics from their website.

LMAO... Can't you just see the look on your hunting buddies face when you pull off your coat to field dress your elk and have that on. But I would wear a pink one if it would guarantee a 340 bull!

Who makes the merino in a heavy weight. I've got some of the mid and light weight smartwool and like it. But I'd like some heavy stuff too.