Merino Wool Base Layers

[Bluebasser86]

Who uses them? It's unfortunately getting to be that time of year when layering is going to become a thing soon and I'm thinking about purchasing some after a big raise at work made them more attainable. I know nothing about them though, other than they're supposed to be very warm, even when wet. 

[txchaser]

In my opinion merino wool is the real deal, and I haven't found a synthetic I like better except in the one case of very high output activity where I really need a wicking focused base layer. In that case an ultralight synthetic is a little better.

 

https://nomadoutdoor.com/collections/sale-tops/products/nomad-durawool-pullover-moss

https://nomadoutdoor.com/collections/sale-tops/products/nomad-durawool-baselayer-camo-hoodie-mossy-oak-migrate

https://nomadoutdoor.com/collections/sale-bottoms/products/nomad-durawool-baselayer-camo-legging-mossy-migrate

 

The ones I linked are all on sale from Nomad, which is the sister company of Huk. 

https://nomadoutdoor.com/pages/special-deals

15% signup discount, or 20% veteran/first responder 

 

I recent bought some of their durawool bottoms to check it out and because I needed a different weight (in my case a little lighter), and it looks like Smartwool brand quality. 

 

 

[A-Jay]

I wear a lot of Columbia Omni Heat as a base layer under a second layer of fleece.

Been very good.

My wife picked ,me up one set of MERINO WOOL MIDWEIGHT BASE LAYER -

Love the stuff.  

I wear it all the time now as my base layer.

Need more.

Super good in every way.

 Can Shrink when washed though.

Follow the instructions and be particular with your washing process 

or you'll have kid sized stuff. 

https://www.meriwoollayers.com/collections/all

A-Jay

 

[FishTank]

I have a few. Probably the most functional is the Smartwool 250. Others to look at... Ibex and Icebreaker.  The Ibex I have is probably the most comfortable. It feels like silk. 

 

Non wool ones to check out.... Patagonia R1 and Capilene Thermal.  Both of these are like an oven. 

 

Ones I have not liked.... Therramar, REI's branded version, Under Armor tops but the bottoms are great (weird)

 

I have gotten wet in my Smartwool ones before and you still get cold. 

 

 

[PaulVE64]

Merino wool is fantastic and pricey.

Love the stuff

[Kev-mo]

Idk that wool actually keeps you warmer... I feel it's more like it doesn't get as wet as say a cotton product. Therefore it dries faster, stays breathable, doesn't cling like a wet t-shirt making you feel warmer/drier. Idk maybe it really does keep you warmer because of what I just said lol.

 

Smartwool, Icebreaker and Ibex are the standard.

 

I picked up a Patagonia Fitz Roy 1/4 zip R-1 a couple years ago on closeout that makes a great mid layer. They new version is a skosh lighter in material but I think it's worth checking out if you can find on sale. Also like Patagonia's capilene.

[Deleted account]

Merino wool is nice for sure, but purely as performance cold weather garments, synthetics do as good or better. I have a bunch from uniform issues, and I supplement with some fleece and a vest, all covered by a hoodie, Grundens, and shrimp boots, cause gotta look the part... 

[70diesel]

I use SmartWool, pants and long sleeve top. They don't make you sweat even when you layer up. You can wear them multiple times without having to wash them b/c they're antimicrobial so they don't get funky. Kinda pricey but you only need 1 pair. I'd get the heavier 250 line.

https://www.smartwool.com/discover/what-is-merino-wool.html

[Dwight Hottle]

Clayton take a look at the alpaca line of products. Super warm, no itch & light weight. I got a hoodie & have been impressed with it's performance. 

https://www.pakaapparel.com/collections/activewear?utm_source=fbads&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_campaign=RET_Abandoned+Cart&utm_content=paka11533

[KP Duty]

I have a couple wool blend base layers.  I'd recommend them.  The place to get them cheap is Sierra Trading....

 

https://www.sierra.com/s~mens-wool-base-layer/

3 hours ago, 70diesel said:

I use SmartWool, pants and long sleeve top. They don't make you sweat even when you layer up. You can wear them multiple times without having to wash them b/c they're antimicrobial so they don't get funky. Kinda pricey but you only need 1 pair. I'd get the heavier 250 line.

https://www.smartwool.com/discover/what-is-merino-wool.html

Smartwool is very good.  Sierra has those as well...

[jimanchower]

From fall through spring I'm almost always wearing a wool base layer. The Triple Aught Design Huntsman henley is a favorite. I wear them for days - no stink. Even my cold weather running gear is merino wool.

[TnRiver46]

It’s not cold enough here for me to really comment on the layers but I have used merino wool socks forever, good stuff 

[Deephaven]

I have merino wool base and mid layers.  It is by far the best material for any layering system until it gets absurdly cold and then I go to downs in the mid layer.  I have high end synthetic stuff too and it is awful in comparison.  Synth stuff stinks like hell if you do work in it and doesn't deal with moisture anywhere near as well.  Converted pretty much all my socks to merino as well.  Don't hesitate.  As for brands, get the ones that fit the best.  You want it to fit pretty tight on the base, over sizing is not ideal.

[Fishin Dad]

The 2 words I live by for outdoor gear are merino wool and Gore-Tex.  I have multiples of each.  Base layers, mid layers, outer wear, and footwear.  Merino wool being naturally microbial, insulates in all conditions, and actually helps you regulate your heat in both hot and cold conditions.   I have purchased many different brands.  Smart wool, Cabelas, Woolx, Icebreaker, and more.   Buy from a reputable seller and enjoy.  

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Unfortunately high quality wool is getting harder and harder to find.  A filson used to run over 100$ now they are close to 500$  Cabelas made an excellent waterfowl sweater which got a little cheaper as the years passed and when BPS took over they were done away with because the profit margins weren't high enough.  LL Bean still has a good waterfowl sweater, which is the heaviest of their wool sweaters.  I recommend getting one without the windshear liner if you plan on wearing it as an inner layer.  I don't have any LL bean sweater with the liner, but I have an older Cabelas sweater with one.  Its kind of loud until it warms up and it effects the breathability slightly.  It's worth having if you wear the sweater as an outer layer.  Wool will keep you warm even when its wet, but the drawback is its heavy and bulky especially when you compare it to fleece.  The only natural material I know of that I feel is warmer than wool is down, but down is a nightmare when it gets wet.  

I would recommend looking at LL bean for sure.  If you want something = to a heavy liner get the waterfowl sweater.  The Commando sweater is slightly lighter, but still very warm and looks nice.  My Dad has one of the ragg wool sweaters and he likes it, but the waterfowl sweater is better all around.  They have a commando and Maine guide sweater as well which are both merino wool.  I dont have either the commando or Maine guide sweater so I can't say for sure, but I would bet the Maine Guide is just a little lighter then the waterfowl and the Commando is just a little lighter then the Maine guide, with the commando sweater being somewhere in between a mid and heavy weight liner.

[webertime]

It's amazing stuff.  Ibex, smart wool and LL Bean make high quality stuff that lasts years.  Patagonia Capilene baselayers are also super nice.  I have one shirt that is 24 years old and hasn't so much as had a stitch pull.

[inferiorfisherman]

Love them.  smartwool seems to have the softest of all of the mainstream brands.  I use the 150 when it is chilly and the 250 when it is cold.  The only cons I have noticed are they dry slowly and they don't last as long as synthetic fabrics.   The best part about wool is the antimicrobial nature of it.  You can work up a nasty sweat, but the wool won't stink when it dries out.  This makes a fantastic choice for multi-day excursions or just being able to use then several days in a row in between washes.  can't do this with any synthetic I have tried.  

if you decide to buy i recommend hand washing with a no rinse wool wash/conditioner.  The garments last way longer and the no rinse soap leaves the wool super soft.  

[blackrain]

On 10/12/2022 at 12:39 PM, 70diesel said:

I use SmartWool, pants and long sleeve top. They don't make you sweat even when you layer up. You can wear them multiple times without having to wash them b/c they're antimicrobial so they don't get funky. Kinda pricey but you only need 1 pair. I'd get the heavier 250 line.

https://www.smartwool.com/discover/what-is-merino-wool.html

They are expensive but they are the best. REI carries them as well as cycling base layers, which are also great base layers. 

[Bluebasser86]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Made a purchase and my bank freaked out thinking my account had been hacked ? Apparently me spending almost $200 on wool thermals was unusual activity.