Best Base Layer

excavator · Jan 1, 2013

I have a heck of a time staying warm when I get sweated up and then have to stop moving for more than about five or ten minutes. I just can't get the chill off of my skin. Currently, I use Underarmour heat gear or cold gear as my base layer. The cold gear seems to perform better, but it just does not get that chilled wet feeling off of my skin and thus I get cold when I stop moving regardless of how much additonal clothing I have on.

So anyway, I was wondering what other guys are using for a base layer? Does merino wool work better as a base layer than Underarmour, as I am thinking about purchasing some of that stuff.

Thanks for your input.

Excavator

bucklover · Jan 1, 2013

I love my merino! I actually wear two layers of quarter zip shirts, one medium, one light, to allow for later layering adjustment. Quarter zips allow ventilation when moving. I also carry a vest (sometimes wool, sometimes down)to put on if needed. An outer coat (sometimes wool, sometimes Dry Plus), which always has a hood to keep the wind off my head and neck, and the snow from falling down my shirt. If the weather is wet, I carry a light weight water proof outer, to top it all off.

excavator · Jan 2, 2013

Bucklover,

So, with the merino, you would say that you stay pretty warm even after sweating like crazy and then cooling back down? If you have used underarmour, would you say it performs better than that?

Excavator

bucklover · Jan 2, 2013

If you are wearing the tight fitting Underarmer, that may be part of the problem. I hate tight fitting clothes. Loose allows air movement and helps drying. Wool insulates even when its wet,other products,not so much. I do know your pain, but I've learned to take the time to shed the layers if I'm working hard. If needed, I can then trade out to a dry under layer, if needed, when I stop. That's where the two quarter zips come in handy. I also try to move slow, and leave earlier, if necessary. Moving slow really does improve opportunities, but sometimes you just have to get "there". You might also carry along a couple of those larger hand warmer packets and place them in your kidney areas for a little while.

Willametteriveroutlaw · Jan 3, 2013

I use the Russel APX G2 L2 base layer and love it.. I used it in conjunction with my L3 pants and L4 coat in 5 degree weather this weekend and it worked perfect. ( I like it much better than my UA)

dang302 · Jan 3, 2013

I have recently been using wool layered over my underarmour cold gear and was impressed with how I was sweating but staying dry because all 3 lawers wicked moisture away well.

leftturnabq · Jan 7, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Jan-07-13 AT 09:28AM (MST)[p]As stated in the last post, mutliple layers does help wick moisture better, but the merino wool base layer simply does a better job at staying warmer than polyester.

And the wool doesn't get as funky smelling with sweat either.