Durable merino wool base layer

[ChesapeakeMan]

I have been using Minus 33 brand merino base layers for a few years now.  I am very pleased with everything except the durability.  I seem to have a lot of holes in them.  The backpack belts, holsters and just washing seem to take a toll on them rather quickly.  Are the more expensive brands like Kuiu and First  Lite more durable?  What has been your experience?  Thanks

[bosshogg112]

tagging along as I am in the process of upgrading my base layers as well.

[KFhunter]

merino is the weak link, not the brand.


If you want durable only options are blends, which IMO defeats the purpose to an extent.  My red desert boxers (first lite) only lasted 3 hunts which was probably only about 15-20 miles.



I sure liked them while they lasted.  I think instead of buying high end 100% merino from kuiu or first lite one might be better off buying 100% merino from cheaper sources and just buy more of it for your direct skin contact base layer stuff.

[92xj]

I've had good luck with FL base layers but also haven't been in them on long strenuous hunts so I can't say 100 percent that they are more durable and sadly, I'm going to sell what I do have in order to buy different sizes. I bought last year and then decided to drop weight. Either of you XL?

[carpsniperg2]

I have had great luck with FL,medalist and coldpruf.

[lord grizzly]

in my experiance first light is mostly crap with good marketing. ive worn nothing but merino for years now and about the best stuff out there is filson. no merino will last forever but some last longer tan others. depends on your level of acticity too of course. i wore out a pair of first light bottoms in 1 1/2 trips. not real good for the price.

[northwesthunter84]

I have been running Kuiu for a couple years now.  Don't machine wash them, that is how my Terramar set got a bunch of holes in them, hand wash them.  And once they start snagging the holes just get bigger.  Also store them in a airtight container with some cedar to keep the moths off of them.

[ChesapeakeMan]

Lots of great info, thanks.

Sounds like maybe the greatest gains will be realized with hand washing rather than machine washing (despite what the tag says)

[davk]

I have the First Lite aerowool glove liners and they seem to be holding up well.  They are a blend though.  Ive had Icebreaker and they looked like swiss cheese after a few outings.  I picked up Kuiu 210 bottoms and 210 and 145 tops last year.  The tops have been holding up great and I have been hunting my @#$ off this year so they have plenty of use.  Iv gone through far to many blackberry bushes as well and they still look great.  I have been machine washing them and dont have any holes yet.  The bottoms show a little wear on the fleeced lining on the inner thighs.  I noticed it after my first trip with them.  I just try to not hike with them on, which isnt hard to do with the full zip ... which I absolutely love.

[huntnnw]

My firstlite boxer/brief lasted 1 elk hunt and worn a hole in them, now my firstlite top has been worn a ton over 3 years and is still going..time to replace tho. I have minus33 tops and bottoms in the heavyweight and they look new still to this day. I have noticed the heavy merino is much more durable

[jackelope]

Just picked up some terramar stuff. Looks like it's cold wash only which I hate but whatever. Looking forward to giving it a try.

[pcal]

What are you guys doing,hunting in a sand storm?I have used duofold and 100% poliprop for years and not had any holes in either tops or bottoms so I can't imagine the problems you are having unless moths have cloned with killer bees Maybe you should get some poli and forget about the wool thing.Plenty of it available at the army surplus stores for cheap,too.

[huntnnw]

Because most of us wearing merino are tired of poly.. I wont wear it again unless its in a outer layer. Poly holds scent and stinks over time no matter how you wash it! why I don't wear anything underarmour in base layers

[huntingbaldguy]

I'm on my second season with my icebreaker base layer top.  My bottoms are Stoic Merino.  Neither really show much in the way of wear and i hike and bike a lot.

Maybe it's just me but i searched far and wide for my merino bottoms because i wanted a fly.  Makes it easier.

I also agree w/ huntnnw.  I don't wear anything under armor base.  Holds scent big time.

[7mmfan]

i'm trying Icebreaker base layers right now, and so far I'm happy with them. Got them on the clearance sale last summer for cheap, thats the only reason I tried them.

By far I've had the best luck with Smartwool base layers. They're the same price as any other, they're just not camo, which shouldn't matter, they're a base layer. I have tops and bottoms that are almost 10 years old, worn 30-40 times a year hunting and fishing. They are machine washed and are super durable. I'd look at them if durability is your main goal.