Durable merino wool base layer

[huntingbaldguy]

Yep, same reason i bought mine.  $25 score for a halfzip.

[swanny]

Icebreaker and Smartwool here. Been using them for years and they've held up great to repeated backcountry trips and daily use, no complaints.

[ChesapeakeMan]

Sounds like people have had good luck and poor luck with all the brands.  I will probably just keep looking for items on sale and be a little more gentle when washing it.  Going back to poly is not an option.  Heat regulation and stink resistance are reason enough for me to stick with merino.  And if I have to spend more money so be it.

[carpsniperg2]

I have the full zip off bottoms on the way here from kuiu. I will give them a run and try to get the info on here.

[Fungunnin]

I love my Icebreakers .... I've had some pieces for 7 years or so. Very happy with them. I machine wash and hang dry.

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[Magnum_Willys]

I Have several pairs firstlite briefs. Have couple weeks and 100+ miles on each without a problem.  Is it laundry issue or sweat thats destroying yours?  Mine work great.   Kuiu zip- off has loose waist and super tight calves.  Not a good fit and too much poly content not firstlite merino quality.

[huntnnw]

my first lite just get holes rubbed into them from hiking

[Eric M]

I've had a pair of first lite red desert boxers for about a year.  I wear them mostly for work in Alaska but also when I go out hunting. (Usually day long or overnight-last January 4 day predator hunt). They are holding up fine but I never use the dryer for them or my merino socks (first lite, darn tough, and smart wool)

[JLS]

I have some Minus 33 that I have been wearing for over four years now.  I wear it every day in the late fall through mid spring.  It's held up remarkably well I think

[T-Dozzer]

I've had a pair of first lite red desert boxers for about a year.  I wear them mostly for work in Alaska but also when I go out hunting. (Usually day long or overnight-last January 4 day predator hunt). They are holding up fine but I never use the dryer for them or my merino socks (first lite, darn tough, and smart wool)

I use the dryer on all my darn tough socks (and smart wool)...never had sn issue. Besides, if your datn tough socks wear out, just send them in for new ones.

[RadSav]

No such thing IMO.  You either have durability or you have merino.  Myself, I will not waist another penny on merino wool unless it's blended into a sock.

If you are worried about scent there are two things to consider:  #1 - No clothing is going to stop an animal from smelling you if you don't watch the wind.  #2 - both Robinson's and Dead Down Wind's body towels work amazingly well and weigh very little.  Keep your skin clean and you shouldn't have to worry about skunking up your base layers.

I have had great luck with both Sitka and Cabela's synthetics.  Prefer the Sitka, but getting tall torso length is an issue with them.

[huntnnw]

easy enough if you are not hiking a ton or going home to a shower. I wear merino for comfort and not holding scent so others hunting with me don't have to smell me after 5 days or so in the woods I can wear my firstlite merino top and hike countless miles in it sweating and after days of wearing use it still smells the same as I took it out of the wash.

[davk]

easy enough if you are not hiking a ton or going home to a shower. I wear merino for comfort and not holding scent so others hunting with me don't have to smell me after 5 days or so in the woods I can wear my firstlite merino top and hike countless miles in it sweating and after days of wearing use it still smells the same as I took it out of the wash.

I'll wear a synthetic shirt and I can smell myself after hiking a few miles in to my hunting area.  By the time I get out its often drive-through only  .  If Im hunting every day or damn close Ill wash my merino top once a week.

[huntnnw]

I have a underarmor top that stinks about 15 min after wearing it! why I wont wear that crop anymore

[Happy Gilmore]

I had silk nylon blend leggings I wore for a few years with no issues. Silk is an often overlooked base layer.