Layering systems

[Clint Westwood]

What types of base layers are you guys running out here?  Merino wool or the other synthetics and why?

[Crunchy]

I never get layering right.  Archery elk, wake up and its 40 degrees, and I am cold.  bundle up, and hit the trail.  5 minutes in I am sweating and peeling off clothes.  So I tend to wear as little as possible.  Once I get to the area I planned, I will stop, and throw a sweater on.  I hate anything that restrict my lower body, so I almost never wear long johns.  Merino is the way to go, synthetics tend to get real stinky fast.

[Magnum_Willys]

Top: First Lite Merino base layer always ( unless September then even cotton camo tee works )
Sitka 90% Fleece midlayer ( anything that breathes well here - no windstopper or softshell stuff)
Chugach Rain Gear if wet.
Thats about it.  If cool Ill bump up to the heavier merino base layer.
For spotting/glassing I pull out the Kuiu superdown puffy and put that on.  If really cool throw on the Chugach raincoat over that.

Pants: Kuiu Attack pants, firstlite merino base layer if cool.  Chugach rain pants if wet.  Kuiu gators always. 

The raingear and puffy gets carried always.  As such I'm ready for any weather that happens.  Puffy fits in a small sandwich bag. 

[Wetwoodshunter]

I have pretty much a full first lite kit. I wear corrugate guide pants and allegory long johns in the morning on the bottom. If I'm sitting and still cold I will also put on my rain pants but the first few hour in the hunt I'm usually chilly but it's easily survivable.

On my top I wear an uncompagre puffy, hooded zip chama, long sleeve no-zip llano, sometimes pack a lightweight solid north face fleece, and have the SEEK jacket for rain and wet.

I have a thick wool hat as well and carry either lightweight and heavier weight fingerless gloves if archery hunting or full finger gloves if rifle hunting. Skree tactical and halsteed gloves are my go 2 but they are just gloves. The first lite medrano gloves are ok but have terrible durability.

[Clint Westwood]

Magnum_willys

I'm really surprised your using down here.  I would probably opt for an insulated my self due to the potential of down getting wet. 

Seems like you guys prefer merino over synthetics which is also surprising.  Thought more would be running synthetics for its fast drying properties.  Merino gets wet and takes awhile to dry.  Why do you guys prefer the merino besides the odor problem?

[huntnfmly]

Kuiu uses quixdown which is treated with water repellent that works pretty darn good I wore my puffy in the rain last season longer than I planned and it kept me dry and it didn't get soaked thru

[Wetwoodshunter]

Personally I think that wool handles temperature changes better. But wind blows through it is a downside. Nothing wrong with synthetics but it's not the route I went. I use the same clothes other than my socks if I'm doing a 1 day or 7 day hunt. Not sure if you would want to do that with synthetics.

For socks I use smart wool socks, I carry 3 pairs at all times as my feet sweat a lot and I hangs them at least once a day to make sure my feet are dry.

[Shawn Ryan]

Merino because of the broader range of comfort and because of the scent issues, which allows for fewer clothing items on a long trip.  Haven't had much issue with drying time with merino.

[Magnum_Willys]

Magnum_willys

I'm really surprised your using down here.  I would probably opt for an insulated my self due to the potential of down getting wet. 

Seems like you guys prefer merino over synthetics which is also surprising.  Thought more would be running synthetics for its fast drying properties.  Merino gets wet and takes awhile to dry.  Why do you guys prefer the merino besides the odor problem?

The down I keep dry - half the bulk and weight of non-down.  I always have it under the Chugach if its raining.   The Merino breathes and doesn't sweat and has a constant temperature.  Synthetics like under armour sweat or clammy and stink and take longer to dry.  The Merino will dry while you wear it quicker than the synthetics.  They dry if you have them open to the air but not so much if kept as a base layer.

[northwesthunter84]

I run Kuiu 145 base layers, liner sock with xtatic.
Kuiu socks, Alpine pants and 210 hooded shirt or peleton 200 hooded shirt as mid layer.
Kuiu guide vest and Kenai jacket for insulation.
Kuiu Chugach top and bottom for wet conditions.
Kenetrek ME and Kuiu gaiters

If colder I swap out alpines for guide pants and jacket.

[Lemoore-on]

1st Light, light weight Merino base layer. top is 1/4 zip
Everything else is what ever I could fine on sale. 
the tops are a quarter zip fleece that they were selling as a jacket but makes a really good shirt.
a Cabela's soft shell jacket.
Nomad and Cabela's soft shell pants.

I love the merino base layer, it breathes well and dries quick. (not quite as fast as synth but close & it don't stink)
The fleece tops provide an insulating layer but is also breathable.
The soft shell jacket blocks the wind and provides a little resistance to rain.  ( I have packable rain gear in my pack )
I have the hardest time with pants.......I have short legs.....I will keep looking for better pants that I wont have to finance.

The idea behind layering is you can peel off or put on as needed.
When I start off in the morning my jacket is strapped to my pack, my base layer top (1/4 zip) and shirt are unzipped and the legs of my pants are unzipped and even the barn door is open for ventilation.  once I get to where I'm going to sit for a bit, I'll zip up & put my jacket on.  If I expect colder weather I have a heavy fleece vest that has a wind liner in it that I will throw in the pack.