Advice please - base layers

[Gelert1416]

What do people recommend for a British winter base layer? Thinking merino wool - any thoughts on GSM/brands as well as alternative options would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Koenig]

Think about how you stalk: do you sit in a high seat or actively foot-stalk? This will dictate what weight of garment you need. Synthetics are good, but can smell really bad very quickly. I like Woolpower stuff but it’s expensive. If you buy merino (something I would recommend) take care washing it, the higher wool content stuff can be delicate especially if spun too fast. A quarter zip is a good feature in my opinion so you can vent on the move and zip up when static.

 

[Mungo]

Very much yes to merino.

Icebreaker is good, round about 200.

 

[countrryboy]

Must admit i tend to just buy the cheaper brands from likes of sports direct or mountain wharehouse type shops, usually offers on 2 t shirts or long sleeve t's for 15 or 20 quid.
D'on't think they are merino wool but more a synthetic material but it still wicks away perfectly fine.

Not saying they are the best but i tend to wear them daily for work ( wprk outdoors in sw scotland in all weathers and often on the higher ground doing n active job) and for the money u can't fault them, i dare say ur top end makes may be slighlty better if ur doing more extreme stuff.

While generally i do believe u get wot u pay for i do also thik with some things u can be paying for a name and esp in uk's climate which being honest is never that harsh cheaper brands often do the job perfectly well

I can still mind 20 odd years ago before i discovered base layer and fleeces, usually wore normal cotton ts and a rugby top doing night shifts on railways u'd feel the sweat starting to freeze on u when u stopped for a break and needed a change of tops for long drive home, with cheap base and fleeces felt almost bone dry all night.
Total game changer for me

 

[Wessex4291]

I agree, icebreaker 200 has been great for me both at work and stalking and as suggested earlier i find the quater zip does help with venting.

Personally the combination of a natural fibre and the fact that they don't develop the 'smelly helly' odour associated with Helly Hanson wicking layers makes merino base layers a great purchase in my eyes.

Also, if fairly static don't forget thermal tights, using them has a huge impact on keeping my feet warmer for longer.

 

[devon deer stalker]

Merino is the best, but keep it away from your other half, fabric conditioner kills merino, might as well use it to clean your guns after exposure to the dreaded FC!

 

[Gelert1416]

Thanks all for the swift responses, very helpful!

 

[FISH BOY]

Have a look at Isobaa merino base layers on Sports Pursuit.

Often heavily discounted.

 

[Mungo]

Merino is the best, but keep it away from your other half, fabric conditioner kills merino, might as well use it to clean your guns after exposure to the dreaded FC!

Best to avoid putting through the tumble dryer too. I mean, what sort of an idiot would do that??

 

[Dazb1967]

I use Helly Hansen Lifa Merino, Not 100% Merino but it works well for me, Washes without any issues and keeps me warm enough

 

[VSS]

Bamboo.

 

[Ratel]

I sew myself into my thermal Winter comms in November and cut them off on April.

 

[T.eddie]

I have recently bought one of the Deerhunter Heat Inner Waistcoats. I bought it with some apprehension and thought worth a punt while on sale. Have to say its really quite good. Ive used just that and my jacket down to about -2 and any colder i just pop a fleece on over the top of it. This has been in a mix of footstalks, walking the dog and highseat. I would add though if your going to be out all day probably not the best as the charge may run out unless you have the fleece over the top and dont need it switched on all day

 

[Longstrider]

Ex Army from the local surplus store fella Cheap as chips too. A pair of fleecy long johns, and a 'Norgie' beneath a decent shirt then your normal cooler weather shooting gear. If you're too cold with them on it's too cold to be out so go home

 

[paulbshooting]

I have recently bought one of the Deerhunter Heat Inner Waistcoats. I bought it with some apprehension and thought worth a punt while on sale. Have to say its really quite good. Ive used just that and my jacket down to about -2 and any colder i just pop a fleece on over the top of it. This has been in a mix of footstalks, walking the dog and highseat. I would add though if your going to be out all day probably not the best as the charge may run out unless you have the fleece over the top and dont need it switched on all day

Was it accurate to size or would you buy a size bigger? About to order one. Thanks

 

[hairycow]

Woolpower every time for me, the body is nice and long so doesn’t ride up out of your trousers so no frosty moon poking out.
addnature had some deals on it, I bought 2x long sleeve light tops for around £80 which are as thick as most others and I got a deal on a 200 elsewhere that is very warm.
really great stuff

 

[T.eddie]

Was it accurate to size or would you buy a size bigger? About to order one. Thanks

I went for a large which all my jackets etc are, its snug but moveable and sits quite nicely under my jackets/fleece

 

[paulbshooting]

I went for a large which all my jackets etc are, its snug but moveable and sits quite nicely under my jackets/fleece

Thank you

 

[T.eddie]

Thank you

Not a problem, I got mine from newforest clothing and it came with a free power-pack

 

[Sonicdmb73]

Aldi when the come in merino base layers. I wear the long johns daily through winter. they don't seem to suffer on the fast spin in the washing machine, but I don't tumble dry and wash in non bio. Biological literally eats the wool away (just don't ask how many pair of expensive socks ended up with holes).
I tend to layers wicking T shirts with a current issue Norgi (not the old Terri cotton ones) and or a Buffalo shirt.