Best base layer

[rutland]

I asked a few people this and have got several different answers so I thought I would put it on her and hopefully get my answer.
Unfortunatly I sweat quite a lot even with light exercise, I am due up on the hill very shortly and find after a good half an hour iam sweating like an old
bullock which is ok until we have to stop and wait then I get quite cold, I was going to buy a swazi but that wont stop me sweating I think I need to sort
out the base layers first so iam after some info on the best type ie materials , brands , thanks

 

[crouch valley]

Merino base layer is best I find. It's not cheap but check out mountain warehouse they have a sale on.
I use Icebreaker base layer is brilliant certainly not cheap but works well.

 

[McKenzie]

My body runs hot too & I find that a pure merino wool undergarment/vest with a woollen top (I use Bison Bushcraft Guide Shirt) is warm, breathable, shower-proof & quiet for stalking. You'll need a light waterproof for heavy rain though. Lightweight tweed breeks & not-too-thick socks with ankle gaiters allow my legs to keep cool.

Re. above; I bought one of the Mountain Warehouse merino shirts & they're not 100% wool.

 

[crouch valley]

Base Layers | Men's Clothing | Cotswold Outdoor these people are good to use

 

[MarkA]

Have a look at the Icebreaker range of base layers. They do different weights and all made from 100% merino. Not the cheapest, but I have found them to be excellent.

 

[weimaraner]

Woolpower = superb merino wool baselayer.

 

[karlbird]

Another vote for Icebreaker merino wool. I have their long johns and a hooded top - keep you warm when its cold but don't overheat when it is warm.

One of the shooting mags (either Shooting Times or Sporting Gun) did a group test last month and the Ridgeline Bamboo stuff came out as best value for what you pay, its £45 for a long sleeve top, short sleeve top and a pair of leggings, I think I am going to get a set to try - can't go wrong for that money.

 

[tozzybum]

Another vote for Merino wool ,but being a bit tight got mine from Aldi .Very good ,warm and dry and only £20 an item

 

[Co1]

I'll go against the merino as a sweaty lad. It holds the sweat which cools once you stop. I go for a fast wicking synthetic base layer to get the moisture off the skin, and then layer a merino on top of that. Keeps me warm and dry.

 

[Yan_k]

I can't fault the Under Armour thermal base layers, really warm!! Kept me relatively happy in -16C!! They draw the sweat away from your body so it doesn't get cold when you stop for periods of time. Quick drying too.

 

[I. Farticus]

There's a thread here that will give you a good starting point

 

[Neumo]

I have picked up a several WoolPower & UnderArmour sets at TK-Max, of all places.Look in the out door section if there is one, which is sometimes off to one side. The one in Guildford is on the ground floor in the Ladies section. Great base layers at half price and very warm on a cold day.

 

[salopsniper]

I will check out these ice breakers as they seem popular also.
How ever I would say i think my under armour is rubbish.

ATB

Matt

 

[SJC]

Craft or Hellyhanson!

Both th very good.

Please remember these products won't work so well if covered by an item of clothing that keeps the sweet in.

Regards

 

[rutland]

Thanks for the replies, I think iam going to give the Ice breakers a try

 

[andyf]

Thanks for the replies, I think iam going to give the Ice breakers a try

Check out http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/trekmates-jan16 and http://www.sportpursuit.com/sales/armadillo-merino-jan16

Both are 100% merino so equivalent to Icebreaker but a hell of a lot cheaper. Icebreaker is lovely stuff but if they are all 100% merino wool then it's the sheep that's done all the hard work! If it works for you then keep an eye on sportpursuit.com as they often have great deals on baselayers (including Icebreaker).

Cheers,

Andy

 

[NOTSHARP]

I overheat when wearing wool, but have found this excellent:

HEATTECH | Heat retaining innerwear for men - UNIQLO UK




Steve.

 

[Siggy]

Ridgeline do a base layer in bamboo which I use a lot because I don't get on well with wool. (That said I can tolerate merino and use Icebreaker when it's really cold). I also have under armour which is toasty.

 

[Dave88]

My vote would be the Icebreaker merino. I did a 3 day trek in the Arctic last year and this is what I wore.

The right base layer is important but it important to regulate your temperature yourself. We were taught to aim for your temperature to be right after half an hour of treking even it means your pretty cold to start with. The idea was to avoid sweating at all costs because as you said as soon as you stop moving you get cold quickly. We would switch from a treking jacket to a much thicker jacket as soon as we stopped moving. Obviously this is an extreme example and you're not going to do this when stalking but the same thought process can be applied. Get the air vents/zips open on your jacket well before you start to get warm then as soon as you stop or just before you know your about to stop get everything zipped up.

Dave

 

[Bavarianbrit]

My vote would be the Icebreaker merino. I did a 3 day trek in the Arctic last year and this is what I wore.

The right base layer is important but it important to regulate your temperature yourself. We were taught to aim for your temperature to be right after half an hour of treking even it means your pretty cold to start with. The idea was to avoid sweating at all costs because as you said as soon as you stop moving you get cold quickly. We would switch from a treking jacket to a much thicker jacket as soon as we stopped moving. Obviously this is an extreme example and you're not going to do this when stalking but the same thought process can be applied. Get the air vents/zips open on your jacket well before you start to get warm then as soon as you stop or just before you know your about to stop get everything zipped up.

Dave

Second that, ventilation is what it is all about.
Martin