Topic: The Best Base Layers for Hunting of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 35 times)
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Topic: The Best Base Layers for Hunting of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 35 times)
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I love Merino wool for mid-and late-season hunting, and this co*bo from Smart Wool is the best I’ve found. The 1/4-zip thermal top helps with venting, and though they offer a slim fit, these base layers aren’t skin tight. Some hunters don’t like the fit and feel of spandex, and if this is you, you’ll appreciate the semi-loose feeling. Smart Wool updated the fit of these garments to improve functionality while enhancing aesthetics. You can use this pair if you get mobile or sitting in a treestand, and you won’t get too hot or cold during either.
For years, this co*bo has been my go-to in the deer stand and duck blind. I love the fit and feel, and the 4-way stretch material moves incredibly well with the body. When you sit for extended periods of time blood flow slows throughout the body, reducing your body temp. But the 4.0 traps heat in, and when you wear them with a solid outer layer system, they’ll keep you in the elements for as long as you please. The material is easy to care for, wicks away moisture, and dries incredibly fast. Under Armour has made a name for itself by designing athletic clothing that serves a purpose, and this is the case with this icy weather base layer.
If I had to choose one base layer for waterfowl and stationary whitetail hunts, UA’s 4.0s are it. These garments have kept me warm on some of my coldest, dreariest days in the duck blind and tree stand, and I really appreciate the soft, brushed grid interior. They don’t just provide maximum warmth, they’re co*fortable, and I feel like I’m wearing my favorite hoodie even in all-day hunts.
I’ve used this duo on a pair of September archery elk hunts, and they served their purpose well. They kept me warm during the cool mornings but not too warm as they day went on. The top works as a standalone garment, and the bottoms cut off just below the knee, so you don’t have to worry about them layering over your socks and getting too warm. The fit and feel are excellent, and both dry quickly thanks to 37.5 active particle technology. This duo seems to resist the stink factor, and you’ll appreciate the mesh panels placed in the crotch when you’re covering miles of rugged terrain each day. Both are designed for high output hunts in hot weather, and they exceed expectations. Not to mention, this is the same clothing that won “Alone” for Clay Hayes.
My wife loves the 87 percent polyester and 13 percent spandex build, and she calls the bottoms “her co*fort clothing for hunting and daily wear.” She notes that even though these are rated as midweights, they don’t get too hot when she moves around a lot during the early season or feel bulky and bunch up like others that she’s tried. One of her favorite things about these base layers is their versatility, and she uses the bottoms as workout pants, especially on early morning runs, frequently. So you can definitely use these as standalone pieces, and they have a 50+ UPF rating and co*e in multiple color and camo options.
When temps get nasty, and they can during late whitetail muzzleloader or waterfowl seasons, don’t count on standard base layers to keep you warm. I love this system because the 92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex are ultra-co*fortable, and if battery-operated heat isn’t necessary, this material blend keeps you plenty warm. The pants sport heat zones in the knee/thigh and backside/seat areas, and the top provides heat zones in the shoulders and back. Both garments, via hold touch-button control, are intuitive, and though heat run times seem a tad off from the manufacturer’s ratings, this is a must-have base layer co*bo for frigid weather.
You can also use the power bank that charges the heat zones to charge your phone or tablet. If you use the power bank to charge your devices, just know that the heat zone times will decrease. And if you’re wondering about maintenance, both garments are machine washable.
The Peloton 118 LS Crew is one of my favorite go-to baselayer tops. I’ve worn it as a standalone piece and under outer layer tops like hoodies, 1/4-zips, and light jackets. It’s a performance-fitting top, and it feels great against the skin and moves well. Unlike other top-end base layers, the stretch doesn’t co*e from spandex but from a material called Primeflex. Primeflex is a durable spiral yarn but doesn’t contain heavy, moisture-holding elastane fibers.
The pants, though not form-fitting, are some of the most co*fortable base-layer bottoms I’ve ever worn. I’ve used them in a treestand, goose pit, and during October elk hunts. Even without a performance fit, they’re far from bulky. The full-length zippers makes taking them on/off easy, and the Merino wool provides incredible warmth and reduces odor. The waistband will remind you of your favorite pair of sweatpants. But overall, these bottoms are a must-have layer.
A custom-fit is essential when you’re looking for a suitable base layer. Base layers don’t have to be skin tight like spandex, but they shouldn’t be super loose either. A solid form fit that’s co*fortable and not restrictive is the best way to go. My favorite base layer system is Under Armour’s ColdGear. The build is roughly 80 percent polyester and 20 percent Elastarell, and it keeps me warm, dry, and co*fortable without feeling bulky or restricting my movement.
The only real difference between the two is that some base layers can be worn as standalone clothing, while thermals are considered as strictly underwear. Thermals are more like what your grandpa probably wore—a red coverall type with a single-button butt. Today’s base layers co*e in different designs and fabrics to better suit hunters in the various climatic conditions they will encounter.
While hunting turkey in Nebraska this spring, I bought a base layer set for $14. It was terrible — nothing more than a long-sleeve shirt and paper-thin pants, and it was better than nothing but not much. Like most products, you get what you pay for. A top-end base layer top will typically run between $50 and $80. Bottoms, because they require more material, go between $80 and $160. The price range depends on the manufacturer. Some outdoor brands are more prestigious than others. But the biggest reason for the fluctuation is the difference in the amount of material that goes into either a lightweight early-season base layer or a late-season heavyweight base layer.
For this review, I tested each of these base layers in their designated environments and interviewed my wife on the Forlohs. You can read all the ink you want about a particular base layer, but it means nothing until you actually try it out. I’ve tested a lot of base layers over the years, and my favorite all-time base layers are UA’s ColdGear 4.0. I’ve had the top and bottom for five years and used them across the globe. And they’re a staple in my layering system every year.
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