pnwoutdoors
Enlightened
Anybody have a great, durable brand/model of base layers that you rely on?
Looking for a new a couple pairs (top+bottom), so long as they are highly durable.
Last edited:
Work wear
- Thread starter bykfixer
- Start date
Anybody have a great, durable brand/model of base layers that you rely on?
Looking for a new a couple pairs (top+bottom), so long as they are highly durable.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Wool is the best base layer, but it's itchy, so merino wool is great, but it's not nearly as durable, unfortunately.
Medieval times, they used linen or hemp as a base layer under wool. Linen breaks along folds, but hemp is absolutely insanely durable - but has no give.
Medieval times, they used linen or hemp as a base layer under wool. Linen breaks along folds, but hemp is absolutely insanely durable - but has no give.
Got to have something on underneath before putting on any wool garment.
I'm practically a polar bear. Usually love the cold. I wear black cargo pants almost exclusively. In Winter I switch to Wrangler relaxed fit cargo pants (definitely not tactical, and that's a good thing). The relaxed fit material it's made out of is very soft, and ironically quite warm too.
BTW, I'm not shilling for Wrangler. The pants are very poor quality. They start slowly falling apart while you're looking at them! But they are comfortable and surprisingly warm. Don't wear them if you're going to be running and gunning at the Range's obstacle course. But for heading to the shops on a cold morning or just as low-activity work-pants, they get the job done.
I'm practically a polar bear. Usually love the cold. I wear black cargo pants almost exclusively. In Winter I switch to Wrangler relaxed fit cargo pants (definitely not tactical, and that's a good thing). The relaxed fit material it's made out of is very soft, and ironically quite warm too.
BTW, I'm not shilling for Wrangler. The pants are very poor quality. They start slowly falling apart while you're looking at them! But they are comfortable and surprisingly warm. Don't wear them if you're going to be running and gunning at the Range's obstacle course. But for heading to the shops on a cold morning or just as low-activity work-pants, they get the job done.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yes and no. Wool is the ultimate baselayer, but it's itchy. That's where Merino wool shines; it's much finer than a human hair, so it's fantastic against the skin, and you get all the benefits of wool - except it's thin and very fine, so it wears much faster. It's also very expensive (as is wool, honestly), so it tends to be used in thin layers.
Wool doesn't chafe, insulates well, insulates when WET, is anti-microbial, doesn't get stinky, breathes, and if you're having anything on top rubbing your skin, you can rub lanolin on that hotspot, and the wool will be fine (lanolin is taken off wool), so it's absolutely the best,
Everyone is different, though, so the threshold for how itchy it is is different. I use a wool neck gaiter that someone doesn't bother me, though the collar of my wool flannel often WILL bother me if I'm active (which is why, back in the day, so much wool had leather collars). Wool socks and mittens? No issue. Wool hats? No issue. Wool pants? No issue. But shirts...for whatever reason, my torso gets itchy, so I use a Merino baselayer.
On the upside, I've found merino base layers last a good while. I launder them sparingly (it's wool, so that's actually perfectly fine), and when I do, I hand wash them and lay them flat to dry. I've got 100% merino base layers that are...over a decade old, that I use for all my outdoor activities.
AND, lighter merino base layers are actually nice in summer.
Sadly, everything good is expensive. I wouldn't mind but everything crap has become expensive too.
IMA SOL MAN
Flashlight Enthusiast
I remember back in the late 70's, early 80's, before all the polar fleece came out, silk was the layer of choice under wool. Expensive, but it worked. Now, I don't know if you can find silk under garments.
![Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes, Clinically Proven, Fragrance Free, Unscented, Water Based, Hypoallergenic, Multi-Use, Hand Wipes 336 Wipes Total (6X Flip-Top Packs) [Packaging May Vary]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KLBHu9CAL._SL500_.jpg)
I have had several Carhartt pants from 38 to 78 percent aramid. Their loose fit is a tight fit with my 25 inch legs. The problem I had with these is the wallet tended to fall out of my pocket. Aramid Kevlar Nomex is great for abrasion resistance. Other aramid brands generally are tighter in the legs. The exception is military pants. The camo variety has around 36 inch clearance in the legs and the solid color is a bit better than Carhartt. Look for PPE or FR. Be careful some military pants don't have rear pockets. Aramid does not like bleach. PBI and PBO used by fireman is a bit tougher and more fire resistant than aramid but I have never used them. Some race car drivers are switching to carbon cloth. You can get aramid gloves which are sold as fillet gloves. Then coat them your self with spray on rubber. Doing the finger tips alone is good for cold weather riding.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yes, they do still sell those, and since silk production is almost exclusively in Asia, it's a LOT cheaper than you'd expect. Also, it's filament silk, not spun silk, so it's not as fancy and shiny.
Terramar baselayers are similarly priced to merino wool
But, honestly, if you use Merino as a base layer, it holds up fairly well. They also make it in medium and heavy weights for really cold weather. The only real problem I've had with longevity was trying to daily wear boxers under a duck or khaki fabric. The sliding on and off seats seemed to cause the fabrics to rub, wearing it out fairly quickly.
Brokenarrow
Newly Enlightened
Smart Wool merino base layers. You can find unpopular colors for a reasonable price. I have 3 that I only wear in winter and only hand wash. 6 years in and still doing fine although one does have a few tiny holes.
Depending on your local availability, take a look at Snickers 9441 and 9442 (top and bottom). It's a Merino wool mix, so it's much more durable than pure Merino wool, but not quite as warm as something in pure Merino. There is also more stretch in it over pure Merino, which some like and others don't (personally, I like clothing with extra stretch - makes it more flexible if / when needed).
Last edited:
You guys just reminded me I have a few pairs of Merino wool socks I bought several years back. For some odd reason, I just don't wear them.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Oh, bust those out. It's cold, already. Wool socks are the single best quality of life upgrade on earth, haha.
You said Snickers and I got excited there for a minute. Wait, we're talking about clothes and not food.
Sorry about that. It's Snickers Workwear this time.You said Snickers and I got excited there for a minute. Wait, we're talking about clothes and not food.
pnwoutdoors
Enlightened
Picked up a pair of REI's Merino 185 layers. Fairly lightweight stuff. 100% Merino wool. Ought to be good for temps in the ~28-48ºF range, give or take. Uncertain how durable they will be, thinner as they are.
And a pair of Duluth Trading's heavy-weight Noorvik layers. Polyester pile. These are suitable for much lower temps ... say, in the low teens and below. Have worn them a couple of times. Very capable.
Already have a mid-weight wool blend sweater, and a Carhartt jacket with quilted lining. Will look for a solid lighter-weight wool blend mid layer. With those in combination with the base layers, I can't see getting cold this winter.
Hopefully these new base layer garments will prove durable. Am treating them gently. Washing occasionally, inside out, on cold/delicate, "fluff" dry and hanging to dry.
Last edited:
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
DO NOT HANG WOOL!
Ignore what any company sells you on "user friendliness." NEVER hand dry it, and NEVER machine dry it, even on low.
If you want the maximum lifespan out of wool, wash it VERY occasionally (it's naturally anti-microbial, so depending on how often you wear it, it can go a shocking amount of time before smelling) - hand washing or gentle cycle in cold water (lukewarm at most), and then LAY FLAT TO DRY.
To speed up the drying, lay it on a towel, then lay another towel on top, then gently roll it up, and hold it for a moment. Unroll it, and lay it out flat to airdry.
I have some wool pants, and I use them for hiking outdoors in winter, and I wash them...once a decade? Base layers? Maybe once a season. I find if you put a towel down, and lie the wool garment on that, and let it air out overnight, I can put it away without any issues.
I have a set of these laid down in my wool drawer, too:
Drawer Liners - Set of 5 Pieces
Freshen clothing in dresser drawers or on closet shelves with the natural scent of aromatic cedar. The tongue and groove edging ensures a snug fit.
www.woodlore.com
I've been rocking wool for a couple of decades at this point, and while some stuff has worn out, most of it is still going strong. I daily wear wool socks, even. If you take care of it, wool lasts a lifetime, and if you take care of it, merino wool baselayers hold up about on part with light cotton. It's all about laying it out flat.
Fantastic advice.
IMA SOL MAN
Flashlight Enthusiast
I love my Smart Wool socks, but where do you find "reasonable price" Smart Wool? When I find it, they want a lot of money for it.
Brokenarrow
Newly Enlightened
Well it was 6 years ago but I recall paying $57 for peagreen and black with gray stripes . Check around with the oddball sellers- Steep & Cheap, Moosejaw, etc.....
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Wool is a miracle fabric, but the only reason we moved away from it is because it's expensive. Merino trades softness for durability, but it's just as expensive. You CAN still find a few places making them stateside, too, and it's even pricier (Duckworth, but their prices are CRAZY expensive compared to the imported stuff). For socks, Wigwam makes very nice wool socks in Wisconsin, for a reasonable price.
I find the Smartwool socks tend to develop holes quicker than the Wigwam, and the Darn Tough ones are almost entirely synthetic, so they're not as nice to wear. You gotta watch the material content, as a LOT of the most durable ones are over half synthetic. If you can find an 85% wool, 15% nylon, that's not too bad, as it uses a nylon "skeleton" to hold the wool in place.
The margins on synthetic clothing are absolutely insane, cause the input fabrics are so cheap. Wool doesn't have that "luxury," so it's just expensive. Often, wool anchors the ceiling price, and they try to comparatively get you to buy the synthetic stuff, cause the margins are just so good.
I find the Smartwool socks tend to develop holes quicker than the Wigwam, and the Darn Tough ones are almost entirely synthetic, so they're not as nice to wear. You gotta watch the material content, as a LOT of the most durable ones are over half synthetic. If you can find an 85% wool, 15% nylon, that's not too bad, as it uses a nylon "skeleton" to hold the wool in place.
The margins on synthetic clothing are absolutely insane, cause the input fabrics are so cheap. Wool doesn't have that "luxury," so it's just expensive. Often, wool anchors the ceiling price, and they try to comparatively get you to buy the synthetic stuff, cause the margins are just so good.
