Which Baselayer is the Best?

Find answers to an age-old question: "Should I wear a merino or synthetic baselayer?"

Learn everything you need to know as John Barklow and Chris Derrick from our product team take a deep dive into the distinct advantages of wool and synthetic fabrics, and how to choose the right one for your hunt.

Here's what they cover:

Baselayer Basics | 00:00 - 04:00
Cost | 04:01 - 09:20
Moisture Management | 09:21 - 14:10
Comfort | 14:11 - 18:50
Odor Control | 18:51 - 22:55
Warmth | 22:56 - 26:14
Staying Cool | 26:15 - 29:09
After Care | 29:10 - 32:00
Conclusion | 32:01 - 37:47

[garner]

SITKA SAVED MY LIFE. My treestand ladderstick broke last year and I fell 20ft breaking pelvis in 2 places, broke back in 3 places, and broke my right arm in half at the elbow. Wind chill was in the teens and I had on the fanatic series bibs and jacket, fanatic hoody and a light weight thermal. I was on the ground for a long time literally laying on a brick of ice. Had it not been for the Fanatic System I'm pretty sure the outcome would have been catastrophic for me. Sitka is totally worth the money and it saved my life. Yes, it all got cut off of me however its since been replaced. You have to expect the unexpected and glad Sitka had my back.

[KnightsoftheApex]

I was the frigid shaking guy my entire life and then switched up how I layer after hearing Barklow on a podcast a few years back. Completely changed my experience as a hunter. Top three biggest influences on my hunting for this lesson alone.

[mastonevich]

I am waiting for alpaca base layers. They are a game changer for socks, even over merino.

[chrisrobinson]

Ive really wondered why no one has blended merino and synthetic together in a base layer.

[jasonrussell]

In all of the absorption tests I've watched comparing synthetic vs merino base layers, the synthetic held the moister considerably longer. My experience hunting Illinois for 40 years, wool trumps all. I sweat easily, and synthetics leave me cold. For myself, wool keeps me so so much warmer for a 3+ hour sit in a treestand. Wool socks year round.

[alberta]

True, wool does take slightly longer to dry or wick moisture away, but honestly it retains most of its insulation properties even when wet.

[Fresh_Tracks]

Awsome info fellas! Thanks for posting this!

[TheRIrider]

I think you guys are right. I actually like the light merino base in warmer weather application over synthetic and synthetic base in winter weather athletic (skiing) application.

[tomsitzman]

The Base layer needs to serve two functions at the same time. Not an easy assignment. First it has to be a vapor transport system that can move the moisture away from the body and second be able to insulate keeping warm dry air next to the body. The mid layers function is to move the moisture it has absorbed and move it to the outer layer Shell garment which is wind proof.not water proof allowing the water vapor to pass through the wind shell and also out the bottom of the untucked wind shell. If it is raining the outer shell can be a rain jacket with vents to allow the body moisture to exit out the bottom of the jacket and out the vents.. I'm not sure why Americans are not aware of Fishnet underwear. It has been in use since at least World War One. I first started using it in the late 60's. With fishnet underwear you can use either wool or poly fleece as your mid layer. Next to my skin I have my fish net. My mid layer is a tee shirt weight merino wool, My second base layer if need will be a tight weave wool shirt or an Alpaca hooded weft weave sweater. Sometimes my second base layer will be a zippered mid weight poly fleece. The advantage of sheep and alpaca wool is that wool has a thermal range from 5 F to 15 F degrees. Poly fleece cannot thermal regulate and you have to match the layer to a specific temperature. Fishnet has 2/3 inches spaces in the netting. Today there are three variations on the fishnet available in long or short sleeve and bottoms. The warmest is the fibers made of a wrap of merino wool and poly fiber. The Traditional cotton and poly pro shirt fishnet are year around shirts. I wear mine 365. Cool in summer and warm in winter. Fish net is available in both the USA, Canada and Europe. The fishneting wicks the moisture away from the skin and to the mid layer. The holes in the fishnet are dead air insulation trapped by the merino midlayer. The fish net stays dry because it is the wick. No wet base layer against the body. Brynjie 1021 West Main Boise, ID 83702 Brynji of Norway.

[drewmcginn]

I love synthetic like polyester base under my merino, so comfy and smooth.

[samik]

Hands down the best base layer is a mesh shirt. It breathes and transfers moisture like nothing else.
Look it up, it really does work.

[Ferrari_M]

Really appreciated this discussion. The most informative that I have heard on the synthetic versus merino. Thanks for putting this out there.

[truss]

In south Florida I can’t do the synthetics in the sun anymore. After a little while the shirt feels like it’s searing hot. Natural fiber all the way

[TYMGhosT]

Sitka said let’s make synthetic cost MORE than Merino and corner the market 😂

[yo]

If you don’t mind the smell go synthetic wool outer layers make more sense but as an under garment it doesn’t hold a candle the the moisture wicking of mesh or synthetic

[chrisrobinson]

What do you guy's think about the new mesh merino base layer system

[johnstjean]

I don’t believe in polyester it’s me out of oil material. Then, when you start sweating, you absorb that crude oil into your body. And it goes into your bloodstream. But I found it awesome. You guys are working with Wool is awesome. But I think it’s important to spread your awareness but I do get you guys are trying to sell this product.

[jeanpoitras]

Thin synthetic under mid merino and you have best of both world and almost none of there negative sides.

[ObjectiveAnalysis]

Wool is the superior material but is definitely more “scratchy” feeling to me. I’ve never had that problem with synthetic.

[preludecurtis]

Do you see any benefit in wearing 120 next to skin for moisture wicking then 220 or 330 on top of that to increase insulation?