Bushcraft Clothing: Base Layer Review - Cotton, Polyester or Merino Wool?

In this video I am comparing different types of base layer clothes with each other. I will compare clothing made from merino wool, cotton and synthetic fabrics. By that I want to share the experiences I had with all of these garments with you so you can get some valuable tips on outdoor and bushcraft outfits. Hope you enjoy this little review / test.

** Featured Keela L/S Top Merino Shirt: **

** Paul Kirtley's blog article on hypothermia: **

** Merino wool explained: **

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Disclaimer:
Rathwulven Bushcraft is in no way associated with Decathlon and the Quechua brand. Keela did provide the featured merino bass layer shirt gratis to Rathwulven Bushcraft in return for product testing services such as feedback on possible product optimization. Keela did not, however, influence the outcome of this video in any way: Rathwulven Bushcraft was offered the shirt to provide an open and unbiased review of the product. All findings and experiences are mine solely.

For countries asking for a explicit marking of sponsorship (such as Germany for example), this video may be considered unpaid promotion ("unbezahlte Werbung").

[RathwulvenBushcraft]

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[shevan]

Good clear video. Marino wool is the best. I only use cotton in summer. I was once in Finland with -20 the cotton base layer was horrible and did not work my merino wool one was awesome as always.

[nseight]

Thank you for taking the time to share *Yes, you cannot get more "back to basics" in starting with the clothes you wear.I bought 2 pairs of Keela waterproof trousers 11/12 years ago & they are still in use. I am in need of Merino wool base layers (top & bottom) I found your comparison very helpful as I was just considering Decathlon brand (£55.00) Keela (£100.00) .Would you agree that that Keela product/material would last at least twice as long.Again, thank you as I have been holding back on this purchase & what you had to say rang true * :-)

[pedroclaro]

Poliester is great. The fact that it starts to stink is pretty good, so that I wash them whenever I can. The clothes AND myself. I force myself to dive in any body of water I see, basically. As a cyclist all the available pieces of kit are Polyester, and it's fine. I wear that with some shorts outside most of the time, and when I need to I either go all if it's warm enough. Either that or I take everything off except the outter shorts beforehand, dive in with my clothes in my hand, Wring them and hang them to dry (I bring a clothesline yeah), dry myself off with the towel and cover my upper body with my jacket or rainlayer if needed. Everything dries super quick, but sometimes it's also nice to have damp clothes to keep on cycling, because the windchill will give me a lot of relief in those summer months. In colder weather I usually bring a fleece base layer for sleeping on, that I can wear temporarily while the rest dries off, but I don't push myself at all so I don't sweat in them.
Wool socks are a must for sleeping, but everything else is trivial tbh. Only when going above treeline do I spend a day or two without washing up, but even then I can wash myself the good old way - a wet towel and lot of scrubbing.

[holgeransgar]

Thank you for sharing your experience, this is really helpful.

[PinetreeLine]

Nice job brother! Very informative! Thanks

[rmarques]

Old washed cotton shirts are the very best multipurpose free lint rags, for cleaning/drying, apply varnish/oil, wax/polish your shoes....etc. I cut in fourths and keep them ready in a bag

[jelkel]

Most of the time a polyester base layer with a cotton t-shirt on top is where I start. You're layering up or down depending on the weather and your activity after that. That is where I see people make their mistake, they start off and stick with the same layers throughout the day, it's rare the temperature doesn't improve even a little in the early afternoon, all the early morning layers aren't always needed again till evening, it's not an outfit, you're not a catalogue model on a photo shoot.

[quinntheeskimooutdoors]

Most of the time in the cold weather I wear Merino wool, it has always served me well. I do have some synthetics also. I have one shirt that is a mix of merino wool and something else, this works well. Thanks for sharing and take care.

[FOXSCOUTSurvival]

Fachlich Astreines Video. Wenn es um Polyester oder Baumwolle geht beschreibst du die Tatsachen im Verhalten von diesen Materialien. Ich selbst habe da ähnliche Erfahrungen gemacht. Ich hatte bisher noch nie ein Produkt aus Merino Wolle 🤔 das müsste ich auch mal testen.

wie würdest du Fleece als Material einordnen? Ich persönlich finde es ist ein guter Kompromiss zwischen Polyester und Baumwolle aber nur geeignet für die kalte Zeit 🙂

Beste Grüße!

[outdoortrey]

great video thanks for sharing this information

[Hannahcode]

Thank you for the info. Marino is indeed the best out. lmao at the comments!

[ukwildcamper]

Great channel. New subscriber here. I would love to collaborate with you somehow or even just give each other’s channels a shoutout. Keep up the great work buddy, & stay in touch. Ben from bushcraft basics with Ben.

[LadyStrzygaDiscoversThePast]

Interesting and good advice. Thumb up for AC / DC :) Huge Like and greetings from Poland. When you find time, visit my channel :)