Base layer recommended Colorado elk
Elk
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Heading to Colorado September 10th-25th archery elk hunting somewhere west northwest of Denver elevation will range from 7000-12500 feet what merino wool base layers are recommended company and weight? ???
Personally I wear a merino based top in long sleeve, I have several types from badlands, core 4, U/A & now picking some up from Game Gear. All seem to do the same thing, they work great! The normal weight is aprox 10-11oz. per shirt. For bottoms I'm a cotton long john guy, don't care for any merino wool bottoms, give me long john's any day! Been doing this over 40 years now & don't see any need to change!
Layering is key for us in the mountains of any state, but it all starts on top with merino wool.
ElkNut1
Elknut- Why would you not use merino for the bottoms? You know how great it is for your top?? Just because you've been doing it for 40 years? They will do the same thing for you on your lower body, keep you dry from your own sweat, dry out way faster if it rains or you get wet, regulate temps better and NOT stink the way cotton does. KUIU makes a pair merino long johns that zip off on the side. They are awesome. You can take them on and off without taking off your boots. Just drop trough and unzip down the sides after it warms up mid morning. Or if it cools down for the evening glass, same routine. Game changer in my book.
I've tried first lite, icebreaker, core4element, and stoic. First lite and icebreaker are both top notch merino quality. The other two are a big step down in next to skin comfort but perfectly functional, not like you won't kill an elk because you're wearing cheaper stuff.
I have old first lite shirt (approx 5 years) that I don't like the fit at all, too boxy, but then I have an aerowool shirt, released last year, which fits much better, so I think they improved that.
My system is synthetic boxers (don't like merino boxers, too hot). Never needed long johns in elk season, but I have first lite I wear treestand hunting, so I suppose if you're glassing or sitting waterholes you may want them. On top, I wear a merino t-shirt and add a merino quarter zip hoodie when it's chillier.
I have a really warm thermostat, so it's generally more an issue staying cool for me in elk season than staying warm...until it's not and dumps 6 inches of snow on you. Moral of the story dress in layers and expect the unexpected.
First Lite baselayers all the way for me. Can't go wrong with the Llano and/or Chama shirt and Allegheny bottoms.
+1 on First Lite. You get what you pay for. The Core4Element merino I have works, but smells so bad when it gets wet that I can't hardly stand it. The Icebreaker is very nice, but the camo pattern is fading very fast. Watch for a First Lite sale and grab some. Great company that contributes to public lands and conservation as well.
SBH, thanks! I have none of the issue wearing long john's that you mention so I stay with what works & am comfortable in. I do own the merino wool bottoms along with the tops, I just don't care for them, not exactly sure why but I don't! (grin) Long john's work great for me! (grin)
ElkNut1
If budget is a concern then skip the bottoms and just get a good shirt. Not much body heat needed below the waste. Also a short sleeve base layer can be better for me.
Love my merino wool... What I use for my hunts is 120 to 150 gram weight top and bottoms.. For 6 days I would only bring 1 top and 1 bottom.. Chances are you will only wear them in the mornings or if your backpacking, to sleep in and then in the cool mornings.. Most days you will be taking them off by 9am or before. Wool will not let bacteria grow so no stink after days/weeks of wearing.. I also wear wool boxer briefs as they really help keep the stink down. For a 6day hunt I would have 2 pair of briefs.. Last year on a 15 day hunt I tried exofficio boxer briefs, but not for the full 15 days and found them more comfortable than my wool briefs and no stink after 4 days.. Plus they where a lot cheaper than wool.. Maybe get a pair of exofficio briefs before hand and try them around home. I now started to replace all my cotton briefs with the exofficio's, as they are just way more comfortable than cotton for me. I don't put my wool or my exofficio's in the dryer.. I like Kuiu base layers. I love the bottoms that have zippers on the sides as you don't have to take off your boots or your pants to take them on or off.
I've been very happy with the Icebreaker tops. If the weather warrants wearing base layer bottoms during the day, I actually prefer synthetic bottoms because they hold up to the abuse better.
I know. I'm a heathen.
Whole different set of clothing requirements at 7000 than 12,500.
Bigbuck, with all the free advice you've been getting here to help with your hunt planning, you owe us a full hunt recap afterward. If nothing else it will be a good teaching tool for newbies. Those of us who've been doing this for 40 years pretty much know the ropes, but lots of new guys like you learn some valuable lessons that you can share to help others.
X2 Jaquomo! I'm a newbie elk/western hunter and trying to absorb as much of this as I can!
Layer the top and tough it out on the bottom. Can't say I've camped at 12k but plenty at 8-10 and what I've found is if you do wear a bottom base layer they're coming off in short time, and taking off bottoms in the field isn't fun unless you have some magic mike tear offs.
Some may wear bottom layers, but not everyone has the same comfort setting.
What type of hunting matters as well. If you have a 1.5 mile hike every morning and will be mobile most of the day, you may want to skip bottoms unless we get a cold spell. Whatever you choose go fairly light. I have often changed into shorts after getting a first load of meat back. There have been a few days I'm in heavy wool pants because I had them along but could have been fine with light bottoms and regular pants.
I probably wear bottoms about 1/2 the time and have a mix of types that all work fine.
Silk base layer for me.
20 degrees in the pre-dawn and warming up to 50-60 by noon will make you peel layers off fast.
I'm not even sure I'd take bottoms any more unless I knew I was going to be sitting a lot at wallows or glassing. Instead, I prefer the Sitka 90% pants only, and I'll throw on my Kuiu rain pants if it gets cold and windy
I haven't tried them all. But I wear an Icebreaker short sleeve T-shirt every day. Hunting, working, whatever. It is ALWAYS my next to skin. I prefer the green ones, as if it's really warm, I can wear just that.
Then I top that off with the lightest weight merino quarter zip long sleeve from Kuiu. I've worn First Lite and Sitka, and don't think it matters. The Kuiu gets the nod right now because I haven't torn it up yet.
That's my base. 2 light shirts. Then I can add my Sitka 90% jacket, or my Kelvin puffy if needed, or sitting still.
Seems to work pretty well for me no matter where I am. I've worn that in South Africa, SW Texas, NW Nevada at 9000 feet, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming at 10,000 feet, Nebraska, KS, MO . . . you get the idea
The thing you have to remember about a base layer is that it is not there to keep you warm unless you will be driving to a stand and sitting there all day. That is NOT the kind of elk hunting you do 99% of the time. Lots of moving. The function of the base layer is to transport moisture/sweat from your skin to outer layers. If it stays wet against your skin, you will get cold. So thickness isn't as important as fabric. I have not used cotton anything base layer in over 20 years. Merino wool by a good company is probably the best way to go. However, I personally like Merino wool socks, and a merino wool base bottom. I usually wear a polypropylene top. There are just more comfortable to me. The base layers I own are either lightweight or medium. I don't take any "heavy" base layers on an elk hunt. As stated, let the base move the moisture to the outer layers where it can evaporate, and layer for warmth. However, the 2nd most important thing to a good base layer is good raingear. I have a packable set that goes in my daypack, and I NEVER leave camp without it. If you have as good base and good raingear, it doesn't matter near as much what your middle layers are. I wear jeans as my second layer on the bottom most of the time.
Always a tough topic as it's personal as everybody is different; tolerance to cold, how much you perspire and what kind of physical condition you are in. It also varies depending on the type of hunting you will do. I think good advice is don't skimp on cost with your base layer as it can make or break your comfort level. You can't go wrong with quality merino or poly but I'd stay away from anything cotton on my body. REI has some good information (yeah they don't sell hunting gear but the premise for quality hunting clothes comes from mountaineering) www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/layering-basics.html
I leave camp with a thin polyester t-shirt with heavy silver thread content next to my skin (SilverMax brand), then a thin merino long sleeve pullover over that, with a cotton or synthethic shirt. Silver in the layer next to skin truly works to minimize body odor-causing bacteria, - plenty of NASA studies to prove it. Depending upon the temp and weather I either wear or carry a thin wool outer hoodie or a cotton-polyester hoodie from Cabelas.
I hunt from 7,500 - 10,500 and this combination has served me well. If it's really chilly I'll put a Primaloft vest in my day pack for sitting and calling, glassing, etc. There is always a Cabelas Space rain suit in the bottom of my day pack nestled in beside a little serious survival kit. Don't even know those items are there because I carry them year-round.
I do not hunt elk in Colorado but I sold all my poly base layers years ago and wear only merino wool to hunt. For heavy exertion followed by inactivity there is no equal to merino. Often times at work I will wear a cotton t shirt and get sweated then cold. THIS always reminds me how effective my merino base layers are. It's like I almost take their effectiveness for granted.
Here is a good deal on Merino bottoms. Must be getting rid of last year model, because some of the same ones are not on sale. http://www.cabelas.com/product/BACKCOUNTRY-THERMAL-ZONE-MERINO-BOTTOM/1844735.uts?searchPath=%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FcategoryId%3D734095080%26CQ_search%3Dmerino%2Bbottoms%26CQ_st%3Db
IdyllwildArcher's Link
Get this in ASAT. Best piece of hunting gear I've ever bought.
Hmmmmmm I know that I want the ASAT camouflage in either my jacket/outer layer or pants so I have better break up of my body I've learned that from all you guys so thank you. Should I buy this firstlite Chama in a large to go over my layers? I'm 5'8" or so 166 lbs.
I'm a Sitka Core fan. Early season the Core short sleeve with merino long sleeve over it.
I've ordered my hunting pants. Sitka 90% pants (optima back country pattern)these will be the only pants I will be wearing on hike into spike camp and entire trip I'll bring along a pair of inner layer ( under Armour cold gear) for just in case situations but I still can't decide on jacket/outer layer well be on the move tons till we locate ELK I'm bringing my Under Armour hunting hoodie to save a little money by not buying a down vest I know also I want ASAT jacket camouflage pattern First Lite Woodbury Jacket is one jacket I'm looking at but not sure it'll work good bow hunting does anyone use this jacket during bow hunts? What jackets would best fit our style of on the move hunting? I was also just thinking of buying a vest for chilly mornings putting it over my inner layer but still having a jacket in my pack at all times for cold weather/snow and windy gassing spots?
Here is my September clothing for elk hunting. Timberline pants, a merino short sleeve T shirt, sitka transverse top, sitka Jetstream jacket. I do bring a merino base layer pant but very seldom wear them.
I hunt similar elevations as Jaquomo. 8500 up to 11,000.
Lots of different ways to tackle clothing. Some guys like vests, some guys like puffy jackets. I can get by with less if my jacket blocks wind.
Don't over look solid colors either. If you move they see you. If you don't move odds are good they won't see you.