I almost feel like this topic deserves a sticky. I also feel for anyone who has spent money on several different base layers trying to find "the right one", your input would be greatly appreciated.
I am ready to spend some money. I got some gift certificates for Bass Pro and Cabelas for Christmas. There is one area I feel I fall short in hunting gear: Base layers for extreme cold and wind. I realize the wind is tough to beat, and also realize outer layers with wind sheer material help combat this one well. I have been there and I have read threads from others also looking for a good answer to extremely cold hunts. The massively bulky extreme cold outer layers have been tried by a few on here. The Warm Bag or Heater Body Suit works for others. I actually have a Warm Bag. It works. It is simply a bit of a pain and with the extra gift cards, I am going to try a different route. My hopes are to beat the extreme cold temps while NOT making it too bulky to shoot a bow.
What I was initially considering were the merino wool base layers. Now I am not ruling out UA or any of the others. Even the Redhead brand has me wondering if it would do the job. I really don't know. As I do my research, I am seeing there are different thickness/weave/loft/weight/etc available. Some call midweight or expedition weight, others call it 3.0 or 4.0, while others simply state they are for extreme cold but have their own brand specific name. I have looked at some of the UA stuff and checked it out in a store over the weekend. It seems a bit different than other extreme cold layers I have seen. While it appears a bit bulkier than the typical spandex stuff or even the Merino layers, it didn't look overly restrictive (considering its purpose). I realize I am not getting out of this purchase for under $100 for a top and bottom. Might not even get a top/bottom bought under $150. I just hate to spend $150-200 and then be disappointed and have to do it all over again.
Let's hear opinions on best base layers for extreme cold with mobility not being jeopardized anymore than possible. For now, I am willing to throw price out the window. Bottom line: If you are cold, you aren't on stand as long and you aren't killing the big boys. Time to spend some money and gear up for single digits before I squander my gift cards on something stupid. lol
I am ready to spend some money. I got some gift certificates for Bass Pro and Cabelas for Christmas. There is one area I feel I fall short in hunting gear: Base layers for extreme cold and wind. I realize the wind is tough to beat, and also realize outer layers with wind sheer material help combat this one well. I have been there and I have read threads from others also looking for a good answer to extremely cold hunts. The massively bulky extreme cold outer layers have been tried by a few on here. The Warm Bag or Heater Body Suit works for others. I actually have a Warm Bag. It works. It is simply a bit of a pain and with the extra gift cards, I am going to try a different route. My hopes are to beat the extreme cold temps while NOT making it too bulky to shoot a bow.
What I was initially considering were the merino wool base layers. Now I am not ruling out UA or any of the others. Even the Redhead brand has me wondering if it would do the job. I really don't know. As I do my research, I am seeing there are different thickness/weave/loft/weight/etc available. Some call midweight or expedition weight, others call it 3.0 or 4.0, while others simply state they are for extreme cold but have their own brand specific name. I have looked at some of the UA stuff and checked it out in a store over the weekend. It seems a bit different than other extreme cold layers I have seen. While it appears a bit bulkier than the typical spandex stuff or even the Merino layers, it didn't look overly restrictive (considering its purpose). I realize I am not getting out of this purchase for under $100 for a top and bottom. Might not even get a top/bottom bought under $150. I just hate to spend $150-200 and then be disappointed and have to do it all over again.
Let's hear opinions on best base layers for extreme cold with mobility not being jeopardized anymore than possible. For now, I am willing to throw price out the window. Bottom line: If you are cold, you aren't on stand as long and you aren't killing the big boys. Time to spend some money and gear up for single digits before I squander my gift cards on something stupid. lol
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