I'm going to buy some good merino wool base layers. I'm tired of having to put on a ridiculous amount of synthetics just to tolerate the cold. I think the Merino is superior for stand hunting I'm going to get Expedition weight in either one but I'm looking for first hand experience with either of these brands. I'm leaning towards Minus33 because it appears they're stuff is a little heavier, thus warmer. At least from what I can tell Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I own both, much more first lite then minus 33...but to do have a pair of minus 33 tops. I like the first lite stuff better, I think the fit and finish is little better. As far as warmth I think in equal weights there isn't much difference between them. I have used merino from smart wool, ibex, Sitka and Kuiu ....they are all decent products but the brand I like the best so far is...... Wool power. https://www.woolpower.se/en/products/
The Scentlok Full Season Velocity Suit + the Woolpower One piece suit 200 looks like the perfect combination for late season. What do y'all think? And whats the difference between 200 and 400?
I agree first lite looks better and fit/finish might be better. The reason I was leaning towards Minus33 is because they offer some heavier weight base layers than firstlite Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Would you guys say that it's alright to wear the Expedition weight wool base layers directly next to your skin? I think I'm leaning towards the Minus33 for the bottoms and crew. I'm leaning that way solely because they're heavier than the First Lite, plus First Lite's expedition weight tops are only 1/4 zip or full zip. I think I may get a Labrador from First Lite too. Would I be OK with the Expedition weight wool next to my skin and maybe a synthetic layer over top of that to give me another layer or two until I can have all wool layers. Looking for a little advice from the guys who have used this stuff for a while.
I'd use a light weight synthetic next to skin with a light/medium wool layer before I would wear a single heavy expedition layer. Synthetics have better wicking properties. 1/4 zip for the next to skin layer with a full zip on the second with the idea is you want to be able to strip down in the field without pulling anything over your head.
So would the ideal scenario be a lightweight wool layer then an expedition weight for those really cold mornings?
Hard to say. Cold is a relative term. Layers are your friend. 1. Next skin wicking layer. 2. Heavy base layer, 3. mid insulation layer and such as a wool, fleece, or synthetic insulation vest 4. light shell with wind barrier and insulation. If that isn't going to keep me warm enough I am packing in my heater body suit! I am trying the Milwaukee Heated Hoodie for a mid layer this year.
All of the merino wool base layers I own are minus 33. I bought them all last year for elk hunting. I currently own underwear, tee shirts, lightweight long sleeve tee, mid weight 1/4 zip, and a lightweight long underwear bottoms. They are very comfortable against your skin. They worked great for elk hunting and I liked using them back in Wisconsin deer hunting as well. I have no other experience with any other merino wool produce, but I have no complaints so far about the minus 33 gear. I found all of it on amazon for cheaper prices than every other merino wool company out there. They are 100 percent wool. One other advantage I found is how well they don't acquire a scent. To test this I would where the underwear and teeshirts while working a couple days in a row. Sounds nasty, I know, but they never smelled like body odor at all. I was amazed.
All of those layers mentioned plus a heavyweight gander mountain synthetic bottoms and an army surplus sweater on top. Then my insulated Camo. I've found the merino wool base layers have definitely cut down on how bulky my clothing was.
I have Minus33 in their heaviest weight. It is definitely heavier in terms of fabric thickness when compared to my buddies First Lite in their heaviest weight. Side by side, they look and feel very similar to each other. Price difference is about $10 cheaper for Minus 33. I wore this set last year in very cold weather in the midwest and northeast. (single digits and low teens) If you do go with the heaviest weight in either brand, I recommend a silk weight to use as a base. The expeditions weight is a bit heavy and I fear won't wick moisture as well, which is what a base layer is supposed to do first and foremost. I love my minus33 and will be ordering more of.
That's what I wanted to know exactly. I don't see that Minus33 offers a plain crew in their lightweight stuff. I may get the Minus33 Expedition weight stuff and the FirstLite Alleghany's and Llano Crew as my first layer. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Matt/TN, is this for hunting in TN? I didn't think it got cold enough for merino. You southern boys are wusses. ;-) All joking aside, you'll be thrilled with Minus33. Mine are the Kobuk top and Katmai top. Last year, I was toasty in those extreme cold temps I hunted in while in Missouri. The silk weight merino under it did its job perfectly. This combo replaced a set of Under Armour. Honestly, I will never own the UA stuff again after wearing the full merino combo. It was warmer, and far more comfortable. The UA stuff always made me feel like I was inside a trash bag.
You'd be surprised how cold it gets in the mountains of Tennessee in late November thru December. The last few years I've bow hunted pretty much all season except for when the temps would drop into the single digits or low teens and I was forced to take a gun due to warmth. I put a LOT of seat time in regardless of weather and I've committed to bow only this year no matter what because of my self filming endeavor. I'm always searching for ways to be more efficient and I think wool base layers are the next tool in my arsenal. Do you guys know of anyone that makes a good, windproof mid layer? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My go to wind prof layer is a pair of Sitka vests, I use a vest because I am primarily worried about my core and it makes for less bulk and easy layering. I use a Sitka jetstream vest and also the Sitka Stratus vest ...both have gore windstopper.
