Merino Baselayer FL vs Sitka vs Duckworth vs others

[milama08]

Looking for a good merino baselayer for early season to late season preferably 120-150 weight. I am researching first lite, sitka, and duckworth due to discounts I’m able to get. I find tons of reviews on first lite but wanting to hear reviews of sitka and duckworth. Sitka is more of a hybrid but I find very few reviews.

 

[KGB-56]

I’ve had several different base layer systems and in my opinion for me, none of them compare to the FL merino.

 

[BBarnett13]

Check out Minus33. Not sure what discounts they offer but normally run sales around Black Friday.

 

[beachbunny]

one of the forum members and i were just laughing recently that we buy a alot of merino at thrift shops for basiclly nothing, we hunt in brooks brothers merino! lol
so just keep that in mind as an option and to save a s...load of money

 

[Runningwater]

I've only used smartwool and have been very happy - but can't compare to the others since I've never tried them. Used to get them via STP with the discount code. Haven't needed any since so not sure how the pricing compares there now.

 

[hh76]

I have a few brands that I got from Amazon, and one shirt from FL. As long as I got the sizing right, they all seem to do about the same for me?

 

[jd1006]

I’ve tried them all and I’d rank them as follows:

#1 - Sitka‘s lightweight merino. High % of merino, very durable, dries quickly
#2 - Kuiu’s nuyarn merino. High % of merino, I found it to be very durable
#3 - FL Wick Aerowool - the comfort in the shirt is sacrificed with a lower % of merino, dries pretty fast and is more durable than the two above

For thick merino:
Voormi is the best. They have a brushed back to the thick merino that adds more warmth and maintain a high % of merino while having a really durable surface that in some pieces even has DWR. I thought the High E hoody was the most versatile later season piece out there for those needing merino.

 

[milama08]

I’ve tried them all and I’d rank them as follows:

#1 - Sitka‘s lightweight merino. High % of merino, very durable, dries quickly
#2 - Kuiu’s nuyarn merino. High % of merino, I found it to be very durable
#3 - FL Wick Aerowool - the comfort in the shirt is sacrificed with a lower % of merino, dries pretty fast and is more durable than the two above

For thick merino:
Voormi is the best. They have a brushed back to the thick merino that adds more warmth and maintain a high % of merino while having a really durable surface that in some pieces even has DWR. I thought the High E hoody was the most versatile later season piece out there for those needing merino.

Awesome thanks for the reply. It’s been tough finding any actual reviews on the Sitka merino bases

 

[ramsdude47]

Lightweight, 100% merino is inherently not durable regardless of what anyone says. Buy a blend, or buy multiples AND bring a backup with you.

If you want to go 100% get Icebreaker or Smartwool. You should be able to get discounts from them if you qualify for First Lite. I find 50/50 still provides enough of the benefit of merino. The Black Ovis stuff is cheap and fantastic.

 

[jd1006]

For lightweight, 100% - LL Bean Cresta Wool is very good. It’s also much cheaper and often on sale. It has a different weave than most and I haven’t had any issues with it.

 

[Lowg08]

Just trust the reviews. Go FL merino

 

[twall13]

For lightweight merino I like a blend for durability. Just think about socks, any good merino sock will be a blend for durability and still does a great job at keeping the stench away. Voormi top baselayers are my favorite, First Lite is a close 2nd. I like the zip off bottoms so I'd go with First Lite there as a base layer. I don't like the feel of the Kuiu Nuyarn as well but it's been pretty durable for me. I like the feel of Icebreaker as well but even their blend isn't as durable for me. Minus33 is nice for 100% merino but I haven't tried their blends. The one shirt I got from Blackovis started pilling pretty quick but aside from that I like it and their shirts tend to be a little longer, which I like. I don't have any experience with Sitka merino.

I also agree that Voormi makes awesome thicker merino products, the High-E Hoodie is awesome. That said, I don't personally think Merino is necessary for mid layers and it's inherently going to be heavier than a synthetic. I don't mind the weight on most hunts but if backpacking and counting ounces it's probably not my first choice. If I'm going to be wearing it most of the time and not packing it that hoodie is hard to beat.

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[catmanran]

Good info here

 

[montei]

I like my first lite merino and minus 33. I bought a Duckworth shirt and like the fit but found it to be itchy.

 

[Wingnutty]

I have FL and smartwool. I prefer the smartwool. After a year of use the FL is chaffing my nipples. Smartwool is still a dream to wear. Can wear it for a week of heavy use and it doesn’t smell and is still as comfortable as day 1

 

[realunlucky]

I've been wearing a SKRE 150 for the last couple seasons and its durability really impressed me. It's a spun core so that's probably the reason why.

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[Solheim]

Anyone tried Scheels base layers

 

[browning2480]

I've been wearing a SKRE 150 for the last couple seasons and its durability really impressed me. It's a spun core so that's probably the reason why.

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Do you know where the Skre is made? Black Ovis is made in China, so trying to stay away from them.

 

[realunlucky]

Do you know where the Skre is made? Black Ovis is made in China, so trying to stay away from them.

They are currently made over seas but I'm not sure if they are sewn at multiple locations or not. I'll go look and see if it's on the label of a 150 Kaibab top.

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[browning2480]

They are currently made over seas but I'm not sure if they are sewn at multiple locations or not. I'll go look and see if it's on the label of a 150 Kaibab top.

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Thanks I appreciate it