Merino vs Poly.

[Wildstreak]

Ok. Let’s hear it. Merino vs. poly base layers. Which is it and why?

 

[ZRob97]

I prefer wool because it’s doesn’t start to stink nearly as bad as poly and seems to regulate body temp a little better

 

[MrSunday]

Same as the above post. Regulates temp and odor better than poly IMO. Though I do often wear a poly sock liner under my merino sock.

 

[Mtn_Nomad]

I just wish Wool dried quicker

 

[Suera]

Wool always, maybe a little more uncomfortable but it regulates the temperature much better even when sweaty you keep warm

 

[5MilesBack]

I just wish Wool dried quicker

You know, I soak my merino tops with sweat every day while elk hunting. And even if I'm not pushing it hard, my back will get sopping wet just from wearing my pack. And yet, my merino top is always dry when I climb into my sleeping bag every night......even after a long hike out after dark. My merino base is dry long before my camo synthetic that I wear over it. But that has all night to dry. I really haven't seen this issue with merino.

But if I'm doing a single day hike, a 3D shoot, or just working outside I'll generally throw on a poly base layer under another shirt. I save my merino for hunting.

 

[540-Virginian]

Merino is better, but Poly is more durable.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I wear merino below the waist, but for some odd reason, it itches my torso very bad…doesn’t matter what brand I’ve tried them all.

For a poly top, nothing has beat the Sitka Core lineup for being quick drying and odor resistant. Some day I may try the Kuiu Peleton but have no need to justify the expense given I have three Core shirts.

 

[hechterooskie]

Price tag scared me off merino for a while but now that I have some I'll never go back.

 

[jfs82]

I wear merino below the waist, but for some odd reason, it itches my torso very bad…doesn’t matter what brand I’ve tried them all.

Same for me, I have merino boxers and long underwear but shirts make me itch like crazy.

 

[Kleos]

I am a huge fan of Merino Wool especially Smartwool. Merino keeps me warmer and doesn't stink after multiple days in the backcountry. I even got a pair of Merino boxers and they are awesome.

Poly I get super stinky but it also dries faster if you get wet or sweaty. I know some people who swear by poly and live outdoors. Poly is also much more durable than Merino.

Pros and cons to each, find out what's more important to you. For me, I will pick up Merino 9/10 times.

 

[grfox92]

I will never wear anything other then merino. It keeps you warm even when wet. Never stinks. Regulates temperature.

During the whitetail rut vacations I used to take I would wear the same top and bottoms for over 7 days straight without even the slighted smell to them, didn't feel dirty wearing them either. 1 day in synthetic smells like rotten butt.

I wore a synthetic top one day this year elk hunting as I forgot to flip my clothes to the dryer the night before. I wore a synthetic top and once it got wet the wind felt ice cold blowing on me. Never experience that with wool.

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[orionsbrother]

Same for me, I have merino boxers and long underwear but shirts make me itch like crazy.

And I’m just the opposite.

I found some Merino that doesn’t make me itch and wear Merino tops, but poly bottoms. I just beat the heck out of Merino bottoms and they don’t last. The poly is more durable and I don’t mind periods of “clammy” on my legs.

I don’t like that “clammy” feeling that I get in the small of my back after dropping my pack when wearing a poly top.

 

[doverpack12]

I jumped on the merino train about 2011 and wore it hunting mountains until 3-4 years ago. I got tired of getting cold with any breeze or wind (wind blows in the mountains). Started trying some synthetic tops and found for me I am drier and more comfortable (hot or cold weather) wearing a synthetic base than a merino or merino blend base.
kuiu peloton 118 and Sitka core are both very good and don’t smell much after 2-3 days for me. If your layers smell that much manage your hygiene (shave body hair including armpits) and you won’t have an issue.
I have used original first lite, first lite wick 150, kuiu 185, 145, 210 and Sitka merino. The blends do a little better than 100% merino but you are still wet more than dry.

 

[z987k]

For everyday stuff where I can easily change clothes every day, synthetic. It's cheaper. Keeps you more or less as warm. I use synthetic skiing most of the time. Stinks like crazy by the end of the day.

For hunting where you're going to be wearing more or less the same clothes for days, merino.

 

[NeHunter13]

I found this video this weekend with the late Jason Hairston discussing this same topic. Good listen and a very in-depth, review of the differences down to the science of the material.

 

[toadmeister]

I wore a synthetic top one day this year elk hunting as I forgot to flip my clothes to the dryer the night before. I wore a synthetic top and once it got wet the wind felt ice cold blowing on me. Never experience that with wool.

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Good example of Synthetics drying too fast. Rapid evaporation = feeling cold.

I also use merino when winter bicycling. Again the synthetics make me cold from wicking away moisture too fast.

I’ve had several debates with cyclists on this topic and they are too stubborn to try merino as the cycling industry markets “sleek, fast, light and colorful”. Their loss.


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[idig4au]

I jumped on the merino train about 2011 and wore it hunting mountains until 3-4 years ago. I got tired of getting cold with any breeze or wind (wind blows in the mountains). Started trying some synthetic tops and found for me I am drier and more comfortable (hot or cold weather) wearing a synthetic base than a merino or merino blend base.
kuiu peloton 118 and Sitka core are both very good and don’t smell much after 2-3 days for me. If your layers smell that much manage your hygiene (shave body hair including armpits) and you won’t have an issue.
I have used original first lite, first lite wick 150, kuiu 185, 145, 210 and Sitka merino. The blends do a little better than 100% merino but you are still wet more than dry.

I also have the same experience and have transitioned away from merino to synthetic for next to skin as more comfortable from a moisture management and itch standpoints.
With the odor treatment, I can get a few days in same clothes even if sweating heavily.

I keep merino for my socks. Synthetic for boxers (Arc’teryx Phase SL) and Sitka core for next to skin layers. I tried the original Kuiu peloton and didn’t find the odor management the best as smelled sour only after a day or so.

 

[doverpack12]

I also have the same experience and have transitioned away from merino to synthetic for next to skin as more comfortable from a moisture management and itch standpoints.
With the odor treatment, I can get a few days in same clothes even if sweating heavily.

I keep merino for my socks. Synthetic for boxers (Arc’teryx Phase SL) and Sitka core for next to skin layers. I tried the original Kuiu peloton and didn’t find the odor management the best as smelled sour only after a day or so.

I agree on the original kuiu peloton 130, the 118 is on par with Sitka core for odor control. I can’t tell the difference.

 

[Tourguide]

Ok. Let’s hear it. Merino vs. poly base layers. Which is it