How many layers of merino wool?

[dfanonymous]

I don't use merino specifically. Also a lot of this tends to be subjective. I'm a hot sleeper and a hot hiker. I don't get cold, but you can imagine my discomfort hunting in high desert areas like in Arizona lol.

For Colorado and places, with altitude and similar climates I personally go with synthetic layering (UA ridge reaper series) and one primaloft hoodie puff. I really like the 32 degrees compression boxers. About the only time I'll layer up around my legs is around to 0 degrees.

The synthetic vs down is only out of caution of getting wet, even though everything I my pack is in a dry bag. If not in snow, but rather dry cold, I will try to go lighter with a down hoodie.

 

[tomsd]

BTW = really liked one piece type outfit for keeping in even more warmth - easy to zip open in front to cool, and so forth.

 

[Lrreloader]

Have to 100% agree and re-state this. I can get away with my light to mid weight merino base layer, and a minimal insulating layer if I just use a wind layer over the top. Quality beanie, socks, and gloves also are major factors.

I am a huge First Lite base layer proponent, everything else is a mix, but their merino base layers are the best I have tried, and I have tried nearly all other brands including socks and liner gloves.

I got first lite's new whitetail catalyst bibs and jacket ordered, I think they will be good with light to mid layers of merino under and puffies on top, and I will use them back in PA also.

 

[tomsd]

I should say this was for all of my hunting in Central/ Eastern Oregon. Colorado might be colder.

Altitude and wind - both factors in wind chill, etc. - and then as a wild card - throw in a wet - driving snow/rain.

 

[tomsd]

How many layers of Marino wool are needed for a second season elk hunt in Colorado? Micro, base, mid, expedition?

I'm thinking base plus good hunting clothes for walking, once sitting to glass or still hunt thats where I need advice, is a midweight good enough if you have "puffy" clothes for on top of good quality outerlayer clothes?

I have scent blocker polar weight, I call it the black fuzzy suit but that's not ideal to pack or put on and off, I like the idea of zip of and 3/4 length so I don't have to mess with socks unless switching out wet or to a warmer sock for a long sit.

So is midweight adequate or should I get expedition weight and maby not need puffy as often or if it get crazy cold I think I would be good with base, expedition, good hunting clothes, puffy exterior.

Thanks for any advice

Crazy cold - I would like a "Puffy"/fuzzy - unless really humping up and down hills. Water-proof/resistant ?

I had an ugly - puffy goose down parka for skiing - the best when it was really cold-windy high on the Mountain.

 

[seattleman1969]

For cold weather I start with merino tops and bottoms, and boxers. .On that I use a fleece,, wool, or puffy vest.. the most important find I made was king of the wool and sleeping Indian wools I'll never go back to the synthetics sold by other "high end" companies. I have been snowed on, rained on, freeing rain you name it, and these wool pants and jackets keep you warm through it all. It's expensive but definitely the best I've ever worn for harsh weather.

Columbia used to make more affordable full wool. Not sure if they still do.

I also like the First Lite outer layer, it's light, comfortable and has all the benefits of heavier wool. Also cheaper than the two you mentioned! My only complaint is it has not been as durable. I've blown out two pairs of Obsidian pants from normal wear, neither lasted me more than 2 seasons. I have an OLD SCHOOL pair of OD green wool pants made in Canada that I use for wintertime Boy Scout campouts. Those things are MONEY! Too heavy for hiking and hunting earlier in the season though.

 

[Starlite]

How many layers of Marino wool are needed for a second season elk hunt in Colorado? Micro, base, mid, expedition?

I'm thinking base plus good hunting clothes for walking, once sitting to glass or still hunt thats where I need advice, is a midweight good enough if you have "puffy" clothes for on top of good quality outerlayer clothes?

I have scent blocker polar weight, I call it the black fuzzy suit but that's not ideal to pack or put on and off, I like the idea of zip of and 3/4 length so I don't have to mess with socks unless switching out wet or to a warmer sock for a long sit.

So is midweight adequate or should I get expedition weight and maby not need puffy as often or if it get crazy cold I think I would be good with base, expedition, good hunting clothes, puffy exterior.

Thanks for any advice

Many great comments and advice from seasoned hunters. I'd only say better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it…..so for that (your) situation I'd be wearing a thin mid weight high % merino base layer (especially if you sweat just packing your pack). Regardless of your sweat level, your middle layer needs to be Clean, light, loose, with higher level of loft. It MUST have many zippers available for cooling your body while walking/trekking. The outside layer should be exactly the same from a featured perspective point of view but be of greater weight and warmth. Just follow the COLD acronym. Clean, Overheating avoidance, loose layers and most importantly Dry. Use of the mid and outer layers should be able to keep the base layer dry. This is why your base layer needs to be of the highest quality And the other layers need to have many zippers. What material their made from is where the added (or less) weight and how they perform if wet. Ie; loft from synthetic or down filled become important. Everything is a trade off when it comes to weight and performance especially when sweating.
just my 2c.

 

[seattleman1969]

You said in one of your posts you'd be sleeping on a cot. You will need an insulation layer between you and the cot, as cold will come up through the cot like nobody's business. A light foam sleeping pad will suffice, but don't forget it.

I absolutely adore the Big Agnes sleep systems for this. Integrated sleeve to slip your mattress into so you never fall or slide off of it. Their insulated inflatable mattresses are unbelievable and come with an inflator bag.

I have a Lost dog 30 and 0, and nest them when it gets really cold. But the zero is really very comfortable down to zero, unlike most bags that bottom out 10-15 degrees above their rating.

Sleeping Bags

With soft, technical fabrics and lofty, sustainably sourced insulations, our sleeping bags bring you comfort and warmth. Shop for Big Agnes sleeping bags.

www.bigagnes.com

 

[257X50]

Dam I feel old. Haven't seen silk mentioned. And alpaca is a very good insulation layer.
Silk is a natural and second only to wool to keeping you warm when wet. You can plan on dry.........
I plan for failure. Natural or synthetic.......which ever works best. Silk base......alpaca....then merino........
Old school......but proven.

 

[xsn10s]

Altitude and wind - both factors in wind chill, etc. - and then as a wild card - throw in a wet - driving snow/rain.

Yeah we get all that too. There are areas in Eastern Oregon that get very cold, like Sumpter area. But it sounds like generally Colorado is colder since it's more inland. Might just depend on the area and day lol.

 

[Lrreloader]

Dam I feel old. Haven't seen silk mentioned. And alpaca is a very good insulation layer.
Silk is a natural and second only to wool to keeping you warm when wet. You can plan on dry.........
I plan for failure. Natural or synthetic.......which ever works best. Silk base......alpaca....then merino........
Old school......but proven.

I have silk sock liners

 

[257X50]

I have silk sock liners

Yeah....used to be used a lot.......but I'm old.....lol
Snow belt in NY in the 50s
What I like about silk..... the next layer can be a higher percentage of wool and still be comfortable ......the alpaca give an open layer at next to no weight...........but then the next layer costs more too......but higher percentage is totally worth it.......

 

[Starlite]

Dam I feel old. Haven't seen silk mentioned. And alpaca is a very good insulation layer.
Silk is a natural and second only to wool to keeping you warm when wet. You can plan on dry.........
I plan for failure. Natural or synthetic.......which ever works best. Silk base......alpaca....then merino........
Old school......but proven.

Interesting alpaca. There is a small hobby farm not 30min from my home. Is there more to it then say an 80s wool sweater your grandma made? If it's similar my sIL could knit one. Or is it a textile that my wife could make a mid layer coat? I'm always looking for better

 

[257X50]

Interesting alpaca. There is a small hobby farm not 30min from my home. Is there more to it then say an 80s wool sweater your grandma made? If it's similar my sIL could knit one. Or is it a textile that my wife could make a mid layer coat? I'm always looking for better

Think of guitar strings. Wool is on the bass. The smallest on a regular guitar is alpaca. It is a natural fiber like wool. Harvested and ready for use.
Be nice to your sister.....real nice. Alpaca products are speedy......but not for fashion. For a reason.
Light.....a few ounces........
Fluffy.......keeps that layer open for insulation.
When wet.......just as insulating and doesn't hold much water.
Soft.......gentle against a woman's skin soft. No chafing
It can be woven into heavy dense clothes too.......
Be nice to your sister.
It is like a work sweater........lanolin still in it. Overly long in length and sleeves. Sleeves past your fingertips. And durable.

Then There is vicuña.....Finer still. You can barely feel a softball sized wad in your hand.
All in the Camelis group
Largest and coursest to finest
Camel, llama, alpaca, vicuña........and then Guanacos.....illegal to export the animals out of the country
A girlfriend was a vet.......specialist in the field.
Bigger animals are nasty beasts. You can throw the smaller stuff

For your wife/girlfriend........alpaca scarf