Build Your Base – The Most Important Layer on a Hunt
When we build a layering system, it’s easy to jump past the base and focus on the mid and heavy layers that supply much needed warmth or waterproof protection. These are obviously important. But the thinner, base layer is arguably the most important piece of your wardrobe. It sits right against your body and serves as the first line of comfort when you need to move, sweat and perform on a mountain hunt.
A quality base layer will offer a few key elements:
Moisture Control – Moisture wicking is essential in a base layer. If you’re still wearing cotton, move it aside because modern base layers allow moisture to escape. The result is reduced chafing, improved temperature control and a massive comfort advantage.
Temperature Regulating Properties – This ties into moisture control. Base layers aren’t intended to deliver high levels of insulation. By removing moisture however, they help your body regulate temperature. If all of that sweat remained close to your body, it would cause too much heat while in motion followed by a major cold swing when you stop moving.
Scent Control – This is less about getting winded by an animal and more about the fact that you will wear the same layers for multiple days on many hunts. Cotton and synthetics will become stinky much quicker than a material like Merino Wool (more below). Having a single base layer that can handle a week of backcountry abuse without smelling terrible is super nice.
Choose Your Material
Modern synthetics are impressive but there is no substitute for Merino Wool. Seriously, skip every other aisle at the store and go for high quality wool for every piece of your base layer. For mountain hunts where you plan on hiking hard and sweating it out, a light wool base layer is great. For hunts in extreme cold or situations where you plan on sitting blinds and treestands, choose the heavier options.
Baselayer Pieces:
The Shirt – Personally, I light a light, long sleeve shirt for sun protection and general comfort. For warm weather archery hunts, the short sleeve is also nice. Regardless, carrying a few Merino Wool shirts in your basecamp gear bag is a must-do on a wilderness trip.
Underwear – That’s right, you can even go Merino Wool down to the underwear. For me, Merino boxer briefs are the perfect fit for support and comfort on hard hikes. Of course, we all have our underwear style preferences but you should still go with Merino or a comfortable synthetic material.
Long Underwear – If you need an insulating long underwear option, heavier Merino Wool options are the perfect fit. They offer warmth without trapping air and moisture against your body. I pretty much live in mine through the late rifle season.
Socks – Don’t overlook your feet! Merino Wool or a blend with synthetic materials is perfect for socks. Sweaty feet and waterlogged materials lead to blisters that can ruin a hunt. Invest in quality here. You can do well with Smartwool, Darn Toughs or even the Costco variety of wool blend socks.
There you have it! Building a quality baselayer isn’t complicated. Invest in quality and spend a few extra bucks on Merino Wool to prepare for the hunt of a lifetime.
Written by Zach Lazzari
Zach is an outdoor writer, a hunting and fly fishing guide, and very proud to be a part of the Kawdy Outfitters team. You can follow Zach’s adventures at bustedoarlock.com.
