Base layer question

[Hoss50]

I am trying to figure out what kind of base layer to invest in. I am mostly looking at merino wool, but trying to find things for a guy my size, and something that doesn't require a mortgage payment is difficult. 

I got super cold on a late cow hunt after sweating on a steep hike. I don't want to repeat that.

I am 6'4" and am currently about 320lbs. Ideally I am going to lose weight, but 270lbs is about where I need to get. I have big chest though so weight loss won't affect my clothes size much.

Ideas? Recommendations?

[lancetkenyon]

I have some you can borrow....

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

Kuiu zip off bottoms for sure. 

[Hoss50]

56 minutes ago, lancetkenyon said:

I have some you can borrow....

 

[Cell4soul]

I think the key to getting cold was the sweating on the uphill hike. I don’t hike into areas with base layers on. I’ll hike in with just a  T shirt on and no base layer under my pants.  I’ve even hiked in shirtless.  This is even if temps are in the 20’s. If I am hiking hard, the exercise keeps me plenty warm.  When I get to a glassing spot, I’ll let myself cool down and stop sweating completely. I then strip down, add base layers and glass.  If I move to another glassing spot and know I’ll be hiking hard and sweating again, I strip down again. I do a lot of my hunting in Wyoming where the wind is brutal.  Sweaty clothes and wind with a little chill is no good.  I am not sure there is a base layer made that will keep you warm once you’ve sweated in it and stop moving. 

[CatfishKev]

Keep an eye on camofire. The deals they have are often really small and really big sizes. They've been having  black ovis merino a lot. Not sure the sizes.  

[Hoss50]

I learned my lesson about hiking with too many layers. I am.just trying to find something that is better then normal cotton base layers that will help keep me warm with less clothes on, breath better, and dry faster.

[GreyGhost85]

The black ovis merino is good stuff. I prefer it over my kuiu merino tops, actually. 

[HuntHarder]

I too have been really impressed with the Black Ovis Merino.  Seems to keep me warm when I need it to, but also keep me cool in the heat.  

[n2horns]

Everyone has put in good ideas.  When I hike long, Im in a t shirt (merino or synthetic) and hunting pants.  I have used variety of merino (minus 33) upper/lowers in a variety of weights, but now since Kuiu has zip bottoms, I use their merino, kenai or peloton bottoms.  If glassing long, I put on layers and if windy I put a rain jacket over my puffy.  Kuiu I wear 3xl.   I like Arcteryx puffys, but get them on sale.  Other places for variety of products, Camofire, Sierra Trading Post, Eddie Bauer, LLBean, Minus33, I have been buying Exofficio shirts and boxers under their Give-N-Go line, you can find sales too.

I will wear a vest most times, as my chest gets cold, Whereas my legs, I can go longer before they get cold.  Just dont wear cotton.

First Lite and Kuiu are going to be small fitting. They make clothes athletic cut for the most part.