Sleeping Baselayer: Wool vs Polyester

**MedicineMan** · 09-06-2010, 17:13

Does anybody make a silk hoodie?

**E.A.Y.** · 09-06-2010, 20:59

It never gets hot or humid enough out here in CA at night to make wool at night uncomfortable for me. I have a lightweight Ibex shirt (still seeking lightweight pants - using poly boxers) for warm weather and a medium weight merino long john set for colder weather.
(Warm weather = nights above 50, cold weather = nights between 30 and 50).

I like wearing long pants and long sleeves since I don't like the feel of hammock fabric on my hide.

I like wool's anti-funk properties and I'd use it as a hiking baselayer but I can only do that in weather below about 60 degrees - I just get too hot.

*My late fall, winter, and early spring 'cycling is like the wool channel: All Wool, All the Time, Stay Tuned for More Wool!)

**wabi** · 09-06-2010, 21:14

I got my first wool clothing compliments of the US Navy and found out it's really warm! Many days well below 0°F and I was never really cold wearing wool.

Over the years I tended to stick with wool for cold weather gear, but in recent years have also used quite a bit of polar fleece as an alternative.
It would be a tough call to decide which is better overall, but wool has proven itself over the years and the polar fleece is still in the "testing stages".

I do have a strong suspicion that wool will outperform polar fleece in the hammock, though. The polar fleece is not all that great compressed under body weight when laying in the hammock, but I haven't tested wool there yet.

**Land** · 09-06-2010, 23:14

Originally Posted by Kukri

Anyone have a suggestion for quality, yet affordable, merino base layers or clothing?

My wife is into vintage clothes and vintage purses.

Today after a late lunch, we stopped at a thrift store. Out of curiosity and with this thread in mind, I checked out the sweaters. There were three that were 100 percent Merino wool and another that was 80/20 "lamb's wool"/acrylic.

That may be a source.

Oh, BTW, she found ANOTHER amazing vintage coat.

Happy huntin',
Chris

**Trooper** · 09-06-2010, 23:23

I was flipping through Cabela's catalog earlier, and found another option for sleepwear:

Goose Down Underwear

**optimator** · 09-07-2010, 00:11

I voted poly since that all I have. I do intend to try some Merino this winter.

**Kukri** · 09-07-2010, 19:43

I'm in the boat of, have poly stuff but don't want to spend the exorbitant prices for quality merino wool clothes just yet. I have a little, and know I love the feel and warmth, but just can't pull the trigger with all those big numbers staring back at me.

**tasthree** · 09-09-2010, 23:10

I couldn't get used to the funk and clammy feeling I got from the syn I tried. I reciently picked up some made in China Terramar merinos on a Deal Flyer from Serria. Paid under $25 for some long sleeve shirts with front mid length zippers which I like especially when hunting in the winter. I unzip everything while walking then when I stop I zip up layers as I cool down. They are a solid heather color and I wanted a camo for hunting so I'm going to try to tie die one as a sort of camo with some DIY walnut hull dye.

**amac** · 09-10-2010, 04:26

Originally Posted by TiredFeet

TeeDee and I ordered ours directly from NZ

TiredFeet, Do you still have the url to post for us here?

**dant8ro** · 09-12-2010, 19:34

I'm a big fan of marino wool as I see are many others. Soft and warm even when wet. I've also tried bamboo and it does indeed have a soft and smooth feeling. It makes a great base layer if you can keep it dry!