Second layer of clothing

troutfisher13111

troutfisher13111

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I wear Under armor as my first layer of clothing while hunting. what do you guys reccomend as a good second layer? Something inbetween my U.A. and wool hunting suit. I am looking for something cheap, warm, odor reisistant(ruling out polypro) and very moisture wicking. Thanks!
 
Polyester fleece. It comes in several weights so you can adjust to the temps. Also comes with zips for added adjustment.
 
I usually put on a couple wool flannel shirts. Cheap, warm, odor resistant, and I can unbutton them if I get too warm.
 
I know everyone is different, but I have to be very careful how I wear fleece. It doesn't breathe well enough for me and I can quickly overheat and sweat if I wear it as a middle layer.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
I know everyone is different, but I have to be very careful how I wear fleece. It doesn't breathe well enough for me and I can quickly overheat and sweat if I wear it as a middle layer.
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Esav, are we talking about the same thing? I can see light through 200 wt. polyester fleece. It is famous as a poor outer layer in any sort of breeze. Now add a wind-resistant outer or built-in layer, and you trap a bubble of dead air that can insualte too well, depending in the person and conditions.
 
Try merino wool if you are looking for odor resistance, breathability, wicking, and temperature regulation. Here is some more information on the odor resistance. The brands to look at are Icebreaker, Ibex, and Smartwool, mostly in that order of preference and quality. A lot of other brands and companies dabble in merino, but you can be sure that the big players buy the best stuff. Icebreaker was buying something like 80% of New Zealand's merino supply the last time I checked.

My favorite feature of merino is the temperature regulation. I have a few Icebreaker Tech T Lites, and they are seriously the best thing to wear during the crazy hot summer days here in the south. It's weird, you just feel better wearing one compared to a poly and definitely a cotton shirt. For colder weather, I have worn just that shirt in 45-50F weather in the Smokies on long hikes as well, and was just fine, keeping my softshell tucked in my pack the whole day. The rest of their line is the same with the temperature regulation, so you just get the weight that suits your needs best.

Prices can be kind of rough (tallying up the retail prices on all the Icebreaker in my closet makes me faint headed), so check ebay, steepandcheap.com, sierratradingpost.com, etc. for samples and closeout items. PM me if you want more info, I have sold a LOT of merino through my day job, and can't recommend it highly enough.
 
I would say stick to fleece. When we go ice climbing (kind of cold, you know...) I usually wear a long sleeve base layer and a a long sleeved fleece with windproof chest, breathable armpits and snow seeding sleeves. It is elastic as well. If it is just cold, I climb with only that (even well sub zero) and I put on a belay jacket as soon as I stop at a belay or in the ground. If the weather is too nasty I put on a hard shell over the fleece and I am good to go.

When instead of climbing we just go walking with snow shoes or whatever, a 100 fleece with half zipper over a long sleeve base layer works great. It breathes like you whouldn't believe. The problem is that it doesn't stop wind at all but if you want to wear it as a second layer it shouldn't be a problem. I don't recomend you using 200 weight fleece or any kind of windproof layers as second layers... They don't breathe that well and you will get soaked in your own sweat and overheated quickly.

Mikel
 
Polarfleece... available in different weights for different needs. VERY lightweight, dries quick. Vests, pullovers, full zip....

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
DRMUDD said:
Polartec union bibs are the way to go for me. Well worth the price IMO. No more pulling up saggy drawers.http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...h/search-box.jsp.form1&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
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I was about to say that no bibs for me unless they have drop seats or some short of zipper so I don't have to fully strip when nature calls. This one seems to have one but... doesn't have sleeves!

I still think a two piece fleece is more versatile. Usually you need a whole lot less insulation in the legs than in the torso.
Mikel
 
I buy acrylic and wool sweaters at Goodwill for <$4 each. Great for midlayer and the price is right.
 
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