keeping warm - base layer, need advice

Silverado said:
I had originally said these were labelled Rough Dress. In fact they are True North. (The only label is inside the shirt at the neck).

Rough Dress are the excellent, also Made in Canada stretchy cotton t-shirts that I have many of... $9.99! Love Costco for things like this.

It makes me happy that they can sell Made in Canada textiles of good quality for less than overseas ones.
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OK, True North, I was basically trapped in the house this week. Hope they still have my size, only a few 10 days ago
 
I Just picked up a True North Marino shirt from Costco on Wednesday. It's not as heavy as my 260 weight Ice breaker but it wasn't five times the price either. I have worn it for two days now and I have felt warm with just it and a t-shirt outside. I am camping overnight tomorrow so it will get a bit of a test.
 
I have used Ice Breaker, Ibex, and a lot of the other name brands for their merino wool. The more you pay the higher quality wool you get. I bought two Costco merino shirts and wore them out within 6 months. They are thin and not woven very tight. So holes begin to appear with extended use. Yes they are cheap, but for a reason! As usual, you get what you pay for.

The new wool I have been wearing is TASC. It's a wool blend with bamboo. Yes bamboo! Very comfortable and durable so far. Didn't take it off for a week sheep hunting and it still looks new.
 
Silverado said:
Mine all read: "True North", 100% Merino Wool, Made in Canada, and carry the Woolmark logo. And I paid $20 for them.
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So... over the last few years, these shirts changed, they switched to a 'high-wool blend' with some nylon content.

Now I don't see them in the stores at all.
 
Silverado said:
So... over the last few years, these shirts changed, they switched to a 'high-wool blend' with some nylon content.

Now I don't see them in the stores at all.
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I haven’t seen them in store locally for several years. But if you keep an eye on costco.ca they do show up there once in a while. That’s how I got my last batch.
 
Cintax said:
I Just picked up a True North Marino shirt from Costco on Wednesday. It's not as heavy as my 260 weight Ice breaker but it wasn't five times the price either. I have worn it for two days now and I have felt warm with just it and a t-shirt outside. I am camping overnight tomorrow so it will get a bit of a test.
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How have they been in the real cold? Had lots of -20s and colder here since you posted.

Ted
 
Why not? said:
How have they been in the real cold? Had lots of -20s and colder here since you posted.

Ted
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They're a thin base layer, warmer than a tshirt, good wicking and breathability. Not as warm as a mid-weight layer, but you can wear them all year.
 
This thread is 11 years old but I'm gravitated towards a high neck these days. Under armour 4.0 1/4 zip. When half off. Wool over that usually a Stanfeild shawl collar for the back of my neck

VIBERG/RAWMAN Long Sleeve Shawl Wool Sweater is another good option. Can't find a shawl stanney online right now
 
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merino base layer, 260 weight. Icebreaker brand works very well. As do others of a similar weight as long as they’re 100% merino. Synthetic doesn’t come close. Wool also warms even when damp and doesn’t hold a stink like synthetic options. I use a buffalo mountain shirt over the top then whatever jacket/parka on top of that.

Also good to have a Buff or two to keep drafts down around the neck.
 
I get a laugh out of the 'bushcraft' influencers showing off their nips in a fishnet underonesie before they put on their $400 wool anorak with no ventilation.
 
Why not? said:
How have they been in the real cold? Had lots of -20s and colder here since you posted.

Ted
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They’re the only base layer I wear for work once the weather cools, Costco merino and a hiviz or a Stanfield. Hiviz Helly shell/jacket over that.

For the price the Costco merino’s are hard to beat, once I get a few holes they get rotated to work duty. If yo have a Big Box Outlet near you you’ll find them for $12-15, they sell off all the Costco ends and leftovers.
 
Longstud said:
First time I seen it, thought it looked like something Freddy Mercury would wear on stage. That stuff is the deal however. Creates that dead airspace so not much sweating. I have had great luck with Merino and Under Armour base layers.
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When I was a kid I ended up with a pair of mesh long johns that my old man gave me, warmest things I’ve ever had. You look at them and laugh but no matter how cold it got you were toasty warm with them.
 
A few months ago, Costco had these 100% merino long sleeve 1/4 zip Benetton shirts for $30. Saw a few left at the Orillia location in mid-Jan. Grabbed a couple and they're not horrible...
 

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Longstud said:
First time I seen it, thought it looked like something Freddy Mercury would wear on stage. That stuff is the deal however. Creates that dead airspace so not much sweating. I have had great luck with Merino and Under Armour base layers.
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I was pretty surprised when I saw mesh start showing up and wondered how it worked. That makes sense though. I don't know if I am rock star enough to try it out though :)
 
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