Close To You - Best Base Layer - Best Long Underwear Top and Bottom
Headed for home after a few days of glassing for Coues deer bucks in the mountains of Central Arizona.
I started last weekend’s hunt by pulling off the main forest road and unloading the Polaris Ranger XP from the trailer just as the sun went down the night before opening day. I did not have a tag for this hunt. My job was to help out by getting to my assigned spot, do a cold bivy and start glassing at first light while my Dad and brother did the same about 6 miles to the South. I knew from my scouting trips that it was just over 11 miles from the truck to my bivy site at 4900 feet.
As the Ranger cruised smoothly over the dirt two tracker at about 20 miles per hour I zipped up my parka, a Marine APECS Gore-Tex model made by Propper International. This parka and the matching trousers are the current Marine Corps issue shell layer. They are available from U.S. Calvary in Desert and Woodland digital MARPAT camo patterns. Underneath I wore an REI Lightweight MTS Long Sleeve Zip T-Neck Top and Under Armour BoxerJock skivvies.
About 5 miles in, I stopped to add an insulation layer. I was still comfy but it was growing colder as I gained altitude and went deeper into the mountains of central Arizona. Since I was wearing military issue shell gear I figured I would stay in the military theme so I donned a Polartec Classic 300 ECWCS fleece jacket from Cabela’s and a pair of Hanz Nomex Gloves also available from U.S. Calvary. This process of adding and removing layers continued throughout the weekend in response to the temperature, which ranged from 33 to 75 degrees, and my physical activity level. For me at least, this was going to a pretty easy hunt. All I had to do was report what I saw and hopefully, help clean the animal. Since the weather was so mild, base layer pieces were about the only thing that I kept on all weekend.
Layering is critical to your backcountry performance and success. With modern materials and insulation keeping the human machine warm and dry is easier than ever but it all starts with the layer closest to the largest organ in your body, your skin. Your skin serves a number of important purposes but in the outdoor setting temperature regulation is the most obvious. So what is best to put next to it? As the old mountaineers say “cotton kills” because while it is great in the summer around the pool it is a big problem when the temp cools in the backcountry. Once cotton gets wet, say from perspiration, it tends to stay wet and when you are wet you lose heat much faster, 25 times faster, than when you are dry. Next time you are in the field, take a look at how many people are wearing cotton jeans, tee shirts, socks and sweatshirts. This is especially true with kids. Remember that hypothermia is a killer and it most often occurs at temperatures well above freezing. At the very least a drop in body temperature effects physical coordination and mental function which can lead to accidents. This is why it is so important for wilderness athletes to wear base layers that wick or move moisture away from the skin effectively.
There are a number fabrics that wick very well but the most popular is polypropylene which is what my REI MTS base layers are made of. I own and have used most of the major base layers offered on the market including those from big names like Patagonia, The North Face and Helly Hansen but I like the REI MTS base layers best. REI has been offering the MTS line for as long as I can remember and that is a big deal with me. I like the fact that I know I can go into an REI store and pick up the same thing that I have been wearing. The REI MTS base layers work very well and are available in light, mid and expedition weights all of which are available in a zip turtleneck version. When you are humping a big load or moving fast you want to be able to open up and air out as much as possible to get rid of all that sweat. Remember, we want to stay dry or dry out as soon as possible. A zip turtle neck works very well in that regard. MTS base layers are available in navy, gray, black and white.
While the REI MTS base layers are my favorites there are several other base layers I like for specific situations.
About five years ago I was attending my first Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City as a VP for a specialty retailer, AHS Rescue, and one of the nuggets I came across was Under Armour. Since I was a devout Hanes Beefy T man myself I was telling this kid, one of their reps, about the uphill battle they faced in trying to sell polyester tee shirts. I walked away with a sample short sleeved shirt in exchange for a promise that I would give it a try at the gym when I got home. True to my word I tried it and honestly have not worn one of my beloved cotton tees for working out since. Apparently, I am not the only one that likes them. Under Armour wears like iron, it will not shrink or fade and is just flat more comfortable when you are sweating like a pig. I love 'em and if it weren’t for the all the cool insignias on my cotton Ts they would probably all be in the rag bag. For working out, trail running or warm weather activities you cannot beat Under Armour Loose Gear short and long sleeve shirts.
If you like the feel of Merrino wool next to your skin, Arc’teryx makes a very nice zip T neck called the RHO LTW Zip Top and Bottom. If you like a one piece base layer Outdoor Research makes the Saturn Suit which works well under a dry suit or jump suit or any other time you don’t want anything bulking up around your waist. If you need something in Coyote Brown color the military has developed a very functional line of base layers which is available to civilians from Insport. Check out their Level 2 Long Sleeve Midweight Tee (zip) and pant. If you need underwear that is flame retardant go to Massif and look at their Flamestretch Pullover (zip) and pant.
So there you go. They are not sexy but they will help keep you warm and dry and that my friends will keep you going.
Thanks.
Wade Nelson
Editor
Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.
Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
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