Best vfm Merino base layers

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taxboy

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As per the title any suggestions please for value level Merino base layer please e.g. below £40 or does such a thing not exist.
It will be a present for someone who fishes so I'm presuming merino will be better suited to being relatively static rather than the bamboo / polyester style ?
Any advice appreciated
TIA
 
Look at Decathlon website. Apart from for socks Merino is not my first choice as a base layer.
 
taxboy said:
Thanks for that. Can I ask why that is please
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I found Merino bulky as a base layer. I use an almost sheer base layer that Wicked well.
 
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Go Outdoors have a good selection of base layers, merino and otherwise.

Personally, I've found the very best combination for warmth and VFM is a "technical" (polyester) base layer under used fine merino jumpers off e-bay.
 
Have a look at John Smedley factory shop

John Smedley Outlet | Luxury Knitwear at Discount Prices | John Smedley

Handcrafted, iconic discounted knitwear made in England. Shop luxury collections at the John Smedley Outlet and enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 70% off.
www.johnsmedleyoutlet.com www.johnsmedleyoutlet.com

or try M&S Thermals or Tog 24 outlet

While wool is excellent for underwear it really shines when it gets wet as it does not feel cold and clammy and it also absorbs up to 30% of its weight in water without feeling wet ( and also it does not smell until its been worn for some time -unlike polyester).
Having said that ( despite being a merino wool afficianado ) providing the wearer is not going to get wet ( fall in) then the choice of fibre is irrelevant . simon -ess above really nails it for warmth-lots of layers .
BTW silk is also excellent either on its own or blended with merino wool
 
I have both synthetic base layers and a merino one. Both work well and I don't feel any colder or warmer when wearing one or the other.

As Chris has said the advantage of the merino one is at the end of a walk(and I realise this is not applicable to the use you mentioned in your original post) you don't smell like a goat, which is what I find with the synthetic ones, and it is quite possible to wear a merino one again for at least another day.

While the merino one I have can be machine washed it has to be dried flat. The synthetic one can be hung on the line and dry VERY quickly.

Dave
 
Tringa said:
I have both synthetic base layers and a merino one. Both work well and I don't feel any colder or warmer when wearing one or the other.

As Chris has said the advantage of the merino one is at the end of a walk(and I realise this is not applicable to the use you mentioned in your original post) you don't smell like a goat, which is what I find with the synthetic ones, and it is quite possible to wear a merino one again for at least another day.

While the merino one I have can be machine washed it has to be dried flat. The synthetic one can be hung on the line and dry VERY quickly.

Dave
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Thanks for that. I had incorrectly assumed the wool would automatically be warmer.
 
Mr Bump said:
I use long sleeve T shirts as base layers works for me, I have some old north face ones that have been in weekly use and still good after 10 years

Men's Long-Sleeve New Peak T-Shirt | Shop at The North Face

www.thenorthface.co.uk www.thenorthface.co.uk
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Cotton is probably to worst material to use as a base layer. Merino is probably the best although some synthetics are very good too. Merino can be woven in various weights and are not bulky whatsoever.
www.switchbacktravel.com

Switchback Travel | Merino Wool: Is It Worth It?

An in-depth look at this expensive but highly prized material
www.switchbacktravel.com www.switchbacktravel.com
 
I work outside all day and love my Merino socks but I think merino base layers are far too expensive for what you get (heat wise). Like Mr Bump I wear a long sleeve tshirt with supermarket thermals on over the top. I find this combo works well, though I'm not stuck outside or likely to get soaked and have to suffer in it for hours so ymmv.
 
We were very lucky 6 or 7 years ago; we were looking for Merino base layers and Lidl had them at a decent price. Far better than any cotton tee shirt in the cold of Iceland.
 
Craig1912 said:
Cotton is probably to worst material to use as a base layer.
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Agreed. In hiking circles it's called "killer cotton."

I'm sure it's fine in mildish weather and if you're not exerting.

But IME, even around the house, modern technical materials and merino are far warmer.
 
Well so much for Decathlon, found some items I liked, put my Highlands address in and delivery charge tripled!

That's another quid in the swear box.
 
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