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On my last seven or eight mountain hunts, I’ve used a simple layering system for my upper body that has proven to be versatile, lightweight, quiet, and extremely comfortable. Next to my skin, I wear a merino wool First Lite Llano Crew. Over that, I wear a merino wool First Lite Chama QZ. Seriously, this combination has kept me comfortable in temperatures ranging from 35 degrees to 65 degrees (above that, I shed the top layer.) At night, when I climb in my sleeping bag, I roll up the Chama for a pillow and sleep in the Llano Crew. Even after days of wearing these shirts, they still smell fresh and clean—which is something you could never say about synthetics. What’s more, the shirts dry incredibly quickly and are comfortable when they’re wet. If you have an active hunting style, where periods of waiting are punctuated by periods of intense activity, this is the setup for you. No B.S., you will love this system.
I can’t say enough good things about the First Lite Llano and Chama! I have been using them for two season now and they have made packing clothes for a hunting trip a lot easier, two of each and I am good for 10 days. I wore the Llano Crew for 7 straight days on an AZ archery bull hunt in September last year. Each morning it passed the sniff test with flying colors so I don’t know how many days it could go. Good stuff…
Chris Denham
I’ve been using Patagonia’s merino wool and Capilene base-layers with great results. Capilene has the best stink resistance of any synthetic I’ve tried.
The 4 W’s. Wick layer, warm layer, wind/waterproof layer……
Now, how about the bottom layer? Merino is a given, but what about pants? Kuiu’s look to be good….
For bottoms I wear merino and then either First Lite wool pants or synthetic pants by Sitka or Kuiu. On my last few hunts I’ve been wearing the merino field pants by First Lite and really love them. Super versatile and they dry insanely fast. When it gets cold, like single digits, I throw on a pair of fleece lined bibs.
I’ve been thinking about getting some First Lite Llano Crew merino wool. But, I’d like to know how you take care of it when washing it. I’m guessing cold washing and air dry. But do/can you use an electric washing machine and clothes dryer or what do you do? The same questions are also for First Lite Chama QZ merino wool.
Thanks!!!
OneShot: you can wash First Lite on gentle cycle and then tumbledry on low. Have washed my stuff scores of times with no shrinkage. It’s very durable and retains its softness. -SR
SR you have mentioned the First Lite shirt garments, what do you prefer for pants?
Merino wool base layer is the only thing i use in Northern NH and Maine white tail hunting. The best is Minus33 https://www.minus33.com/