The Best Base Layers for Hunting of 2026

The KUIU ULTRA merino base layers ($89 top, $109 bottom) are my favorite next-to-skin layers for hunting in 2026. Amazingly comfortable, soft, and quick drying, these 70% merino layers are pretty much perfect.

But the bottoms stand out from the crowd with a fabulously effective zip-off system that allows you to remove (or put on) your base layer without removing your pants or boots. This is super handy for Western hunters who spend the morning in colder conditions, and then move through the hotter midday hours. To remove them, just pull down your pants and zip the two side zippers off to separate the front from the back. Boom, you’re ready for hours of hiking and still have dry socks.

While the top has a simple design, it uses top-tier Nuyarn, one of our favorite materials for base layers, thanks to its durability and odor resistance.

Our team of testers has used the KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 crew top and zip-off bottoms in both men’s and women’s models. None of the testers have any complaints. These are the top-shelf base layers. They’ll hit your wallet a bit, but I’d argue that if you can afford them, these are worth every penny.

These synthetic tops and bottoms from Bass Pro Shop’s in-house brand RedHead ($50 top, $55 bottom) are a lot easier on the wallet than some of the premium selections here. But they still function as excellent synthetic base layers. Quick-drying, warm, and odor-resistant, they will keep you warm while on a deer stand in the Midwest or glassing point on a high mountain peak.

And there are some benefits of these more affordable synthetic layers. They will dry quickly, usually faster than their merino wool counterparts. So those hunting in wet conditions may want to consider them even if budget isn’t a concern.

While they do have an anti-odor treatment, synthetic layers tend to pick up and hold scents more than merino. So it’s worth considering a good anti-odor wash when using these over a long hunting season.

Kings Camo is one of the best in the industry at providing high-value products, and the brand did it again with the Foundation 150 Merino Base layers ($109 top, $79 bottom). The bottoms specifically are a great bargain, and they’re the least expensive Merino bottoms on this list. The top is a little pricier, but it’s still a great deal, especially since it’s a quarter-zip and functions as a great standalone top.

Somehow, the performance doesn’t suffer despite the lower prices. The 150-gram 90 percent merino, 10 percent nylon blend provides the perfect amount of warmth for active hunters. When things heat up, the pieces breathe well, and they’re quite comfortable for all-day wear.

GearJunkie Contributor Morgan Nowels wore them on a day that began with sitting in a frigid duck blind and ended with a five-mile hike in pursuit of upland birds. The pieces never came off, and at the end of the day, they weren’t caked in sweat or smelly. Editorial Director Sean McCoy also loves this value-priced layer, having worn it elk hunting, pheasant hunting, and even as a base for downhill skiing. He believes the Kings Foundation layers compete toe-to-toe with more expensive models.

They don’t have fancy features like zippered legs or UPF protection, but very few pieces on this list do. In the grand scheme of things, they’re a great deal, and you can’t go wrong with them.

When the temperatures plummet, reach for the First Lite Kiln Midweight 250 ($150 hoody, $110 bottoms) Hoody or Long Johns. These heavier base layers are mostly merino wool blended with just a bit of spandex for stretch. And goodness, do they keep you warm.

They keep you so toasty, in fact, that two testers said they will only use them on really cold days or when they know they won’t be moving much. In those situations, like tree stand hunting or long sits for waterfowl, the hefty warmth of the First Lite Kiln 250 forms the perfect close-to-skin layer to trap warmth and keep you cozy under all your layers.

First Lite also makes the Kiln without a hood. It’s worth considering if you want a heavy hood on a base layer like this. While they can add a lot of warmth, too many overlapping hoods can lead to a lot of extra fabric around your neck. If you plan to wear the First Lite Kiln Midweight 250 under several layers, you may want to opt for the hoodless Quarter Zip instead.

The Sitka Core Merino 120 ($119 top, $119 bottom) is the perfect base layer for the active hunter who doesn’t want bells or whistles. It’s a simple layer with no zippers that is dreamy and comfortable against the skin. It does just what a base layer should and nothing more.

I recently tested this layer during a four-day turkey hunt in variable weather in Colorado. With nights down to about 20 degrees and snow, and days up to the mid-60s, it was a classic reflection of western spring and fall weather.

These base layers were the perfect companion. In four days, I never removed the bottoms other than to change my underwear. I slept in them at night and layered pants over them in the daytime for hunts.

From sitting in the rain and hail to hiking in cool spring weather, they never chafed and kept me cozy. I would not hesitate to wear these for other outdoor activities, like skiing or hiking, as well.

The Equinox Guard Hoodie ($159) barely qualifies as a base layer. But with polyester and elastane, this light layer can be worn against the skin or over another light layer or T-shirt. And its magic comes in its versatility.

Wear it as a base layer, and the Equinox Guard will keep you dry and comfortable. But pull up the hood, and you instantly engage stealth mode. That’s thanks to the wonderfully easy-to-use and comfortable mesh face mask that covers the lower half of your face right up to the eyes.

A couple of testers (including the roughest abuser of gear) have been using this layer for two years now. All have been blown away by its durability, comfort, and usefulness. This layer hits a ton of high marks across the board.

As a bonus, it has Insect Shield repellent built in and is treated with a Polygiene odor eliminator. This would be high on the list if I had to pick just one base layer for most of my warm-weather hunting.

To be blunt, the hunters at Gear Junkie don’t wear heavyweight base layers very often. But when the temps get really low, and you have to spend a lot of time sitting still in a blind or tree stand, you want every bit of warmth you can get.

That’s when I reach for the Furnace Base Layers from First Lite ($180 top, $130 Bottom). At 350 g/m², they are the warmest in my kit. They’re also super soft, with a fleecy inner layer that feels good against the skin.

With a high wool content, they will stay reasonably warm even if wet, which is helpful in humid, damp environments. They’re too warm for active hunting, even in cold conditions. But for those days when you need to stay put and wait patiently, these are the toasty goodness.

Some hunters don’t like wearing base layer bottoms unless temperatures hit extreme lows. Yes, they’re great when you’re crawling out of the tent, but the second you start climbing up a hill, a sweat-filled, claustrophobic sensation around your legs takes over. If that sounds familiar, you’ll still benefit from a good base layer top, and the Badlands Pecora Heavyweight Merino 1/4 Zip ($149) has become a favorite of GearJunkie contributor Morgan Nowels.

He himself avoids leggings like the plague, but this top is on almost every hunt with him. The heavy 250-gram Merino blend, in combination with the large quarter zip, makes it so versatile. During the hottest part of the day on mid-season hunts, this top, unzipped, performs flawlessly as a stand-alone shirt. It keeps brisk air away, but allows for excellent breathability when it’s time to hike to the next ridge. Since it’s made from a merino/nylon blend, it’s also fairly durable and can withstand abuse when worn alone.

When the late season comes, and temperatures start to drop, the heavier merino is far superior to thinner options, and the added material makes a noticeable difference. It’s the perfect base layer top for winter hunting, and the lack of a hood is nice when throwing layers over it. For those really frigid hunts, you can also buy the matching bottom, if that’s your stick.

The fit is athletic and contours to your body just like you want a base layer to do, yet it’s not so trim that it looks ridiculous when worn alone. Outside of September hunts, when you wouldn’t want a base layer anyway, the Badlands Pecora heavyweight is an exceptional addition to your kit.

The Stone Glacier Avro ($99) is a lovely layer for all-around wear. I use it all the time, often donning it for chilly winter workdays in my office or quick hikes around town. But it has good technical chops and also works well in the field. Quick drying, soft, and with a deep V-neck that allows you to dump heat quickly, it’s a very versatile layer for hunting or, as I’ve found, fishing.

Rated to UPF 43+, it blocks the sun well, especially with the head-hugging hood. The only negative of this comfortable and affordable layer is that it doesn’t come in camouflage. But if you’re OK with solid gray or brown, it could become your go-to hoody.

If you don’t have the money to spring for the Equinox, the slightly more budget friendly Badlands Stealth CoolTouch hoody ($99) is a great option, and is a solid early-season top in its own right. They’re both excellent breathable early-season tops for archery season and high-output hunts, and after wearing both, Gear Junkie tester Morgan Nowels thinks each has their respective strengths and weaknesses.

The Stealth stands out because it does, in fact, cool your body very, very well. This is due to the CoolTouch material the brand uses, which is designed to utilize your sweat to drop your temperature. After three days of setting trail cams in the steep bluff country of middle Tennessee in awful humidity and 95 degree temps, he noticed that the Stealth provided a chilling touch to his chest and body when things started to get sweaty. It was a huge relief.

You would think that a product that uses sweat to cool you down would get really stinky. But, after that three days of hiking in the hills, the shirt didn’t smell at all, a testament to the effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatment.

However, there are a few downsides to this top. The integrated face mask is nice to have when stalking game, but the design could use some work. Unfortunately, it’s sewn into the chest on each side of the quarter zip. So, if you unzip the top, there’s still a layer of material there, preventing you from opening it up to really breathe well. It also sits a little uncomfortably around the neck. Morgan found he got used to it within a few minutes though.

This top also doesn’t feature any form of insect shield, and when Morgan forgot his Thermacell one day, he ended up absolutely covered in mosquito bites. The Equinox gets the leg up there.

But, this top is 60 bucks cheaper, which is a significant amount percentage wise. It’s also backed by the phenomenal Badlands warranty. That’s pretty nice when it comes to lightweight tops built from thin materials that can get chewed up in thick brush.