The 6 Best Base Layers for Hunting of 2024

The best base layers are the unsung heroes of hunting and outdoor adventure. No, they don’t get the headlines as often as shells and puffys. Generally, only your closest companions see them. But the apparel you wear next to your skin has as much impact on your comfort as any other piece of clothing, maybe more.

Over the years, the hunters at GearJunkie have put dozens of base layers through extensive, heavy use. The baselayers that float to the top over and over again are included here, and while some are more hunt-specific than others, all will keep you warmer and dryer than any cotton apparel sitting around your house.

Before we get deep into base layer materials, designs, and more, here are a few notes on how to use this guide.

Because base layers encompass both bottoms and tops, we’ve included several packages of both in our selection. A few shirts stand out on their own and don’t have a matching leg layer, but are still listed among the products below. You’ll find light, medium, and heavy layers and our favorite styles from a few brands.

If you’re a new hunter, please understand that you don’t need a special base layer to hunt. If you own good long underwear made of synthetic or wool materials, they’ll serve you well for hunting purposes. In most cases, hunting base layers are very similar to their counterparts in the skiing, hiking, or camping markets.

For the hunters out there looking for hunt-specific features, the base layers found here are the cream of the crop, with hunt-friendly colorways, odor protection, and a fit that favors mobility. For a quick comparison, check out our spec chart, and read over our Buyer’s Guide and FAQ sections for advice on staying warm, dry, and comfortable while hunting or hanging out in camp.

The Best Base Layers for Hunting of 2024

Best Overall Base Layer for Hunting: KUIU ULTRA Merino 120
Best Budget Base Layer for Hunting: RedHead Elite Midweight Base Layer
Best Lightweight Merino Base Layer: Sitka Core Merino 120
Best Midweight Base Layer for Hunting: First Lite Kiln Midweight 250
Most Versatile Base Layer: SITKA Equinox Guard Hoodie
Best Base Layer for Bitter Cold: First Lite Furnace Base Layers

Specs

Material: Nuyarn Merino- 70% Merino / 30% Nylon
Protection: UPF 50+ Rating, Naturally Odor Resistant
Weight: Light (120 g/m²)

Pros

Lightweight but durable Nuyarn merino sets high bar for performance
Maintains warmth when wet
Dries fast
Zip-off bottoms removable with boots and pants on

Cons

Not as fast drying as synthetics

The KUIU ULTRA 120 merino base layers ($89 top, $99 bottom) are our favorite next-to-skin layers for hunting in 2024. 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. We really don’t have any complaints. These are the top-shelf base layers. They’ll hit your wallet a bit, but we’d argue that if you can afford them, these are worth every penny.

Specs

Material: 94% polyester/6% spandex
Protection: 4MOST Inhibit treatment fights odors
Weight: Midweight

Pros

Quick-drying fleece-grid polyester
Smooth texture easy to layer
Warm enough for colder conditions

Cons

Too warm for active hunting
No SPF rating or zip-off features

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.

Specs

Material: Merino-X (95% merino, 5% spandex)
Protection: 37.5-infused anti-microbial
Weight: Medium (250g/m)

Pros

Zip-off bottoms removable while wearing boots/pants
Warm when wet
Soft and comfortable on skin

Cons

Slightly less durable than nylon-infused merino

When the temperatures plummet, reach for the First Lite Kiln Midweight 250 ($135 hoody, $100 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 of our testers 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.

Specs

Material: Armorspun merino (85% merino, 15% nylon)
Protection: Naturally odor resistant
Weight: Light (120 g/m)

Pros

Light but insulating
More durable than most merino
Comfortable for days on end

Cons

Lacks SPF rating
No zip-off feature

The Sitka Core Merino 120 ($119 top, $119 bottom) is, for the active hunter who doesn’t want bells or whistles, the perfect base layer. 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.

Specs

Material: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane
Protection: Polygiene odor control, SPF 50+, Insect Shield
Weight: Light

Pros

Light yet protective
Quick drying
Insect repellence is great in warmer weather
Built-in face cover

Cons

Expensive

The Equinox Guard Hoodie ($149) 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 our testers (including our roughest abuser of gear) have been using this layer for two years now. We’ve 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 we had to pick just one base layer for most of our warm-weather hunting.

Specs

Material: Merino-X (95% merino/5% spandex)
Protection: Naturally odor resistant
Weight: Heavy (350 g/m2)

Pros

Very warm
Warm when wet
High wool content
Fleeced inner lining

Cons

Too heavy for active hunting

To be blunt, we 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 we reach for the Furnace Base Layers from First Lite ($160 top, $110 Bottom). At 350 g/m², the Furnace base layers 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, wet 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.

Specs

Material: Polyester
Protection: Polygiene odor treatment, UPF 43+ protection
Weight: Medium (145 g/m2)

Pros

Quick-drying
Versatile, works as base layer or outer layer in warmer conditions
Great, sun-protective hood

Cons

Not available in camouflage

The Stone Glacier Avro ($89) is a lovely layer for all-around wear. We 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.

Hunting Base Layer Comparison Chart

Base Layer	Price	Material	Protection	Weight
KUIU ULTRA Merino 120	$89 top, $99 bottom	70% Merino, 30% nylon	UPF 50+ Rating, Naturally Odor Resistant	Light (120 g/m²)
RedHead Elite Midweight Base Layer	$50 top, $55 bottom	94% polyester, 6% spandex	4MOST Inhibit treatment fights odors	Midweight
First Lite Kiln Midweight 250	$135 hoody, $100 bottom	Merino-X (95% merino, 5% spandex)	37.5-infused anti-microbial	Medium (250g/m)
Sitka Core Merino 120	$119 top, $119 bottom	Armorspun merino (85% merino, 15% nylon)	Naturally odor resistant	Light (120 g/m)
SITKA Equinox Guard Hoodie	$150 top only	82% polyester, 18% elastane	Polygiene odor control, SPF 50+, Insect Shield	Light
First Lite Furnace Base Layers	$160 top, $110 Bottom	Merino-X (95% merino/5% spandex)	Naturally odor resistant	Heavy (350 g/m)
Stone Glacier Avro Synthetic Hoody	$89	Polyester	Polygiene odor treatment, UPF 43+ protection	Medium (145 g/m)

How We Tested Hunting Base Layers

The author testing base layers during a frigid and wet turkey hunt in spring 2024; (photo/Sean McCoy)

The GearJunkie hunting crew is a passionate group. We spend months in the field each fall hunting everything from whitetail deer to elk to upland game to waterfowl. And we’ve been doing it for more than 60 collective years. So we’ve spent a lot of time in really good and bad base layers. And we know that long underwear can make or break your trip.

We’ve taken all these years of knowledge and packed them into this buying guide. We do this because we want you to have a great experience on your next hunt. All the recommendations here are the same that we’d make to our best friends, family, and hunting partners. Indeed, when they ask us which ones to buy, we’ll likely forward this article. It’s the best advice we have in buying base layers for hunting.

If you’re raring to go, here’s the bottom line from Sean McCoy:

Just buy these: The KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT Zip-Off bottom is simply the best long underwear for hunters, and it’s a very reasonable price. Hunters can remove the simple, lightweight merino layer with long side zippers; there is no need to take off boots or pants. It’s a huge bonus in the field, and at about $100, these are tough to beat.

For tops, pick up the Sitka Equinox Guard Hoodie, a light, synthetic layer with a built-in hood and camo mesh to cover your face. Or, if you’re looking for a more traditional, hoodless base layer, the First Lite Wick Quarter Zip blends light merino wool with supercharged nylon for a breathable, fast-drying layer you can wear on its own or under many other layers in cooler weather.

If you don’t require hunting-specific coloration, check out GearJunkie’s general guide to the best base layers for men and women. Many of these would serve you (and have served me) well in the hunting arena, too.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Base Layers for Hunting

Above, you’ve seen a selection of tried and true base layers that our team loves. Choose the weight and style that fits your needs, and you should be set.

However, there are thousands of good base layers on the market. How should a hunter pick base layers from the crowded market? We break it down into a few attributes: materials, weight, design, and special features.

The Best Materials for Base Layers

The best base layers use either merino wool or synthetic materials such as polyester to provide soft, warm layers that dry quickly.

Of the materials available, merino wool (and sometimes alpaca) is the best material for base layers meant for hunting. That’s because it is soft, fast-drying, and warm when wet. Even more importantly for hunters, it’s naturally anti-microbial, which helps it remain odor-free for longer than most synthetic base layers. Many brands blend merino with a small percentage of synthetic material, usually nylon, to add durability. The only downside of merino is it’s expensive.

Kuiu base layer label — Merino wool provides best-in-class insulation and odor control; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Synthetic base layers are also a great choice for hunting. They dry even faster than merino wool. And with anti-odor treatments such as Polygiene, synthetic layers are much less smelly than the synthetics of olden days. As an added benefit, synthetic polyester base layers tend to be much less expensive than merino wool. So they’re a great choice for those on a tighter budget.

Weight

The “weight” of a baselayer refers to the weight of the fabric used in production. Most of the base layers we test range from 120 grams per square meter (g/m²) to 350 g/m². On the lighter end of that spectrum, you’ll find versatile layers that you can wear under other layers in cold weather or alone in hot weather. Heavier base layers are suited only for cold weather use and will be too hot when worn alone in warm weather.

Base Layer Design

The seams are the first thing you should look at beyond materials and weight. Many high-quality baselayers (and most of our selections above) use flatlock seams to provide a smooth, chafe-free surface against your skin. While some stretch fabrics use other seam styles, the flatlock is often a sign of high-quality manufacturing in the base layer space.

Kuiu Zip-Off base layers — The KUIU ULTRA Merino 120 LT Zip-Off has quick-removal zippers and is our top choice for long john; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Hoods are another important design consideration. A hood adds both warmth and concealment to a base layer. But if you plan to wear several layers, too many hoods can stack up on one another, leading to a lot of fabric around your neck. For next-to-skin base layers, we usually recommend no hood if you plan for multiple layers over it.

Special Features

Base layers for hunting have a few notable features. First, some bottoms have side-zipper panels that allow you to remove the base layer without taking off your pants or boots. This is awesome for those who need to strip down during the heat of the day. Our top long john choices have zippers for this reason.

First Lite Kiln Zip-Off Bottom — The First Lite Kiln is among several offerings from the brand that zip off on the sides; (photo/Sean McCoy)

Face masks for concealment are another useful feature. The Sitka Equinox Guard Hoody, for example, has a hood with a built-in face cover that works perfectly for turkey or big game hunting. We love the design that keeps your face hidden any time you raise the hood.

Finally, many hunting base layers have some kind of anti-odor treatment. This is an important consideration for big game hunters, who must manage scent as much as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

KUIU, First Lite, Stone Glacier, and Sitka make our favorite base layers for hunting. But other brands like Patagonia and Black Diamond also make great base layers that work wonderfully for hunting.

Merino wool is the best base layer material for hunting. However, synthetic polyester also works great in base layers and has the advantage of drying faster and being less expensive

When talking about layers, there are a whole lot of terms that get thrown around. Base layers, long underwear, long johns, long janes, thermals, tops, and bottoms: They all refer to the same product category, which we generally refer to as base layers. “Thermals” usually describe heavier base layers worn in cold weather.

Hunt & Fish

The Best Hunting Boots for Men of 2024

Whether you’re hunting moose in the Yukon or wing-shooting pheasants in South Dakota, we’ve rounded up the best hunting boots of the year.

Apparel

The Best Hunting Gloves of 2024

Keeping your hands warm and at the ready can make the difference between filling your tag and missing the shot. We’ve done the research. Here are the best hunting gloves of 2023-2024.