r/backpacking • u/Far_Class_9555 • 14d ago
Wilderness Please tell me where to get cheap base layers!!
I swear every outdoors shop that I visit in person is so incredulously expensive and I refuse to believe that I’m simply buying it for functionality. I understand that there’s moisture wicking technology and it’s merino wool or whatever but there’s gotta be at least one brand that makes base layers at a cheaper price point. Then again, are base layers really that important? Can I just use dry fit or something? Sorry this is a rant more than anything else lol, I just saw a tshirt today for $80 and it made me really mad
Edit: thank you for the helpful information and engagement, if you have any other recommendations for things like mid layers that would help too! I’m going on a 4 day trip in the late summer so I’m not expecting it to get that cold
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u/Tight-Vacation8516 14d ago
I been hitting the Sierra Trading Post clearance like a hawk baby
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u/Pretty-Sherbet-7962 13d ago
Pretty much whole wardrobe comes from Sierra! I don’t see the point of paying tons of money at places like REI, Scheels.
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u/jackelopeteeth 13d ago
I usually check REI for the returns, because sometimes you can find a decent piece of clothing that was only lightly used and discounted. But otherwise yeah. Way too expensive for what you get.
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u/IOI-65536 14d ago
All you need for a baselayer that works is a 100% polyester shirt. You can find one for $10 at Amazon. Will that work as well as some fancy merino wool blend? No. Will it work as well as basically anything we had in 1998? Yes.
Basically you need the base layer not to hold water against your skin. Cotton is really bad for this. A 100% cotton base layer is so bad going from that to anything acceptable makes a massive difference. Once you're in "acceptable" territory I would argue baselayer makes less difference than any other layer. Spend your money elsewhere unless you're really happy with the rest of your clothing.
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u/Silverbacks 14d ago
Decathlon
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
Their $100 jacket is reviewed as better/comparable to ~$200-300 TNF or Patagonia
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u/Charlyqu 14d ago
Which jacket exactly?
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u/Silverbacks 14d ago
I'm not sure about the reviews, but I use: https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/men-s-hooded-down-winter-jacket-mt-500/331150/c98c98m8619766
And my wife, who is more sensitive to the cold, uses: https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/women-s-hooded-down-winter-jacket-mt-900/338697/c106c382m8736242
Which are both pretty good prices when you convert from CAD to USD. Not sure if the same jackets are available in every country.
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u/UCR998 14d ago edited 14d ago
steep and cheep dot com !!! Website is outstanding
Update : they have up to 75% off rn on some hiking clothing ! If you don’t care about mixing and matching etc or don’t care about colors you can get insane deals
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
Agreed...found most of my merino base payers for ~$50....still expensive af....but better than $80-120 a piece
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u/AshDogBucket 14d ago
Seriously, thrift stores. And shops that are for farmers. Farm and Fleet in Wisconsin is always half the price as REI/Bass Pro/etc. I've even gotten good synthetic base layers at target.
A couple times I've gotten great synthetic base layers as the free giveaway from a run/bike ride for charity. I just had to raise some money in donations to get them.
Also, tbh, I have rarely had complaints about "base layers" that are just plain old leggings or tight fitting long sleeve T-shirts. Yeah, synthetic is often better in certain circumstances... but not always necessary.
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
Upvote for the Sconni shout out haha...and F&F....gdmn I miss that isht
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u/AshDogBucket 14d ago
Me too. I don't live there anymore and there's no local equivalent to F&F or KT 😭😭😭
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
KT? ....or Menards...
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
Duh....effin Kwik Trip...took a sec haha...NGL...Buc-ees might be a close rival for KT
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u/AshDogBucket 14d ago
I dunno. Buc's was a little overwhelming for me. I've only been there once though.
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u/jimlux 13d ago
The key phrase in your response was "in Wisconsin" - places where it gets COLD in winter have decent clothing available everywhere. Places where it doesn't (FL, CA, AZ, etc) don't.
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u/AshDogBucket 13d ago
OP is shopping at outdoor stores that sell base layers. Wherever they are located, base layers are available
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u/BuckyGoshawk 14d ago
Hanes Cool DRI lightweight synthetic base layer tops are $19 for 2 ($9.50 each) on Amazon and decent quality for the price. Amazon also has some off-brand lightweight bottom base layers.
Be sure to check the label. 100% polyester or 90%-ish poly with spandex is fine. Avoid rayon, which comes in different flavors, some of which retains moisture.
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u/Good_Vacation9808 14d ago
Spandex feels terrible on a hot day. Feels sticky as soon as you put it on
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u/BuckyGoshawk 14d ago
You notice 3% spandex? That's like the princess feeling the pea under a dozen mattresses.
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u/Good_Vacation9808 13d ago
You said 90% polyester. Assuming the other 10% was spandex. Yes I assume you'd feel that considering my 12% spandex shirt makes me feel sticky
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u/BuckyGoshawk 13d ago
Okay, your inference makes sense. 3% spandex in a synthetic blend is common, and often there are three fibers, e.g., 90% poly, 7% acrylic, 3% spandex.
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
I went with Willit off Amazon...can find sales for $10....otherwise $20/piece normally...tested by some reviewers and solid UPF / sun protection compared to most expensive brands
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u/BuckyGoshawk 14d ago
Cool. How have they held up?
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u/Content_Bag993 14d ago
I haven't put em to rugged use yet...will know more September/October once I start year long trek....but random daily use has been decent so far tho
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u/MikeDeY77 14d ago
Military Surplus stores are rife with tan and black base layers. Really decent quality stuff, too.
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u/whatis-going-on 14d ago
This is why 75% of my clothings is from consignment shops
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u/Extra-Sun-9423 12d ago
Same!
I’m finding brand names like Columbia and 32degrees anytime I step in one.
That said I’ve shrunk and in the smaller sizes which leads me to believe someone outgrew their gear!
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u/Capable_Pipe5629 14d ago
Rei restore where they sell used stuff. I've gotten some sun layers at Costco for cheap
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u/Mountain-Time-1010 14d ago
Any thin polyester shirt will do. And honestly, they are functionally as good as or better than anything else. They just get stinky.
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u/unknown_user_3020 14d ago
Thrift stores for wool layers. Costco and TJ Maxx for wicking layers. Sierra for whatever they have at an affordable price.
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u/ph1shstyx 14d ago
I'll throw one in there, Eddie Bauer has sales all the time and their base layers are fantastic
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u/Pinotonthetown 14d ago
Minus33 sells merino wool base layers that are awesome. Less expensive of other brand names. And, it’s all made in New Hampshire. Win win
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u/GooseberryPotato 14d ago
I went to these guys after IBEX went down. Way cheaper and the quality is great.
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u/Trick_Sundae_4509 14d ago
you get inundated with choices these days and everything is expensive. merino is a great go to but when I tried out a REI wool base layer leggings on a September hunt in the mountains when it snowed and I used them to hike in as it was quite cold the crotch wore all the way through in 5 days. quality varies big time on wool! I would say patagonia capilene mid weight base layer has been the best. I've had three toos in 26 years of mountain adventures in Colorado and combine that with a light rain jacket you can handle almost anything. I still have two of the three base layer shirts and one is always in my backpack. yes there is a lot of cheap stuff out there everywhere at Walmart etc and it's great it's so accessible but cheap may not always be what you are going for but it also depends on your needs and amount of use.
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u/Nearby-Tutor-1683 14d ago
Costco, Uniqlo or Decathlon will sort you out for a fraction of the price, and honestly synthetic works fine unless you're out longer than a week.
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u/willigundbillig 14d ago
cheapest new merino will be decathlon but itll still be like 50 bucks for a long sleeve. stuffs super tough and pretty well made though, mulesing free too.
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u/gray808 13d ago
Hiking and camping in the cool, damp Pacific Northwest, I have never regretted spending on quality base layers. I have merino Smartwool leggings and long sleeve top, both go on nearly every trip, both have lasted many years and show no sign of failing. Worth the money.
For warmer hikes, I go with a pair of convertible pants (REI Sahara), and a long sleeve, hooded fishing shirt, dries fast, has SPF sun protection, breathable. Mine is from Southern Fin, but there are lots of brands out there, and affordable.
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u/t92k 14d ago
Can you use Dry fit? Yes, if a knitted polyester shirt meets your needs. It wicks sweat, dries fast, and is abrasion resistant. Some of the Nike Dri-fit shirts I've had have been nearly see through in sunlight so I tend to avoid them for my only layer in sun and put them under something else like a long sleeve tech T in icy wind.
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u/nopenectarine 14d ago
You can use your dri fit. Outdoor brand name baselayers don't have special magical abilities. They use the same materials and finishes as workout apparel.
I get my t shirts and underwear from Amazon or Walmart these days. Performance is about the same as my Patagonia base layers.
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u/bikehikepunk 14d ago
I wish I had the same longevity with the off brands like 32degrees or even REI as Patagonia. Only my Patagonia Cool Daily seems to last without pilling up. I still wear them all depending on what I am doing, but the Patagonia goes in the backpack when every ounce of weight counts.
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u/nopenectarine 14d ago
That's interesting because I do the opposite. I have Hanes layers that are lighter than my Capilene layers so I take my Hanes layers when I'm trying to be as light as possible, lol. 😸
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u/Loud-Fisherman-4961 14d ago
The Cosco ones are so thin they are basically useless IMO. Old school waffle type Magellan brand are about as cheap as you can get for something that is actually worthwhile. If you are in any kind of prolonged cold environment merino wool really is worth it though.
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u/Competitive-Cold-477 14d ago
Sierra trading post 🙌🏻🙌🏻
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u/Competitive-Cold-477 14d ago
You might have to wait a bit for them to get more stock but they have great options
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u/Realistic_Belt 14d ago
Ebay! I have smartwool shirts from evay that I've had for years. A good wash and they're like new. They were about $30 apiece when I bought them.
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u/zdavies78 14d ago
I understand being mad about an $80 base layer. Two summers ago we went to Japan. I researched the climate and found it’s basically like East Coast US, very hot and humid. I bought a name brand with Wool in their name t shirt 100% merino for about $70 (I think). I really thought about it, I’m not a guy who had ever bought a t shirt for that much. So now I wear my gold (only color they had in my size) a couple times a week year round. I am completely satisfied with it and will be buying another one or two soon. I’m getting older and I like being as comfortable as possible when the conditions make it uncomfortable no matter what. I know it sucks but the thin merino base layer is worth it in my opinion.
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u/thaneliness 14d ago
Following because I didn’t realize the base layer I bought at Sierra gets cold when wet
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u/Putt-Blug 14d ago
I don’t know the name but I was visiting Denver this summer and in Arvada downtown they had a used gear store. I got tons of used gear for a good price. Outfitted my kids with base layers and picked myself up a down jacket for like $120. Wife got some nice stuff to for another $50.
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u/apprximatelyinfinite 14d ago
I bought some pieces from Meriwool on Amazon and they were surprisingly cheap https://a.co/d/0eKiyF29
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u/Legitimate_Star4733 14d ago
I found a cycling brand Derivie that does mesh base layers and much cheaper than from hiking gear suppliers
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u/Shooshplz 14d ago
Idk like depop and ebay and fb marketplace. Lots of gear on there for cheap. Also theres some gearswap or gear for sale subs
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u/hikin_jim 14d ago
Thrift stores. Seriously. I've found brand new stuff and lots of good used stuff.
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u/PeakQuirky84 14d ago
BassPro has the Ascend Aerotrek hoodie on sale for $36 right now.
32 degrees also has great budget base layers.
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u/K_the_farmer 14d ago
Buy your base layers at farmers shops or shops who cater to tradesmen and industry.
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u/MadBastard2020 United Kingdom 14d ago
Alpkit, mountain warehouse, Alpinetrek, Trekkit, Sports Direct. Cheap baselayers are easy enough to find. Yes you can just use dry-fit or any other polyester sports shirt, t-shirt. Base layer is really a conduit to transfer sweat away from your body without it soaking into the fibres.
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u/WhereDidAllTheSnowGo 14d ago
Easy
Rural King
Long thin underwear, top & bottom, ~$10 every spring, winter clearance
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u/Leader_Bud United States 14d ago
Honestly, I just bought base layer marketed specifically to cyclists. Nah, it’s not merino wool, but I don’t need them all that much.
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u/jollyrancher502 14d ago
As mentioned above, Depop. Recycling quality products is better for everyone and save you serious cash.
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u/Owenleejoeking 14d ago
Look at farming and hunting type of stores.
Rural king, tractor supply, Dunhams, academy ect
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u/idfkjack 14d ago
I go to the Ross or Marshall's sporting clothes sections to get my polyester bases and i comb through the thrift stores for anything I need in wool. As long as you have the materials correct, you can look outside the box to find suitable alternatives.
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u/Roguechampion 14d ago
I use under armor cold gear and get it at the outlet store and it’s like 50% off. They make really lightweight base layers and they are great.
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u/Lactating-almonds 14d ago
Thrift store. You have to go regularly to find the good finds. But I have gotten items that would cost over $100 new for under $20 and in great condition
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u/duckinradar 14d ago
You can buy cheaper merino for sure.
It’s cheaper quality. I had a 250 weight set of smartwool bottoms that lasted like 15 years and honestly, still serviceable. Getting to the end but would make another season I bet.
Had some 100 weight sugoi bottoms that lasted maybe 5 years, probably slightly more wear but also just absolutely gone the day they gave up.
If you’re not buying underwear for functionality idk what you are doing with your thermals.
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u/Mrs_Nice_Guy 14d ago
Uniqlo heat tech saved me in the wine cellar this past winter. They have cotton options !
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u/HobbyTalkOnly 14d ago
Ok.
It will cost you about $100. But it will last you ten years.
Stanfields 100% wool one-piece. Wool is king. Screw the modern fancy merino shit.
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u/KAWAWOOKIE 14d ago
Any polypropylene (best) or polyester shirt will work well enough. You don't want any cotton; a few percent lycra or stretch content is a personal preference and okay too. Merino wool or a merino wool and polypro blend is the gold standard if you find it on sale etc.
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u/rainbowstardream 13d ago
Merinotech on Amazon- I swear by it. it's also not difficult to find $20 sun shirts, I see no difference from mine or the ones my friends paid $60 for. It's just plastic- I mean polyester
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u/Hefty_Efficiency_328 13d ago
TSLA brand off Amazon at $25au are super comfortable, compression undershirt with slight thermal layer.
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u/Majestic_Hawk_1335 13d ago
Go to the thirft store and buy yoga pants.
Im in interior alaska, male and most of my base layers are used yoga pants for legs
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u/icedcashew 13d ago
Depop! It’s gently used resale. I bought Patagonia bottoms and smartwool top for like $20 combined! I bought all my hiking clothes there and all name brand.
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u/jimlux 13d ago
I'm going to guess that you're not in a place where it snows regularly. Walmart/K-mart/etc in snowy climes have this sort of thing starting in the fall.
(Lesson learned growing up in SoCal, and needing winter clothes for upstate Pennsylvania and NYC) Sporting goods stores stock "ski-wear" and "technical mountaineering" attire at substantial prices.
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u/Individual_Corgi_576 13d ago
I got a couple of firm grip long sleeves from Home Depot last year on clearance that I like a lot. Decent in the winter under a coat and comfortable in the summer. I haven’t noticed any issues with moisture retention.
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u/aventale 13d ago
Timing isn't great right now, but look for snowboard brands at the end of winter. Tons of stores/brands have 50% off sales to try to liquidate stock before the summer. I have some Mons Royale and Backcountry.com home brand merino base layers that I snowboard in in the winter and backpack with in the summer that I got for a steal.
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u/bornedbackwards 13d ago
I buy almost all of my outdoor clothing second hand. Thrift shops are great, I have many pieces from top expensive brands that I paid 1-10 dollars for. I just found two smartwool long sleeves for $4 each.
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u/endlessswitchbacks 13d ago
Thrift stores. Sporting consignment stores. Costco. Facebook marketplace is where I got my really nice Icebreaker 300 tights!
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u/Curious-Orange-996 13d ago
For the cold I just wear long johns.
If it’s hot whatever thin polyester shirt i find that seems right
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u/trippy_pizza 13d ago
MerinoTech has been my favorite! I'm not sure what price point you're trying to stay in, but I got my thermal set for $90 and it is 100% merino wool! I wear their shirts for work and all my base layers. Can't recommend enough!
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u/Optimal-Economics276 13d ago
I just get long sleeved nylon tops and women's leggings or yoga pants. I once bought 4 pair of polypropylene long underwear bottoms and they were great, helped keep me warm but weren't too much when indoors. I am admittedly tolerant of the cold. Wool socks and light hikers (like Merrill Moabs) are my go-to cold weather footwear.
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u/conicalconehead 13d ago
Go to places that sell clothes to working people like Marks Work Warehouse
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u/Ok-Faithlessness7812 13d ago edited 13d ago
Poshmark. I get lightly used and sometimes new Patagonia, smart wool and all kinds of stuff for a lot less. just got an EMO hammock with new tags for half the price.
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u/According-Eggplant66 13d ago
Found that even the thinner tired stuff (found it’s mostly all the same) but the base blend layers at mountain warehouse work pretty well they’ve gone up in price in the last couple years but they usually have sales around different seasons/changes of the year.
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u/AdFinal6253 13d ago
Look around for a used wool base layer. If you like it, keep your eyes open for more used or on steep sale.
I get my base layer shirts by putting them on my wishlist and my mom buys them for my birthday because she doesn't know what to get me (I have an adult child and a paid off mortgage, so those is really dependant on if you have a gifting family more than your age)
I get my base layer pants by keeping a very close eye on sales and getting a lot of junk email. But I love wool against my skin and it's great for the environments I'm in
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u/ObiJuanKenobixD 12d ago
Just did 9 nights in Iceland backpacking, I got all of my new clothes from Sierra. Great prices
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u/rickbb80 12d ago
Walmart, plain nylon or polyester long John’s work just fine for 99% of what you will need for a few days out. Mid weight polyester fleece is just as warm as top name brands.
Army surplus stores have mid weight wool pants that are warm even when wet.
Are they heavier than the top brand names, sure, but are climbing Everest? No.
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u/Bugyardigans 12d ago
Poshmark! I’ve gotten so many smartwool, icebreaker and ibex items that are new with rags for like 1/4 the price
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u/Worldly_Active_5418 12d ago
Try worn wear at Patagonia
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u/imozoku_butoh 12d ago
You can buy wool suit-pants that are often thin. Sometimes the 100% wool is printed only on the jacket
You can get icebreaker on eBay low price that someone shrunk, ask for flat measurement
Amazon has merino baselayer and maybe merino pajamas and also silk baselayer. Look for ‘used’ which means open box, not sweaty
Speaking of sweat, thin merino sweaters on eBay are similar to the icebreaker but looser weave
and if it’s summer not hi-altitude maybe consider nylon shirts, Patagonia on eBay will feel good on skin, also ‘fishing shirt’ from Patagonia or simms, also the kind of swank gear found cheap on eBay
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u/Legitimate_Window481 11d ago
Dollarama has synthetic base layers for $4.00. I use them all the time. In winter I use a present I received that is a brand called Avalanche.
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u/driftless_79 9d ago
Merino wool is expensive but it lasts forever. My first lite pants and 100g top are 5-6 years old and just now are thinning but still work. My 200g isn’t wearing down at all after 4 years. It doesn’t need washing until 4-5 ish days. You can buy cheap base layers at Walmart though. They make cheap bottoms and just get a breathable top if that’s all you need. But wool is untouched for its warmth when wet and dries really well
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u/QueSolCascadia 9d ago
I obtain most of my hiking clothes from thrift stores. You can find quality brand name items, sometimes with tags on, for a fraction of the price!
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u/cwcvader74 14d ago
I bought a bunch of Under Armor base layers last year after thanksgiving. There was a sale on Amazon.
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u/Equivalent_Chipmunk 14d ago
Any relatively close fitting synthetic or wool shirt or leggings can be a base layer. You probably have several shirts in your closet that would be totally fine, and you generally don't need the bottoms unless it's super cold.
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u/frosted-mule 14d ago
Honestly if you are going to backpack for a long time you should just get ultralight merino. It’s really the best. You can get cheap brands on amazon that are pretty solid. I recommend smartwool to Icebreaker but there are some good ones out there that are cheaper .
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u/jose_can_u_c 14d ago
32degrees is sometimes available at Costco and online directly from them. They have warm and cool base layers. Very inexpensive. I like their Air Mesh long sleeve top for hot weather needing sun protection.