When it comes to having a good hunting gear setup base layers are the bones of your setup. They are essential for all hunters but especially women who tend to get colder quicker due to us naturally being built smaller. Base layers should be versatile and provide extra comfort and warmth in the colder months but also be sweat wicking in the early season while also staying durable. The top complaints for women looking for hunting gear is the gear not being fit for their frames. Keeping this in mind I have compiled a list of the highest rated base layers (top and bottom) from the the top 3 most popular hunting brands, First lite, kuiu, and sitka. These recommendations are purple based on rating and customer reviews made by women.

 

First Lite

Womens Kiln Hoodie Base Layer

Rating: 4.60/5 stars

Description: The Women’s Kiln Hoody now features an updated fit that’s true to size and has more room in the bust and arms.

The Women’s Kiln Hoody is our do-it-all top for the serious female hunter. The successor to our best-selling Artemis, this piece is constructed of Midweight 250 Merino-X fabric for improved fit and durability. Perhaps the most versatile baselayer component within the First Lite layering system, the Women’s Kiln Hoody simply cannot be beaten as a do-it-all top for any outdoor enthusiast. With its 250-gram Merino-X fabric, this piece can be either your first or second layer and will keep you comfortable and odor-free from September through May.

Reviews

“I LOVE this layer. I am 5’6″” and around 125lbs and the medium fits me perfectly. It’s snug and keeps in place, but not overly so. This layer is crucial to my gear. I wear this as my base layer in the winter and it always wicks my sweat and keeps me warm and dry. I also wear this as my only layer in fall and spring, and love its wicking properties as I am moving and sweating. 10/10 base layer that is sturdy and has held up great to 1 year of constant use.”

Womens Kiln Long Jane Base Layer

Rating: 4.70/5 stars

Description: 

Reviews

“I ordered the kiln Long Jane’s in brown and I love how they fit and how they look. The material is very comfortable and they fit perfectly. They even look great on, so I wear them around the cabin after hours”

Kuiu

Womens Gila LS Hoodie

Rating: 4.9/5 stars

Description: 

Reviews

“I ordered the kiln Long Jane’s in brown and I love how they fit and how they look. The material is very comfortable and they fit perfectly. They even look great on, so I wear them around the cabin after hours”

Womens Ultra Marinos 160 Bottom

Rating: 4.8/5 stars

Description: Built for the forecasts that call for a thermal all day, this women’s merino wool thermal bottom features a comfortable next-to-skin fit, making it perfect for extended wear. Featuring Nuyarn® technology, it maximizes Merino’s natural performance: odor resistance, moisture absorption, hot or cold thermoregulation, and insulation even if wet.

Reviews

Best base layer ever!! I was skeptical about these, having not tried them on prior to purchasing. I was worried about the fit and comfortably. I have to say they are the only long John’s I wear now! The fit is spot on! I have a curvy, athletic build…. And these are perfect

Sitka

Women’s Core Merino 330 Leggings

Rating: 4.4/5 stars

Description: Stay warm through long, frigid sits with the Women’s Core Merino 330 Bottom. Heavyweight merino wool brings soft, itch-free warmth for the coldest conditions, while a recycled synthetic lining moves any moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and warm. Merino wool also delivers more warmth with less weight and is naturally odor-resistant to minimize smell. Plus, our ArmorSpun merino is stronger than traditional merino wool to make sure it lasts for many seasons to come.

Reviews

I don’t like being cold. These leggings are the best I have ever had for when you are ready to bundle up. Merino is such a great material and with the quality of Sitka, you will not be disappointed! Get these for winter.

Women’s Core Merino 330 Hoodie

Rating: 4.4/5 stars

Description: Pack the heavyweight Women’s Core Merino 330 Hoodie when frigid temps are in the forecast. It features our heaviest-weight merino wool to keep you warm on the coldest hunts. Temperature-regulating merino wool’s exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio keeps you warmer with less bulk, and the contoured hood with a built-in facemask offers additional warmth and concealment. Merino wool also resists odor to keep smell to a minimum, and our ArmorSpun merino wool is reinforced for improved durability. And to make sure sweat doesn’t leave you wet and cold, we added a synthetic interior that quickly moves moisture away from your skin and through your system to keep you dry and warm.

Reviews

This top is incredible! It feels soft and durable yet warm and breathable. It’s exactly what I wanted for early season bow hunting and late rifle hunting as a midlayer. I am 5’9″, and 155 lbs and the Medium fits great. Room to layer under while still slim fitting. Thank you for making an incredible product!

Author

  • Georgia Weeks grew up in Michigan surrounded by the outdoors, where hunting whitetails at home and elk out West became a family tradition. With parents who are taxidermists, she’s spent her life appreciating wildlife up close and learning to respect every part of the hunting process. Georgia values tradition, heritage, and family, and believes the outdoors is one of the best places to connect with all three.