[Dante]

I've migrated from Lifa Midweight to Lifa Lightweight (in the '80s) to Silkweight Capilene ('90s) to Coolmax Alta, which wicks better and dries faster IMO. Backpacker Joe swears by SmartWool, and I love my SmartWool socks so much I might try a SmartWool crew for cold weather. What's your favorite base layer?

[Bass Laboror]

Eh... who cares? Take an extra shirt. The weight is worth it. If it gets wet, change the shirt. Nothing is going to stay dry if you sweat like I do. So I dress as light as possible and bundle up at the rest stops. Cotton definitely is the worst -- sweat just gets soaked up by the stuff. Rather spend time hiking than going to hiking stores to buy hiking gear so I can go hiking and find out the hiking gear I bought wasn't that much better, so I have to go back to the store to buy more hiking gear to see if the new hiking gear is better than the old hiking gear, which means I can't go hiking twice, which means I spent more time supporting Madison Avenue than wandering around in the woods!

[Dante]

I sweat a lot, too, which is why I asked the question in the first place. I've purchased 6 or 8 tops since 1980. By asking other people questions I've learned from their mistakes. As a result, I think I've only made three base-layer purchases in 20 years. So much for Madison Avenue.

[#19]

A friend of mine gave me three Coolmax tee shirts that didn't fit him anymore. Been using them for 3 plus years. better than Cap or any of the stuff that came before it. Haven't seen Smartwool, but the Coolmax NEVER wears out. I just love it when somebody mentions the downside of cotton, like they're uttering some new discovery.

[Backpacker Joe]

SmartWool, SmartWool, SmartWool, SmartWool, SmartWool! That said, SmartWool. Try it you'll like it! Thank you very much.

[Benjamin]

Backpacker Joe, are you sure that you are not a sales rep. for SmartWool?

[polarbear]

I carry an extra shirt with me which I think is a good idea. On the other hand, I'm so impressed with my smartwool socks, that if they do make a shirt I'd be really interested in trying it.

[Backpacker Joe]

I could be, should be, would be! But alas, I am not. Good stuff. T shirt (2), crew neck, zip T, beenie, socks (3) gloves If they make a T shirt? If? Here! Smartwool

[Jonathan]

Ok I maybe stupid.......the smart wool socks I have are great but....wouldn't they be a bit itchy on your back and other tender parts??? Are the shirts and other stuff not made of wool?

[Backpacker Joe]

You are probably not stupid. The premise everyone makes about wool. Now maybe I am not a good test subject (I love wool) but this stuff is in no way itchy baby! Try it you'll like it. Hey, lets get Mikey, ya. He wont wear them he hates everything. Look, he likes it. Hey Mikey

[Downhill]

Silk!! Hands down. cool in summer, warm in winter. Wicks better than anything. Dries incredibly fast. And it feels as smooth as, well, silk against your skin. (oh yeah, after a couple of days on a trip, it doesn't stink as bad as 90% of other fabrics, maybe 100%)

[PowderPawn]

Black thermal, usually some kind of semi-modern fleece fabric. I probably have 10 of them. I have an LL Bean and an EMS that are both 20+ years old and have no signs of failing.