Are Mesh Base Layers the Best for Cold Weather Hunting?

Mesh base layers for cold weather hunting? Sounds crazy, right? That was my first thought, too. I’ve always followed the standard layering approach—starting with a thin, moisture-wicking base layer to keep me dry. But after one of my viewers messaged me about trying mesh base layers, I had to see for myself if they really worked.

The claim? Mesh base layers can be four to six times warmer than traditional base layers by improving moisture management and insulation. It seemed counterintuitive to wear something full of holes to stay warm, but the science behind it made sense. So, I put them to the test in real hunting conditions. Here’s what I found.

What Are Mesh Base Layers?

Mesh base layers are exactly what they sound like—base layers made from synthetic or merino wool materials but constructed in a grid or net-like pattern. Instead of a solid fabric, they feature thousands of tiny holes designed to improve airflow and moisture management.

These aren’t new. Norwegian special forces have been using them for years, and they’re a staple among extreme cold-weather professionals in Scandinavia and Japan. The two major companies making them at scale are:

• Brynje (Norway) – Known for their Super Thermo synthetic and merino mesh layers.
• FineTrack (Japan) – Offers a layered approach with an L1 Elemental Mesh Base Layer.

The idea is simple: create an air gap that helps wick sweat off your body before it becomes liquid moisture, keeping you drier and warmer.

The Science Behind Mesh Base Layers

The key to staying warm in cold weather isn’t just insulation—it’s moisture control. When you sweat, that moisture starts as vapor before condensing into liquid on your skin. Traditional base layers absorb this sweat and move it outward through the fabric. But if your mid and outer layers can’t keep up, you end up damp and cold.

Mesh base layers take a different approach. Instead of absorbing sweat, they create an air gap that allows vapor to pass through and evaporate more efficiently. This keeps your skin drier, preventing that cold, clammy feeling that traditional base layers sometimes cause.

Real-World Testing: How It Performed in the Field

I ran my first test in 26°F temperatures while hiking and hunting. My layering system included:

• Mesh Base Layer: Brynje Super Thermo (synthetic)
• Mid-Layer: 400g Merino Wool (Minus 33)
• Outer Layers: True Timber Late Run Pullover & True Suede Down Parka

Results:

• My skin stayed dry even after working up a sweat.
• My mid-layer was dry as well, showing that moisture moved outward efficiently.
• The inside of my parka was damp, proving the system pulled sweat all the way through.

Normally, after sweating in cold weather, I’d expect my base layers to feel damp—but with mesh, I felt completely dry. The moisture had moved out to the outermost layer, where it could evaporate.

More Tests: Consistency Matters

I didn’t stop after one test. I wanted to see if this was a fluke or if mesh base layers really worked across multiple conditions.

Test #2: 4-Mile Hike at 32°F

I intentionally overdressed to force sweating. This time, I wore:

• Mesh Base Layer (Brynje synthetic)
• Mid-Layer: Alpaca Wool Shirt
• Outer Layer: Merino Wool Top

Results:

• My base layer was bone dry.
• My mid-layer stayed dry.
• The outer merino wool layer was slightly damp, meaning moisture had fully moved outward.

Every single time I tested mesh base layers, they outperformed traditional ones in keeping me dry and warm.

Synthetic vs. Merino Mesh: Which One Wins?

Both have their strengths:

• Synthetic (Brynje Super Thermo): Dries faster, handles high-sweat activities better.
• Merino Wool (Brynje Wool Thermo): Regulates temperature better and stays warm even when damp.

For extreme cold, I prefer merino mesh for longer hunts and synthetic mesh for high-output activities like hiking in and out of a stand.

Why Aren’t More Hunters Using Mesh?

Mesh base layers are widely used in hiking, backpacking, and military cold-weather operations, but they haven’t caught on in the hunting world.

Why? Availability and awareness.

Right now, only a few companies make them, and most hunters don’t even know they exist. If more brands adopted mesh base layers, I think we’d see a shift in how hunters layer for cold weather.

Final Verdict: Will I Keep Using Mesh?

After multiple tests, I’m fully convinced that mesh base layers are the best option for cold weather hunting. They move moisture better than anything else I’ve tried, and they keep me drier, which means staying warmer for longer.

I’ll be using mesh base layers all next season and running even more tests to see how they perform over extended hunts.

*For more information, see my How to Layer for Cold Weather Bow Hunting post here.

Conclusion

The biggest takeaway? Moisture is the enemy. If you stay dry, you stay warm. Mesh base layers give you the best shot at keeping sweat off your skin and moving it outward, making them a game changer for cold weather hunting.

Have you ever tried mesh base layers? Would you give them a shot? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!