Rethinking Hiking Base Layers - Brynje Mesh Review (w/ Discount Code)

Now that we've worn Brynje Mesh base layers for over 2 months and hiked with them on the Appalachian Trail in winter, we review the Brynje synthetic Mesh Top, Pants, and wool Mittens (with mesh liner) in hopes of helping others discover mesh (fishnet) as a great base layer material.

The idea behind mesh is, when used as a next-to-skin base layer, it will transfer vapor (non-liquid) sweat to a second layer so the mesh layer stays drier and warmer. In warm weather, mesh supposedly keeps you cooler when worn under something like a sun hoodie (haven't tried that yet though).

We chose to use the synthetic zip-neck top with reinforced shoulder (Super Thermo LS Shirt with Inlay), wool pants with no reinforcements (Super Thermo Longs, no fly), and wool mittens. Brynje offers several material and design options that take some work to figure out.

Here are some observations on the options:
- Wool vs Synthetic Top and Pants: Found the synthetic dries faster than wool, did not stink after 3 days of wear on the AT, and is easier to wash in whatever washing machine we come across in town. Synthetic is also lighter and less expensive. Found the wool a bit stretchier.
- "Inlay" padding vs no Inlay: Liked the inlay with the shirt, but found it over-kill for the pants.
- Zip-Neck top vs Regular: liked the idea of zip-neck for venting but found it too short to vent much. Zip-neck also has a tall collar which is a bit tight, thus not super useful for us. 
- Use as Camp/Sleep Clothes: Since they dry so fast and hold warmth, we don't bring separate sleep clothes anymore.
- Sizing/Fit: We wore our normal size but found that 1 size bigger than normal still fit well.

Overall Performance during winter AT section hikes with temperatures ranging from 20° to 55° F and in dry, wet, and snowy conditions:
- The top kept us warm in 20s and 30s (F) during freezing rain and snow. We used a synthetic Senchi hoodie as a second layer (or a Jolly Gear Sun Hoodie) and added a LightHeart Gear Poly rain jacket as a 3rd layer during the freezing rain and sleet.
- Venting is key. We like a 2nd layer with chest zip and sleeves loose enough to pull up as we warm up. We also like a 3rd layer (rain jacket) with pit zips to dump heat as needed.
- We used the Brynje top and pants as sleep clothes since they were already dry.
- We wore the mesh pants under shorts with temps in the 30s. We found them too warm under rain pants with temps in the upper 20s.
- The mittens were great on their own or under rain mitts during the freezing rain and snow. They got wet and still held warmth. They dried overnight inside our sleep quilt. Can also stuff hand warmers in them.

Brynje created a 10% discount code to share with hikers interested in trying mesh...and an affilite link for anyone that wants to use it:
Affiliate Link: https://www.brynjeusa.com/ref/13/
Discount Code: "AT24"

Here are some other mesh companies we've found:
Aclima: https://www.aclima.com/
Svala: https://svala.com/en/collection/airbase/
Wiggy's: https://www.wiggys.com/clothing-outer...