June 05, 2025

From the Field to Fabric: What It Took to Create the Wickiup Hoody

A Base Layer Designed for the Demands of the Mountain

We couldn’t find the perfect base layer—so we built it.

Over years of hunting, hiking, glassing, and just plain living in the mountains, we cycled through every base layer we could find. Some were warm. Some were light. Some dried fast. But none had it all.

We needed something that felt good against the skin, breathed when it was hot, held heat when it was cold, dried fast when soaked, and didn’t fall apart after a few trips. That turned out to be a tall order.

Testing, Testing, and More Testing

We ran the gauntlet of materials:

Wool was great—until it wasn’t. It often felt scratchy next to skin, lost its shape after a few wears, and didn’t hold up to the abuse we put it through.
Polyesters were durable but came with trade-offs: clammy when wet, heavy when layered, and usually uncomfortable over time.
Cotton was a non-starter—cold when it mattered and nearly impossible to dry in the field.
Bamboo was the most comfortable of the bunch, but it lacked the durability we needed for real mountain use.

So we kept looking.

The Blend That Got It Right

Eventually, we landed on a blend that gave us everything we were looking for.

We combined 65% polyester for durability, stretch, and moisture-wicking, with 35% bamboo rayon for its silky-soft feel, breathability, and natural cooling performance. The result is an ultralight 150gsm fabric that’s incredibly comfortable next to skin—and keeps working when you’re drenched in sweat or facing a long windy ridge.

Built for the Field

The Wickiup Hoody isn’t just about fabric. Every detail was tested, refined, and dialed in:

A lightweight, low-profile hood for sun or wind protection
Flatlock seams to eliminate hotspots and chafing
An athletic cut that layers cleanly without feeling tight
Minimal bulk, maximum performance

Whether you’re trail running in June, scouting in July, glassing in September, or chasing elk in the snow—this layer moves with you.

Why We Call It “Wickiup”

The Wickiup is named after a local canyon just a few miles from our shop—and inspired by the simple, effective backcountry shelters built by native tribes of the West. They were light, functional, and built as a defense against the harsh sun, or cold winter.

The Layer We Wanted for Every Season

We built the Wickiup Hoody because we were tired of compromises. If a piece of gear didn’t pass our own test in the mountains, it wasn’t good enough to carry our name.

This one did.