We Tested Over A Dozen Skiing Base Layers—These 10 Were the Coziest for Men and Women
Staying cozy on the ski hill is of the utmost priority, no matter the conditions outside. Some days, however, that's easier said than done. We'll let you in on a little secret though–the key to proper temperature regulation while skiing is starting with the right base layers. It's kind of like building a house. Without a proper foundation, it's impossible to build the structure (of your layering system, that is).
Base layers come in all shapes and sizes, from form-fitting, compression-style layers to baggier multi-purpose garments meant just as much for après as using on the mountain. On the material and fabric front, the choices are seemingly endless, but most of our favorites tend to be made of Merino wool or some sort of synthetic/merino blend.
Merino wool (shorn from the backs and bellies of sheep primarily living in Australia and New Zealand) has some of the best moisture wicking and thermal-regulation properties of any natural material out there, making it one of the best choices for base layers. It's warm but breathable, and will stay warm even if wet. The downside? It's expensive and isn't particularly strong on its own, so manufacturers will often weave it together with a synthetic material like Lycra, Spandex, or something else elastic to add durability.
One thing all good base layers have in common, though, is that they facilitate moisture wicking off your skin. There's nothing worse than feeling sweaty and cold at the same time–and a good, breathable base layer will literally transport that moisture off your skin and out through your other technical layers into the air. In fact, your fancy Gore-Tex jacket can't do its job particularly well if you're wearing a cotton t-shirt that's not wicking moisture off your skin.
About Powder’s Editor’s Picks
Our Editor’s Picks lists are collections of the skis, boots, outerwear, and other gear that stood out to us while testing. If you want to learn more about how reviews work at Powder, we’re very transparent about our process.
These lists are constantly growing and evolving as we try new gear, all season long. If you’ve got a favorite piece of equipment that you think we should write about, let us know here. And, if you represent a brand or company and think your gear deserves a writeup, we’d love to get in touch.
Artilect | Boulder 125 Long Sleeve Crew + Boulder 125 Legging
Size tested: Women's Small, Men's Large
Artilect’s Boulder 125 series top and bottom was a particular standout in the women’s base layers tested this year. They’re made from a blend of 85% Superfine Nuyarn merino wool and 15% nylon, giving them a pretty classic wool feel as well as the breathable, sweat-wicking, and odor-fighting properties of a good merino base layer. Part of that "classic" wool feel meant that the fabric had that tiny-bit scratchy wool feel for a few moments when worn right out of the box. However, while testing how much the layer retained smell, I wore this top several times without washing it and found that the more I wore it, the softer it got. By the third or fourth wear, I didn’t notice that scratch at all, and actually found myself excited to put it on and lounging around in it post-activity.
As I see it, base layers aren’t meant to be the thing that provides warmth, but rather keeps it in your body when you’re sweating in a cold environment. With this in mind, I loved how thin both the Boulder 125 top and leggings were and that they didn’t add any bulk when layering to ski or run in the cold. You could wear either under a number of other layers, like an insulated knicker or several mid layers on top. The Long Sleeve Crew is cut longer and hits my hip flexors, which makes for nice extra coverage when layering under ski pants or bibs. There are ‘thumb holes,’ but they’re integrated into the wrist cuffs, so they don’t feel like extra bulk when not used. The armpits are also gusseted and have eyelets strategically placed to maximize breathability.
The Boulder 125 Long Sleeve Crew did a superb job at moisture wicking and remaining breathable. I wore it while riding my bike trainer in my garage, which tends to be a pretty sweaty activity, and didn’t find myself overheating or feeling too ‘swampy,’ for lack of a better term. Following a trainer ride, I hung the top up to dry and then wore it again for a trail run several days later and didn’t notice any built up stench, despite the fact that it had been thoroughly sweat in. I paired it with a vest for a chilly trail run and was plenty warm, without overheating. Once again, it was tossed in my ‘worn, but not to be washed pile’ and then pulled back out for a particularly warm day of skiing. Still, no smell lingered in the top and the layer was perfectly breathable, and sweat-wicking.
The Boulder 125 Leggings were similarly thin, and made of the same Nuyarn merino and nylon blend although initially, the fabric felt softer than the top. A nice amount of stretch and flatlock seams made them easy to push up over ski socks/boots without overstretching the cuff or adding a bulky roll of fabric below the knee. They were warm enough to be worn with the leg vents on my ski pants wide open on a balmy day, but weren’t too toasty. In the very best way, Artilect’s Boulder 125 Leggings are the type of base layer that you put on and don’t think about again until you take them off at the end of the day.
Wild Rye | Bassett Lite Raglan, Bassett Half Zip & Leggings
Size tested: Women's Small
Wild Rye’s base layers have had a bit of a cult following since the brand’s early days, with their fun patterns and colors offering a pop of personality under a monochrome ski kit. In recent years, they’ve expanded their base layer line to include both a lighter top and bottom, geared more towards backcountry skiing or warmer days and a colder set, geared more towards resort skiing or those extra chilly climates. The Bassett Lite Raglan top + bottom are made of 52% REPREVE Polyester, 34% bio polyester, 7% spandex, and 7% wool, making them a blend of sustainable and technical fabrics that’s super soft to the touch. They come in a fun, food decorated print, or a bright magenta that almost perfectly matches their Heyburn ski kit.
Because they’re made of primarily polyester, the Bassett lite raglan layers are super soft out of the gate, unlike some others that have more wool, and are plenty stretchy. The Bassett lite layers are breathable when put to work and don’t absorb moisture/sweat as much as other layers which both helps with appearance (no sweat stains) and keeping you warmer during high-output activities. If you’re someone who prefers a polyester blend layer, definitely don’t pass these over.
Wild Rye’s early base layer iterations lacked a bit of width in the shoulders and were more of a wool-leaning material that wasn’t quite as durable. Recently, the brand switched sizing in their base layers from lettered (XS, S, M, L, etc) to numerical sizing for a more precise fit, and successfully. As a result, the Bassett lite layers easily fit true to size, and without much extra bulk in the fabric. The top has a fair amount of length to it as well and thumbholes built into the cuffs, which helps prevent gaps under your bibs or at the cuffs of your jacket. The bassett lite leggings are marketed as ⅞ length, in order to be used with ski socks, however, they ended up fitting more like a full length legging on my legs.
Perhaps the biggest advantage to the Bassett Lite layers, specifically the top, is that at a $109 price point, odds are that you’ll want to get a lot of use out of them and their construction makes that possible. The fabric blend, colors, and fit make the top an easy choice for cold-weather biking, hiking, nordic skiing, and so on, which means they could be your go-to base layers all year.
To compliment the Bassett Lite base layers, Wild Rye also revamped their wool base layers. Both the Bassett Legging and Half Zip top come with a 95% merino wool/5% spandex blend. Like the lite layers, the Bassett half zip and legging come in numerical sizing, which is new this year, and gives a more precise fit than their previous lettered model. Also like the lite layers and thanks to the new sizing, both top & bottoms fit pretty true to size. The leggings have more of a traditional wool base layer feel and are marketed to be ⅞ length, although I found them to be more full length. The top only comes in a half zip option, which is not my personal preference, but plenty of folks prefer this style. It’s also made from a thicker fabric and doesn’t layer as well as an ultra light wool layer for backcountry days, but under an insulated layer and shell would be perfect for resort skiing. If you’re already a fan of Wild Rye’s products and looking for a resort-oriented set of base wool base layers, look no further than the bassett half zip & leggings.
Le Bent | Women’s Merino Featherweight Hooded LS Crew
Size tested: Women's Small
Previously, my favorite top base layer was an old merino hoody made by a whitewater kayaking brand that had also become a go-to ski layer for me until its white wool started to unravel and turn brown from so much use. I was skeptical I’d ever find another layer I liked as much until the Le Bent Merino Hooded Crew came into my life. The lightweight base layer isn’t anything wild–it’s a Nuyarn merino hoodie, but its 60% wool and 25% bamboo fiber blend make it t-shirt soft and stretchy while retaining the characteristics of your favorite wool base layers.
It’s breathable, sweat wicking, and doesn’t retain stench. What makes this layer even better is that while it has a low-profile enough fit to layer easily, the hood and cut also keep it relaxed enough to wear around everyday. Layered with a warmer sweater or under overalls, I wear this base layer on the slopes, off the slopes, and everywhere in between.
The North Face | Summit Series DotKnit Tights
Size tested: Men’s Large
As part of The North Face's newly-updated Summit Series Advanced Mountain Kit, the DotKnit tights are part of the brand's product line expressly designed for the world's leading alpinists, skiers, and mountain athletes. The entire kit is built as a system, meaning each layer has a specific job to do. In the case of the merino/synthetic blend DotKnit tights, it's two-fold: wicking moisture off your body during high-output activity, and keeping you warm.
The DotKnit material is The North Face's double-knit performance fabric DotKnit that actively pulls moisture from the skin and pushes it to the outside of the garment using physics. It pairs hydrophobic inner yarns with hydrophilic outer yarns to pull moisture from the skin through the engineered holes to the exterior.
These fall somewhere in the middle of the tight-fitting/baggy spectrum, with a looser overall fit up top, paired with a form-fitting lower leg shape that plays nice with ski boots. I found these to be a great option for both ski touring and resort riding, and are especially cozy to wear around the house on down days or while chilling inside or sleeping on a backcountry hut trip.
Raide | TourTech Baselayer Bottoms
Size tested: Men’s Large
Raide’s entire newly-minted line of TourTech apparel is meant to do things a bit differently, with particular attention to the details that matter to backcountry skiers and ski mountaineers. The Raide TourTech Baselayer Bottoms are perhaps the best example of this–they are unlike any ski baselayer I’ve ever worn. I’m used to exploring and writing about features and functionality of technical apparel and hardgoods, but it’s pretty rare that I’m using those words in a baselayer review. But here we are.
So what sets the TourTech Baselayer Bottoms apart from the rest? First off, material. Raide skipped the natural wool fibers found in most modern ski baselayers to go with a synthetic mix of 71% polyamide, 29% elastane. It’s essentially the same material you’d find in leggings for running or field sports. These bottoms are meant to be tightly form-fitting, almost like performance compression shorts. The ¾ length fit drops to just below the knee (and stays out of your boots), giving warmth where you need it most, without hogging valuable boot space. In fact, I was surprised to find how warm these actually were. Laser-perforated holes do provide some ventilation in key areas. Though it’s not a feature I’ve found myself using much, there’s also a beacon pocket with an anchor built into the thigh panel, making the beacon accessible via your pant’s or bib’s side vent (provided they line up).
The star of the show, however, is the fact that these are designed with full side zippers to facilitate the ultimate spring skiing Houdini magic trick: removing your baselayers without taking your boots or pants off. Why would that ever need to happen, you might ask? Imagine heading out on an early spring ski mountaineering mission. Your 3am start means it’s still really cold out, so warm baselayers are a must. By the time the sun peeks over the horizon and you’re already 4,000 vertical feet into your ascent, the temps start skyrocketing and you’re sweating like it’s nobody’s business. Instead of suffering through swamp ass for the rest of the day, you just unzip the side vent of your pants, reach inside, unzip the baselayers, and pull them off through your pants. Voilà!
One downside I’ve found to these (and this is the case for any synthetic baselayer) is the fact that, while the material is very comfortable, they quickly get stinky. Merino wool undoubtedly reigns supreme in the anti-odor department, so that’s a trade-off. Overall, though, these have become my go-to for high-output ski touring days where I’m expecting major temperature fluctuations.
Backcountry | Cedars RWS Lt-Wt Merino Baselayer Crew Top + Bottom
Size tested: Men’s Large
Backcountry, yes the online retailer backcountry.com, is leaning much deeper into developing their own in-house brands this season, and the Cedars Merino baselayers are a big part of that program. These are built with simplicity in mind above all, and feature a goldilocks blend of warmth, breathability, and next-to-skin comfort thanks to its merino wool/nylon blend fabric. The entire Cedars line carries the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) certification, meaning the wool is sourced from sustainable farms that protect animal rights and ensures social responsibility throughout the entire supply chain.
I run very hot when skiing, so it’s no surprise that the Lt-Wt (product-marketing-speak for “lightweight”) version of the Cedars has become my go-to for most resort days thanks to its impressive breathability. They’re warm enough to keep me comfortable on windy and cold chairlift rides, but keep me from overheating and soaking in sweat while actually skiing.
Time and again, Merino wool has proven to be the gold standard for breathability and its remarkable anti-odor properties. I’ve worn these daily on multi-day ski trips and they keep the stank at bay for much longer than any purely synthetic material–not to mention it’s easy to hand wash them and hang them up to dry overnight thanks to the quick-drying properties of the wool blend.
Icebreaker | Oasis Merino 200 Crewe + Bottom
Size tested: Men’s Large
Long a leader in the merino wool space, Icebreaker continues to make excellent baselayer options for skiers, and the current iteration of the Merino 200 tops and bottoms. These extremely simple mid-weight merino layers have been the bread and butter of Icebreaker’s lineup for years, and for good reason: they’re comfort and versatility is unmatched.
Instead of going for the super-tight form fitting style that many other ski baselayers use, the Merino 200 Oasis top features a slightly looser fit and a drop tail hem that allows this to double as an après or around-the-house piece. The 100% merino construction does mean that it doesn't hold its shape nearly as well as other baselayers that feature some structure-enhancing synthetic fibers like nylon or spandex, but that’s a fair tradeoff for the fact that I’ll wear it to apres and not look like I just came from the crossfit gym.
One thing to note about these is that to preserve their longevity, you shouldn’t tumble dry them. Instead, wash them on a cold, gentle cycle and hang dry them. That does make it harder to take care of them, given that most other outdoor apparel these days is built to withstand standard washer/dryer cycles.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody
Size tested: Men’s Large
Sun hoodies are a backcountry skiing staple for me, with the hood providing either warmth or shade (or both) when ski touring. I don’t usually wear them in the resort, because I’ve got a balaclava or a buff on, but when I’m walking around in the mountains, it’s rare that I leave the house without one. Ever since first testing it in Chamonix last winter, Mountain Hardwear’s Crater Lake Hoody has become my go-to baselayer top for any human-powered ski adventure.
This extremely lightweight synthetic hoody is about as breathable as it gets. That really helps regulate temperature, and lets me pair it with different weights of midlayers depending on the day’s temperature forecast. On hot spring days, I’ll be touring in just the baselayer, but on cold, windy winter missions, it layers nicely under a puffy or midlayer and a shell without any extra bulk. The hood is nice and stretchy, meaning it fits over a helmet without falling off while skiing or climbing up something steep.
PAKA | Women’s Thermal Crew + Bottoms
Size tested: Women's Small
If there’s any fiber that performs well in high alpine environments, it’d be that of an animal who lives at 11,000 feet, right? PAKA thought the same thing when they introduced their thermal base layer line. The layers are made from 40% Royal Alpaca wool, 40% Merino wool, and 10% Tencel, for a true| natural fiber blend that’s predominantly wool. The layers come in a cozy, stretchy, ribbed knit with a few color options available.
While we’ve come to expect a certain level of breathability from a wool base layer, PAKA’s certainly delivered, even with a thicker knit than others. I also wore these on my garage bike trainer and didn’t feel myself over heating, despite the extra warmth. The thicker knit fabric also mopped up sweat nicely and didn’t show much moisture. However, given how thick the fabric is because of the rib, I’d be a little hesitant to wear these for a super long day in the mountains or ultra high-output days. They’re also bulkier than other base layers and don’t layer quite as nicely, particularly as a bottom layer.
Where I absolutely would bring these layers is on a hut or yurt trip or for any cold weather ‘leisure’ activities. Think winter bonfires, cutting down your Christmas tree, and so on. For one, these layers are supremely cozy, and I found myself wearing them around my house a lot. The knit also allows the top to work as a standalone layer in a way other, skin-tight baselayers might not. So, while these wouldn’t be my go-to for a super technical layer, they definitely have a spot in my bag on a lot of ski trips.