When it comes to any outdoor activity, having the right gear plays a crucial role as there is always a thin line between a fantastic and terrible experience in the wilderness, and skiing or snowboarding is no exception. Understandably, ski jackets or ski pants are the most popular items to look for before hitting the slopes, however, what’s really going to help you stay warm, though, is wearing the best wool base layer under all those cool-looking ski gear.
The market for ski base layers can be pretty intimidating at first glance, as there are a lot of styles and materials to choose from. That’s why we not only brought you the ski base layer reviews of some of our favorite brands but also prepared a comprehensive buying guide so that you can make a more informed decision.
OUR TOP PICK
Men’s Smartwool Merino 250 Crew Base Layer Top
Made from the cold-weather weight, premium, merino wool, the Men's Smartwool Merino 250 Crew Base Layer Top is the best base layer for skiers who want to regulate their temperature while keeping their performance full speed.
Material
It doesn’t get better than this ski baselayer from Smartwool made from interlock-knit merino wool. The fabric offers breathability, comfort, and thermoregulation while resisting odor. If you will be involved in high energy activities outside in cooler temperatures, then this is the merino wool base layer to opt for.
Comfort & Usage
You will love the freedom of movement this skiing base layer for snowboarding will bring to you thanks to the 3D-mapping that customizes the fit. The flatlock seam construction, on the other hand, minimizes chafing and rubbing while you move freely thanks to the ribbed elbow. We also love the fact that there are several color options including Military Olive and Woodsmoke or Black if you want to keep things basic.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Seamless shoulder panels increase the functionality
Regulates body temperature
Chic looking and can be worn for daily tasks in the winter
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Temperature Regulation, Multisport
Material: Merino Wool
Weight: Midweight
Color: Black, Military Olive, Neptune Blue/Deep Navy, Woodsmoke, Charcoal, Deep Navy
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Women's Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew Top
One of the best base layers for skiing the market offers, Women's Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew Top is an all-around base layer for a wide variety of temps and activities, whether walking the dog or tearing up the slopes.
Material
Made from 100% recycled, Fair Trade Certified polyester, this base layer for cold weather traps heat to maximize warmth. Wh
ile doing this, it doesn’t add any bulk to your body and takes away sweat from your skin. Thanks to the HeiQ treatment that prevents odor from adding up, you don't have to wash your baselayer every day.
Comfort & Usage
You will love the reglan shoulder seams that enhance mobility whether you go jogging on a cold morning or hit the slopes. You won’t be overheating on warm spring days either thanks to the breathable HeiQ Fresh fabric, not to mention the crew neck design that doesn’t layer up and therefore keep you comfortable. There are also several color options to match your ski gear such as Smokey Violet, Arctic Ox Geo, or simply Black.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
HeiQ treatment fights odor and keeps you fresh
Allows a variety of usage
Elastic thumb loops secure sleeves when you slip into a mid layer
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: All-around Usage, Backcountry Skiing
Material: 100% recycled polyester, HeiQ Fresh Tech
Weight: Midweight
Color: Arctic Ox Geo/Classic Navy, Clover/Black, Steller Blue/Light Steller Blue X-Dye, Black, Migration/Smokey Violet
BEST VALUE
Men's Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Crew
With a four-way construction that allows you freedom of movement along with a polyester and elastane construction that guarantees a smooth fit, Under Armour Men's ColdGear Armour Compression Crew is the most budget-friendly base layer for snowboarding on our list.
Material
The combination of polyester and elastane wicks away moisture and regulates your body temperature in high-performance activities. Under Armor’s inner baselayer also traps odors saving you the trouble of frequent cleaning. Since the fabric is so smooth on the skin due to the ColdGear construction, it’ll easily fit under your other layers.
Comfort & Usage
First of all, you will love the snug fit Under Armor will give you. It’s not surprising that it is so popular among base layer reviews as it is one of the top rated base layers for skiing because of its range of motion. The crew cut thermal base layer is available in a range of colors such as Midnight Navy, Carbon Heather, and White. The size options include small through 4X large as well a 3X tall and 4X large.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
ColdGear design makes sure you stay warm enough in the snow but won’t overheat as your activity level increases
The 4-way stretch design makes sure that the layer isn’t constricting
Available in men’s sizes as well as tall men’s sizes
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Warmth, Powder Snowboarding
Material: 87% Polyester, 13% Elastane
Weight: Lightweight
Color: White, Black, Midnight Navy, Carbon Heather, Royal, Red, Charcoal Light Heath
Women’s ColdPruf Basic Dual Base Layer
If you are a beginner or an intermediate skier who will ski in very cold weather and engage in a medium activity, then Women’s ColdPruf Basic Dual Base Layer is the perfect choice with its ring-spun cotton and polyester blend fabric.
Material
Constructed via a cruelty-free recycling process, ColdPruf is specifically made to be worn in cold and very cold weather (not for sub-zero temperatures.) The blend of 60% ring-spun cotton and 40% polyester with Thermachoice System keep you warm during low or medium activity while feeling very soft and smooth on the skin. In addition, it has a looser fit without being too baggy, therefore you can wear it with other layers.
Comfort & Usage
The two-layer design captures warmth well and helps to block out the chill of the slopes. The flat seams and tagless labeling make sure it doesn’t have anything that might irritate you. The design also makes it comfortable to wear on its own as a standard day-to-day long-sleeved shirt. The hemmed sleeves also aren’t likely to roll up as you wear them. This top is available in Black and Winter White.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Dual-layer design helps trap heat and keep you warm
Available in women’s sizes small to XX-large
Flat seams and tagless labels remove any irritants
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Cold Weather, New, and Intermediate Skiers
Material: 60% ring-spun cotton and 40% polyester
Weight: Midweight
Color: Black, Winter White
Men’s REI Co-op Silk Long Underwear Crew Shirt
If you are looking for an ultralightweight base layer for high-performance skiing or snowboarding, Men’s REI Co-op Silk Long Underwear Crew Shirt is the perfect option with its Silk jersey fabric.
Material
Lightweight and supple, the REI Silk crew shirt gives a luxurious comfort feeling to your skin. The breathable Silk jersey keeps you warm and comfortable during speed snowboarding or skiing. If you have sensitive skin, this is definitely the base layer to opt for. Due to its fragile construction, we recommend hand washing REI Co-op Silk and laying it flat to dry.
Comfort & Usage
You will love the fact that the dropped back hem stays tucked in and the invisible rib-knit finish on the neck and cuffs. That's why yıu can wear this base underneath shirts or sweaters. Overall, the REI Co-op Silk Long Underwear Crew Shirt gives a soft and dreamy feeling, plus it is naturally wicking.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Gives a luxurious feeling to the skin
The rib-knit finish on neck and cuffs
Has almost no weight
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: High Insulation, Racing
Material: Silk jersey
Weight: Ultralightweight
Color: Quiet Shade, Black
Men’s Helly Hansen HH Dry Stripe Base Layer
With its flatlock stitching and non-itch design along with the Lifa stay dry technology that pulls sweat out of the garment, the Men’s Helly Hansen HH Dry Stripe is the best ski base layer on our list for advanced or professional skiers.
Material
This base-layer has a smooth fit but it doesn’t focus on compression like the Under Armour one does. The fabric is a synthetic called polypropylene which is smooth enough not to give an itchy feeling. While the flatlock stitching helps to increase comfort, helly hansen lifa stripe is also allergy neutral, making it a good choice if you have sensitive skin.
Comfort & Usage
Perfect for spring skiing or high-activity skiing, Helly Hansen HH uses Lifa stay dry technology that helps to wick away sweat to keep you dry and warm. It also uses hydrophobic fibers, so it doesn’t absorb any moisture. Instead, the moisture is pushed out to the next layer to be wicked away. We recommend wearing more layers with this garment because more moisture will be drawn away from your skin.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Lifa stay dry technology pulls sweat out of the garment and wicks it away
Hydrophobic fibers don’t absorb moisture so you won’t have to worry about wearing a wet garment
Machine washable for easy care
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Dry Technology, Professional Spring Skiing
Material: Polypropylene
Weight: Lightweight
Color: White, Black, Deep Blue/Neon Yellow, Racer Blue, Evening Blue, Ebony/Neon Orange
Women's Stoic Midweight Crew Baselayer Top
With a polyester construction that wicks moisture a trim fit that you can wear under a midweight fleece, Women's Stoic Midweight Crew Baselayer Top is perfect for those midwinter powder days.
Material
85% polyester, 15% spandex blend forms a warm base layer for cold winter skiing and snowboarding. You will love the breathable and sweat-wicking fabric as it will save you from the trouble of frequent washing. In addition to skiing, you can also use this base layer top for cool weather hikes as it will give you just the right amount of warmth you need.
Comfort & Usage
This top is a slim fit in the arms and a little more relaxed in the torso area, which works well with your outer layers. Thumbholes keep sleeves in place to prevent bulk and give you freedom of movement. It is also tute enough to wear around every day. Due to the snug fit, if you have long arms, we recommend you size up.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Next-to-skin fit for optimal warmth
Ideal for midwinter powder days
Polyester construction is breathable and sweat-wicking
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Moisture Wicking, Midwinter Snowshoe Hiking
Material: 85% polyester, 15% spandex
Weight: Midweight
Color: Deep Sea, Black
Women's Mammut Moench Advanced 1/2-Zip Top
If you will be hitting the trails in the Alps and looking for a heavyweight base layer that is abrasion-resistant, then the Women's Mammut Moench Advanced 1/2-Zip Top is the perfect choice for you.
Material
Just the right blend of polyester and Merino Tecnowool, this heavyweight base layer will be your perfect companion in Alpine trails. Not only does the fabric offers moisture management and stretch but also resists abrasions keeping you safe and sound in case of any accidents. Even if you wear it all day, the wool will naturally repel odors and will not irritate you.
Comfort & Usage
One of the most popular brands among skiers, Mammut brings you the Vertical Motion Construction with this zip-top, which will optimize your movement. While the high collar will protect your neck in cold conditions, the long front zipper will keep the warm weather inside. As it has a slim cut design, you can use it under a mid layer and shell.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Merino wool repels odors for a long time
Ideal for Alpine travel due to abrasion-resistant face fabric
Stretches and manages moisture
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Abrasion-resistance, Alpine Pursuits
Material: Pontetorto Tecnostretch (49% polyester, 41% nylon, 10% elastane), Pontetorto Merino Tecnowool (52% polyester, 36% merino wool, 12% nylon)
Weight: Heavyweight
Color: Black
Women's REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew Top
If you will be climbing and skiing at the same time, the Women's REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew Top will be a great choice as it provides UPF 50+ sun protection and prevents skin burns while you enjoy the outdoors to the fullest.
Material
Made from 92% polyester and 8% spandex, this midweight base layer from REI Co-op comes with a smooth outer face that lets layers slide on easily. We love the fact that the fabric wicks moisture and dries quickly so that you can get back to the slopes as soon as possible. Not but not least, the fabric offers protection from sun elements.
Comfort & Usage
This crew top’s brushed interior gives you warmth while you benefit from the 4-way stretch that enables a flexible range of motion. The shirt runs long in length and arms, but very tight across the chest. We are 100 % sure that you will love the cozy feel this crew top will give to you both for daily errands and all kinds of winter sports.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Offers UPF 50+ sun protection
Reduced chafing and bulking due to flat seam construction
Delivers a flexible range of motion
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Sun Protection, Climbing
Material: 92% polyester/8% spandex
Weight: Midweight
Color: Black/Asphalt, Lilac Dusk/Lavender Aura, Mineral Water Heather, Twilight Purple Heather, Birch White Heather
Men’s ColdPruf Platinum II Performance Base Layer
The last spot on our list of the best base layers for skiing is the Men’s ColdPruf Platinum II Performance Base Layer with a dual-layer construction made from polyester and wool that helps to trap warmth without being too heavy on the body.
Material
The inner layer is made from 100% polyester which is soft against your skin while the outer layer is made out of 70% polyester and 30% merino wool blend. This gives you plenty of breathability and flexibility. Moreover, Silvadur technology helps to minimize odors and kill the bacteria that can cause them. You can purchase this underlayer in a variety of different sizes, so it won’t be hard to find one that fits you.
Comfort & Usage
You’ll be able to wear this base layer without getting overheated when you hit the slopes. It’s made to work for anyone committing to medium or high levels of activity in very cold to extremely cold environments. The base-layer is meant to have a tailored fit that isn’t too tight or too loose. Just like the Meriwool option, ColdPruf offers an environmentally-friendly factor in the wool they use since it is a renewable resource.
What Makes This Underlayer For Skiing Stand Out
Drop tail hem helps to make sure that the garment won’t roll up
Works well in the cold and extreme cold without being a heavyweight option
Available in standard men’s sizes as well as tall men’s sizes
MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS
Best For: Odor Control, Low to Medium Activity
Material: 100% polyester (inside), 70% polyester, 30% merino wool (outside)
Weight: Midweight
Color: Black, Heather Grey
How To Choose A Base Layer For Skiing – Buying Guide
Type
There are three main styles of ski base layers: jackets, shirts, and blouses. A jacket is an underlayer that zips up while a shirt is pulled over your head to wear and doesn’t always feature a zipper. Blouse-style base layers are similar to shirt-style base layers but they have a looser fit.
Material
Let’s start with the most popular material first – merino wool. Wool is a natural fiber rather than synthetic and it comes with a lot of attractive features. For one, it offers great odor control. It can even go through several uses before it accumulates an unpleasant smell. It also wicks away moisture well. The biggest drawback though is that they’re among the most expensive options. While the material is durable, synthetic fabrics do surpass it in durability.
The second most common choice is synthetic fabric polyester. These fibers are made to be moisture-wicking, so they’re particularly popular in the sportswear market. The manufacturing of the polyester fabric itself has a large impact on how well it wicks moisture away but many companies also use a coating to increase the effect.
Polyester skiing base layers are often mixed with nylon or spandex. These help to increase how well the underlayer stretches to give you a tight, form-fitting underlayer. While less expensive than wool, the synthetic material collects body odor quickly.
Today, silk layers are usually treated to offer better odor control and increased moisture-wicking properties. The biggest disadvantage of silk is that it’s very fragile. It has to be hand washed and you can’t put it in the dryer either.
Weight
Different manufacturers have different descriptions but in general, you can break these sizes down to lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight base layers.
A lightweight base layer is best for skiing in the spring as it won’t feel too heavy. Advanced or professional skiers also prefer this type because even when it’s cold out, high levels of exertions raise their body heat.
Midweight base layers are the happy medium between heavy and light base layers. The best choice for most average skiers, these work well to keep you warm during moments of inactivity such as when you’re riding a chairlift. On the other hand, they don’t leave you uncomfortable or overheated when you’re skiing.
Heavyweight layers are very thick, are the warmest base layer, and they typically wick away moisture very well. These are only meant for low temperatures with low levels of activity. Otherwise, you’re likely to overheat quickly.
Warmth
As we’ve mentioned at this point, weight and warmth go hand in hand. But, to choose the right layer, you have to know the level of warmth you need. There are a few factors to consider.
First, you’ll want to consider the weather. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the presence of snow means you need thick layers at all times.
The other factor to consider is your level of activity. If you’re taking simple, light-hearted paths, you don’t have to worry about getting overheated. Unless your level of activity is incredibly low, you want to lean towards midweight layers.
If you plan on taking more intense, challenging slopes, you want to look for a lightweight option. These will keep you warm enough but they won’t make you uncomfortably warm or cause you to overheat as you ski.
Breathability
Top-rated base layers for skiing are made with breathability in mind. Synthetic materials and wool, in particular, are great choices when it comes to airflow. However, a base-layer can only do so much. Therefore, it’s a good idea to be on the lookout for top layers that complement the need for breathability. Inner leg and armpit zips are a couple of key features. This also helps the moisture your base-layer is wicking off of you to evaporate.
Drying Speed
Some fabrics dry faster than others. Synthetic materials such as polyester and nylon dry the fastest. Wool, on the other hand, takes a little longer to dry but it isn’t unmanageable. Drying speed is the main reason you want to avoid the rare cotton snowboarding base layers as cotton takes a notoriously long time to dry completely.
Layering Ability
Make sure that your underlayer is not too thick so that you won’t have trouble using a layer on top of it. Your base-layer for snowboarding should also fit tight with stretch so that it won’t restrict your movement when you’re taking on a high-energy sport.
Durability
Among the materials we’ve discussed here, synthetic fibers win out on durability. Specifically, nylon underlayers are the strongest choice with polyester trailing not too far behind. Merino wool does have less durability than synthetics but it’s a much stronger choice than silk.
Fit
You don’t want something that’s too loose because a baggy underlayer doesn’t offer the same warmth. It also will fit awkwardly underneath a top layer. However, as we’ve mentioned, you don’t want something suffocatingly tight either.
Again, synthetic fabrics are the best choice for this stretchy and breathable but tight fit. Keep an eye out for flat seams too. This minimizes problems like chafing. It can also be helpful to look for garments with other convenient features like high necks for warmth or thumb loops to keep your sleeves in place. Long sleeves, long cuffs, and a long back keep you warm.
FAQs
Q: What thickness base layer do I need?
A: Lightweight layers are made for moderate temperatures which make them a great choice for spring. Midweight base layers are made for cooler temperatures, so they work well through most of the winter. Heavyweight base layers are meant to be used in temperatures below freezing. If you wear it in warmer weather, you risk overheating.
Aside from the weather, you need to think about your skill level and plans. Ultra-lightweight or featherweight is incredibly light and usually only work well for serious skiers who are highly exerting themselves on intense slopes. If you will be taking more casual paths, opt for a midweight under layer.
Q: Should my base layer be skin tight?
A: The truth is that you want something tight enough to sit right against your skin but not so tight that it’s restrictive or uncomfortable. This is why the best base layer snowboarding use materials that have a little stretch and lots of breathability.
Q: How to clean and store my base layer when not in use?
A: You should clean your base layer at least one time during the season with standard soap. After that, make sure it is completely dry and then use a waterproof sealant to maintain the moisture-wicking properties. When the season is over, it’s not a bad idea to pick up some soap treated with a water repellent specifically for ski gear.
Many manufacturers also give you recommended care instructions, too.
Q: What other activities can I use my base layer for?
A: The best cold-weather base layer can be used for any wintertime activity such as chopping wood, shoveling snow, or wintertime jogging.
Globo Surf Overview
Without a good, high-quality base layer, you will feel the chilly air of the slopes quickly. Not only that, you will miss out on the moisture-wicking effect and there won’t be anything to handle body odor.
When you are purchasing a ski base layer, it’s important to find what’s best for you. This means considering fit, style, and a number of other features. All of the options we’ve looked at on this list are some of the best base layers for ski and hopefully one of them will work out for you.