- Understanding basic layering techniques allows you to stay warm and have a more enjoyable time when venturing outdoors in cold weather.
- Be sure to avoid key mistakes like wearing cotton which tends to hold on to moisture and can greatly contribute to cold chills or a feeling of dampness.
- The best base layers are made of either wool or a synthetic blend and come in a variety of thicknesses depending on specific use cases and weather conditions.
- Our top pick, the , is a merino base layer that’s highly durable, wicks moisture incredibly well, and can be worn for days on end without it holding onto bad odors.
If I learned one thing during my five-year residence in Minnesota, it was the importance of layering and doing it well. With temperatures often hitting -20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, any skin laid bare to the conditions had the chance of frostbite and windburn. I’m no stranger to wearing base layers for months on end under everyday outfits and during weekend winter camping trips and skiing excursions.
Picking the right base layer starts with understanding your needs as a consumer. Will you be doing high-intensity activities where your heart rate is going to be pumping? Or maybe you’ll just be sitting around a campfire and doing light camp chores. These uses determine what types of layering systems are right for you, so be sure you’re clear on what you’re looking for.
The different types of base layers
When shopping for base layers, you’re going to come across two main categories: wool and synthetic. Generally speaking, wool is highly odor-resistant, relatively durable (especially when blended with other fabrics), and adapts well to a variety of temperatures. Synthetic materials are comfortable against the skin and wick moisture extremely well but can hold on to smells when worn for several days.
You’ll sometimes see silk as an additional option, but for the purposes of this review, we’re going to focus on the two aforementioned materials. Silk can be a viable option for someone looking for a thin layer to wear under tight-fitting, everyday clothing but its lack of durability doesn’t make it a great option for outdoor pursuits as it tends to pill and run easily.
Base layers also come in a variety of thicknesses to adapt to your preferred activity. They’re generally referred to as lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight. Lightweight options are great for high-cardio activities in moderate to cool temperatures, midweight layers are perfect for colder days when you’ll be moving around a good amount, but won’t be sweating too much, and heavyweight layers are best for super cold trips where the temperatures dip below freezing and you need added warmth.
What you should avoid when layering
A common mistake people make when layering is throwing on a basic cotton t-shirt underneath their base or mid layers. Cotton can be dangerous or even deadly in outdoor scenarios because it doesn’t wick away sweat and instead holds it close to your skin where it has the opportunity to freeze. This can drop your core body temperature and can result in a trip ending earlier than expected.
Don’t forget about other layering pieces like underwear, bras, and socks, too. These are your first layer of defense when the temperatures drop so make sure you have a material that wicks well since these pieces will have the most exposure to sweat. Odor-resistance is especially important since these also receive the most amount of sweat compared to other layering options.
