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The 7 Best Base Layers of 2013

Let’s start with nature’s wünderfabric. Not only is merino wool (sourced mostly from sheep in New Zealand’s Southern Alps) a sustainable, bio-degradable fabric, but gear makers have figured out how to make it softer and thin enough to wear on a hot summer day. The catch? It’s pricey. For sheer wicking ability, synthetic materials—usually fancy polyester—simply can’t be beat. The downside is that, unlike wool, they harbor bacteria and can turn funky quickly. Generally speaking, if you’re just going to be riding lifts, opt for merino wool next to the skin. But if you’re doing something more active—say, winter running or nordic or backcountry skiing—go synthetic. We’re particularly big fans of bicomponent fabrics like Polartec’s Power Dry (and the fabrics in the Helly Hansen and North Face layers below), which have thicker yarns inside and thinner yarns on top. We won’t bore you with the science except to say that they work: in side-by-side tests, they really do wick and dry faster.

2013 Winter Buyer's Guide
Thursday, November 01, 2012

Icebreaker 260 Midweight Apex Crew

By: Category: Winter Buyer's Guide, Clothing-Apparel, Base Layer, Gear
Icebreaker 260 Midweight Apex Crew Photo: Icebreaker

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No one makes softer, better-fitting, or more stylish merino clothing than Icebreaker. The Apex Crew is probably the company’s most versatile weight—it can pull double duty as a next-to-skin piece and as a midlayer. Thumb loops are great when you get chilled.

Brand: Icebreaker

$110

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