Baselayers are the hidden workhorses of winter apparel. But out of sight doesn’t mean they should be out of mind—getting them right is important. A bad baselayer can ruin what would otherwise be a great adventure due to scratchy materials, a subpar fit, or an inability to dry out quickly. A perfect layer, meanwhile, can keep you warm, dry, and happy all day long. After copious testing, our team of testers has assembled a list of favorite men’s base layers for every winter condition and activity, from casual resort laps to frigid weeklong epics.
At a Glance
- Editor’s Choice: FarPointe Alpha Cruiser Hoodie ($90)
- Best for Cold Hikes and Hunts: $90 at FarPointe $90 at Garage Grown Gear
Sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: Slim
Key Material: Polartec Alpha Direct
Breathability: 10/10
Warmth: 7/10
Wicking: 9/10Pros and Cons
⊕ Next-level breathability
⊕ Works as base layer or ultralight midlayer
⊗ Prone to snagging and pulling
⊗ No wind resistanceThe Cruiser Hoodie’s breathability magic comes down to materials, namely, Polartec Alpha Direct, a wispy-thin fleece that offers an unexpected blend of warmth and air flow. In calm conditions, our testers marveled at how warm this fuzzy, nearly see-through fabric was. But it’s also very fragile, and more than one of our testers reported snagging and tearing the Cruiser (one on a brushy trail, the other thanks to a pet cat).
That fragility led to mixed reviews. Our Alaskan tester, whose winter trips inevitably involve bushwhacking, found it far too delicate. But on the well-manicured trails in the high desert of southern Idaho, I found a use for the multifunctional Cruiser on nearly every hiking and Nordic skiing trip I took: it served as a super-plush sleep layer year-’round, a cozy base layer in cold-weather, and a highly breathable midlayer in shoulder seasons, especially when paired with a thin windshirt. Best of all, it’s incredibly light: At 4.4 ounces, it weighs less than most sun hoodies.
(Photo: Courtesy Sitka) Best for Cold Hikes and Hunts
Sitka Core Merino 330 Zip-Off Bottom
$159 at Sitkagear $159 at Al’s
Sizes: M-XXL
Fit: Loose
Key Materials: Merino wool/nylon blend
Breathability: 5/10
Warmth: 10/10
Wicking: 6/10Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy on and off
⊕ Mid-calf length works well with boots
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Baggy on skinny framesZip-off long johns belong to an exclusive category of gear that we didn’t know we needed but can’t go without now that we’ve seen the light. The appeal is simple: you can remove your leggings without taking off your pants or boots. Does that sound like a small upgrade? Don’t tell our testers that. “On multi-day winter trips when it feels like your whole day is spent managing layers, these really are a game-changer,” one reported after a late fall hunting trip in Utah.
Rather than opting for a lightweight legging that’s too cold in camp and too warm while moving, the 330 bottoms (named for the 330 grams per square meter merino-and-nylon blend that Sitka uses) do away with trying for versatility. Instead, they’re properly warm and thick, and easy to strip off when you inevitably overheat. One ding: This set sports a looser fit, so those with slimmer builds might find them too baggy, especially at the leg opening.
(Photo: Courtesy Rab) Most Versatile
Rab Conduit Crew
Sizes: S-XXL
Fit: Tight
Key Material: Recycled polyester
Breathability: 8/10
Warmth: 7/10
Wicking: 8/10Pros and Cons
⊕ Performs well in a range of temps and conditions
⊕ Great wicking capabilities
⊕ Soft and cozy
⊗ A little on the heavy sideDespite the widely different range of tester expectations, sports, and geography, the Conduit was a unanimous favorite thanks to its extreme comfort and versatility across a wide range of temperatures. After months spent skiing at Sugarbush and mountain biking around Burlington, Vt., one tester’s notes on the Conduit were simple: “Rab just seems to have the best materials.”
All agreed that there must be some form of alchemy in the 92-percent recycled polyester, eight-percent elastane weave that manifested in a lightly gridded fleece backer. Testers praised the comfort in a variety of conditions and uses: One wore it beneath a couple layers in temps around the tens during heavy sideways snow in central Oregon; another wore it alone during a 40-degree overcast run in the Ashland watershed. At 6.9 ounces, it was on the heavy side for the top end of our temperature range, but the micro-channeled gridded fleece moved excess heat with aplomb. “It was great at wicking moisture,” remarked a tester after taking it on a long run in 45-degree temps while wearing a pack. All agreed this top will serve as a reliable, go-to layer, all winter long.
Products to Avoid
It might be tempting to equate base layers with any long underwear, but steer clear of the inexpensive “waffle” thermals from brands like Hanes or Fruit of the Loom: these are generally cotton, which dries slowly and doesn’t retain heat when wet. In winter conditions, wet cotton is downright dangerous and can lead to hypothermia.
How to Choose Base Layers
Comfort is paramount when purchasing base layers. Every body and every skin type is different so dialing in the materials that feel the best on your skin is the most important part of the base layer buying journey. In general, quality baselayers will be constructed of either polyester or merino wool, with spandex, elastane, or nylon spun into the fabric to increase stretch or durability. Polyester layers are usually cheaper and quicker to dry, while merino is more expensive, dries slower (but retains heat while wet), and is more odor-resistant. Which is better comes down to personal preference: some love the soft hand of natural fibers, but even the most advanced, small-micron merino wool material can make someone with a wool intolerance miserable.
Once you have landed on a material that works for your skin, start looking into moisture movement. If you sweat a ton, as many of the testers for this category do, look into lightweight synthetic base layers, as they have an excellent track record for moving moisture efficiently. If you do not sweat much, then you can get away with thicker next-to-skin layers that will also be warmer when you’re not in motion.
In terms of design, base layers are pretty straightforward. To maximize comfort, look for upgrades like flatlock seams and raglan sleeves, which can prevent chafing, especially when wearing a pack.
How We Test
- Number of Products: 34
- Number of Testers: 11
- States Tested In: 10
- Temperature Range: -5 to 60 F
While the communication process varied from detailed descriptions on Google documents to handwritten notes over giggles and beers, the testing process itself was uniformly all business. Our team racked up hundreds of miles run, ridden, and skied in conditions ranging from sub-zero mid-mountain whiteouts to mild seaside runs.
Meet Our Testers
Category manager Nathan Pipenberg has been testing men’s apparel for Outside for three years and also serves as Backpacker’s ultralight columnist. This year, he put gear to the test on winter hikes, resort laps, and late-season trail work missions.
Ultra Running Coach, Trails and Tarmac owner, running shoe reviewer, and podcaster Brett Hornig put down well over 100 running miles testing layers in wintry conditions.
Greg Durso, Program Director for The Kelly Brush Foundation, is one of the hardest charging, most prolific, adaptive ski and mountain bike athletes on the East Coast.