Anyone who has ever worn a base layer knows that highly comforting toasty feeling. They give us the comfort we need when exterior conditions are challenging. They are life savers when we are on a trail in freezing temperatures or under a blanket in a tent. Therefore, it becomes important that we choose the right base layer.

Two major considerations can be made while selecting a base layer — weight and material.

On the basis of weight, three major categories of base layers are mentioned below for you to choose the right one depending on the activity and weather:

Lightweight Base Layers

Referred to as the Next to Skin Base Layer (NTS), this is the first layer that you wear. It has excellent moisture wicking properties. This mostly worker for skier who only needs a lightweight base layer under the ski pants.

Mid-Weight Base Layers

Closely associated to next to the skin base layers, these are a bit thicker than NTS. This type of base layer works best in colder weather conditions.

Heavyweight Base Layers

These are for weather conditions where you can have frostbite. You can easily wear it alone or over a light or mid-weight base layer to create a nice and warm protective layering.

Talking about the types of material used in making base layers, we have listed the fabrics that are prominently used all over the world:

Merino Wool

This is an improved and much smarter alternative to wool base layers. This type of wool is taken from a breed of sheep that can survive in both extremely hot and cold conditions. The sheep is found in the Southern Alps of New Zealand.

  • The wool has excellent heat retaining properties
  • Contains small pockets that allow more breathability
  • Absorbs the amount of moisture equivalent to 30% of its weight before becoming completely wet
  • Extremely soft hollow fibres have moisture wicking properties that pull the moisture from the skin
  • Naturally anti-bacterial property makes it resistant to odours
  • Sustainable composition that is easily renewable

Synthetic

Materials containing synthetic elements include fleece, spandex, and polyester. Although they aren’t the highest quality fabrics, but are effective enough to get the job done at a much more affordable price.

  • Polyester is extremely durable as it can resist mildew and chemicals
  • Spandex is exceptionally stretchy and can be stretched by more than 500% before tearing
  • Polyester dries quickly due to its naturally hydrophobic properties
  • Moisture wicking qualities in polyester pull the moisture from the skin through the hollow fibres
  • Spandex is more retractive than rubber which makes it resistant to unwanted stretching
  • Any of the material won’t shrink
  • Fleece is exceptionally warm and soft but won’t be suitable for aerobic activities as it not as breathable as other materials

 

With such wide range of base layers available in the market, it is unlikely that you would face any difficulty getting through the rough and challenging environments while hiking, skiing or climbing. It is just a matter of choice that you will have to make to find which type of base layer serves you best.