Thermal Baselayers

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What do I need to know before buying a baselayer?

Conditions and exertion levels can change constantly and dramatically when you’re out hiking, so to stay warm and dry all day, you need a layering system for your clothing: this starts right next to the skin, with a thermal baselayer. The baselayer is about trapping warm air against the body, providing comfort and insulation, whilst also efficiently wicking moisture away from the skin as quickly as possible. 

Baselayer tops can we worn thoughout the year, as they come in vest, short and long sleeve designs, as well as a range of thicknesses/warmths. Baselayer bottoms add another level of warmth under your trousers or shorts – or you can wear them on their own for activities like trail running.

There’s a huge choice of thermal baselayers available, made from ground-breaking natural fabrics such as merino wool, bamboo and silk, as well as from man-made synthetic fibres. Avoid cotton though – as comfy as it feels when you first put it on, it takes heat away from your body, while soaking up and holding sweat. Not the warmth or feeling you want when you’re out hiking, climbing, skiing, mountaineering or otherwise enjoying yourself outdoors!

Merino is a naturally fine, antimicrobial, high quality wool that lends itself perfectly to use in high performance  thermal baselayers. It’s fibres are much more comfortable worn next to the skin than normal sheep’s wool, and more stretchy too, so merino items move easily with your body. Merino is woven in different weights, so it lends itself to a variety of thermal base layers, from lightweight summer t-shirts to thicker and warmer full length garments for colder climes. 

Bamboo is another popular, naturally based high performance thermal baselayer material for mountain activities and adventures in cold climates. This super-soft, eco-friendly anti-bacterial fabric offers lots of benefits, including a comfortable and close fit, with high UV protection. It’s a great choice for anyone with sensitive skin too.

The silk baselayer also has its fans – it’s highly breathable, an excellent insulator, and is naturally resistant to odours. Aside from these natural fabrics, synthetic materials can also make excellent baselayers – they’re highly durable, stretchy, wick sweat efficiently, dry quickly, and sit tighter against the skin. Synthetic baselayers are often more affordable than their natural cousins, but note that they are not naturally anti-bacterial, so make sure they have this treatment to avoid unwanted smells.