Base & Mid Layer Buyers Guide

It's crucial for skiers and snowboarders to dress in layers in order to stay warm & dry in winter weather. A base & mid (or insulating) layer should be worn beneath your outerwear to counter the potentially uncomfortable/harmful effects of wind, precipitation, low temperatures, and perspiration. Your body temperature & the day's forecast help to determine the most appropriate pieces that will have you on-hill until last chair.

Shop Snowboard Base Layers >
Shop Ski Base Layers >


Base - first layer, worn directly against your skin. A good base should stretch, fit tightly yet comfortably, and wick away sweat & moisture
Tops - Long-sleevedcrewneck tops, t-necks (or turtlenecks), mock necks, or performance tank tops for spring conditions

Bottoms - Ankle-length leggings, cropped (or 3/4 length)leggings, or technical shorts for spring conditions

One-piece - Full body suits, sometimes with a built-in hood/clava

Choosing a Base Layer

Fit - Fit should be chosen depending on outside conditions, level of activity, and personal body temperature.

• Tops & bottoms should feel snug and flexible. You want them close to your skin so they can wick moisture & keep body heat close to your skin.
• Avoid pieces that restrict any movement or begin to bunch or sag after a few minutes of wear. Creases and folds beneath other layers will leave you with painful pressure points and possible bruises.
  

Types of Fit

• Compression - skin-tight, performance fit designed to support muscles. Best for coldest conditions, athletes with low body temperature, or mildly active days
• Fitted/Semi-fitted - snug, versatile fit worn close to the body. Good for moderate conditions & varying levels of aerobic activity
• Relaxed - looser fit best suited for spring conditions, highly active days and/or athletes who get easily overheated

Fabric - Your base should be constructed from performance materials that offer comfort, insulation, dryness & protection. Check labels to make sure your base is primarily made from synthetic (man-made) fibers. A garment that's either 100% synthetic or a majority blend should do the job, just remember to stay away from cotton, which will absorb moisture, loose its shape, and leave you vulnerable to the cold.


Types of Base Layer Fabrics

• Synthetic -designed to offer low absorbency, superior stretch, moisture-wicking ability, and heat retention. Ex: Polyester, Nylon, Lycra, Spandex
• Natural - typically don't show the same durability/longevity of synthetics, but do offer adequate insulation, low absorbency, and stretch (as long as you wash & maintain them properly). Ex: Silk, Merino Wool

Other Base Layer Features

	Antimicrobial - Bacteria-fighting protection applied at the fiber level or as a finish. Layers will stay odor- and mold- free after repeated wear & retain this quality after several washings. Ideal if you're going on vacation (or you prefer Febreeze to laundry detergent).
	Durability - used to describe how well your clothing maintains its original state after repeated wear. Pieces should resist abrasion, pilling and deterioration during laundering.
	Four-way Stretch - fabric that's been woven to be easily pulled lengthwise & crosswise. It allows for free range of motion and is less likely to bunch up or create creasing.
	Flat/Flatlock Seams - seams sewn by binding two pieces of fabric edge-to-edge, rather than the standard method of overlapping & folding fabric before stitching them. The result is smoother, more comfortable against bare skin, and won't cause abrasion or chaffing.
	Moisture Wicking - fabrics made of micro-fibers that transport moisture away from the body through 'pores' that allow sweat to evaporate, but keep body heat in. Polyester is the most common component in the numerous branded names for fabrics w/ wicking capabilities. (Ex: Burton DRYRIDE Ultrawick, Hot Chillys MTF, Spyder DryWEB, Under Armour Evo ColdGear)

Mid-/Insulating - second layer worn over your base whose main job is to provide moderate insulation & keep out any wind/water that makes it past your outerwear.. Should be durable, comfortable and slightly heavier than your first layer. They should be breathable, moisture wicking, and have low absorption. While it's important your base is synthetic, a mid layer can be made of a natural fabric like cotton or wool, just know that these fibers won't dry quickly when wet.

Choosing a Mid-Layer

Fit - Mid's should be worn snug enough to keep body heat in and fit beneath outwear, but have also enough room to compensate for the base layer(s) underneath.

• Since mid-layers are thicker, it's important to choose one that won't inhibit your range of motion or feel too heavy/bulky.
• Stay away from excessively tight/loose styles that respectively ride up beneath or sag down beneath outerwear & soak up moisture.

Styles

• Tops - Fleeces, hoodies, sweaters&technical flannels offered in crewneck, 1/4 zip, 1/2 zip, full-zip or pullover styles
• Bottoms - Thicker leggings, typically bonded or brushed fleece

Fabric - Materials should be breathable, moisture wicking, and have low absorption. While it's important the majority of your base is synthetic, a mid layer can be made from a natural fabric like wool, just know that these fibers won't dry quickly when wet.


Types of Mid-Layer Fabrics

• Fleece - a lightweight, synthetic fabric that's great at creating and retaining heat while still allowing any excess to escape. Comes in a variety of weights (micro being the thinnest & most flexible to 300 being the thickest & most rigid), all of which are quick drying, resilient & can be easily cleaned at home. The downsides include inferior wind proofing, pilling after repeated wear, a tendency to generate static electricity & attract hair/lint.
• Wool - It's weight & stretch make wool the best natural insulator. While it typically doesn't perform as well as fleece, it will keep you warm even in wet conditions. It's also static-resistant and won't cling to the layers beneath it. The downsides are its tendency to absorb moisture & special laundering requirements.

Other Base Layer Features

	Absorption - the measure of how many milliliters of liquid can be held in a fabric. If moisture finds its way through your outerwear, a low-absorbency insulating layer will block water droplets from reaching your body.
	Breathability - Crucial component in staying dry & comfortable during physical activity measured by the rate at which 1-gram of water vapor can pass through 1 square meter of fabric in a 24-hour period. 10,000 g/m2 is considered a high breathability rating: the higher the number, the more breathable the fabric.
	DWR - (durable water repellant) for wetter conditions, a mid-layer with a DWR coating will provide greater protection against precipitation without sacrificing breathability. It will wear off after several washings, but DWR sprays can be reapplied to clothing as needed.
	Durability - used to describe how well your clothing maintains its original state after repeated wear.
	Moisture Wicking - fabrics made of micro-fibers that transport moisture away from the body through 'pores' that allow sweat to evaporate, but keep body heat in. Polyester is the most common component in the numerous branded names for fabrics w/ wicking capabilities.
	Stretch - look for forgiving, flexible fabrics that move with you despite any added weight. Tags should indicate Polyester, Spandex, or Lycra as part of the fabric composition.