How to pick a Base Layer for Fall/Winter Hiking

If you have ever been shopping for outdoor clothing, you are probably aware of the clothing layering system to help you to keep warm, dry, and comfortable when moving through varying conditions, allowing you to add or remove layers depending on how you feel and the conditions you’re in. The base layer is what goes directly on your skin and determines your comfort. We are breaking down the different types and help you find the one that works best for you.

Base layers and thermal clothing are typically split into two types – tops and bottoms – that you can wear under another item, as part of a layering system, or even on their own.

Your body regulates its temperature by sweating. The sweat evaporates from your skin, which takes a lot of energy and cools the surface it evaporates from rapidly. In cold conditions or in a situation where rapid cooling of the skin is not welcome, sweat can evaporate from the base layer instead of the skin. As a second skin, your base layer is there to take that very efficient sweating mechanism that is meant to cool your body when active, and slow it down, allowing the body to cool in safer conditions.

Base layers will indeed help you keep warm, but insulation is not their main purpose. Heavyweight base layers are thicker, but as they do not wicker the moisture away that effectively. Regardless of what the marketers say, the purpose of a base layer is not to trap heat around your body. If you need more insulation, that’s the role of your insulating layer, or the mid-layer, that goes on top of the lightweight or the midweight base layer.

Any wicking material is good in terms of keeping you dry and not letting you get cold, just like with sleeping bags. The choice of material is a bit more subjective, and it depends on your personal preference.

Moisture conducts heat 25 times faster than air, so if it can’t escape the surface of your skin, you’ll become cold very quickly. The base layer’s main function is to wick sweat away from your skin and towards the outer fabrics, helping you to regulate your body temperature.

There are all kinds of synthetic materials and blends that are used for base layers, though they are largely made from nylon, polyester and polyester blends. Synthetic base layers have excellent moisture-wicking properties and drying time, and some blends are very affordable. They are also durable and resistant to abrasions.

Under Armor Cold Gear Mock is a perfect top for cold weather. It can be worn as a base and layered over to keep worm in extreme cold, or wear it as a top, for hiking or running in milder weather. Built with dual-layer construction for extra protection against the cold. A soft-brushed interior circulates body heat to keep you warm and a sleek exterior to protect you against the elements. Made of 87% Polyester and 13% Elastane blend, it wicks moisture to keep sweat weighing you down and helping you regulate body temperature.

One of the greatest advantages of Under Armor Baselayer collection is that all items are extremely comfortable, and this top is no exception. Its 4-way stretch construction moves with you,  giving you a second-skin fit along with the signature UA performance.

However, there is one well-known downside of synthetics, and it is the fact that they stink, literally.  Polyester is great at soaking up sweat and then quickly getting rid of it through evaporation. However, any of the oily sweat compounds and already-digested odorous compounds that pass through the clothing cling to polyester fibers and after a while, it starts to smell bad. Some manufacturers try to treat synthetic fibers with an anti-microbial coating. However, it doesn’t usually live up to its promises and will wash out.

Merino wool is a material that has many benefits. It is natural, very comfortable, lightweight, and feels amazing against the skin. Merino wool can hold up to 30% of its weight in water, before feeling wet and clammy. It is good for most activities and conditions, but it really excels in colder temperatures. It does not dry out as fast as some of the other fabrics, and, being more delicate compared to other options, it does not hold up that well to the wear marks.

Items made of 100% Merino Wool are not cheap, but luckily, there are blends that still have similar properties, but for the fraction of the price of pure Merino Wool items.

Minus33 is a brand of reasonably priced wool clothing for outdoor enthusiasts.  They offer a selection of crews and bottoms made of 100% Merino wool for men and women. Even though they are inexpensive they perform amazingly in hot and cold environment, and are great for a slew of outdoor activities like hiking, fishing or hunting. The Minus33 base layers provide a looser fit, not quite skin-tight. Still, their will do a great job in keeping you warm and dry throughout the day.

Silk is great for cooler weather outings with lower levels of physical activity. Base layers made of silk are nice because they are very thin and add zero bulk to your equipment. They are rarely used by hikers as the fabric hasn’t yet gained wide popularity. Just like Merino wool, silk absorbs a lot of moisture, but as the moisture gets locked away inside its structure it doesn’t feel clammy against the skin. Silk also dries fast and offers great moisture-wicking performance. It is naturally antimicrobial and feels pleasant against the skin. The downside of silk is its price

Fit is almost as important as the material of the base layer itself. The base layer needs to be form-fitting and tight. Generally, a snug fit ensures that your moisture is quickly wicked away. For warm weather, the guidance has always been to wear looser-fit clothing to have more breathability. However, some brands are making designs that spread out the moisture and the heat, so you can wear a tight fit even in warm weather if that is what you like.

Depending on the weight of the material, there are three categories – lightweight, midweight and heavyweight. Lightweight base layers are thinner, they wicker away moisture quicker and are the fastest to dry.