Best Base Layer For Skiing

Under Armour ColdGear Base Layer

The Under Armour ColdGear Base Layer is a great base layer for skiing. It’s a synthetic base layer made from a combination of polyester and elastane, the addition of elastane is to provide a compression fit so that it’s tight next to the skin.

The advantages of compression are increased warmth and temperature regulation, and easy layering. But you have to find the right fit for it not to be too tight and uncomfortable. It also makes it tricky to pull away from the skin for ventilation.

Polyester is an excellent fabric for moisture-wicking, breathability, and warmth. This base layer is going to keep you dry and warm while on the slopes. It is however bad for building up odors but UA has added some anti-odor technology to the base layer to reduce and stinky build-up.

Once you have found the right fit, this base layer is soft and comfortable against your skin, and the flatlock seams ensure no chafing. It also has great freedom of movement thanks to the inclusion of elastane that gives it a 4-way stretch. 

Overall this is a great compression base layer for cold weather as long as you get your size right.

ColdPruf Platinum II Performance Base Layer

The ColdPruf Platinum II Performance is a bit of a different base layer for skiing. It’s a part synthetic base layer and a part natural.

The inside is made from 100% polyester while the outside is 70% polyester and 30% merino wool. This double layer combination traps more air for increased warmth and is made for cold weather and has been made with ring spun yarns for a soft and comfortable feel next to the skin. 

Both merino wool and polyester are excellent at moisture wicking to keep you dry and therefore warm, but the extra layer may cause you to overheat when you’re really going for it on the slopes.

If you’re worried about odors, don’t be. Merino wool has natural anti-odor properties and this long-sleeved base layer comes with Silvadur anti-odor technology. 

It made with a relaxed fit which is still tight, but not compressed. The shirt is made with ribbed cuffs and an extended tail to provide great coverage and freedom of movement too.

The sizes do run a little large though and it is advisable to order a size down to find the right fit.

Overall this is a warm, dry, high-quality base layer that is very affordable. Some people can find it a little itchy though so bear that in mind.

Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew Base Layer

Helly Hansen is a Norwegian-based company that has been making outdoor gear since the 1800s. It’s a really popular brand amongst ski instructors which can only be a good thing in the world of base layers for skiing.

The Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew Base Layer is made from 100% Polypropylene, an unusual fabric but one that has all the right properties you’re after.

The 100% Polypropylene material called “Lifa Stay Dry Technology” provides warmth and insulation plus temperature control for when you’re being active in cold weather. It’s also really thin but still surprisingly good at keeping you warm, making it nice and light to wear. 

The material is made from 3 layers weaved into one that also gives great moisture-wicking plus anti-odor and anti-bacterial protection. The Lifa Stripe Crew is not a compression base layer and has a relaxed fit. it made with flatlock seams to avoid any chafing plus it’s soft and comfortable next to the skin.

Overall an awesome base layer that does everything you need for an affordable price with a lifetime warranty. The sizing does run a little small so remember that when ordering.

MERIWOOL Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt

The MERIWOOL Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt, as you can probably guess by the name, is made from 100% merino wool. It’s a versatile midweight base layer for skiing as it can be used as a base or mid-layer, plus it looks cool enough to wear to a bar too.

The merino wool used is responsibly sourced from sheep in Australia, so you’re ticking an ethical box with this one. The natural benefits of merino wool are if you don’t know already; great breathability, good moisture-wicking, and solid anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties.

It’s like it was made to be base layer material and you can be sure that this long-sleeve base layer will keep you warm, dry, and help your temperature regulation so you don’t overheat while carving up the slopes.

When wearing this base layer, the soft and comfortable feeling next to the skin is to die for. The fit is also on point, not baggy but not too tight either. Plus, it’s really lightweight and won’t impede your movement while you’re skiing.

It says it’s machine washable and dryer safe but a lot of people have had it come back quite a bit smaller than when it went in.

Overall it’s a great base layer for skiing that ticks all the boxes.

Smartwool Midweight Zip T Base Layer

The Smartwool Midweight Zip T Base Layer for skiing is also made from 100% merino wool. Its build quality is excellent and provides long-lasting durability for use season after season. The seams are also made to conform to the contours of your body for a zero-chafe fit and great freedom of movement. 

Being made of merino wool it’s breathable, warm, moisture-wicking, and has great anti-odor properties. You’ll certainly stay warm and day with this on while you’re carving the slopes, and you won’t stink up the bar at the apres-ski after either.

The merino wool they use is ethically sourced ensuring the sheep they harvested it from had a nice life and great conditions. A big eco tick there.

The fit is tight and snug but it’s not a compression fit like some of the others. It’s long enough to give you good coverage and the sleeves don’t ride up when you’re stacked with layers and being active.

There is a 1/4 zip that leads to a high collar which great for protecting your neck from high winds and you can unzip the top to cool down if you need to.

Overall it’s an ideal midweight baselayer for keeping you warm in cold weather, but it is a little more expensive than the others.

Under Armour Base Layer 4.0

The Under Armour Base Layer 4.0 is labeled as their warmest base layer for skiing to date. It made to keep you warm in extremely cold temperatures and is probably on the best base layers if you’re going on some seriously cold adventures.

It’s a synthetic base layer, but you can’t for the life of you find out what material it is made from. The inside is soft and comfortable next to the skin and brushed in order to trap air. This allows it to closely manage your body heat to keep you warm and provide temperature regulation so you don’t overheat.

The material wicks sweat very well and is super-quick drying, ensuring you stay dry and warm on the slopes. It also has UA Scent Control Technology to make sure no odors build up and after a day of skiing, you can’t smell anything. 

The fit is tight but not compressed, so the base layer sits a little away from the skin. It has a 4-way stretch, hinting elastane is in there somewhere, that gives you great freedom of movement so you won’t be impeded while you carve away.

Overall another great base layer, the only drawback being that it’s a little expensive.

LAPASA Thermal Underwear Base Layer

The LAPASA Thermal Base Layer for skiing is made from 100% merino wool. They don’t mention where they source their wool from, so it might not meet some of your ethical standards.

It’s a solid long underwear base layer that provides great breathability, warmth, and is moisture-wicking to keep you dry. It also has great anti-odor and anti-bacterial properties to make sure you smell fresh coming off the slopes.

The merino wool used is 200gm, 18.5 microns merino wool to ensure this base layer is as soft as can be against your skin. It’s also pretty lightweight and great for layering on top of.  

The fit is quite tight, not compressed, but tight. It doesn’t restrict your freedom of movement though, so you’ll be able to swing your arms on those turns with ease.

The downsides to this base layer are the sizing, they run a bit small, and that they can shrink in the wash even though they are said to machine washable.

Columbia Omni-Heat Stretch Base Layer

The Columbia Omni-Heat Stretch Base Layer is made from 100% polyester and is really durable. Everyone who uses it tends to own it for quite a few seasons.

It’s a great base layer for skiing thanks to the ergonomic seams with flatlock construction that provide a zero-chafe experience while you’re on the slopes. It also features a 4-way stretch to keep you comfy and stop any restriction of movement. 

The polyester is made with thermal reflective Omni-Heat technology to help keep you warm in cold weather. It also has Columbia’s Omni-Wick feature that helps remove sweat from your body and evaporate it away quickly. The result is a very warm, and dry base layer. 

Polyester is known for its smelliness but this stuff has had an antimicrobial treatment thrown at it to reduce any bad odors, so you won’t have to run off to the showers immediately after you end your session.

Overall a great base layer, the only complaint being the sleeves tend to be a bit long and can ride up with layering.