Base Layers and Underwear
The best base layers and underwear, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on September 14, 2020. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
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Recent Base Layer Reviews
Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Crew
The All-Paca Crew is a lightweight, medium thickness base-layer suitable for active wear or just lounging around the house during a lock-down. It is made from 100 percent Alpaca fiber. It fills my niche as a three-season hiking/sleep layer, to be paired with a t-shirt on cold mornings and with a shell when the wind or rain begins to cut. It offers a good warmth-to-weight ratio, breathability, and also a hefty resistance to odor. It closely matches the performance of similar technical base-layers… Full review
Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Hidden Pocket Tech Tee
The Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Hidden Pocket Tech Tee is a lightweight tee-shirt, made from a comfortably soft blend of merino wool and polyester (56% merino/44% polyester). This combination makes for a shirt that breathes well, stays cool, dries quickly, and doesn’t stink after a day of hiking. An ideal shirt for warm weather adventures. Unfortunately, the hidden pocket isn't very practical. Conditions: I’ve worn the Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Hidden Pocket Tech Tee regularly for two months,… Full review
The Elixir UV Arm Sleeves
The Elixir UV Arm Sleeves provide inexpensive, lightweight protection from sun and bugs, while keeping the wearer cool and comfortable. Worn on a 7-day hike with temperatures reaching the upper-80s, this reviewer was extremely satisfied with the sleeves' performance. The UV Arm Sleeves was an impulse buy, as I used an online gift card given to me at Christmas. Costing $13.99 for a four-pack, I thought of numerous activities this fair-skinned Scot-Irishman might use them for. I started off very skeptical… Full review
Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Bottom
The Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Bottom combines 100% Merino wool with an innovative construction that uses 3D modeling to create a warm, comfortable base layer. Made for active use it moves with a body in motion, gentle hiking or hard driven climb alike. Feels pretty good in a winter camp or home on the couch as well. Smartwool takes a technical leap forward with their newly designed Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Bottom and I've had the pleasure of extensively testing it over the last… Full review
Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip
The Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal Quarter Zip brings 100% Merino wool in a comfortable and warm weave. This shirt works as a base, mid, outer and only layer depending on conditions, activity and the wearer's temperament. Versatile enough to handle a wide variety of cold weather activities. Smartwool takes a technical leap forward with their newly designed Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal 1/4 Zip and I've had the pleasure of extensively testing it over the last four months. Along with their… Full review
Outdoor Research Enigma Bottoms
The Outdoor Research Enigma Bottom is a base layer whose forte is wicking moisture and keeping you dry when you’re active; though the fabric has some wool content, it’s mostly synthetic (12% merino, 88% polyester). The fabric is relatively thin and very stretchy and slightly prone to pilling in high-friction areas. It’s an outstanding option for high-output cool and cold weather activities (four-season if you live in a cooler place), except you’ll want to wear them under a shell or fleece… Full review
Outdoor Research Enigma Half Zip
The Enigma Half Zip is a base layer that places wicking moisture and drying quickly at a premium. That's a little unusual for a shirt that's partially made of merino wool, but in this case, the blend is 88 percent synthetic, 12 percent wool. Choose this shirt for high-sweat, high-output activities; consider a thicker/heavier base layer for bitter cold. The relatively light fabric and great moisture management makes this an attractive layer year-round until it's so warm that you're better off in… Full review
Outdoor Research Enigma Boxer Briefs
Close-fitting as a boxer brief intended for active use should be, the Enigma Boxer Briefs feel good, wick extremely well, and appear to be durable. This is mostly-nylon with 12 percent merino wool. It's quite stretchy and performs more like nylon than wool. Though the fabric is thin, it seems like it should last. Mixing in wool helps blunt the odor factor, too. HOW THEY FIT The Enigma Boxer Brief is a relatively short (6 1/2 inch inseam) and stretchy boxer made from the same material as Outdoor… Full review
Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Base 3/4
Black Diamond's Solution 150 Merino Base 3/4 is a lightweight, polyester-reinforced merino wool base layer. Cool enough to wear under light shell clothing for high intensity activity at around-freezing temperatures without overheating, but easily layered over for use in colder conditions or at lower intensity. Stretch fabric gives a comfortable fit even on a slim frame and dries a little faster than 100 percent merino. 3/4 length works with high plastic cuff ski boots. (Preliminary review based… Full review
