Our good old British weather can be wildly unpredictable, making layering up with the right kit a must for enjoying outdoor exercise. Don’t use fabric softener or dryer sheets - Fabric softener and dryer sheets can deposit residue on the fabric and affect the performance negatively. It doesn’t matter how good (or how inexpensive) a base layer is if it doesn’t fit you properly! Most brands have sizing that ranges from XS to XL. Patagonia, Smartwool, Columbia, The North Face, and REI Co-op have more inclusive sizing, ranging from 2XS to 3XL. As more people like Jenny Bruso from Unlikely Hikers speak up about how tough it is to find plus-sized outdoor gear, we’re hopeful that more brands will step up. The Patagonia Capilene Midweight is a tried and tested base layer. If you take good care of it, I know from personal experience that it can last you ten years or more. As you walk the dog, go for a run, or use your phone, thumb holes are perfectto keep the sleeves from going anywhere and keep your skin covered while keeping your fingers free. 2. Add cushion and warmth without gloves

Shirts and Running Jackets Have Thumb Holes? Why Do Shirts and Running Jackets Have Thumb Holes?

The Solution 150 won't be a perfect fit for everyone: the slim fit can be too tight for many body types to wear comfortably — especially if you're worried about the sleeves being too tight around the shoulders and pits. The NuYarn wool blend is a thin, stretchy fabric, but durability is a concern if worn alone and not safely underneath a top layer. Finally, we need to talk about the price: this is one of the most expensive base layers we've tested. Still, if you can swing the cost, you may never find yourself not wearing this hoody, from when the first flakes fall to when the last ski run closes. Slim athletic fit requires a slim athletic body type, expensive, not as durable as cheaper synthetics Pros: The fibres keep you cosy in colder climes by insulating your body, so turn to this material for skiing and snowboarding. It helps to draw away sweat and is naturally antibacterial, keeping odours at bay. Not really. I know I’ve mentioned a few good benefits of thumb holes in your outdoor gear, but let’s be honest, we all fared perfectly well without them before. You can always keep your hands warm on a run or a hike with gloves, and though I’ve heard runners say they like thumb holes because it stops their sleeves from riding up, I can’t personally say that’s ever a problem I’ve encountered. Maybe I don’t run swiftly enough? Thumb holes prevent my hands and wrists from feeling the chill without having to layer up with running gloves (Image credit: Julia Clarke) 2. Keeping cool

Conclusion

Trail runs were incorporated into our test plans to assess breathability and versatility. Though silk offers a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than other fabrics, it is less breathable than other natural fibers. In today’s landscape of athleisure and functional wear, it’s not enough for big brands to provide useful clothing. They are always trying to provide more value to their customers. For a decade, our team of experts has bought and tested dozens of the best base layers on the market. For this update, we compare 17 of the most popular options side-by-side. From the ski slopes to alpine climbs to sleeping out under the stars, our in-depth analysis derives from real-world adventures undertaken while wearing each model. We score all base layers across key areas of performance, like warmth, breathability, and drying speed. Whether it's for the warm or cold season, a quality base layer is sure to keep you dry and comfortable, no matter where your next outdoor escapade takes you. Here are some questions to help point you in the direction of the base layer of your dreams: HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND ON A BASE LAYER? We love that the more prominent companies use their influence and resources to offer more inclusive sizing.

Base Layers - Thumb Loops - Alpinetrek Merino Wool Base Layers - Thumb Loops - Alpinetrek

The Good Housekeeping Institute tested 29 base layers, with our panel wearing each top for at least three outdoor workouts. To test the Patagonia Capilene Midweight, I wore this base layer against the skin during an October trail running traverse of the Wasatch range. The temperatures ranged from highs in the 70s to lows in the high 30s. I wore just the Capilene Midweight from 6 am to 8 pm when I added a Patagonia Houdini wind shirt to ward off the cold. That was perfect until 3 or 4 am when I added a fleece on top of that. For a lightweight, affordable, and highly UPF-protective base layer, we think the Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie is the best of all worlds. With a UPF rating of 50+, the lightest and thinnest fabric we tested, and sizes ranging from XS-3X, the Crater Lake hoodie is everything we want in a base layer for hiking. The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoodie is our winner for Best Base Layer for hiking. It's also the overall winner in our Best Sun Shirt guide.As a 100% synthetic base layer, it’s also suitable for vegans or people allergic to wool. The Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino wins top honors for its weight class thanks to its innovative seamless knitting technology that blends swaths of warm fabric with panels that add durability and ventilation — all without requiring additional seams, which saves on weight and bulk. We think this is a pretty cool innovation, and it seems to work. The slim, athletic fit excels as a base layer, allowing you to top it off with additional layers for a complete system to prepare you for the harshest of conditions. Extra long sleeves, torso, and a drop tail hem ensure that the Intraknit Thermal covers you no matter how you move. The midweight Merino wool blend fabric is a great "just right" weight to use for most cool to cold days outdoors. Fit is also important, but it depends on your preferred outdoor activity. Tighter tops will trap more warmth, but opt for a looser cut if freedom of movement is a priority or if you’ll be wearing it for several hours.

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Even if your base layers are designed for the regular laundry cycle, Helly Hansen suggests that “standard laundry detergent can leave behind a film that attracts odor-causing bacteria”-something to consider if your base layers see heavy use.

Base Layers - Treeline Review The Best Base Layers - Treeline Review

When I talked to Ashley, one of her biggest criteria for a base layer is how it fits. While specific fits of base layers are designed for certain use case scenarios, it’s essential to choose a base layer that you feel comfortable wearing. For example, if you don’t like other people seeing you in tight-fitting clothing, an athletic slim-fit base layer is likely not going to be the best choice for you. HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU WILLING TO INVEST IN CARING FOR YOUR BASE LAYERS?The Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer is our winner for best base layer for extreme cold. It's got everything we love about the Smartwool All Season, but is the best heavyweight base layer for versatility, fit and comfort, quality and durability, and warmth. By utilizing thumb holes, your hands can stay warm while still getting enough ventilationto keep them at the right temperature without wearing gloves. The same can be said for Smartwool, whose simple washing tips have been drawing people who don’t want to have to think too hard on laundry day.

Best Base Layers of 2023 | CleverHiker 7 Best Base Layers of 2023 | CleverHiker

Finally, using thumb holes can protect areas of skin that see a lot of sun otherwise. We often forget to apply sunscreen to our hands and find it wears off faster than other areas so while it won't provide total protection, it may offer a useful shield. Do you need thumb holes in your outdoor gear? One of the best midweight base layers for when you need warmth and freedom of movement thanks to its fabric blend and seamless ventilation pattern While we may love the fabric of a base layer top, if the base layer bottom doesn't fit right, it won't feel comfortable. Worse yet, with a merino base layer bottom, we've sometime seen the same fabric we love for a top not have enough stretch for a bottom…and to develop holes in unfortunate areas. One pivotal trend centers around the ethical treatment of animals and environmentally conscious practices in wool production. Brands increasingly opt for responsibly sourced wool, signifying a commitment to humane treatment and stringent environmental standards. Just be sure to choose tops that fit your body, made of stretchy, breathable fabric.The right shirt with thumb holes can not only make you feel good but look good too.No matter which elements you’re battling, the aim of a base layer is to regulate your body temperature while avoiding that clammy feeling. With that in mind, finding the right fabric is key. While synthetic material is superior to wool in durability, wool is superior to synthetic because it doesn’t retain odors. Odor occurs due to a combination of moisture and bacteria. Bacteria naturally occur on the surface of our skin. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist conditions, like those created from sweat. That’s why after consistent use, synthetic materials start to retain odors-even after washing. On the other hand, Wool is naturally odor-resistant. Because of its unique natural oils, it’s better able to release odors in the wash. As we progress to an increasingly casual aesthetic, it is only natural that brands are looking to combine the comfort and performance functionality of outdoor apparel.