Top 8 Base Layers of 2024: A Detailed Comparison
Here's a breakdown of our top picks, featuring a variety of materials, weights, and price points to help you find the ideal thermal underwear.
Base Layer Material Best For Key Features Pros Cons Approx. Price Smartwool Intraknit Merino 200 Crew Merino Wool Cold Weather Activities, High Intensity 3D-knitted merino wool, body-mapped ventilation, seamless construction. Offers incredible warmth and moisture management. Excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, breathable, odor-resistant, comfortable fit, durable construction. Relatively expensive, may require more delicate washing than synthetics. $120 Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight Shirt Recycled Polyester Warm Weather Activities, Running, Hiking Lightweight, quick-drying, HeiQ Fresh durable odor control, miDori bioSoft for added wicking and softness. Highly breathable, dries quickly, affordable, good odor control, comfortable against the skin. Not as warm as merino wool, can feel slightly clammy in very cold conditions. $55 REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Top Polyester/Spandex Blend Versatile Use, Moderate Temperatures Moisture-wicking, four-way stretch, comfortable fit, affordable price point. Ideal for layering in varied conditions. Good value, comfortable, versatile, wicks moisture effectively. Not as warm as merino or as quick-drying as dedicated performance synthetics. $40 Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crew Long Sleeve Merino Wool Everyday Wear, Mild Cold Weather Lightweight merino wool, comfortable and versatile, naturally odor-resistant. Great for casual use. Soft and comfortable, good odor resistance, naturally breathable, ethically sourced merino wool. Can be less durable than some synthetic options, price point slightly higher than some competitors. $90 Under Armour ColdGear Fitted Crew Polyester/Elastane Blend Cold Weather Workouts, High Intensity Dual-layer fabric with a brushed interior for warmth, moisture-wicking, quick-drying, anti-odor technology. Good warmth for its weight, dries quickly, comfortable compression fit, durable construction. Can retain more odor than merino wool, some may find the compression fit restrictive. $50 Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Midweight Crew Merino Wool/Lifa Blend Layering System, Varied Conditions Combines the warmth of merino wool with the moisture-wicking properties of Lifa Stay Warm technology. Excellent moisture management, good warmth, comfortable fit, durable blend. Price point slightly higher, merino/Lifa blend feel slightly different compared to 100% merino $100 Arc'teryx Motus AR Crew LS Phasic AR II Polyester High-Output Activities, Trail Running, Ski Touring Lightweight, highly breathable, moisture-wicking, articulated fit for enhanced mobility. Designed for high-performance activities. Exceptional breathability, comfortable fit, durable construction, dries quickly. Expensive, not as warm as merino wool, focuses primarily on moisture management. $89 Minus33 Merino Wool Chocorua Men's Crew Merino Wool Budget-Friendly Cold Weather Option 100% Merino Wool, Midweight, Affordable Price. A good choice for those new to merino wool base layers. Affordable, good warmth and odor resistance, comfortable to wear. May not be as durable or have as refined a fit as more expensive merino options. $70
