15 best base layers for men and women this winter ski season

Don’t ask us to name our favourite thing about this fabulously soft base layer top – it’s impossible. Although we’re especially smitten with the super soft merino and the high neck, which allows air to circulate while keeping cold breezes out. It’s also incredibly stylish – this is a top we’d be more than happy to wear at our favourite après-ski bar once we’ve finished carving up the slopes, and it’s a great option to wear at home on colder days. Although it’s designed as a base layer, flat stitching (which reduces the risk of chafing) and brilliant sweat-wicking qualities make it a fantastic top to wear under running jackets, too.

These leggings are perfect for skiers who don’t want the cold weather to keep them from the slopes. The emphasis is on warmth, rather than sweat-wicking, although they’ve got brilliant breathability and a softness which means this garment won’t chafe or rub. They’re not the most technical of pants, but they do exactly what they say on the tin, and their contoured profile is incredibly flattering, too.

This super soft hoodie is packed with added extras which are worth their weight in gold, whether it’s the thumb holes to prevent dreaded sleeve-slippage, or the top quality flatlock stitching – a total gamechanger when it comes to garments worn directly against the skin. Unusually for a base layer, there are two pockets at the hip (perfect for keys but big enough for a small purse), although this doesn’t compromise the lightness of this 100 per cent merino wool hoodie, which has a full-length zip.

A large, V-shaped area of meshed, breathable material means it’s easy to stay cool when wearing this long-sleeved top. It has a loose fit and relies on tiny three-dimensional grooves to create airflow over the skin which, in turn, helps regulate temperature. It’s ideal for anyone undertaking strenuous activity in very cold environments and is made with a bio-based Natex yarn, a material which offers brilliant protection from the elements for prolonged periods of time.

This top had us at hello, thanks partly to the packaging, made entirely of cardboard. It’s surprisingly light and offers plenty of room to move – the sleeves especially allow for a decent amount of airflow (pet hate is tight, tapered sleeves, which crop up regularly on base layer tops).  The hollow-core yarn kept us warm all day long, and we were grateful for the reassuring presence of an odour-control treatment.

You can’t beat merino wool when it comes to base layers, particularly for high-altitude sports, as it’s warming in cool temperatures but will also help prevent you from overheating when exerting yourself. Merino wool also boasts superior sweat-wicking properties and stays warm when wet, which is essential when exposed to the elements. Fjallraven’s bergtagen thinwool base layer isn’t cheap but it is supremely comfortable and incredibly light, both of which are invaluable qualities when hiking, especially over long distances or multi-day hikes when you may want to throw it in your backpack. We found that this top worked well as a first layer under a fleece and rain jacket, but we also wore it as a pyjama top when camping and it kept us warm and cosy for several nights in a row without smelling.

This is without doubt one of the coolest base layers we’ve come across, and we’re particularly fond of the top’s logo, which reads “drop cliffs not bombs”. It’s been designed with skiers and snowboarders in mind, but don’t let that limit its use – this is a brilliant all round base layer made with thin, hi-tech fabric which kept us warm and dry all day long. We loved the extra-wide neck, which allowed us to keep our cool while working up a sweat, as well as the elasticated cuffs, designed to keep out snow, wind and rain.

We’ll admit it – we’re prone to sweating (a lot) when working out in cold weather climes, so breathability and sweat-wicking are incredibly important, largely because both aid temperature regulation. Thankfully, this has both in abundance. It’s an incredibly technical top, with extra large areas of breathable material on the back, and it also feels wonderfully tactile, whether it’s the super soft material or the raised Wedze logo on the sleeve. Polyester – more specifically one made with fibres knitted in a way that results in an incredibly lightweight fabric – is the star of the show here, although a shout-out has to go to Wedze’s policy of offering free repairs on all clothing.

This top, which has a gorgeously silky feel, is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune on top-quality base layers. This is one of the thinnest base layers we tried, but it still provides top notch heat retention, and its loose fit and ultra-wide neck made for brilliant breathability. Acrylic and polyester are the main players here, and although it’s undeniably a fantastic base layer, we also found it a brilliant top to wear on long journeys (especially flights) when we were keen to stay warm but didn’t want to feel bogged down by too many additional layers.

It might sound odd to describe a top as being perfect for sensitive skin, but we’re sticking to our guns on this one – the seamless design means minimal chafing, and the silky material is, quite simply, a joy to wear. Take the high collar for example, despite their ability to keep out the cold we normally find them irritating, but the softness of the material meant this top’s high neck was the star of the show.

The use of Nilit heat tarn technology – a material made partly with coffee bean shell residue, and which is a brilliant temperature regulator – kept us cool, calm and collected. It’s also incredibly flattering – the fit errs on the tight side, but there’s plenty of support in all the right places.

This highly technical base layer top is multi-purpose as we’d be equally happy wearing it as a running top or on long flights. It’s lightweight, sweat-wicking and thermo-regulating, and the tactical combination of polyamide and polyester allows for plenty of freedom of movement, despite the top erring on the tight side (we’re usually a size 14, but needed a 16 in this case). That said, the cut is still incredibly flattering, with a slight flare at the waistline. We were especially appreciative of the large areas of breathable material on the back, which came in especially useful when we were lugging a backpack around.

Pretty Polly might not be known for their technical gear, and this certainly isn’t the most technical base layer we’ve tried, but it still cuts the mustard – it makes a brilliant base layer, but also looks fantastic when worn alone. Soft, woven yarn means minimal irritation, and Pretty Polly has incorporated brilliant breathability not only with a larger neckline but with generous patches of meshed material. Bonus points for sustainability, too – it’s made with 96 per cent polyamide, 74 per cent of which is recycled.

Yes, this hoody really does double as a base layer – and a great one at that. Thin enough to be worn under jackets and thinner jumpers, it’s a hoody which is both lightweight and packed with technical features. Made with 92 per cent recycled fleece, its generous cut (we’re especially pleased to see a longer length at the back) and high neck provide plenty of coverage without compromising on breathability too. We also love the fact that its thinness means the hood can be worn under a helmet, and it was love at first sight when it came to the funky two-tone sleeves.

This long-sleeved base layer is from Damart’s high-performance thermolactyl range, which basically refers to materials which use a combination of technical fibres to trap air, creating an insulating effect. And it works. This top kept us toasty warm on a particularly chilly day and was stylish enough to wear for a quick coffee with friends, too. Polyester and acrylic are the main materials here, and although it’s not the stretchiest of tops, the relaxed fit means this won’t be an issue.

A rarity in the world of thermals, this top from Planks is incredibly stylish. It’s designed as a base layer but is equally suitable for wearing alone, and is especially ideal for skiers and snowboarders – the three-quarter length zip was easy to grab with gloved hands. It’s made mainly with polyester and is both light and soft, and we loved the ultra-relaxed fit, which is flattering on all body types. And finally, what’s not to love about the fab giraffe print?