What do you do with the bottoms of your base layers?

[num]

Personally, I fold the lower parts up near my knee to keep them out of my boots, kinda like a large foldover cuff.

I wear compression base layers for other activities, but I haven't for skiing since folding wouldn't work well and I don't want to cut off circulation by bunching them up. I've been looking to get a pair of 3/4 length compression base layer pants for skiing, but in the mean time I've been skipping compression on my legs.

I'm wondering what other divas do about the base layer/boot thing. Do you guys hem them, fold them, buy 3/4 length only, leave them in your boots?

I'd think that there would be more 3/4 length base layer pants for skiing than I see. The fact that there are so many base layers marketed specifically for skiing that are full length makes me wonder, is it common for people to ski with the base layers in their boots?

 

[snowgirl]

I'm not sure if this is the "right" way to do it but i ski with my thermal underwear/base layer over my socks tucked into the boot. It works fine for me but I think it all depends on the thickness of the material and your boot, etc.. I think 3/4 length pants would be easier tho I would definitely buy them if I found them.

 

[Marigee]

but i ski with my thermal underwear/base layer over my socks tucked into the boot.

Ditto for me.

 

[mollmeister]

I hate anything tucked into my boot. So I push things up. Or used to. But then I discovered these:

https://www.gearandtraining.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=28952

Oh, joy and happiness. Pricey, but joy and happiness.

And if you buy some, they are very height-specific to get the compression/support bands lined up right, so if you're short, err on the small side.

 

[Jilly]

Cut em off and surge them, just above the boot top. Have to do Hubby's too!

 

[atlantiqueen]

At 5'2" and size 10 even the 3/4 or capri-style are too long and unlike Jilly I can't sew a da*& thing that doesn't sail a boat! So..I pull 'em up to my knees....

Hubby calls me the "princess and the pea" 'cause even if there's a dog hair in my boot I have to haul a*& back to the lodge take them off and clear everything out! So obviously another layer inside my boot would just suck:(

 

[ISki]

In the boot. Got to have a smooth fit, though, like leggings. Length above the ankle.

 

[ride_ski]

I wear some of them in my boot over my socks. I have others that I can pull up. I prefer not to have anything inside my boot (except foot, sock, and toe warmer when necessary), but I only have a few pairs of base layer that I can pull up.

 

[ski diva]

I fold them up above my boot -- never leave them in! According to my bootfitter, that's a definite no-no, since it affects the overall fit of the boot. But hey, whatever works.

 

[SkiNurse]

No base layers in my boots. I can't stand to have any thing else in my boots bseide thin socks and my feet!

 

[w.ski]

Never in the boot. I fold them up.

 

[SueNJ]

Those are the 3/4-length compression tights I have (the CW-X), and I love them. I could never ski with anything tucked into my boots--the boot tops are too snug on my leg to have anything else but my socks in the boots.

 

[hungrybunnies]

I can't buckle the top buckle of my boots if I try to tuck anything in - so I fold up or pull up the bottoms of my base layer. Although those 3/4 length compression tights look really good.

 

[Pequenita]

Sock only in boot and then I wear a capri length tight. I found that folding up stuff to above my boot cuff wound up cutting into my skin and cutting off circulation.

 

[Robyn]

Ugh, this has been one of my battles. I had capri baselayers from 686 but they were too low rise and I ended up with air up my back which really bothered me. I found REI's midweight which I LOVE except for the cuff is so snug it won't go up my calf to stay out of my boot but at least it's tight. I still am bunching up material above the boot though, that's what I get for being short.

 

[Bravosarah]

I've been putting my ski socks over them, so that they stay flat and don't move when putting my boot on.

But after reading this thread I think I might cut the bottoms of my Marmots and see how that works out. If it works, I'll cut the bottoms of the rest too.

We'll see.

 

[Robyn]

I've been putting my ski socks over them, so that they stay flat and don't move when putting my boot on.

But after reading this thread I think I might cut the bottoms of my Marmots and see how that works out. If it works, I'll cut the bottoms of the rest too.

We'll see.

I do put mine in my socks so they don't move around.

I worry about cutting off and having them fray on me. Any thoughts on that (no, I don't have any sewing skills or friends/family with them).

 

[NannyMin]

I've always just folded them neatly. I've been considering buying the 3/4 length ones but it seems like such a waste to replace everything.

 

[Kano]

Ugh, this has been one of my battles. I had capri baselayers from 686 but they were too low rise and I ended up with air up my back which really bothered me. I found REI's midweight which I LOVE except for the cuff is so snug it won't go up my calf to stay out of my boot but at least it's tight. I still am bunching up material above the boot though, that's what I get for being short.

Robyn, do you otherwise like the pants?

If you can get a long top, you can solve the drafty issue!

Kano

 

[Robyn]

Yeah, unfortunately, it seems that no matter what length the top the it still pulls out. I really like the bottoms of the new ones actually. Maybe I just need to take them in one of these days and have them hemmed. I don't know, since they aren't driving me crazy right now I think I'll wait to make up my mind.