What is the best baselayer?

[Xymenah]

Hi everyone it is nice to be back. I cant wait for the snow and to try out my new skis which I bought in may and have been waiting to try all summer. I am trying to get everything done before my ski trip to Big White in Decemeber. I have finally gotten new ski pants and skis and I need to get a helmet (still looking I have a small hard to fit head), getting boots analysed and fitted this weekend and last but definately not least on my list is a baselayer top and bottom. I get cold easily and ski on the local Lower mainland BC mountains as well as whistler and as i mentioned before am going to big white this year. Any suggestions on what would make a good baselayer to keep me warm and dry but not overheat would be greatly appreciated. I have limited time to shop as my school schedule is completely insane. Thanks everyone, glad to be back on this forum a little more often now.

 

[slipnslide]

I wear icebreaker wool. It comes in several thicknesses from a summer short sleeve shirt to a heavy weight mid layer. It does a great job of wicking water away and doesn't get stinky like the polypro stuff. It also doesn't itch like the wool I wore as a kid. It's pricey, so until this year I only had one set and to keep it from wearing out, I wore it 3 times between washes (so I can vouch for non stinky part). OK, that was probably too much information. Anyway, I always scout for bargains and found it on sale in several shops in Breckinridge this summer from 30-50% off. You may still find some deals if you look around. Smart wool also makes a similar product, but the price appears to be about the same.

 

[ski diva]

Sometimes the Icebreaker stuff comes up on Steep and Cheap or Tramdock, so if you watch for it, you can get it at a good price. That's how I got mine!

I like the Smartwool stuff, too, and I'm a Patagonia Capilene fan, as well as Hot Chilly's.

 

[RuthB]

I wear icebreaker wool. It comes in several thicknesses from a summer short sleeve shirt to a heavy weight mid layer. It does a great job of wicking water away and doesn't get stinky like the polypro stuff. It also doesn't itch like the wool I wore as a kid. It's pricey, so until this year I only had one set and to keep it from wearing out, I wore it 3 times between washes (so I can vouch for non stinky part). OK, that was probably too much information. Anyway, I always scout for bargains and found it on sale in several shops in Breckinridge this summer from 30-50% off. You may still find some deals if you look around. Smart wool also makes a similar product, but the price appears to be about the same.

Definitely icebreaker (although I am biased since NZ is the home of icebreaker) but I can also vouch for the non-stinky, non-itchy thing - if you want extreme non-stinky Sir Peter Blake wore some of the first icebreaker for 40 days and nights in his record breaking circumnavigation sailing trip and swore that it wasn't stinky. Also it lasts for ever, our base layers are heading for 10 years old and they are still going strong (we do wash them using a wool detergent which is widely available here, but have also used shampoo - basically anything designed for protein fibres). In terms of warmth, the icebreaker layering system is great and does work we were fine when it got really cold at Big White and Lake Louise and mine has even been to Antarctica. The added bonus is that lots of the layers look good to so our other layers get worn all year round.

 

[Snowsong]

I wear different brands, but I always seem to go back to my Under Armor. It is my favorite. I try to get it at the outlet stores if I can.

 

[Jilly]

Mark's Work Wearhouse - not kidding. Think about it, they make stuff for guys working in the cold. That's all I use at Tremblant. Should be a few stores in BC or you can order online.

 

[SkiNurse]

I wear merino wool (mostly Icebreaker) and some synthetics. Depends on my mood, what is clean and the weather!

Once I discovered merino wool though...it's hard to for me to wear anything else.

That being said...it is what works for you. Some people can't wear wool...even if it is the suppposed "non-itchy" wool. Some people can't wear synthetics...and as much as I preach not to wear cotton next to your skin, it works for some.

 

[Robyn]

Yep, I'm one of those that can't wear the wool next to my skin (except for my Smartwool socks). So, I prefer REI's MTS Midweight baselayers, which happen to be on sale this week so I'm picking up more this weekend. Baselayers are one place that I don't want anything low rise as I want full coverage if for some reason my coat becomes seperated from my pants (although with my new outfit have the pant lock system that will be less likely). I also have some Columbia shirts that I like but I think they stopped making that model unfortunately.

 

[Greeley]

I like Smartwool & Icebreaker the best. You can usually get Icebreaker on sale at Sierra Trading Post. If you sign up for their e-mail notifications you can get additional discounts.

www.sierratradingpost.com

 

[Severine]

I just picked up some Helly Hansen prowool for this winter and I'm excited about it! Before, I used some synthetic blend stuff I got from Eddie Bauer YEARS ago for cool weather hiking (from before I was a skier). It was about time to upgrade! :D

Wool is an awesome fabric if you can tolerate it. Adjustable to different temps, cooling as well as insulating, keeps you dry. Expensive but SAC and Tramdock have awesome deals. My Helly Hansen tops I bought were about $17 each, and the bottoms were $22. Might as well go for the good stuff at that price! :D

 

[toughgirl]

I have always been a fan of the EMS Tchwick brand. Its on the cheaper side and they have several temperature options. They say stink resistent but i have to disagree.

You also said you are having trouble w/helmet b/c of size of your head. I too have a small noggin and found the Giro Fuse XS fit best... i got it on sale b/c it was a last year model and didn't fit anyone else.. lol.

 

[volklgirl]

Since I spend almost 1/2 of my ski season in a speedsuit (basically a full body bathing suit), I can definitely vouch for Under Armor's Cold Gear. That underneath a thin fleece layer underneath the speedsuit and I'm toasty on all but the coldest nights.

I've heard the raves of the wool-ites, but I just can't have that next to my skin. :(

 

[jaydog]

Smartwool. Can't say enough good things about Smartwool. They're often on sale at a lot of places.

 

[altagirl]

Yeah, I have smartwool tops which are great, but then i discovered Icebreaker tops, and those have been even better. I love that they have the little thumb holes that keep the sleeves from riding up when you add layers on top.

And for bottoms, CW-X tights are wonderful. I generally go with the insulated version, my husband likes the non-insulated ones.

 

[RachelV]

Wait, you mean there are better baselayers than short and long-sleeved t-shirts and flannel PJ pants??

 

[SueNJ]

Since I spend almost 1/2 of my ski season in a speedsuit (basically a full body bathing suit), I can definitely vouch for Under Armor's Cold Gear. That underneath a thin fleece layer underneath the speedsuit and I'm toasty on all but the coldest nights.

I love the UA Cold Gear stuff. I also have a few pairs of CW-X tights for the bottom. A fleece top (Hot Chillys heavier-weight half-zip fleece works great) under my jacket usually does the trick. Nothing other than the tights and insulating ski pants unless it's super cold, when I add fleece tights.

 

[Telluride Ski Babe]

I'm totally addicted to Icebreaker. (Robyn, I'd die if I couldn't wear wool next to my skin!) I stocked up base layer pieces when they came up on SAC last year, and now I have access to pro deals so I'm adding to my collection. I absolutely LOVE Icebreaker.

 

[LindsaySkiGal]

I'm also an under armor cold gear fan

 

[cinnabon]

I like Smartwool & Icebreaker the best. You can usually get Icebreaker on sale at Sierra Trading Post. If you sign up for their e-mail notifications you can get additional discounts.

www.sierratradingpost.com

I'm another one who can't do wool except in socks. My favorite base layer brand is Snow Angel, also found on Sierra - they are really good quality, wear well & fit well. I prefer the doeskin, but the cybersilk as well (not actually silk). I also like Under Armor, Hot Chilies (the peach skin & the fleece/heavier weight) and Patagonia mid-weight.

 

[atlantiqueen]

I'm a fan of Hot Chilly's Peach Skin and SmartWool lightweight for bottoms - but I cut them all and hem them so they don't stick in my boots. For tops, I favour Patagonia Capilene