What is the best baselayer?

[Gloria]

The main difference between wool and sythetic baselayers is thermoregulation or how they balance body heat by transferring moisture.

Wool - Transfers perspiration in it's vapor state prior to it turning into moisture.

Sythetic - Transfers after condensation. Not quite as fastidious as wool but doesn't hold moisture and does transfer it away from the body so still prevents chilling.

Wool experts will argue that your muscles will work less because their product is superior at thermoregulation and you will produce less lactic acid, but I don't know that I would get this technical in my decision making as wool is also alot more spendy and for all the years people have worn sythetics, I haven't seen alot of people keeling over skiing from too much lactic acid. Don't get me wrong, I love my wool pieces, but I also think sythetic is just fine too.

Either works well, depending on your personal needs.

 

[Severine]

I did this with my first set of smartwools too...But since then I have learned that they have 3 different levels. The lowest level they sell to more the boxy type discounter type stores and then the upper two are ussually carried in the higher end stores. I have several of the mid and PHd which is the supremo and wear them everyday and haven't blown through any of these yet. The middle and high are a couple dollars more a pair, but if you are paying that much for socks anyway, you might as well go all the way if you know what I mean.

I bought them at EMS so I don't consider that "low-end" store (not the prices I pay there, anyway!!!). Looks like the ones I had are phased out and replaced by the PHd. Definitely need as little padding as possible in the feet though. I've found that's made a huge difference for me as far as comfort goes: too much padding can be really bad.

 

[Gloria]

I bought them at EMS so I don't consider that "low-end" store (not the prices I pay there, anyway!!!). Looks like the ones I had are phased out and replaced by the PHd. Definitely need as little padding as possible in the feet though. I've found that's made a huge difference for me as far as comfort goes: too much padding can be really bad.

Check closeouts for the Spring 08's I snagged a handful of these recently and they are not padded. I know they made improvements to their ski line for Winter 09, can you not get unpadded anymore?

 

[vanhoskier]

After white-water kayaking in mid-30-degree temps, wearing a dry suit with layers underneath, I've learned that the base layers made my kayak clothing manufacturers (like Immersion Research and Kokatat) are GREAT for skiing. Immersion Research makes some really nice fleece baselayers that are very warm and regulate moisture well. I wore one skiing both days this weekend with temperatures in the high 20's and blowing snow, and was toasty warm. I've found I prefer these layers to others I've bought for skiing.

 

[CMCM]

I'll second the ICEBREAKERS!!! I got the heavy weight top and long pants, also their socks, and wore those ALL season under my ski pants and down jacket. I love the lack of bulk, they always kept me warm no matter how cold it got, and didn't itch in the least (usually wool makes me itch like crazy). They don't feel like wool, you can wear them several times and they don't get stinky if you do that! Expensive, but worth it. I've used them for two seasons now and wouldn't go back to anything else! By the way....I NEVER ever needed anything else...never put a sweater etc. over them....only the icebreakers and my pants and jacket, that was it.

 

[ski-luvr]

Nice! i'm liking the tips here! I have been wearing a silk layer under duofold on the top with a big thick Northface jacket and then a marmot jacket for many years now, and have always felt sort of...stuffed in there and bulky. I'm loonmg forward to trying something new...It'll be like spring/summer skiing not having a gadzillions layers to work through!

 

[ski now work later]

I like the Northface XTC baselayers. They're light, don't get stinky, launder well, and aren't too bulky under my Northface TKA fleece 1/4 zip tops. I wore Under Armour tops and bottoms for the first 2 years and the tops made my skin dry and itchy. I tired of the compression aspect of the bottoms and am going to try the XTC bottoms this year. I have some Mountain Hardware thick fleece bottoms (and a top) for very cold days.

It does appear, however, that I don't typically get very cold when skiing. I've noticed that I'm usually dressed in lighter clothing than many of the women that I ski with~ And when I'm doing anything in the park, I get super hot from nerves.

 

[indyjones]

Never underestimate a good pair of long johns.

 

[SkiGAP]

I wear marmot tops - mid weight and light weight. I also wear REI MTS and Powerstretch tops and bottoms.

 

[whitewater girl]

for anyone else like me, who sometimes finds even bargin-outlet prices steep for the budget, I've been finding a surprising number of fine-gauge merino wool turtlenecks in thrift stores! (a fair number of good-condition, even new-with-the-tags, fleece sized for either base or mid layers too)...have to visit often & be picky, but hey, it works! Synthetic long & short sleeve tee's can also frequently be found. Bottom layers I haven't had much luck with there, though...

my sister (who is a marine biologist & works out on open water on boats in all weather) finds thrift store wool sweaters that have either "felted" or otherwise been damaged & talks the price down even further, then cuts out the sleeves to make vests that can be trashed with impunity! (an option if "exertion" limits the life of your gear - or if you find yourself needing extra layers quickly & cheaply!)

btw, have a few nice cashmere sweaters I found for under $10 each there too - and brand new down jacket & vest (tags still on when I bought them)...you'd be surprised what you can find!

 

[Skisistah]

Put me down as an Icebreaker fan to the nth degree! My ski companions often wonder if I have any other shirts. I wear the same one for skiing in all kinds of weather with just my insulating layer (Mountain Hardwear compression jacket) on top, maybe with a shell if it's windy. FYI, their lightweight stuff is fantastic in hot humid environments - I wear my 140 weight t-shirt on multiday jungle treks with minimal stink :-)