I love a base layer, especially in an era when the sheer range on offer means finding the perfect one – no matter what activity I’m engaged in or what temperatures I’ll be facing – is a breeze (unless you’re prone to indecisiveness, which is where my guide comes in).
And call me a doom-monger but, as a keen skier, I blame climate change for the fact that in recent years I’ve gravitated towards base layers that can be worn alone, too – I’ve lost count of the occasions when I’ve packed my suitcase with garments designed to add extra warmth in sub-zero temperatures, only to be met with such unseasonably warm weather on the slopes that I’ve ditched our ski jackets by day two. In other words? While features such as flatlock seams, zip covers, gusseted armpits and mesh back panels are great ones to look out for, always take a moment to consider what you’ll be expecting of your base layer, especially when it comes to the thickness and material of tops.
But don’t just my word for it, because I’ve also sought the opinion of explorer Levison Wood. “Material matters - go for merino wool wherever possible, simply because it’s warm, lightweight, and naturally odour-resistant,” says Levison who, like me, is a fan of the try-before-you-buy approach. “Fit is crucial - base layers should be snug but not restrictive, so they trap heat effectively without limiting movement,” he adds.
Finally, while you might not be hiking across the Arctic tundra or exploring the world’s most remote places, Levison’s final point is something we should all bear in mind: “Durability is crucial – look for base layers which can withstand repeated use without losing shape or warmth. In the field, you don’t get the luxury of changing often”.
The best base layers for 2025 are:
How I tested
I jumped, hiked, walked and ran in these base layers. I spent hours studying seams, gusseted armpits and collars, but only after donning them to really put them through their paces. I wore them under jackets and alone, and I scrumpled them up to see just how easily they’d fit into tiny bags when travelling on budget airlines with ridiculous luggage restrictions (Ryanair, I’m looking at you). I also took sustainability into consideration but you can read more about my in-depth testing process at the bottom of this guide.
The North Face women's summit pro 120 baselayer leggings
Best: Base layer overall
Size range: XS-XXL
Material: Recycled polyester
Why we love it
- Non-see-through material
- Ultra-comfortable covered waistband
- Dries quickly
Take note
- Can't be machine dried
I’m the first to admit that I’ve got a fear of accidental exposure, whether it’s due to waistbands that are too low or material that’s too thin. And I won’t deny – I was slightly concerned by the thinness of the material, but it didn’t let me down. In fact, it didn’t just prevent any type of over-exposure – The North Face’s fantastic flashdry and dotknit technology meant any sweat was instantly wicked away, rather than sitting against my skin.
This is a garment packed with features designed to ramp up the comfort, whether it’s the marrow stitching (a type of flat, double stitching designed to reduce chafing) or the tiny holes that make it even easier for moisture to escape. I also loved the ultra-comfortable, covered waistband, which contributed to the garment’s overall second skin-type feel. Unlike some base layers, the leggings can’t be machine dried, but this isn’t unusual with base layers packed with this much tech, and the lightweight material dried incredibly quickly, anyway.
Buy now £70, Thenorthface.com
Red men’s performance long sleeve top
Best: Base layer for comfort
Size range: S-XL
Materials: Polyester, tencel, spandex
Why we love it
- Top quality material
- Looks smart
- Great value
Take note
- Best for use on colder days
Despite the fact that base layers are designed to be worn next to the skin, I’m often horrified by the scratchiness of the material. Not so with this one, which is fabulously soft on both the inside and outside, and uses drirelease fabric – known for its sweat-wicking and odour-resistant qualities – to keep the wearer dry, warm and pong-free. However, it’s worth flagging the thicker materials mean this is definitely a top for colder days – I quickly reached boiling point when wearing this under a ski jacket during an autumn stroll.
On the plus side, it’s one of my few base layers that can also be worn alone (and its softness means it’s a joy to do so). I was pleased to see extra reinforcement at the cuffs (an area incredibly prone to wear and tear) along with thumbholes. The latter’s innovative design deserves a shout-out, too – instead of being just small holes, they’re actually small gaps between layers of overlapping material, another way in which this top fends off sneaky, bone-chilling breezes.
Buy now £44.95, Red-equipment.co.uk
Artilect womens flatiron 185 crew
Best: Base layer for odour busting
Sizes: XS-XL
Material: Merino wool
Why we love it
- Probably the softest merino we’ve come across
Take note
- Expensive (but worth it, admittedly)
All merino wool, it turns out, is not equal. I was so confused by the flatiron’s ridiculous softness that I did a little digging into manufacturing techniques, and found out that Artilect use something known as nuyarn – a spinning technology that takes merino’s softness to a whole new level. This was also one of the lightest merino garments I’ve come across, and it dried incredibly quickly, too.
Flatlock seams and gusseted underarms meant there was zero chafing, even after a particularly sweaty hike. I can’t forget the generous length either, which eliminated the risk of a builder’s bum-related disaster when tying up the laces on my hiking boots. As with all merino garments, it needs to be treated with care – I recommend washing it on a delicates cycle, then air drying (which reminds me – my one gripe is that there’s no fabric care info on Artilect’s website).
Buy now £110, Trekitt.co.uk
Devold men's lauparen merino 190 long sleeve t-shirt
Best: Affordable merino top
Sizes: S - XXL
Materials: Merino wool
Why we love it
- Great value for merino
Apparently this long-sleeved t-shirt is made with a body-mapped fit designed specifically to enhance comfort when worn under backpacks. Which, I’ll admit, I took with a pinch of salt.
But I was wrong – not only is the merino wool both incredibly soft and fabulously breathable, but the garment still somehow allowed for enough freedom of movement to allow heat to escape without leaving me with large areas of material stuck to my skin in a horrible, sweat-soaked mess. The subtle mesh panels did their breathability-enhancing job incredibly well, too.
Buy now £60, Trekitt.co.uk
Tog24 core women’s leggings
Best: Base layer for style
Sizes: 8-16
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Fun colour
- Good length
Why oh why are so many base layers black, grey or navy? Tog24 clearly shares my frustration with the situation, because these sweat-wicking, super soft core women’s leggings are a glorious, mood-boosting shade of cherry red. The brand hasn’t skimped on material either – all too often I find base layer leggings stop short of the ankles (and no, this isn’t down to us having long legs, unfortunately) but this wasn’t the case here.
An extra-wide waistband kept the leggings firmly in place, and the high-rise design was a relief, providing not just breathability but a hint of cinching (call me fickle, but my love of long lunches in slopeside restaurants on ski holidays means this is a feature I wish I saw more of). They’re incredibly easy to care for, too – they’re machine washable and can be tumbled dried.
Buy now £40, Tog24.com
Berghaus women's 24/7 half zip long sleeve tech tee
Best: Base layer for colour range
Sizes: 8-20
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Great range of both sizes and colours
This fabulous, long-sleeved tee comes in a huge range of colours, with a staggering 11 options – I recommend the gorgeous turquoise hue. Everything about this top is designed for freedom of movement, whether it’s the extra-long zip, the movement-enhancing shoulder seams or the tapered sleeves, which are the perfect width.
I was relieved to see Berghaus’s argentium finish, too – this hi-tech treatment uses silver ions to keep sweat-related smells firmly at bay.
Buy now £38, Very.co.uk
Berghaus women's berghaus delta short sleeve tech tee
Best: Technical tee
Sizes: 8-20
Materials: Polyester and lyocell
Why we love it
- Great sweat-wicking
- Versatile fit
Take note
- Ultra-short short sleeves
In reality, the fact that my only complaint is that this t-shirt’s sleeves are too short should probably give you an idea of how much I loved it. I’ll start with the colours – an ultra-bright orange, retina-burningly bright yellow and a gorgeous dark blue.
Add a tailored shape, Berghaus’s ultra-soft polartec delta material, famous for its hat-trick of sweat-wickery (and yes, I realise that’s not a word), heat retention and breathability, and you’ve got one of my favourite base layers tees out there. I also want to give a shout-out to the t-shirt’s slight flare at the bottom – when I wore this over my ski trousers it slipped easily over their hem, rather than wrinkling up at the trousers’ waistband and risking leaving me with a chilly waist.
Buy now £50, Berghaus.com
Damart thermal intense warmth long sleeved t-shirt
Best: Value men’s base layer
Sizes: S-3XL
Materials: Polyester and acrylic
Why we love it
- Cosy material
Thermolactyl isn’t particularly groundbreaking or innovative in an era when fabrics have been engineered to take heat retention and sweat wicking to new heights, but it’s still a great base layer material. In a nutshell, it’s a blend of polyester and acrylic which Damart tweaks to create certain warmth levels.
This garment, which feels as soft as some of the merino garments I tried, offers the highest (five), although the material’s breathability meant it was still a joy to wear – especially surprising given this top’s thickness. It looked unexpectedly smart, too. Finally, there’s no skimping on materials with this top – cold wrists weren’t a concern on a chilly hike.
Buy now £32, Damart.co.uk
Roxy waves of warmth tech top
Best: Stylish women’s top
Sizes: XS – XXL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Luxurious, top quality material
- Great fit
I’ll admit it. I love base layers, but I seldom come across ones I’d be happy to wear as an outer layer, whether it’s due to boring colour schemes or unflattering fits. But this is one I’m more happy to rock – a tailored technical top with a cool grid-like design and a lilac zip next to the chest logo. The sleeves were sublime – long, perfectly tapered and with thumbholes – and the wind-blocking high collar kept me shiver-free on a chilly autumn day.
It’s also another top with precision engineering – in this case, perfectly-sized mesh panels at the back and on the shoulders, which were an absolute godsend when I was carrying a large backpack and appreciated the airflow these panels provided. The fit is fantastic, too. I was chuffed to find that the top quality fabric, while still breathable and soft, has enough thickness to hold its flattering, tailored form – it neither clung to the bits I wasn’t keen on or sagged in the areas I was happy to show off.
Buy now £55, Amazon.co.uk
Columbia women’s omni-heat midweight baselayer crew
Best: Base layer for lounging
Sizes: S – XXL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Flattering fit
Take note
- The omni-heat dots take a little getting used to
I loved the way Columbia’s omni-heat dots ramped up the warmth, although they certainly felt a little odd against the skin to begin with. Then again, the extra, effortless warmth renders this minor gripe almost irrelevant, and this top wicked away sweat much more efficiently than many base layers I’ve worn.
It’s another example of a base layer I wasn’t desperate to wriggle out of post-exercise, thanks to a flattering fit, more than enough stretch and the gorgeous purple hue of my pick. I tested this not only on a morning stroll but an afternoon jog, and in both scenarios it did everything a base layer is meant to do, while also earning some jealous stares from some fellow joggers.
Buy now £45, Columbiasportswear.co.uk
Janji men’s run all day long sleeve
Best: Lightweight top
Sizes: S – XL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Ultra-soft
- Takes up minimal room
Take note
- Ultra-thin
- On the pricey side given material thickness
This innovative base layer, which felt gorgeously silky, ticks all the boxes – there are thumbholes to prevent sleeves riding up, the brand has used planet-friendly recycling polyester (Janji has Bluesign, OEKO-TEX and RWS certification) and there’s a label-free neckline to avoid chafing or rubbing.
HeiQ fresh treatment helped keep nasty niffs at bay, and the fit was spot on, cinching me in all the right places without leaving me feeling as though my internal organs were being subjected to the G Forces experienced by an F1 driver. One point to flag – due to the ultra-thin material, this very much a technical top – I see it as one to wear under jackets and jumpers for extra warmth, rather than on its own.
Buy now £42, Janji.com
Columbia women's omni-heat midweight baselayer tights
Best: Base layer for technical design
Sizes: S – XXL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Top quality materials
Take note
- Not great if you’re prone to cold ankles
I’m admittedly a big fan of Columbia but that doesn’t mean I didn’t approach this review with an impartial eye. That said, the only negative I could come up with was that I wished the material extended a little further beyond the ankles. The pants feature Columbia’s omni-heat tech, which traps warmth through the presence of tiny reflective dots, and ergonomically-placed seams allowed for maximum comfort without curtailing freedom of movement. And the latter isn’t just blurb, either – I was surprised at how much stretch these pants had while also helping to wick away sweat and lock in heat – but only where it’s needed. As for the proof of the latter point? I tested these by wearing them under snowboard trousers, and without getting too graphic, I was pleased to find that I didn’t end up with nether regions which felt like they were being subjected to their own personal sauna. Meanwhile, the raised dots on the waistband ensured these bad boys stayed in place during a particularly vigorous workout.
Buy now £50, Columbiasportswear.co.uk
Paramo women’s velez grid
Best: Base layer for sustainability
Sizes: XS – XL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Supremely comfortable
- Great eco credentials
Take note
- Expect occasional cold armpits
To be really clear, I fully understand that base layers call for precision engineering when it comes to which materials are used where, but the thinner panels of material in the armpit area and on the underside of the upper sleeves were a little large for my liking – I found myself reaching for a jacket for some breeze-blocking on a wind-blasted walk.
That said, I’d still describe this as a brilliant base layer – after all, base layers are designed to be worn under jackets or jumpers – but I’m just pointing out that this probably isn’t one to wear alone. As for the pros? I loved the warmth provided by the overlapping neckline, and while I typically shy away from base layers with hoods due to the extra bulk, the lightweight polyester and loose fit meant this one was a joy to wear. I also loved the fact that this Fairtrade garment has been made by a Columbia-based organisation which trains, supports and employs at-risk women.
Buy now £90, Paramo-clothing.com
Devold men's lauparen merino 190 leggings ink
Best: Technical leggings
Sizes: S - XXL
Material: Merino wool
Why we love it
- One of the most technical merino garments we tested
Take note
- Expensive
Yes, £80 is a lot to drop on a pair of base layer leggings, but the chances of you regretting this particular purchase are slim to none.
These make a great base layer (you’ve got the sweat-wicking merino wool and flatlock seams to thanks for that) but they also double as brilliant loungewear (I spent an entire Sunday wearing these while lazing around the house, all in the name of research, obviously), not just because they’re insanely comfortable but because they’re surprisingly stylish, too, with a tapered flatting fit and a funky three-tone waistband.
Buy now £80, Snowleader.co.uk
Tog24 Snowdon womens thermal base layer quarter zip
Best: Zippered base layer
Sizes: 8-24
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Great value
- Huge range of sizes
Take note
- Only available in grey and black
Surprisingly, the high collar on this base layer wasn’t a source of irritation, and that’s due to the wonderfully soft fabric. Its sweat-wicking capabilities makes it incredibly versatile (I found it made a great running top on warmer days, too) and the zip meant I could tailor the level of heat retention depending on the weather.
I was also surprised by the freedom of movement – when I wasn’t wearing the sleeves down, making full use of the thumbholes, there was enough room to allow me to roll up the sleeves in a nano-second. Finally, while I’d love to have seen more colours alongside black and grey (black is notoriously easily marked by deodorant stains) the upside is that I was able to wash this on a standard cycle, and it can be tumble dried, too.
Buy now £24, Tog24.com
Bamboo Clothing thermo luxe contour base layer
Best: Bamboo top
Sizes: 8-16
Materials: Bamboo viscose, cotton
Why we love it
- Contoured stitching creates a flattering look
- Perfectly-sized zip
Take note
- More sizes, please!
This top has a huge amount of seams, although they have multiple benefits – creating a flattering look but also ramping up the freedom of movement (particularly on the arms).
The collar was just the right height – high enough to keep us warm and snug but low enough to prevent chafing, whether working out in the gym or when wearing it under a ski jacket. The extra-long zip gets a gold star, too – all too often half-zip tops are actually not half-zip at all, but this one allowed me to create the perfect amount of airflow depending on the activity.
Buy now £52, Bambooclothing.co.uk
Smalls Merino women’s long sleeve merino top
Best: Merino women’s top
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Materials: Merino wool
Why we love it
- Great combination of comfort and style
Take note
- Would have loved to see more sizes
- Not sure why certain colours cost more than others
- Not quite as soft we expected
First of all – I absolutely realise that Merino wool will always push up the price of a garment, so my wincing at the price isn’t really a criticism of Smalls Merino as a brand.
After all, I found this flattering crew neck insanely comfortable, with perfectly placed thumbholes on the sleeves and a neckline which was just how I like it – high enough to keep me warm but not restrictive. Although it felt somewhat heavier than many base layer garments, don’t be put off – merino wool is made of crimped, extra-fine fibres which trap air but also allow heat to escape.
Buy now £100, Smallsmerino.co.uk
Damart thermal intense warmth long pants
Best: Heat-retaining pants
Sizes: S-2XL
Materials: Acrylic and polyester
Why we love it
- Great breathability
Take note
- Other pants do a better job of sweat-wicking
As much as I love Damart’s thermolactyl material, I was concerned the intense” heat level would be too much for base layer pants – do I really want to risk overheating nether regions, for example? Thankfully, these pants still packed plenty of breathability – despite being amongst the thickest of the base layer bottoms I reviewed. Although the sweat-wicking capabilities might not be the highest, when it comes to comfort these pants can’t be faulted, thanks largely to their ultra-soft lining.
In other words? Great as a base layer on cold, dry days and perfect for lounging around the ski chalet (or in my case, the front room), but not as suitable for high-intensity workouts as other garments in this line-up.
Buy now £29, Damart.co.uk
Le Col men’s deep winter base layer
Best: Multipurpose garment
Sizes: XS – 3XL
Materials: Polyester
Why we love it
- Surprisingly warm
Take note
- On the expensive side
- Excess of fur
First things first, Le Col was founded as a cycling gear brand, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t do base layers incredibly well – proof of which is this ultra-thin top, which relies on strategically-placed areas of polartec (synthetic fleece) fabric to trap heat where it’s needed most while also allowing moisture to escape.
I loved the high neck, and was pleasantly surprised to discover that, despite the material’s thinness, Le Col has still somehow made room for a kangaroo-style pocket on the front. But a final word of warning. While this garment is a brilliant choice for a base layer, it can also be worn alone – I tested it under a ski jacket but also on a short cycle, worn as a standalone layer. I should flag that it’s got somewhat of an unusual look – more specifically an extra-furry front which will almost certainly result in occasional comparisons to a teddy bear.
Buy now £80, Decathlon.co.uk
What is the best base layer?
The top spot goes to North Face’s women's summit pro 120 baselayer leggings, which were technical, flattering, versatile and worth their weight in gold, with several features I wish I saw more of – even the simpler ones, such as the extra material covering the waistband. They’re also packed with tech, but cost considerably less than similarly hi-tech leggings from other premium brands. Second place goes to Red men’s performance long sleeve top, which was a joy to wear – a versatile garment that I could slip on under a jacket on a chilly day but that was also stylish enough to be worn alone.
How I selected the best base layers
I spent weeks putting every single product on this list to the test, assessing everything from seams and collars to practicality, sustainability and style. I jumped, hiked and walked, all while taking the following into consideration:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Tamara Hinson has covered every category of adventure travel gear for IndyBest including camping pillows and suitcases. As an experienced travel writer (she’s travelled everywhere from Aruba to Zambia), Tamara knows which products are actually practical and worth your money so when it comes to essentials like base layers, she is well-placed to guide your purchases.
Want more winter sports essentials? Check out our review of the best ski goggles
