Choose Your Base Layers Carefully (The Truth About Base Layer Marketing)

Links to Gear Mentioned in Video
Our other favorite gear we currently use from Backcountry can be found near the bottom of the description if you are interested.

Want to see all the gear we currently take out camping? Link below.

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Choosing a base layer sounds simple. But it really isn't a one size fits all approach. We are breaking down our favorite base layers from merino wool to our favorite synthetic base layer blends. Our goal is to help you recognize that base layers for cold weather are an absolute must. But, this doesn't mean you have to spend an arm and a leg to get quality base layers. You just need to know what you want.

Timestamps
0:00 Beginning
1:43 Base layer properties
2:15 Base layer fit
2:58 Base layer weights
3:05 Lightweight base layers
3:14 Midweight base layers
3:31 Heavyweight base layer
4:10 Types of base layers
4:47 Merino wool base layers
8:00 Synthetic base layers
9:51 Silk base layers
10:15 Patagonia Capilene Air Base Layer
12:04 Base layer performance
14:19 Kids base layers

*Our other favorite winter gear we use from Backcountry*

Want more tips on how to stay warm when camping? Check out our videos

[PlayingwithSticks]

Don't be shy. What are you all wearing for base layers? Or do you wear base layers? There is nothing wrong with saying you wear a pair of long underwear handed down from your Great Great Grandfather :)

[cristianinternationaltrade]

I am from Chile and I was bornt in south, when I was kid my great grand mother made me base layers and sweaters about merino wool because in the south there are thousands of sheeps then for her was very cheap to buy the wool and kniting weaving the cloth by her hands than buying cloth for us in a shop. I never felt cold in winter, I played a lot oudoor like normal kid and of course I sweat but never felt cold because now I understand the magical properties of the wool. Now, 35 years later, I understand I was super lucky to have had my great grand mother(RIP 2013) who made wool cloth for me as now days merino wool is very expensive over the world as got very popular. When no internet, old times were wiser from popular wisdom from elder people.

[cedarcanoe]

What I learned after 61 years of kayak and winter outdoor hiking in Sweden:
1) HellyHansen LIFA-Active baselayers are the best for high-activity paddling and hiking.

2) The current merino whool baselayers are not strong enough for outdoor high-activity and really need blending with other materials otherwise it will form holes immediately, mostly already on the first day of usage.

3) The very best material for low-activity winter baselayer is a blend of merinowool and silk (Klättermusen sold it until some 8 yesrs ago and stopped selling it because it was too expensive for them to make).

[josephinegibbs]

I live in washable merino. Synthetics have always made me feel icky and cold. For a couple decades after synthetics hit the market it seemed like that was all that was available (other than not-an-option cotton) and I was thrilled when Smartwool arrived on the scene. I love my midwieght Smartwool 1/4 zip, but my everyday top is the Seg'Ments lightweight merino long sleeve tee that shows up briefly in Costco stores in the fall. I always buy several. Merino does have durability issues, and mending is painstaking work, but it is worth it.

[vanished]

I confess, I am a hard core wool freak. There is such a variety in types of wool and weaves it is hard to find one that does not meet a specific need. For cold weather base layer top and bottom - merino has never let me down. I love alpaca wool for socks, hat, and mittens for warmth, softness and durability. Boiled sheep’s wool boot liners are a must. ❣️🐑❣️

[josilynl]

For extra stinky armpits, hand washing with dawn dish soap really helps reset the fabric!

[MurCurieux]

Jumping on the 100% merino wool with Ice Breaker for this winter season. Ran 100% synthetic my whole life and am done with the drawbacks. Wife has used 100% merino for years since she as issues with the cold and she swears by that material. Stay warm everyone.

[scottshoe]

Blue jeans, Metallica tee shirt, ripped flannel and some white new balances.
Super technical gear.

[northcountryskytours]

I completely agree with the description of "clammy feeling" when wearing synthetic gear. I've been looking into baselayers lately. The 90%/10% you mention is what I got recently. They are great. The nice part is that I think the 10% synthetic part keeps it from stretching out very much. Thanks for the video. Now I know what I should get for my next set.

[donniebel]

Personally, I’m a big fan of the Merino/synthetic blend, especially in mid weight. I sweat more than average (even without insulation layers if very active) and 100% Merino does not wick or dry fast enough for me; the blended ones are noticeably better when mid weight. Lightweight 100% Merino seems to feel warmer because it wicks faster for me.
That said, the very thin, low price synthetic 32 Deg brand from Costco is surprisingly warm, very low weight and has a fraction of the odor problem other synthetics have.

[famousamos]

As a Korean, I always choose the synthetic because I gain all of the pros and do not care about the smelly portion because I lack the gene for the sweat odor. So, even when I sweat, it smells like nothing! It is awesome lol 👍

[dongladstone]

So refreshing to hear a reviewer that knows their subject. 61 one years later and I've tried a ton of base layers. I'm not convived by blended pieces but I'll give the Patagonia piece a go. To my mind Merino is the best ... by far. Happy Hikes!!

[jpriddle]

Very well put together video. It can be so easy to get overly nerdy on explaining these kinds of subjects, but you make it very practical and plain spoken.

I’ve been experimenting with so many layers the last few years for backpacking and skiing. What I’ve found is that all of these various materials can behave very differently when layered creatively. For example, I have grid fleece pieces that are wicking baselayers, but start to insulate pretty well when moved to a mid-layer. Activity specific is super important as well. I’ll reach for a thick flannel if I know I’m just going to sit around in camp.

Believe it or not, my go-to year round base layer is a Patagonia Tropic Comfort sun hoodie. While it breaks the rules by being looser fitting and no zipper, it always feels cool next to skin, wicks efficiently and dries instantly. I then pair that with an Appalachian Gear All-paca hoodie, which is 100% alpaca wool and gives any merino or synthetic a run for its money. Then a wind shirt or puffy on top and you’ve got an amazingly versatile 3 piece system for active and resting.

Oh, and one thing I will say for cotton. An appropriately lightweight and loose fitting cotton in extremely hot and arid conditions is more comfortable and even safer than a wicking layer. You actually want to retain the sweat moisture to help cool your skin rather than accelerating evaporation. Experienced this first hand here in Texas to make me a believer.

[tackoholic]

I'm a bigger guy but love the winter outdoors. I ski and fish for steelhead/salmon all winter. I've always been a person who is always hot and has no problem breaking a sweat. I've been utilizing merino wool base layers for the last few years. Obermeyer, Simms, and Patagonia all have top quality base layers in my opinion. I'm sure there are others but those are my personal favorite for a cpl reasons. 1. Obviously warmth when needed. 2. Comfort against bare skin. 3. The ability to allow excess body heat go so I do not overheat and start sweating profusely. 4. Their abilities to no stink when I'm living out of my truck for a week fishing and wearing the same base layers. Gross I know but I dont have convenient access to a shower and I'm 6hrs from home. Just my personal experience with base layers of it helps anyone.

[zetuljka]

I wear merino wool exclusively as a base layer, my kid too. Never liked synthetic materials against my skin and never bought them for winter layers no matter what the trend or marketing. And I find merino wool very durable, I own several pieces and they last, great odour regulating properties too. Wool doesn't like frequent washing, just hang it outside, fresh air, sun and wind will do the thing. Or do handwashing with gentle liquid. Money saving tip - buy merino layers second hand and go thrifting. All my merino clothing is thrifted and in excellent condition even after wearing myself for many years. Or buy on sales at the end of the season.

[Avantgardist]

I want to express my deep gratitude for this great video. You did not try and sell me something or advertise some shitty shake. You really shared information that helps people to find the right thing for their own needs no matter the brand.

[wisenber]

You left out two categories, fishnet and its polar opposite the vapor barrier.
Fishnets can be tight or loose as your perspiration leaves it as vapor moving into out layers. They also dry faster than any other garment of similar material.
Vapor barrier is the opposite. You don't have evaporation heat loss as there is no evaporation. A big plus to vapor barriers is that your skin doesn't dry out as much in the cold, and they can keep a down bag or coat from getting perspiration in them.

I've had success with both, but the vapor barrier type is best left for temps well below freezing. Fishnets work great for cold or heat as they absorb so little moisture. Really like fishnets with my drysuits.

[dukekaboom]

I buy my merino wool base layer in the January sales from a large department store. These are usually pretty hideous to look at but as I’m using for a base layer it great to get them with a 70% discount 😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[FlanCannon]

I’ve been wearing my old Army issued silkies, the tan ones we got when the Army was still wearing the ugly gray ACU uniform. I never really put a lot of thought into what kind of base layer material to wear in the cold. I’ve also bought and have been wearing wrangler base layers, and some cheap stuff you get at Walmart. But from what I’ve realized, the military thin silkies had always worked the best, they have been my favorite base layer cold weather clothes since 2009. I am certainly grateful for this knowledge on what types of materials to wear for base layering. Thanks man.

[luiscuervo]

Very good video. I’m a compulsive buyer of merino and I’d have 3 things to say: 250gr plus are middle layers rather than base layers. Their purpose is to keep you warmer when a puffy jacket might be too much to hike in. 2nd, the main advantage of merinos or any other wool over synthetics is the non-odour properties. The more you blend it with synthetics, the the odourless it will be. 50%-50% is not good enough for me but OK if price is an issue. I have 2 of those Pataginia Air Capilene tops: they are amongst the most comfortable, and thanks to their waffles which hold warm air, they are very warm for their weight. They are however only 50% merino, so they stick sooner. Another weakness is their fragility. Their stitches get caught very easily even on a finger pilled dry skin. Pulls stitches out. Not to be warn as an outer layer. Hope it helps