Base Layer
Archive
From the coolest kayak we’ve ever seen to a super grippy water shoe, this is the gear you need for those quiet days on the river.
There's a group of people who believe that in a world of extreme natural disasters, being ready for any catastrophe is more than just a precaution. It’s practical.
I ran my first ultra, The North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile on December 7. Save two missing toenails and a pinky toe that looks like it belongs on a cadaver, I think I am far enough away from the pain to write about the gear that helped…
If you think stars and stripes are only for Fourth of July, think again.
I've always wanted to try a onesie. Good idea? Bad idea?
ϳԹ reviews the best women's apparel that missed the cut for the Summer 2013 Buyer’s Guide, including the Salomon Endurance ¾ Tight.
Pants are fine, but if your goal is waist-deep powder, a good pair of bibs like FlyLow’s Bakers ($330) are what you need.
When it comes to holiday giving, you should never have to choose. This year, our editors have pulled together 68 perfect ideas—priced from $4 to $50,000—guaranteed to make anyone on your list feel like a million bucks.
Frigid temperatures, biting wind, blowing snow—if you’re well outfitted, it doesn’t really matter.
Let’s start with nature’s wünderfabric. Not only is merino wool (sourced mostly from sheep in New Zealand’s Southern Alps) a sustainable, bio-degradable fabric, but gear makers have figured out how to make it softer and thin enough to wear on a hot summer day.
Rather sort your sock drawer than run on a treadmill? Us too. Here’s the gear you’ll need to keep running outdoors all winter long.
Bug spray seems messy and outdated. Do the apps for Android phones and iPhones really work? What about bug-repellent clothing?
I've heard conflicting things about synthetics and their ability to keep me cool. What should I wear while running in this brutal heat?
ϳԹ reviews the best triathlon gear of 2012, including the Felt B12 triathlon bike.
Five Ten’s Guide Tennie Canvas is a few ounces lighter than the original but every bit as capable on talus and techy trails.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear for the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Arc'teryx Incendo.
The stout chromoly tubing on Jamis’s Aurora Elite (27 lbs) gave us confidence, even on circuitous descents with full loads.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Linus Gaston 3.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Merrell Mariposa waterproof jacket.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer's Buying Guide, including the Prana Piggyback yoga-mat strap.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the 5.10 Coyote Canvas climbing shoes.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including 2XU's 3/4-length compression tights.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Roxy 10'6" SUP.
ϳԹ reviews the best barbecuing gear of June 2012, including the Primo Oval Junior.
ϳԹ picks the best hiking gear of June 2012, including the Helly Hansen Odin Fastpack.
I love the outdoors, but I'm at risk of developing melanoma (my mom passed away a few years ago from it) which limits my ability to be outside. What can I wear to reduce my risk of melanoma and remain comfortable?
ϳԹ picks the essentials for March, including the Arc'teryx Motus Crew.
ϳԹ picks the essentials for January, including the Icebreaker Oasis Crewe Razor Shirt.
Cross-country skiing is among the world's great human-powered modes of movement. Whether you ski classic or skate, here’s the gear you’ll need to get started.
For hiking in 110°F, what top would you recommend? I was once told the best choice was a cotton T-shirt with a wind-resistant outer shirt. Is there any truth to that idea?
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Moving Comfort Rebound Racer Bra.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Surly Pugsley bike.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Fischer RCS Carbonlite Skating Hole skis.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the L.L. Bean Polartec Power Dry Quarter-Zip Lightweight base layer.
There’s no reason to be sheepish about switching those synthetic baselayers for a more natural alternative.
Good news: Some cotton no longer kills. Like any good gear girl, I’ve avoided wearing cotton for outdoor activities—it’s comfortable, but when it gets wet it tends to stay that way, and wet clothing chaffes, saps body heat, and can induce hypothermia, even in mild conditions. Hence the saying. PolarMax…
After competing in more than two dozen adventure races, Stephen Regenold breaks down his go-to outdoor gear
ϳԹ brings you the best adventure-specific dresses for your next late summer trip.
Seven surfers from Montauk, New York, give you the lowdown on one of the East Coast's premier surf towns.
Cooling Agents: Our favorite ultralight gear for sweltering summer runs, including Saucony's Vortex sleeveless top.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Dockers Convertible Mobile men's button-down.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Patagonia Three Trees men's shirt.
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Eddie Bauer Legend Wash Poplin men's shirt.
Casual-but sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season including the Quiksilver Marzone SS men's shirt.
Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Nalini's Cotone base layer.
Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Patagonia's Ultralight down shirt.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'Teryx Cita Bra.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Helly Hansen Pace Singlet.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Sheila Moon Alice Shimmel Top.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Horny Toad Bivalent Dress.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Isis Brighton Bay Tank.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Specialized Women's Trail Top.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Outdoor Research Echo Duo Tee.
What is the benefit of compression clothing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm looking for a good hiking shirt to wear this summer. I live in a country where temperatures can reach over 95 degrees. I would like something that is cool and quick-drying and will protect me from the sun. Karl Cape Town, South Africa
I seek wisdom from the experienced Gear Guy on winter clothing layering. I will be hiking up Mt. Washington in January and I am hoping I can beseech your advice on finding the best layering combination (starting with base-layer clothing suggestions to mid-layer clothing suggestion and finally the outer shell layer suggestion). Thank you, exulted Gear Guy! -Nathan St. Louis, MO
Famed explorer Alan Arnette gives us the inside scoop on what he wears to stay warm in the South Pole
I travel a lot and freeze on airplanes. I am looking for a comfortable, classy, warm, wrinkle-free outfit. The Editors Santa Fe, NM
In a galaxy of mostly boring base layers, the 100 percent polyester Esse has a refreshingly cool look. Caveat: It’s the only piece here without any sort of no-stink properties. 686.com…
Not only does the design show off your back and shoulders, but you’ll never be annoyed by a falling tank-top strap. A shelf bra supports up to a B cup. lululemon.com…
The inner layer is 100 percent bamboo charcoal, which is naturally antimicrobial, while the outer layer is a poly-and-merino blend. Upshot: It’s surprisingly warm for its weight, and I couldn’t stink it up no matter how hard I tried. kombisports.com…
If you prefer to do sun salutations in a T-shirt, opt for something moisture-wicking, like this mostly polyester one, which also has strategically placed mesh panels for releasing steam. marmot.com…
With thumb loops, an iPod pocket at the shoulder, and reflective piping, this was my favorite top for cool-weather running and biking. Bonus: Its cocona-treated polyester fabric is odor-resistant. newbalance.com…
Not only is this racer-back tank adorable on its own; it’s also a smart next-to-skin layer. The built-in shelf bra has you covered when it comes to support (even if you’re a C cup), and the nylon-spandex combo is soft to the touch, wicks moisture, and won’t make you…
I love waffle patterns like this—they trap warm air close to the body for remarkably toasty first layers. Bonus: The relaxed cut and tattoo-like graphic on the shoulder make it stylish enough to wear around town. hotchillys.com…
This slim-fitting merino-wool jersey won’t stink as quickly as most, and thinner merino panels under the arms and along the sides helped it dry better than other jerseys we’ve tried. smartwool.com…
Casual This 850-fill piece is the ultimate base layer (yes, it’s svelte enough to wear under a shell), but its chic western flair looks even better after you peel off the layers for après-ski. nau.com…
This three-pocket, mostly mesh jersey zips down for maximum cooling. Caution: Avoid wearing Velcro with this—it snags. sugoi.com…
Good for Backcountry The inner synthetic layer disperses sweat on contact for quicker evaporation, while any condensation from your jacket instantly beads right off the wool exterior. After wearing it nonstop on three Cascade volcanoes, our tester was addicted. dakine.com…
This tank has more to offer than just cotton (albeit organic). A built-in bra adds support and comfort. mountainhardwear.com…
Good for Backcountry This mostly wool-and-nylon button- front was a midlayer before the term “midlayer” existed. Ski with it over a base layer, then wear it with a T-shirt to the bar. smartwool.com…
Patagonia redesigned its flagship line of base layers, and it claims the new fabric wicks and dries faster than ever. We couldn’t confirm that, but one thing’s for certain: Thanks to an antimicrobial treatment, this slim-fitting layer did a much better job of fighting funk than our decade-old Capilene.
This high-performance tee fights odor, wicks sweat, and will outlast your passport. www.prana.com…
Good for Backcountry Stretch is right. This super-soft bamboo-and-poly shirt moves like second skin. Bamboo complements the speedy wicking of polyester with natural anti-stink properties. kombisports.com…
It’s not just a name. The Sonam, like 90 percent of all Sherpa apparel, is made in Nepal, with a small portion of the proceeds going to support the education of Sherpa children. The poly-and-nylon fabric wicks like a champ and, thanks to silver ions, resists odor. Slim-fitting.
Everybody wins with this cotton button-up: Its gauze weave lets cool air in—and your stink out. www.hornytoad.com…
Good for Backcountry Sugoi consistently churns out some of the best running apparel, and this midweight synthetic base layer—with built-in hood, integrated mitts, and half-zip for venting—is no exception. Plus the athletic fit and thumb loops mean it also works as an underlayer for slower pursuits.
After testing half a dozen merino-wool midlayers last winter, this was the one we reached for most often, whether we were going skiing or to the bar. A high collar helps seal out the cold. TAGS: merino wool, shoulder patch…
Made of Peruvian alpaca wool, this antistink base layer is even softer than the finest merino we tested. Plus it won’t shrink in the wash like some wool base layers. powderhorn-world.com…
The antimicrobial poly-and-wool blend is an excellent funk fighter. And the body-mapping construction—thicker fabric around the chest, thinner under the arms, and flexible sections on the elbows for mobility—works: It’s extremely comfy and better at temperature regulation. Note: Runs small and slim—the large fits like a medium.