We’re getting into Fall in the Blue Ridge so time to gear up for the impending ski season. With weather patterns seeming more variable than ever before, a good set of baselayers has never been more important – the more unpredictable the weather, the more versatile and breathable your performance apparel needs to be. And the latest technologies and material combinations now available are giving baselayers a revitalized and important story to tell. Think of the right base layer combination as an insurance policy for warmth and comfort. No matter the conditions or cold-weather activity, they’ll be working to keep you warm on cold mornings and wicking away sweat when the sun peaks in the afternoon.
Best Baselayers for Fall and Winter 2014:
Adidas Outdoors
Adidas Outdoors is bringing a number of options to the table for Fall 2013, and first up is their men’s Winter Midlayer. The employment of Climawarm technology provides thermal insulation in cold weather conditions and this mid-layer features a half-zip for ventilation. The Terrex Icesky Half-Zip Long Sleeve, as seen below also features Climawarm technology and its construction allows for ultimate performance while in motion. The final piece in the new collection is the Terrex Swift Long Sleeve Half-Zip Tee. The Swift’s activated carbon endows it with evaporative cooling, odor management and UV protection. The Swift features a half-zip design with higher fitted collar for extra protection. www.adidas.com
Core Concepts
From Core Concepts comes the Old Faithful, a perfect start to any three-season layering program. Idaho’s Core Concepts is an independent company that crafts authentic adventure apparel for real people that moves seamlessly from active to everyday life. The Polartec Power Dry bi-component fabric is comfortable against the skin, wicks moisture and dries quickly. The Old Faithful sports a custom designed, sublimation printed artwork in the underarm panel. www.corelayers.com
ISIS
When it comes to baselayers, ISIS has women covered in warmth and style. The Versa-Lite Half-Zip is made with a blend of Merino wool and polyester for excellent thermoregulation, wicking and comfort, an ideal baselayer for active cold-weather pursuits. With a long cut and slim silhouette, the Versa-Lite stays tucked in and layers easily. Flatlock stitching eliminates chafing and a metallic Lurex strip adds an element of sparkle. They’re also available in matching Versa-Lite Tights with a full-coverage, flat waistband for comfort and easy layering. Another option is the Forma Half-Zip. More than just a mid-weight baselayer, the Forma Half-Zip is a versatile performance piece. Made with a blend of polyester, nylon and spandex, the Forma uses body mapping to place wicking panels, stretch panels and support panels right where they are needed most. The Versa-Lite Crew provides an additional option, made with a blend of merino wool and polyester. This is a go-to for cold-weather sports. www.isisforwomen.com
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardwear’s new baselayer, the Integral Pro Long Sleeve Zip T, provides wool’s warmth plus synthetic performance. The Integral takes full advantage of Mountain Hardwear’s exclusive Wick.Q Wool technology to provide unbeatable comfort and performance in an outdoor fitness top. Wick.Q Wool is a machine washable wool/polypropylene blend that dries quickly and wicks efficiently like a synthetic, while kicking in the consistent warmth of natural wool. www.mountainhardwear.com
Patagonia
From Patagonia comes several new pieces that will be sure to keep body parts warm during cold days. The Merino 3 Midweight Hoody provides a slim cut which allows it to layer nicely beneath a winter or spring shell. Its quick-drying, moisture-wicking and odor-resistant qualities make this a great hoody for on or off the mountain. The Merino 2 Lightweight Crew is another great option. Stronger and more durable than 100 percent wool, this combination of Merino and polyester blends to keep the active adventurer dry and comfortable even when wet. This crew naturally controls odor and wicks perspiration, and the raglan sleeve seams won’t chafe beneath pack straps during long treks. One of the more innovative baselayers out this Fall is the Capilene 4 Expedition Weight One-Piece Suit, light, breathable and able to wick away moisture while keeping you sealed up inside. With a hood for men and a high collar for women, this baselayer takes everything into consideration, including a drop-seat in the back for when nature calls. www.patagonia.com
Salomon
Salomon adds technological advancements for active baselayers with the EXO Jersey, made from extra-light fabric combined with EXO technology to provide postural support and muscle support in key areas to foster maximum skiing performance. The EXO Tight employs the same technology as the Jersey and features knee support to increase stability. Salomon’s new Halo Down Smartskin is a midweight layer that has stretch panels inside the arms and elbows to allow for easier movement and breathability. The Trail Runner Warm Long Sleeve Zip Tee is also a great option, comfy and warm enough to cut the early morning chill, yet breathable enough to stay cool as the day goes on. www.salomon.com
ColdPruf
From ColdPruf comes the Premium Performance Layer. “As a vertical manufacturer, we have created a unique fabrication and garment fit that is ideally suited to our more active customers. Our pricing is very competitive as well. Again, it is all about the value that ColdPruf brings to the market,” said John Willingham, president of Indera Mills, the 99-year-old parent company of ColdPruf. Available for both men and women, this set of trim fitting tights and long sleeve shirts are great for fall and winter weather. This industry up-and-comer keeps the active athlete warm and comfortable while exerting high amounts of energy during colder months. The presence of spandex (85/15 blend of performance polyester and spandex) allows for optimal flexibility while the moisture-wicking Coldpruf technology keeps things dry from the inside out. www.coldpruf.com
Smartwool
The men’s or women’s PhD NTS Light 195 Wind Zip T from Smartwool is a specialized top from the baselayer collection with a windproof front panel that provides warmth and protection from the elements. The top was designed for high aerobic activities in cold weather. Lightweight fabric on the back and sleeves and a venting center front zip allow for efficient cooling. Body-enhancing fit and design lines are seen in the sculpted side panels, eliminating side seams for reduced chafing, and in the contoured sleeve cuff and drop tail bottom hem for increased coverage. The Women’s NTS Mid 250 Pattern Hoody is 100 percent Merino wool and features a form fit interlock knit along with a back body seam that wraps to front for an enhanced fit. The performance fit hood with two ponytail exits can be worn underneath a helmet while flatlock seam construction is designed to eliminate chafing. Also with a form fit interlock knit, the Men’s NTS Mid 250 Pattern Crew is a 100 percent Merino wool layer complete with shoulder panels to eliminate top shoulder seams. www.smartwool.com
Craft
Craft provides an innovative layering system of the highest quality, ranging from the warmest and most active to windproof and warm, and are ideal for alpine and Nordic skiing, running and cycling. Craft offers three collections to choose from: Stay Cool, Be Active and Keep Warm lines. Each is specifically designed for the temperatures one can expect to be in. For winter endeavors the Keep Warm line has you covered, designed for temps ranging from 32 degrees to as low as 22 below zero. New this season is their Active Extreme Concept Piece Long Sleeve, made of a thin, lightweight and elastic fabric that is channel-stitched with two high-tech polyester fibers. A hexa-channeled fiber against the skin enhances moisture transport, which cools the body. On the outside, a hollow fiber offers insulation as well as transport of moisture to the next layer. Pieces are engineered to keep odor away. A second option is the Cool Concept Piece Short Sleeve, designed to keep you cool while exercising in warm conditions, both indoors and outdoors. The garments feature unique multi-channeled fiber constructions that effectively pull perspiration away from the body. 3D construction ensures optimal freedom of movement and a perfect fit. www.craftsports.us
Obermeyer
New this year, Obermeyer has engineered a smart, lightweight, 100 percent nylon-treated Dri-Core fabric used within their new baselayers for 2013. The fabric works in unison with the brand’s chosen insulation and shell goods for the ideal waterproof-breathable ski-specific combination. The first baselayer in the lineup is the Flex Dri-Core First Layer Top, a men’s full half-zip base layer body mapped to optimize moisture control performance. The Cocona, fast-drying fabric is mapped under the arms to accelerate the moisture transfer away from one’s core. The next option is the Julia Dri-Core First Layer Hooded Top, a multi-purpose technical baselayer for cold-weather activities. The Dri-Core fabric allows for superior breathability, is lightweight, and aids in insulation as the layer closest to your skin. www.obermeyer.com
Columbia Sportswear
From Columbia Sportswear comes their new Heavyweight Baselayer for both men and women. With a retro-waffle feel, this baselayer is getting back to the basics while still implementing new-age Omni-Heat Thermal Reflective technology. The durable top also features Omni-Wick technology under the arms for breathability. This lightweight baselayer with ergonomic seaming is a great option for very cold weather at a value. www.columbia.com
The North Face
As usual, and for Fall 2013, The North Face has a number of baselayer options for all activities. In performance, check out the Men’s Isotherm Half-Zip, an innovative hybrid top constructed with wind-resistant core, wool blend and FlashDry mesh ventilation panels, to keep you protected and warm on cold-weather runs. For winter action, the Women’s Expedition Tight is an expedition-weight baselayer for low- to- medium-intensity activities and features an innovative two-layer, one-way moisture-transport construction and FlashDry technology, which works with your body to improve dry time. The Men’s Alloy Merino Top is a technical wool-blend baselayer that utilizes Thermo3D design, FlashDry technology and multiple fabric weights to provide optimum warmth and temperature regulation in a 10.22-ounce package. www.thenorthface.com
Icebreaker
Icebreaker has a host of new styles that combine the natural benefits of premium wool with high-tech weather protection. Debuting in Fall/Winter 2013 are two water-resistant technical tops for trans-season running, cycling and other outdoor sports. The Dart LS Half-Zip for women and Drive Long Sleeve Half-Zip for men are lightweight technical tops that contain tiny nano particles with a ridged surface that reduces contact area, allowing water, mud and oil to simply run off. The Dart and Drive also feature Icebreaker’s Free Seam – a seam that is smooth against the skin to prevent chafing – and breathable eyelet panels. Both can be worn solo or under another layer. Also new this season are the men’s and women’s Quantum+ Hood, an upgraded version of Icebreaker’s best-selling hoody, with nanotechnology for water resistance. Stylish and dynamic, it’s ideal for running and technical sports, and for the outdoors. us.icebreaker.com
Polarmax
New for 2013 from Polarmax is the ultra-soft Micro H1 and H2 and the company’s lightest base layer to date, Travel Silk, all part of their All-Year Gear line of Casual Base Layers, developed to be layers you can wear all year long from snow to summer. Made from 100 percent Acclimate Dry Polyester, Travel Silk, MSRP $30 tops and bottoms, builds on the success of their lightest weight base layer, Tech Silk. At 2.8 oz per square yard, Travel Silk is by far their lightest layer ever. With its Acclimate Dry Moisture Wicking treatment this garment will help keep you dry no matter how strenuous your plans for the day are. Micro H1, MSRP $30 tops and bottoms, is made from 94 percent Acclimate Dry Polyester and 6 percent Lycra. With the interest in their soft heather fabric debuted at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2012, Polarmax put the fabric to work in their new Micro H1 line, feeling reminiscent of bamboo or merino. With Lycra for stretch and a relaxed fit, this base layer is certain to be a hit year round. The Micro H2 tops and bottoms, uses the same fabric as the H1 line but with a plaited construction so it is twice as thick. With an athletic fit for the bottoms to be worn under pants without extra bulk and a relaxed fit in the tops for comfort, these layers are the best of both worlds. Polarmax has been manufactured with everything sourced within a 15-mile radius of West End, NC, for more than 30 years. Everything from making the thread to weaving the fabric, to the cut and sew, to the final shipping is done within 15 miles of their headquarters, allowing them to quickly make changes to product at any step of the process. www.polarmax.com
Tasc
Tasc debuted its new Performance Bamboo:Merino Base Layer System at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013, with even more exciting updates at Summer Market, including briefs and socks. They offer both men and women’s styles in two thicknesses, level A and level B. The main characteristics of these base layers are: comfort, temperature regulation, moisture wicking, UPF 50+, anti-odor and chemical free. “We created the base layer system by mixing merino wool and viscose from bamboo to complement and enhance the natural fibers’ ability to wick moisture and fight odor. The bamboo fibers also give the fabric a much softer hand and feel than pure merino wool competitors. All performance attributes are inherent to this mixture of natural fibers,” said Tasc’s Jessica Walther. www.tascperformance.com
