L.L. Bean Polartec Power Dry Quarter-Zip Lightweight Base Layer
Despite costing less than a fancy T-shirt, this lightweight base layer has as its main ingredient Polartec鈥檚 classic Power Dry, one of the best wicking fabrics around. The only downside: for a next-to-skin layer, the cut is a bit boxy.
TAGS: FAST-WICKING, NO FRILLS
SmartWool Midweight Hoody
Assumption: we didn鈥檛 think we鈥檇 use the hood; we thought it鈥檇 just get in the way. We were wrong; we used it all the time. On cool-weather runs. Atop windy ridges while backcountry skiing. On chilly lifts at the resort. Conclusion: we love us some midlayer hood!
TAGS: THUMB LOOPS, WARM HEAD
Helly Hansen Dry Revolution LS Base Layer
There鈥檚 skintight bad (suffocating and constrictive) and skintight good (comfy and stretchy). With no seams and an ultrasoft fabric that wicked away moisture as effectively as any next-to-skin base layer we鈥檝e tested, the Dry Revolution is skintight great. The fit is snug enough to wear it underneath any non-body-hugging layer.
TAGS: SEAMLESS, QUICK-DRYING
Columbia Men’s Midweight Long Sleeve 1/2 Zip Base Layer
Its polyester fabric is lined with silver dots that reflect heat back at you, which made it a bit warmer than a similar base layer without. The trade-off is that it doesn鈥檛 wick quite as well, though the silver lining is surprisingly comfy against the skin.听
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TAGS: SILVER LINING, FORM FITTING
I/O Bio Siggy Full Base Layer
What we love most about the midweight, merino-wool Siggy is its adaptability. You can ski in it all day, eat and drink in it all night, and repeat. And thanks to wool鈥檚 natural antimicrobial properties, it won鈥檛 smell as if you haven鈥檛 changed your shirt all week.
TAGS: FULL ZIP, VERSATILE
FlyLow Gear Prefontaine 2.0
If a stretchy soft shell and an old-school track jacket had a love child, this is what it would look鈥攁nd perform鈥攍ike. Works great as a midlayer at the resort, and the DWR-coated fabric can fend off nastier weather than you鈥檇 think.
TAGS: DECEPTIVELY RESILIENT, STYLISH