Choosing a base layer
Chuck out your cotton T-shirts: a quality year-round base layer will keep you drier and warmer with less condensation inside your waterproof.
Featured product: Helly Hansen Lifa Long Sleeved Crew
1. Materials
Merino wool, polyester and polypropylene each have their advantages and they all perform far better than standard cotton, as they move moisture away from the skin (cotton holds water, making you feel cold and clammy).
Polypropylene moves moisture away the fastest, but it has to be close fitting to work properly. Polyester wicks moisture well, but tends to get smelly unless other antimicrobial fibres are added to the blend. Merino wool is naturally anti-microbial and wicks well, but tends to become saturated with sweat if you get really hot.
So choose polypropylene for high activity or if you sweat a lot. Buy Merino wool for when you can't wash your kit regularly and you're not going to get too hot. And polyester is a good all rounder, fine for general hill walking, particularly if antimicrobial fibres are added to control the smell.
2. Colours
Black naturally absorbs heat and white reflects heat. So while black might look cool, it feels really hot in the sun. White is ideal for hot weather but it gets dirty really easily and may bleach to yellow or brown at high altitude. So choose middle tones, such as light blues, reds and greys.
3. Design
Base layers are available with crew necks, zip necks, and short and long sleeve. For cooler weather, you’ll need it to have a long body that will cover your bum, and long sleeves. A high collar will also protect your neck from the cold. And to use the base layer in hot weather, make sure you can pull the sleeves up, ventilate the neck and roll the collar down. While a close fit is great for keeping warm in winter, a looser style provides ventilation for warmer weather, so choose a medium fit for year round use.
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