New Balance Men's Compression Thermal Crewneck Long Sleeve Baselayer

Product Information

As always, the most sustainable clothes are the ones you’ve already got, but if you do need to invest in a new base layer, look for garments woven from natural, biodegradable materials (wool, bamboo) or recycled synthetics, made with natural dyes by brands with good environmental principles and robust manufacturing ethics.

Slim athletic fit requires a slim athletic body type, expensive, not as durable as cheaper synthetics

Casual Wear

The Solution 150 won't be a perfect fit for everyone: the slim fit can be too tight for many body types to wear comfortably — especially if you're worried about the sleeves being too tight around the shoulders and pits. The NuYarn wool blend is a thin, stretchy fabric, but durability is a concern if worn alone and not safely underneath a top layer. Finally, we need to talk about the price: this is one of the most expensive base layers we've tested. Still, if you can swing the cost, you may never find yourself not wearing this hoody, from when the first flakes fall to when the last ski run closes. Lightweight base layers are less likely to have them, but in a more substantial base layer, a partial-length zips is an excellent feature, allowing you to dump excess heat during activities. We like thumb loops too, which stop sleeves from riding up when you put on another layer, and prevent gaps appearing between your top and your gloves. Moisture management One of our favorite super stretchy, soft, and warm synthetic base layers for cool to cold conditions As mentioned, the Cotopaxi Liso isn't the warmest option, as it's thinner and less warm than many of its rivals. It's also less warm than wool shirts of the same weight. If gone unwashed, the synthetic fabric will develop a funk if you after a few days of wear, despite the Polygiene application applied to the fabric. Be mindful when washing the Liso: all that stretch is accomplished by using a hefty amount of spandex in the fabric, and this will lose its stretchiness after enduring too many dryer cycles. If you want a great budget wool top, have a look at the Meriwool Merino 250.

Combining strict ethical production standards and technical functionality is a hard task, but the Smartwool Women’s Merino Sport Long Sleeve Top delivers on both fronts. Proudly boasting ZQ certification, not only does it feel good from a consumer perspective but the top also performance perfectly. An uber comfortable, warm, and breathable 100% Merino wool base layer for the coldest of conditions Breathable and stretchy, useful features such as hood and thumb loops, highly adaptable to wide range of conditions These types of questions will help guide you in the direction of what holds more importance for you as a buyer. Decide which metrics are most important for your sport or activity—whether that's ice climbing or shoveling snow in your driveway—and base your decisions on those factors first.

Cornish brand Finisterre has long offered a range of merino underwear, but they’ve always been an environmentally conscious company, and last year they added bamboo base layers to their range. A natural product, bamboo is both sustainable to produce and the end product will eventually biodegrade, unlike synthetic poly tops, which will outlast us all and release micro fibres into the water system and food chain every time they’re washed. Unique features like thumb loops and a hood makes this Merino wool blend base layer super versatile Main fabric: Phasic AR II (100% polyester with DAO finish), Zoned panels: Nucliex 150 (87% Wool, 13% Nylon, RWS wool)