Say no to damp cotton tee shirts and yes to, well, what? We help you stay dry and comfortable on the hill.
Baffled by baselayers? Our latest Buyers' Guide will help you
understand what baselayers do, the differences between the most
common baselayer fabrics on the market, the pros and cons of
different cuts and which type will suit you best.
FIRST PRINCIPLES
When Berghaus surveyed walkers in the Lakes a few years back they
found a good number were still wearing cotton tee-shirts under their
expensive fleece and high tec breathable waterproofs.
This
is a BAD THING. Cotton - think denim - soaks up water and holds it
close to the skin, chilling your body and preventing sweat from
evaporating through your layers.
Proper technical baselayer garments are designed to move moisture
away from the skin and into your outer layers so it can be dissipated
into the atmosphere. You'll stay drier, warmer and more comfortable
and won't chill rapidly as soon as you stop. Dry clothing insulates
better because water transmits heat more efficiently, so ideally you
want to stay as dry as you can.
Your baselayer is there primarily to move moisture away from your
skin, not to provide insulation - that's what your mid-layer is
for.
Top tip We've found, all other things being equal, thinner
baselayer fabrics move water across themselves and dry faster than
thicker ones.
IDEALLY...
So what are we looking for in a baselayer?
- Wicking - the ability to move moisture out from the
skin and spread it across the surface of the fabric so it can
escape more quickly.
- Comfort - no one wants a hair shirt against their soft
skin, so a soft, comfortable fabric is preferable.
- Anti-Stink - the best baselayers will resist odour for a
day or more, the worst will pong unpleasantly after just a few
hours use.
- Protection - although baselayers are often worn under
other clothing, they can also become the outer layer, particularly
in warm conditions, so sun protection may be a factor.
Top tip if you want to use a baselayer on a multi-day trip,
anti-pong properties make life a lot more pleasant.
FIT AND CUT
We've already touched on fit, but here's some more. Ideally your
baselayer 
should
fit closely enough to allow sweat to be soaked up easily. That means
a snug fit will work best for most people, in really hot conditions
though, it may be more comfortable to opt for a slightly looser
cut.
Our favourite configuration is a long-sleeved top with a
collar and a deep zip-neck. The sleeves can be rolled up for venting
or rolled down for warmth or sun protection. A long zip can be opened
for increased venting and a decent collar will help to protect the
back of your neck from sunlight and chafing from other layers.
In all designs, check for flat-locked seams on the
shoulders. They're flat and are far less likely to lead to discomfort
under pack straps.
Check too for scratchy labels. Heat transfers that are
simply printed onto the fabric side-step the issue neatly or cut them
out carefully.
Top tip Long-sleeved zip-neck tops offer more versatility
and are a good all-round choice. Look for flat-locked seams for
comfort under pack straps.
