The 10 Best Ski & Snowboard Base Layers of 2023-2024
By: Kevin Katsafanas: Men's Techwear Buyer | October 4, 2023
Comfort on the mountain, whether you’re a skier or a snowboarder starts at your base…..layers. These are the layers that you wear closest to your skin, and while it’s easy to just slip into a favorite shirt or pair of underwear, choosing the best base layers makes a huge difference in your comfort through a long day on the slopes. That’s because thermal underwear does two jobs. First, it adds insulation and comfort between your sensitive skin and less comfortable insulating layers. Second, your base layer actually needs to wick moisture away from your skin. As you ski, your body produces sweat to cool you down, but if you allow it to saturate your base layers, it will cool you off too much and make you cold. So good base layers wick that sweat away from you and allow it to evaporate so they stay dry and toasty.
New This Year:
In the realm of men's ski and snowboard baselayers for 2024, merino remains a steadfast favorite, maintaining its stronghold due to its renowned warmth and moisture-wicking capabilities. While there haven't been seismic shifts in trends, the consistency of merino's popularity underscores its reliability and performance on the slopes. Additionally, established trends like Intraknit and Capilene Air continue to hold their ground in the market, appreciated for their unique blend of comfort and thermal efficiency. For those uncertain about their baselayer options, choosing base layers that align with one's needs can make a significant difference in comfort and performance. This year's lineup serves as a testament to the industry's appreciation for tried-and-true materials and technologies, ensuring skiers and snowboarders are equipped with baselayers that deliver consistent warmth and comfort during their winter escapades.
This Year's Best Base Layers:
evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Pants
The merino wool hype is 100% warranted and the evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Pants live up to every bit of it. A day in the mountains has a tendency to bring on temperature extremes, from bone-chilling chairlift rides to arduous boot packs. With the evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Pants, you can spend less time fretting over whether you're going to overheat or feel under-dressed. Offering natural thermo regulation, odor-resistance, and comfortable flatlock seams, these base layer pants are a no brainer.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool | Midweight | Long Underwear | $69.95 |
evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Crew Top
Suffering from merino madness? Get your fix with the exclusive evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Crew Top. Constructed using soft, ultra-fine fibers, this midweight crew top offers top of the line insulation from the cold yet impressive breathability when things heat up. Add in natural odor-resistance and a backpack-friendly raglan construction, and you'll see why the evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight Crew Top is a core essential among true outdoor enthusiasts.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool | Midweight | Long Sleeve Top | $79.95 |
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew Top
Set yourself up with some of the best core warmth around with the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew Top. This merino wool top stays warm, wicks moisture, and has natural odor-resistant properties so you can slide it on and get riding without thinking twice.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool | Lightweight | Long Sleeve Top | $110.00 - $115.00 |
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms
All great days start by slipping into a solid base layer. The Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottoms make it easy with full-length 100% merino coverage for the coldest of days. And with an updated fit to improve functionality, this is one long john you won't want to leave the house without.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool | Lightweight | Long Underwear | $110.00 |
Airblaster Classic Ninja Suit
The original one-piece hooded base layer for all your stealthy needs. The Airblaster Classic Ninja Suit is a 4-way stretch full-length piece to get you suited up and ready to rip. HI-YA!
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Lyrca, Polyester | Midweight | One Piece | $139.95 |
Airblaster Merino Ninja Suit
Have you ever talked to someone who owns an Airblaster Merino Ninja Suit? You'd know. They'd tell you in the first few minutes of interacting, and they won't let you forget it either- going on and on about how it's just the darndest layer. It's the best base layer they've ever had because they've never once been cold or wet. They'll tell you you can jump higher and rip faster just because of the unique Merino wool blend. They'll tell you the thumb loops keep everything in place real nice, and they'll tell you how easy it is to hit the restroom even though you didn't exactly ask. They'll wear a cotton hoodie to a powder day just to prove how legendary the Airblaster Merino Ninja Suit is. And the thing is, they're right about it all, so now you have one and you love it.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool, Elastane | Midweight | One Piece | $259.95 |
evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight 3/4 Pants
The merino wool hype is 100% warranted and the evo Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight 3/4 Pants live up to every bit of it. A day in the mountains has a tendency to bring on temperature extremes, from bone-chilling chairlift rides to arduous boot packs. With the Ridgetop Merino Wool Midweight 3/4 Pants, you can spend less time fretting over whether you're going to overheat or feel under-dressed. Offering natural thermo regulation, odor-resistance, and comfortable flatlock seams, these base layer pants are a no brainer.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Merino Wool, Polyester | Midweight | Long Underwear | $69.95 |
Burton Midweight Pants
The Burton Midweight Pants are a classic, comfortable base layer for all occasions. The Midweight Ultrawick fabric is the perfect thickness for versatile riding, offering added warmth for colder days and added moisture-wicking for hot days and high-exertion climbs.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Synthetic | Midweight | Long Underwear | $64.95 |
Burton Midweight Crew Top
The Burton Midweight Crew Top is a classic, comfortable base layer for all occasions. The Midweight Ultrawick fabric is the perfect thickness for versatile riding, offering added warmth for colder days and added moisture-wicking for hot days and high-exertion climbs.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Synthetic | Midweight | Long Sleeve Top | $69.95 |
Airblaster Hoodless Ninja Suit
Unleash your inner ninja without sacrificing comfort or style with the Airblaster Hoodless Ninja Suit. Zip up and enjoy complete body coverage, minus the hood, while the 350-degree waist zip ensures bathroom breaks are a breeze. Crafted with YKK zippers, 4-way stretch AIR-TECH fabric, and featuring signature Ninja Star embroidery, this suit is ready for action.
| Material | Weight | Style | Original Price |
| Lycra, Polyester | Midweight | One Piece | $129.95 - $139.95 |
Learn More With Our Other Outerwear & Layering Guides:
- Waterproof Ratings & Breathability Guide
- Skiing & Snowboarding - What to Wear Skiing & Snowboarding
- Outerwear - How to Choose a Ski & Snowboard Jacket
- Outerwear - How to Choose Ski & Snowboard Pants
- Outerwear - Fit Guide & Jacket Length
- How to Wash Waterproof Jackets & Clothing
- Outerwear - How to Choose by Region
- Outerwear - Construction, Fabric & Features
- Insulated Garments - How to Choose
- Insulated Garments - How to Wash Down & Synthetic Jackets
- Base Layers & Long Underwear - How to Choose
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How it Works & Product Testing
- GORE-TEX® Fabric - How to Wash & Keep Waterproof
- Backcountry - How to Dress
Learn About Our Favorite Gear
- The Best Men's Ski Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski Jackets
- The Best Men's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Women's Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski Pants
- The Best Women's Ski Pants
- The Best Men's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Women's Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Ski Bibs
- The Best Men's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Women's Ski Bibs
- The Best Kids' Ski & Snowboard Pants
- The Best Men's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Men's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Women's Snowboard Bibs
- The Best Men's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Women's Down & Puffy Jackets
- The Best Women's Fleece Jackets
- The Best Men's Rain Jackets
- The Best Women's Rain Jackets
- The Best Men's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Hardshell Jackets
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Mid Layers
- The Best Women's Ski & Snowboard Base Layers
- The Best Down Vests
- The Best Kid & Toddler Snowsuits
The Selection Process:
Our techwear buyers have an endless amount of knowledge on all things outerwear stemming from years of experience in the outdoor industry in tandem with their countless hours spent outside in all conditions around the world. From hot to cold, snow, rain, wind, and even sunshine, they know what clothing will keep you comfortable. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
