The 6 Best Base Layers for Women of 2027, Expert Tested

What to know: The best base layers manage moisture and regulate body temperature in cold weather. After testing all last winter, our team of expert testers named the Smartwool Thermal Merino Mock Neck the best overall base layer for women, and the Kari Traa Saga Half Zip and Pants the warmest base layer for women. Keep reading for four more top recommendations.

You can’t construct a strong building on a weak foundation. The same goes for layering. The best waterproof shell in the world won’t save you if you don’t wear a solid base layer underneath. But instead of concrete and lumber, base layers are built from fabric—technical when you’re skiing, and cozy for après or yurt life. The market is flooded with options these days, from high-quality natural fibers and proprietary blends to fun patterns and various fits.

Our crew of badass mountain women put almost 70 base layer tops and bottoms through the wringer last winter on hut trips in British Columbia, resort skiing in the Swiss Alps, and backyard missions in the Tetons, Sierra Nevada, and Cascade Mountains. We braved blisteringly cold temps, relentless storms, slushy spring conditions, and even a little bit of rain, evaluating the best women’s base layers for warmth, comfort, breathability, style, and fit.

Best Women’s Base Layers: At a Glance

More Women’s Base Layers We Recommend

The Reviews: Best Base Layers for Women

We hardly went any days last winter without the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Mock Neck base layer. Comfortable and cute, this long-sleeve joined us for bell-to-bell days at Jackson Hole and hut trips in Switzerland. “I loved that I could wear it all day and into the evening too,” said one tester after skiing in Italy. “It’s like a cute winter top that’s technical. Plus, it never stinks.”

The full merino wool construction provided optimal warmth and breathability on the hill. Testers wore this layer under shells and insulation and even on its own in temps ranging from −10 to 52 degrees F, dubbing it “the most versatile layer in the closet.”

The fit isn’t as snug as other base layers for women—so it’s flattering and relaxed enough to pair with jeans but fitted enough to keep chilly air from sneaking in. The only complaint? A couple testers felt the mock neck was bulky when paired with a neck gaiter and a stack of hoods.

Best Value

Quince Merino Wool All-Season Base Layer Long Sleeve and Cold-Weather Legging

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Merino wool

Pros and Cons
+ High value
+ Comfortable fit
– Top isn’t super warm

Merino wool for under $50? You have our attention. Quince usually isn’t our first stop for outdoor gear, but when we saw affordable merino base layers for women among their offerings, we knew we needed to take a set into the mountains. After wearing them on storm days and springlike conditions at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in February, testers were impressed with Quince’s basic and lightweight merino wool long-sleeve and leggings.

“If you hadn’t told me this top cost less than $50, I would never have been able to tell,” said one Idaho tester after a ski tour on Teton Pass. “It’s comfy, breathable, and just kind of disappears.”

Both the tights and crew top are fitted but not overly tight for a sleek, next-to-skin fit that we put on and never fussed with. We found that the women’s base layer top wasn’t the warmest: On an 18-degree F day at Grand Targhee Resort, we found ourselves reaching for an extra midlayer. But on the plus side, we’ll keep these in the rotation for spring camping trips, too. The tights are closer to midweight, and we found them perfectly toasty for days ranging from 15 to 40 degrees F.

Warmest Base Layer

Kari Traa Saga Half Zip and Pants

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Wool

Pros and Cons
+ Extremely warm
+ Stylish
– Not very breathable
– Stretches out after wear

Cozy warmth meets Scandinavian style with the Kari Traa Saga Half Zip and Pants. Testers found this knit wool set to be the warmest in the women’s base layers test, providing sweet relief from the most frigid days on the hill. “This kit was perfect for early Tram at JHMR on a 10-degree F morning,” said one tester. “While everyone else was shivering, I was on the porch eating a waffle.”

The form-fitting design on both the top and bottom made layering easy, with thumb loops that slid easily into jackets. Testers loved the extra-wide waistband that provided support and fit smoothly underneath ski pant buckles (though we noticed some stretch after each wear, and opted to wash and dry these layers more frequently to maintain their shape over time). Throw a vest over the patterned design, and you’ve got a killer après outfit. While warmth earned high marks, versatility was a bit lower. We found the Saga kit to be a hit during December and January, but on sunny days in late February and March, we reached for lighter layers.

Best for the Wool-Sensitive

Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Midweight Graphic Top and Pant

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Merino wool, polypropylene

Pros and Cons
+ Two-layer construction ideal for wool-sensitive people
+ Excellent moisture management
+ Flat seams are chafe-free under other layers
– No thumb holes

Helly Hansen’s two-layer LIFA merino tech, which sandwiches an internal synthetic layer with an external merino layer, allows folks who are wool-sensitive to experience the material’s benefits. The result was a hit among our testers, who uniformly felt that LIFA’s combination of warmth and breathability made this the ultimate women’s base layer for any winter activity where big temperature swings make staying warm and dry essential.

While testing this set in regions ranging from the Northeast to the Tetons, testers agreed that the LIFA Merino Midweight crew top and bottom provided warmth on lift rides and windy summits but also wicked moisture extremely efficiently. One tester who happened to have it on while digging out her snowed-in van was impressed with how dry she stayed throughout the physical exertion. For folks wanting even more ventilation, HH makes a zip-neck version for quickly dumping heat.

Paid Advertisement by KUIU
Women’s StrongFleece 190 Zip-T – $129

Warm, breathable, quick drying, this is the lightweight zip-t you’ll be reaching for all season. This fleece pullover is perfect for cool mornings and versatile enough to act as a mid-layer in colder conditions. It’s also durable and water resistance to keep you protected from the elements and dry all day long. Layer it with anything, wear it in any conditions, and never miss a beat on the trail.

Best 3/4 Bottoms

Ortovox 185 Rock’N’Wool Short Pants

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Merino wool

Pros and Cons
+ Lightweight
+ Hits at boot-top
+ Excellent movability
– Runs a little short

A tried-and-true three-quarter option, Ortovox’s 100 percent merino Rock’N’Wool bottom gives you the barely-there feel you want during a hard-charging tour or in-bounds hike. They were the go-to women’s base layer for one tester who wore them all season, storm-skiing to spring touring, and appreciated the breathability, loose fit, and not having to maneuver ski socks around them. These are a lighter-weight bottom, and some testers who run cold found that they preferred a burlier base layer on the coldest days but picked these out of the pile on high-exertion outings and in temps of about 32 degrees F and above. It’s worth noting that if you have long legs, the bottom cuffs might ride up a bit.

Best Lightweight

Le Bent Women’s Featherweight Hooded LS Crew

Sizes: XS-L
Key materials: Bamboo, merino wool, nylon

Pros and Cons
+ Extremely versatile
+ Hood adds protection
– No XL size

Ski touring can feel like a temperature rollercoaster, and a lightweight base layer is typically the safest option. Le Bent’s Featherweight Hooded LS Crew has been available for a few seasons now, and no matter how many layers we try, we find ourselves returning to this women’s top time and time again. Testers took this lightweight, stretchy, stink-resistant top to Chamonix, British Columbia, and Hakuba, Japan.

Built with a blend of bamboo, merino, and nylon, this hoodie draws the best of everything from each fiber, with a smooth and luxurious next-to-skin feel. “I typically run cold, but get super hot with big efforts,” said one tester after a trip to Canada’s Selkirk Mountains. “This was my primary layer for a weeklong backcountry lodge trip in BC. A typical day was eight hours and 5,000 feet with lots of stopping, so temp control was key.”

We used the hood plenty while touring along windy ridges, and the relaxed fit was comfy to lounge in for lodge life. Our only complaint was the size run—most base layers for women we tested offered sizes up to XL, though this layer only goes up to a large.

Other Women’s Base Layers We Recommend

Stio Alpin PeakWool Midweight Hoodie

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Merino wool, Tencel, nylon, spandex

Pros and Cons
+ Transitions between technical and casual
+ Super warm
– Too warm for ski touring

Whether we were chasing early ups on a storm day or lounging around the house on a rest day, Stio’s Alpin PeakWool Midweight Hoodie got plenty of mileage. Built from a blend of merino, Tencel, nylon, and spandex, this women’s base layer struck a luxurious balance of warmth, stretchiness, and breathability. “I’d recommend this hoodie for anyone who skis midwinter,” said one tester after a season in the Sierra. “It’s comfortable and warm, and the combination of wool and smooth weave lets you forget you’re wearing technical clothing.” Though it felt a little too warm for a ski tour, we loved the cozy, relaxed fit for kicking back at the lodge after a big day on the hill.

Wild Rye Bassett Half Zip and Legging

Sizes: 0-18
Key materials: Merino wool

Pros and Cons
+ Wide size run
+ Super breathable
– Fair amount of stretch after wears

For yurt life, ski tours, and chasing our pals around the hill, we loved the cozy feel and breathability of the Wild Rye Bassett Half-Zip and Leggings. “My winter uniform,” reported one tester in Jackson, Wyoming, after a season of backcountry and resort skiing in the Tetons. Merino wool with a touch of spandex offered all the warmth, breathability, and odor resistance we could want out of a winter layer. The only downside was that we noticed a fair amount of stretch after each wear, and we found ourselves re-shrinking them in the dryer frequently.

PAKA Women’s Thermal Crew

Sizes: XS-XXL
Key materials: Royal Alpaca fibers, merino, Tencel

Pros and Cons
+ Warm but not heavy
+ Odor-resistant
+ Form-fitting
– Expensive

When it comes to base layers for women made from natural fibers, merino is by far the most readily available. But times are changing: bamboo has made an appearance over the last few years, and now alpaca is making its way onto the scene.

PAKA’s base layers are made with 40 percent Royal Alpaca fibers combined with 40 percent merino and 20 percent Tencel for stretch and comfort. Testers expected the Thermal Crew to be a little coarse, so they were pleasantly surprised to find otherwise. “This alpaca is super soft and very cozy,” commented a Jackson, Wyoming–based tester who wore it throughout the season in mild to moderate conditions. “I’ve tried others that are scratchy and itchy but this feels like a nice sweater.”

In addition to the top’s natural odor resistance, testers appreciated how the ribbed construction allowed it to hug curves without being too tight or restrictive. Consider PAKA if you’re wool-sensitive, but still want a warm and comfortable natural fiber top for pretty much any winter pursuit.

Skida Viska UPF Sun Hoodie

Sizes: XS-XL
Key materials: Polyester, Lycra

Pros and Cons
+ Fun pattern
+ Highly breathable
– Only for super warm days

A fun patterned base layer for passionate spring skiers, Skida’s Viska UPF Sun Hoodie became a solid corn-harvesting companion during April and May, when we just couldn’t bear to hang up the ski boots. “Why not add flowers to every ski day?” said one tester after a slushy day at Crystal Mountain in Washington. Made of polyester and Lycra, this women’s base layer is all about breathability, ideal for those 50-degree F days when you might ski in a bikini but know you need that sun protection.

How to Choose the Best Base Layer for Women

When shopping for women’s base layers, consider how they will perform when you’re out in the wild. First and foremost, are they comfortable? These are your next-to-skin layers so they need to feel good on your body. Are the seams compatible with backpack straps? Does the hem work well with your ski pants? Does the half-zip, button-up, mock neck, or crew neck satisfy your style? Are you looking for something to wear during long days of uphill travel in the backcountry, or will you be spending the day riding chair lifts?

Merino wool fibers are naturally odor-resistant, moisture-wicking, and breathable, but generally less durable as synthetic materials. Because synthetics are usually a blend of fabrics, they are popular with those keen on stretchiness and moisture management. It’s better to buy something that is thoughtfully designed and durable rather than something cheaply made that might fail you on the mountain. Beyond the technical details, you may also want to determine if what you are buying is sustainably produced. Most reputable brands have information about their sustainability practices available on their websites.

How We Test Women’s Base Layers

• Number of Testers: 12
• Number of Products Tested: 68
• Coldest Day During Testing: −22 degrees F
• Warmest Day During Testing: 72 degrees F
• Activities: Resort Skiing, Ski Touring, Camping, Dog Walking, Nordic Skiing, Running, Ski Patrolling
• Mountain Ranges Tested In: Rockies, Tetons, Cascades, Berkshires, Sierras, Selkirks, Alps, Japanese Alps

Meet Our Testers

Category manager Lily Krass Ritter lives in the Tetons, where she skis mostly at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and tours on Teton Pass and in Grand Teton National Park. She recruited female testers all over the country, from age 20 through 63, who get after it year-round no matter the conditions. We had a dozen testers swapping women’s base layers in the Tetons, as well as other testers including ski patrollers at Crystal Mountain, Washington; ski instructors in the Berkshires; dedicated winter runners; and skiers in the Tahoe and Mammoth Lakes regions of California.