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Best Snowboard Base Layers 2021-2022 | Our pick of the best base layers to keep you dry and warm on the mountain

Whether you're more likely to tackle damp and wet conditions or teeth chattering cold, we've listed our favourite base layers to take you through anything

Why is it important to choose a good snowboard base layer? The main purpose of a base layer is its ability to draw sweat away from the body, pushing the moisture towards the mid-layer which in turn pushes it towards the outer layer which will finally push the moisture out in the air. This is why it’s important to choose all of your snowboard layers well so that moisture can escape your body instead of being trapped within the multiple layers (leaving you cold and miserable as a result).

Our body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. It’s important to keep the elements out, but it’s equally important to let the moisture created while moving around to escape. The base layer is where it all begins, hence why it’s so important your base layer is made out of wicking materials (a fabric that moves moisture away from your body). It’s also why cotton, with its lack of wicking properties, is not a suitable option for your base layer.

“The main purpose of a base layer is its ability to draw sweat away from the body, pushing the moisture towards the mid-layer which in turn pushes it towards the outer layer which will finally push the moisture out in the air”

Base layers are mainly made out of merino wool, synthetic materials, or a mix of the two. The choice of the fabric may result in differences in the thickness of the base layer. No matter how thick the base layer, however, it should always be tight fitted. This makes it easier for it to trap the air next to the skin and insulate the body from the cold.

Synthetic

Synthetic base layers are often made out of nylon, polyester or a polyester blend. They’ve got great wicking properties. They dry quickly, feel comfortable on the skin and are often more affordable than merino wool. However, synthetic materials do have a slower temperature regulation than wool while also offering little to none odour protection – meaning you’ll be needing to wash a synthetic base layer after nearly every use.

“Realising that a base layer can hold up to that much of your own sweat might sound a bit grim but due to wool’s fibre construction, the material remains breathable”

Merino Wool

Merino wool is nature’s answer to keeping us warm. This soft, warm and comfortable material is produced from the wool of Merino sheep. It doesn’t exactly have wicking capabilities as such, but a base layer made out of merino wool can hold up to about 30% of its own weight in water absorption before starting to feel wet.

Realising that a base layer can hold up to that much of your own sweat might sound a bit grim but due to wool’s fibre construction, the material remains breathable – providing both temperature regulation and odour resistance. In fact, merino wool resists odour a lot better than any synthetic material, meaning you won’t need to wash your base layers as often. And as it is a natural material, it is both 100% recyclable and biodegradable too. The only real downside is that it doesn’t dry as quickly as synthetic materials.

It is not uncommon for companies to use a mixture of merino wool and synthetic materials.

Once you’ve chosen the best base layer for you, take a look at our favourite mid-layers for this season. We’ll tell you all about how to choose the right mid-layer for you in our run through of the best snowboard mid-layers.

Best Snowboard Base Layers 2021-2021


Mons Royale Cascade

  • Price Top: £100-£120
  • Price Bottom: £80-£100
  • Hailing from the land of Merino sheep, it is no surprise that Mons Royale masters the art of creating durable base layers made from Merino Wool. New for this season, the Kiwi brand introduces a baselayer to their already superior range of merino wool base layers, the Cascade (available for both men’s and women’s specific cuts).

    Selected for The Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the Mons Royale Cascade here

    MORE INFO:
    monsroyale.com

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    Airblaster Merino Ninjasuit

  • Price: £210 / €240 / $210
  • The Ninja Suit is possibly the most comfortable, functional and iconic snowboard base layer of all time. Whether you’re cold, sad, or simply in need of some love, cocooning inside this will wipe your worries away in seconds. No wonder this has been referred to as the gold standard of base layers.

    Click here for the full review on the Airblaster Merino Ninjasuit.

    MORE INFO:
    AIRBLASTER.COM

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    Amplid Pally’Hi Base Layer

    Inspired by the desire to create performance-oriented outdoor apparel from the finest merino wool, with a contemporary streetwear aesthetic, Peter Bauer, founder of Amplid Snowboards, decided to launch Pally’Hi. The line includes soft, comfortable, quality base layers and mid layers.

    Click here for the full review on the Amplid Pally’Hi Base Layer.

    MORE INFO:
    PALLY’HI.COM

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    Burton Midweight Base Layer

  • Price: £48 / €55
  • Burton’s do-it-all Midweight Baselayer comes in a fit both suited for the female and male body type. Bluesign approved and made with Burton’s Dryride technology, this versatile baselayer will be your friend no matter the weather.

    Click here for the full review on the Burton Midweight Base Layer.

    MORE INFO:
    BURTON.COM

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    Eivy Icecold Base Layer

  • Price Top: €80 / $85
  • Price Top: €70 / $75
  • Eivy’s colourful multipurpose base layers are making a name for themselves on the snowboard market, especially amongst women who are bored of the ‘all-black-everyday’ look. The Swedish brand is introducing a few new prints to the line-up this year, like the Cheetah and the Wild Pink Python, whilst also bringing back some heavy hitters from the past like the Snow Leopard and the Winter Bloom.

    Click here for the full review on the Eivy Icecold Baselayer.

    MORE INFO:
    EIVY.COM

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    FW Raw Base Layer

  • Price Top: £130 / $200 / €150
  • Price Tights: £70 / $100 / €80
  • Protection from the elements begins with a proper base layer, which is why FW designed their RAW BSW garments to act as a second skin: both functional in the alpine and comfortable to hang out in after a day up the mountain. Made from merino wool, you’ll get to wrap yourself in nature’s own temperature regulator fabric.

    Click here for the full review on the FW Raw Base Layer.

    MORE INFO:
    FW.COM

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    Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Base Layer

  • Price Top: £85 / €100 / $105
  • Price Leggings: £95 / €90 / $95
  • Back in 1995, when Ice Breaker was founded, synthetic fibres ruled the world. In 1996, the world was introduced to the first natural layering system, and things changed. A pioneer in producing merino wool base layers, Ice Breaker has paved a way for a more sustainable future.

    Click here for the full review on the Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis Base Layer.

    MORE INFO:
    ICEBREAKER.COM

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    Picture Nangha Top and Lhotse Pant

  • Price Top: £65/ €70 / $75
  • Price Pant: £55/ €60 / $75
  • The outdoor clothing brand Picture Organic Clothing is known for producing high-quality sustainable outerwear. But the fight for a better tomorrow doesn’t end there: their base-layer collection too follows in the same footsteps.

    Click here for the full review on the Picture Nangha Top and Lhotse Pant.

    MORE INFO:
    PICTURE.COM

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    Picture Milita top and Xina PT D Pant

  • Price Top: £65/ €70 / $80
  • Price Pant: £55/ €60 / $75
  • Picture Organic Clothing is constantly finding innovative solutions to move away from fossil fuels. All of their base layers are made using recycled polyester, which is one of the ways Picture is limiting their CO2 emissions and actively contributing to climate neutrality.

    Click here for the full review on the Picture Milita top and Xina PT D Pant.

    MORE INFO:
    PICTURE.COM

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