Páramo Women’s Grid Technic

Best Women’s Base Layer Overall

Price: £85
Weight: 200g
Material: Parameta® G fabric

Páramo has done it again and surpassed all expectations. At first glance this looks like a midlayer, and we were concerned that it would be heavy and uncomfortable against bare skin. But at just 200g, it’s not heavy in the slightest, and we were surprised to find that even when wearing this without a layer underneath, it regulated body temperatures perfectly. The Grid Technic keeps you cool when undertaking a steep, uphill climb, but warm at altitude. It’s roomy enough that it could also double up as a midlayer with an extra base layer underneath, saving all-important space and weight in your pack.

Plenty of ventilation meant that sweat escaped easily, so the Páramo Grid Technic never felt damp. The zipped neck saved the need for a buff, and we loved the little design features too, such as thumb loops to stop an exposed strip of skin between gloves and your base layer. 

It’s described as a three-season base layer, but if layered and used as a midlayer, we’d say it’s a must for winter Alpine activities too.

Full Specifications

Fair Trade / fully recyclable through Páramo / variable ventilation / thumb loops / both insulation and wicking properties / zipped neck.

Buy The Páramo Grid Technic: £85 at Paramo-clothing.com

BAM Sudbrook Slim Fit

Our runner-up 

Price: £39
Weight: 200g
Material: 68% Bamboo Viscose, 28% Organic Cotton, 4% Elastane

Sometimes simplicity is best, and that’s certainly the case with the BAM Sudbrook base layer. The slim fit means that it traps air against your body, and we were really impressed with the temperature regulation, which meant that it performed just as well on a hilly bike ride as in the cool mountain air. It’s a sleek design that will go with any of the rest of your gear, with good design features such as thumb loops.

BAM is known for producing ethically made clothing, made largely from bamboo, at affordable prices. The only downside for us was that it wasn’t the quickest to dry and isn’t fully moisture-wicking. The cotton content meant that the fabric retained moisture a little.

Full Specifications

Moisture-wicking / thumb loops / 200gsm single jersey / naturally hypoallergenic / form fitting / versatile / environmentally friendly.

Buy The BAM Sudbrook: £39 at Bambooclothing.com

Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Pants

Price: £85
Weight: 190g
Material: Merino wool, polypropylene

Featuring a 2-layer construction of  100% merino wool on the exterior and highly breathable LIFA fibres on the iterior – these LIFA pants from Helly  Hansen are very impressive. LIFA, in case you didn’t know, is HH’s own polypropylene composition that’s both hydrophobic and moisture-wicking.

During out tests, we found that these base layer pants worked particularly well for hiking during the winter months, as well as skiing. We also found them to be very comfy against your skin which worked nicely for recharging at the campsite.

While there’s loads of fun graphics and designs to choose from, there’s also more discrete colour options available too. Other notable features include: flat lock seams for optimal protection against the elements, and an elasticated waistband that – crucially – doesn’t lose its shape and elasticity over time.

Full Specifications

XS to XL / 2-layer construction / 100% merino wool exterior / LIFA fibre interior / flat lock seams / non-itch fabric / elastic waist / multiple pattern and colour options / non-merino version available.

Buy The Helly Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Pants: £85 at Hellyhansen.com

Artilect Boulder Crew 125

Price: £84.99
Weight: 125g
Material: Nuyarn™ Merino Wool

There’s a new kid on the outdoor clothing block, and Artilect astonished us with the Boulder Crew 125. It was the lightest baselayer that we tried at 25g, but the weight was no reflection on warmth. It almost felt flimsy to put on and sat against our torsos like a second skin. Being made from Nuyarn™ Merino Wool meant that it had all the warming properties of Merino Wool, but at almost half the weight.

It was fully moisture-wicking and dried more quickly than regular Merino wool. We wouldn’t recommend it for snow sports (it’s too thin for that), but it is an incredibly versatile option for thru-hiking and trail running alike. 

We loved the look of it too, the exposed seams made us feel as though we were on a mountain catwalk runway. It came with all the design features that you’d want (including thumb loops). For ultralight fans, this one is going to be a must.

Full Specifications

Nuyarn merino fabric / ultra lightweight / eyelet knit for increased breathability / moisture-wicking / thumb loops / slim fit / flatlock seams.

Buy The Artilect Boulder Crew 125: £84.99 at Ellis-brigham.com

Megmeister Drynamo Winter Turtleneck

Price: £80
Weight: TBC
Material: 44% polypropylene, 44% nylon 6.6, 12% elastane

The big sister of the Megmeister Drynamo Cycle Base Layer, this one would be more suited to thru hiking and very cold conditions. The turtle neck was a fantastic design feature and saves the need to carry a buff.

This was thicker than many of the other base layers that we tried, and this was noticeable with the level of warmth that it provided. The ventilation was superbly designed, with plenty of breathability particularly on the back of the top, making it a great layer to pair with a backpack. Another great design feature with both of the Megmeister base layers is that they’re completely seam free, meaning that there’s no risk of chafing. 

Full Specifications

Body mapped design with ventilation / ultralight / anti-odour and antibacterial function / thumb loops / light compression fit / moisture-wicking / 4 way stretch / seam free.

Buy The Megmeister Drynamo Warm Turtleneck: £80 at Shop.megmeister.com

Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms

Price: £90
Weight: 139g
Material: 129g Polartec Power Grid 92% recycled polyester, 8% elastane jersey with HeiQ pure odour control and an anti-pilling finish

The Patagonia Capilene thermal bottoms are made primarily from Polartec Power Grid fabrics. This, in case you didn’t know, is an innovative fabric that uses hydrophilic fibres that lift sweat away from the skin, ready to be dried quickly. It’s also knitted in an impressive grid-like structure that features hundreds of tiny insulating squares to keep you toasty and warm. Here, in true Patagonia fashion, they’ve also used recycled fabrics that are both bluesign approved and Fair Trade factory approved. All in all, an impressive effort.

During our tests, we found the Capilene thermal bottoms to be an great addition to our kit list. OM tester Jazz said, “I really loved how multi-function these thermals are. While great for a well-layered winter trekking outfit, I also found them to be perfect for getting cosy in your tent. I also really liked the gusseted crotch which made it super easy and comfortable to really move around in the mountains, and lean into ascents.”

Full Specifications

XS to XL / slim fit / Polartec Power Grid with HeiQ odour control / bluesign approved fabric / Fair Trade certified factory / flat waistband with brushed inner elastic / gusseted crotch / flatlock seam construction.

Buy The Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms: £90 at Eu.patagonia.com

Smartwool All-Season Merino Crew

Price: £80
Weight: 154g
Material: Merino wool, nylon

Being 88% Merino wool, the Smartwool all-season merino base layer provided excellent levels of warmth. It’s not the lightest Merino wool base layer on this list, but we did notice the extra layer of insulation and stayed toasty warm all day. 

We’d thoroughly recommend this as a base layer for multi-day adventures at altitude or in cold conditions. Being Merino wool we can also vouch for the fact that you won’t smell when you return home!

Here’s our review of the men’s version if you fancy a read.

Full Specifications

Flat lock seams / merino wool / body enhancing fit / moisture-wicking / interlock knit / odour resistant.

Buy The Smartwool All-Season Merino Crew: £80 at Smartwool.co.uk

Mammut Aconcagua ML Tights

Price: £75
Weight: 185g
Material: Polartec® Power Stretch® (33% Polyamide, 57% Polyester, 10% Spandex)

Legs get cold too, and we love it that Mammut has designed such a fantastic base layer to keep our bottom halves comfortable in low temperatures too. The Aconcagua ML tghts were slim fitting which kept air close to the body and made them extremely insulating. The double-sided knit structure also means that they’re not going to go baggy over time (everyone’s worst fear with leggings). 

They felt like a really robust, durable product which would be equally comfortable to wear on a run as on a thru-hike. All in all, we couldn’t believe that such warmth and quality had been achieved on such a lightweight piece of kit.

Full Specifications

Super-abrasion-proof nylon surface / elastic waist / abrasion resistance / moisture regulation / double-sided knit structure to keep shape / slim fit.

Buy The Mammut Aconcagua ML Tights Long: £120 at Mammut.com

The original version of this article was written by Anna Richards. Recent updates have been made by Jazz Noble.

Cover Photo: Finisterre
Thumbnail Photo: Megmeister

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