Trying to find the best women’s base layer for skiing? Then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve done the research to bring you the top options that will keep you warm and dry on the slopes.
Let’s check them out…
Here are the top picks:
| Image | Product | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Check price | ||
 | Under Armour Women’s Cold Gear Shirt | Check price |
 | 32Degrees Women’s Heat Scoop Neck Thermal Top | Check price |
 | SmartWool Women’s NTS Mid Top | Check price |
 | ColdPruf Women’s Quest Performance Base Layer | Check price |
Contents
Best Skiing Base Layers for Women
This ski set is a great option for any woman looking for a warm, yet comfortable, set to wear under outer layers. They are designed to fit tightly to the body, preventing the appearance of unsightly lines through outerwear.
With a snug elastic waist, the pants are sure to stay in place without slipping down around the hips. Additionally, the top and the bottom are incredibly stretchy and form fitting, which means that they allow for a full range of movement without any restrictions. They won’t make it difficult for women to stretch and control their body when skiing.
Pros
- Comes with both a top and bottom to ensure complete warmth when skiing
- Ultra-soft polyester is incredibly comfortable, won’t irritate the skin, and is flexible
- Base layer fits tight against the skin to allow for additional layers to be added
- Full cut is comfortable and fits most women
- Thermal knit design helps the body retain its own heat
Cons
- Inseams along the legs can easily come apart when worn or washing
- Shirt tends to shrink up so that it doesn’t come down over the hips when skiing
- Thinner design doesn’t have a lot of weight, which isn’t ideal for extremely cold days
Under Armour Women’s Cold Gear Shirt
This base layer does a great job covering the torso, the arms, and even providing some warmth and protection to the neck to ensure that skiers are able to stay warm on the slopes. It is made from a brushback knit fabric that is not only comfortable, but breathable, and does a great job wicking moisture away from the body.
The tight fit of this base layer means that it can easily be worn under almost any clothing without bunching and without any unattractive and obvious clothing lines. This makes it a great option to wear when skiing, as well as in other situations when women need to stay warm.
Read Also: Best Skis for Tree Skiing
Pros
- Made from polyester to ensure that the shirt retains a tight and comfortable fit
- Four-way stretch technology allows for movement in all directions without restriction
- Smooth seams are flat and designed to reduce chafing
- Material does a great job wicking sweat away from the body and dries very quickly
- Mock turtleneck design adds additional warmth and protection to the neck
Cons
- Tend to have a chemical odor that lingers after washing
- Can be difficult to size correctly
- Mock turtleneck isn’t loose on all women and can end up being very uncomfortable
32Degrees Women’s Heat Scoop Neck Thermal Top
This thinner base layer is a great option for women who want something that won’t be too bulky underneath their clothing, as it is designed to provide warmth without adding much bulk to the body.
The longer cut of this shirt ensures that the arms are fully covered and that the torso is covered, which will prevent women from feeling like their skin is exposed when skiing. It fits tight around the torso and armpits, which will prevent chafing and discomfort. The smooth fabric is very soft and feels great against the skin.
Read Also: Best Under Layers for Skiing – Top 6 Options
Pros
- Made from a mixture of spandex, rayon, polyester, and acrylic to ensure a snug and comfortable fit
- Does a great jot helping women retain their body heat to stay warm on the slopes
- Scoop neck design is perfect for preventing overheating when paired with heavier outer layers
- Folds easily and fits in small locations in a suitcase without taking up too much room
- Longer bottom makes it easy to tuck into pants
Cons
- Difficult to size correctly as the sizes tend to run small
- Tight fit means that it sometimes bunches around the stomach and the arms, which can be seen through an outer layer
- Some of the available colors tend to run when they are washed
SmartWool Women’s NTS Mid Top
Not only is this top designed to be comfortable, and fit tight to the body, but it offers great temperature control. Women will love the shoulder panels and how they eliminate seams on the top of the shirt, as well as what a great job this base layer does retaining heat.
Read Also: Best Headlamp for Skiing
When paired with matching SmartWool base layer pants, this top does a great job covering the torso and providing all of the heat that a woman needs on the slopes. It’s an extremely comfortable top with great attention to detail such as the impressive and professional seams, the zipper with semi-locking slider, and the stretchy feel.
Pros
- Zipper closure makes it easy for women to cool off or retain more body heat on the slopes
- Made from 100% Merino wool for breathability, comfort, odor resistance, and thermoregulation
- Can easily be washed and dried at home without any special care
- Back seams warp to the front to ensure a great fit that clings to the body
- Flatlock seams are all designed to prevent any chafing
Cons
- Must size down to ensure a snug fit
- Can lightly pill after washing, which will affect the appearance of the clothing
- Underarms tend to retain odor and will need special attention when washing
ColdPruf Women’s Quest Performance Base Layer
Thanks to the drop tail on this top, it’s easier than ever to hold it in place by tucking the top into pants. This, in addition to the thumb holes on the sleeves, make this top very easy to put on and to adjust without it bunching up underneath an outer layer.
Great for layering, thanks to its snug fit, this top stays in place once it is on and does a wonderful job keeping women warm. It’s cut to fit a woman’s body comfortably and without any gaps that will allow cold hair to chill the body.
Pros
- Made from a combination of 15% spandex and 85% polyester for comfort and heat retention
- Thumbhole cuffs make it very easy to layer this top
- Flat seams and tagless design help to prevent any discomfort or irritation
- Features an impressive moisture management system to wick perspiration away from the body
- Impressive Silvadur Intelligent Freshness helps to reduce odor causing bacteria from growing on the fabric
Cons
- Tends to fit very tightly on the forearms, which can be uncomfortable
- Stitching around the neck tends to easily come undone in the wash
- Women who have longer arms must size up to get sleeves that will fit
This is a lightweight thermal shirt that has been designed to fit snugly on the body while still offering plenty of stretch and movement for extreme comfort. It’s made from Merino wool, which means that it wicks moisture away from the body and will do a great job providing airflow and reducing odor.
The hanging loop makes it easy to hang this top up for drying after a long day on the slopes, which means that it will be ready to go again in the morning. Designed to work as both a base and a mid layer, this is a very versatile option.
Pros
- Made from 18.5 micron Merino wool to ensure all-day comfort and warmth
- Shirt dries quickly and does a great job wicking moisture from the body
- Interlock-knit design helps to lock heat in and prevent cold from interrupting a ski session
- Slim design doesn’t have any additional bulk that would make wearing the base layer uncomfortable
- Very stretchy, which reduces bunching and discomfort
Cons
- Tends to pick up a lot of lint and will require regular washing
- Shorter torso is not ideal for taller women and will tend to pull up and expose skin
- Can easily develop holes when not washed and dried correctly
Base Layer Features You Must Consider
Material Type
While it’s possible to buy base layers made from a variety of different materials, wool and polyester are the most commonly used. Wool is a great option because it not only wicks moisture away from the body, but it does a great job of controlling body odor. Unfortunately, wool isn’t as durable as other materials and tends to be more expensive.
Polyester is a good option because it’s inexpensive, does a wonderful job controlling sweat and wicking it away for a dry feel, and because it can be mixed with spandex to fit closely to the body. It has the drawback of quickly building up body odors, which can be unpleasant.
Bamboo, while not as popular as some of the more traditional options, is making a splash and drawing a lot of attention. This is because it is not only naturally antibacterial, but sustainable and soft on the skin. While in the past it was almost impossible to find base layers made from bamboo, it is becoming a much more common and available choice.
Finally, silk is available as an option, especially in warmer weather. It has a much thinner weight as wool, but also does a good job wicking sweat away from the body. Silk is known for being more fragile and losing popularity due to the impressive qualities of both wool and polyester.
Editor’s Note: Personally we like synthetic polyester blends because it’s affordable and does a great job keeping people warm and dry while being affordable.
Warmth
A great base layer will provide just the right amount of warmth on the mountain without becoming too hot. Lighter layers are ideal for skiers who are going to be skiing without much of a break, while warmer layers are a great choice for skiers who will be taking breaks.
Having a few different options to choose from in regards to the warmth that a base layer will provide makes it easy for women to choose one that is comfortable.
Breathability
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a base layer is how breathable it is. As long as the base layer is highly breathable, then it will do a great job wicking moisture away from the body and preventing women from feeling uncomfortable when skiing.
Ability to Layer
Since a base layer is designed to be worn under other layers, it’s important that it is tight enough to stay in place next to the body without causing lumps and refusing to rest flat. A base layer that fits tight against the body and is very stretchy won’t easily shift out of position. This helps to minimize bulk while still allowing women to wear the outer layers that they need to stay as warm and comfortable as possible.
Fit
The fit refers not only to how tight on the body that the base layer is, but also how comfortable it is. A great base layer will not only hug the body, but also not have any gaps under the arms or around the neck or wrists. When choosing a base layer, it’s important that it doesn’t have any exposed seams, which can cause irritation on the skin.
Flat seams, printed tags, and the correct cut so that the layer clings to the body without gaping are all important to ensure a great fit and comfortable wear. In addition, women need to make sure that they choose a base layer that fits on their torso, completely covers their arms, and will conform to curves for as much comfort as possible.
Durability
With so many different types of materials to choose from when looking for a base layer, women also need to consider how long each type will last. Some materials are, unfortunately, much less durable than others, which means that they simply won’t last as long.
Garments that are made from just wool or polyester aren’t nearly as durable as ones that are made with a nylon blend. This blend adds a lot of strength to the garments and ensures that it will last for a long time. Merino wool and nylon blend or a polyester and nylon blend are both great choices and are designed to be durable and to last for years.
Neckline
Depending on the personal preference of the woman, as well as what outerwear she will be wearing on the slopes, the neck can make a huge difference in terms of comfort. Many base layer tops come with higher necks to help add additional protection against the cold.
Women who want to be able to freely move their neck or who will be wearing plenty of protection around their neck in the form of outerwear and scarves may want to look for a base layer that has a scoop neck. This prevents women from feeling uncomfortable when wearing their base layer under outer layers with a lot of layers around the neck.
Wrap Up
Out of all the options here, our favorite is the . It maximizes movement, warmth, affordability, and moisture-wicking to keep you dry even if you’re out there for long periods of time.
Stay safe out there!
