Keep out the worst of winter with these cold-beating best men’s baselayers combining warmth with close-fit comfort…
Layering up is a much better way to keep warm during cold weather exercise than wearing a single heavy layer – and baselayers are the key to keeping warm without overheating.
The best baselayer tops wick away moisture from the skin and control your temperature during exercise, allowing the use of a mid-layer to trap your body’s warmth.
Technical baselayers tend to be made from synthetic fibres such as polyester or from merino wool. Both are great for wicking away sweat, and while polyester base layers tend to be lighter, merino wool is better at regulating temperature during more vigorous exercise.
Whichever material you chose, a snug fit is key to comfort and a seam-free design will feel comfier still and avoid chafing. Base layers with antibacterial properties will keep sour smells and skin irritation at bay too.
We’ve tested seven of the best baselayer tops that will keep you warm and comfortable whatever your outdoor workout.
Pair these baselayers with the best gym joggers and sweatpants for men to work out in comfort
Best men’s baselayers: what to look for in a baselayer top
Warmth – A snug-fitting base layer will trap air next to the skin and insulate the body from the cold.
Breathability – The key to a good base layer is its ability to wick moisture away from the skin to stop damp and cold setting in.
Temperature regulation – Maintaining the correct body temperature is key during exercise. Merino wool tends to regulate better than synthetic blends during more intense exercise.
Seam-free design – A seamless base layer will allow you to wear a mid-layer without chafing or irritation.
Material – Synthetic base layers tend to be quick drying and light weight while merino wool can be more comfortable and is naturally antibacterial.
Men’s Fitness Best Buy:
Runderwear Running Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£50, runderwear.co.uk
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 5/5
Materials: Polyamide and elastane | Features: Hand-warming mitts, seamless anti-chafe design, dynamic heat control, moisture-wicking fabric | Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Blue or black
As comfy as they come, Runderwear’s Running Baselayer was made with cold-weather outings in mind.
Dynamic heat control provides the warmth, without becoming too stuffy, and the technical moisture-wicking fabric prevents sweat form sticking to your skin.
Uniquely, the top also comes equipped with built-in roll-over mitts to protect your hands on those early-morning runs.
Men’s Fitness Recommended:
Tracksmith Brighton Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£93, tracksmith.com
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 3.5/5
Wicking: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Materials: Micron merino wool blend (wool, nylon and polyester) | Features: Soft, breathable and odor-resistant, close-knit mesh on sleeves for added warmth, seamless anti-chafe construction, moisture-wicking fabric | Sizes: S – XL | Colours: Various
New to the UK, Trackmaster excels at making premium grade functional clothing for outdoorsy folk. Even its baselayers, like the Brighton, just ooze style – and they’re meant to be hidden.
A seamless Merino mesh top, the Brighton baselayer has a comfortable, flattering fit, with good breathability and odour-resistance. With that subtle diagonal stripe, you’ll want to wear it on its own, though for ten months of the year in the UK you’ll probably need a t-shirt over it too.
Men’s Fitness Recommended:
Finisterre Bora Bamboo Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£50, finisterre.com
Comfort: 5/5
Warmth: 4/5
Wicking: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Materials: Bamboo viscose, organic cotton and elastane | Features: Naturally breathable, sweat-wicking and anti-bacterial fabric, ergonomic flatlock seaming, sustainable and vegan-friendly alternative to merino | Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Various
Made with a vegan alternative to Merino wool and a new kind of bamboo fabric, this is one of the snuggest baselayers we tested, with supreme next-to-skin softness and real warmth without over-restriction.
Finisterre is all about functional, sustainable outdoor gear, and this top – which is naturally breathable, temperature-regulating, antibacterial and moisture-wicking – combines premium performance qualities with planet-friendly design.
Le Col Unisex Pro Mesh Long Sleeve Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£60, lecol.cc
Comfort: 4/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Materials: Polipropilene, polyamide and elastane | Features: Close aerodynamic fit designed for racing, hydrophobic material composition with anti-odour properties, breathable and sweat-wicking, woven in one piece for a comfortable fit | Sizes: XS – XXL | Colours: Black, navy or sky blue
Le Col specialises in serious cycling kit made from premium materials, and this baselayer continues that high-performance theme.
Woven in one complete piece to eliminate seams means it sits under outer-layers without irritation, while breathability and warmth are provided with the Pro Mesh construction and long-sleeve coverage, respectively. Less importantly, it looks the business.
BAM Novea Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£59, bambooclothing.co.uk
Comfort: 4.5/5
Warmth: 3.5/5
Wicking: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Materials: Bamboo viscose, acetate and elastane | Features: Soft, lightweight and fast-drying, sweat-wicking, slim-fitting with flatlock seams, sustainably sourced materials and low-impact processing method | Sizes: XS – XXL | Colours: Black, blue, dark green or red
Climate-positive brand BAM keeps producing good looking, functional clothing that’s responsibly sourced, and asking why all clothing isn’t made this way. Its incredibly light Novea base layer is a case in point.
The Novea’s mixture of bamboo viscose and Naia, a new fibre made from responsibly sourced wood pulp, is soft, and extremely comfortable, with incredible moisture wicking performance. It may not be the warmest base layer around, but you can’t fault its performance.
Columbia Omni-Heat 3D Knit Crew II Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
Comfort: 4.5/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Materials: Polyester and elastane | Features: Advanced thermal-reflective technology for warmth, flatlock seams and four-way stretch for comfort, moisture-wicking and antimicrobial fabric, thumb holes for warm hands | Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Black
An all-purpose baselayer just as at home halfway up a mountain as it is blocking out stiff headwinds on a spin round the block, this heat-locking long-sleeve features Omni-Heat 3D tech to reflect body heat back the way it came.
Four-way stretch fabric brings the comfort, and antimicrobial treatment does a decent job of keeping sweat smells at bay. Another good-looking bit of kit, too.
Megmeister DRYNAMO Winter Long Sleeve Turtle Neck Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£70, shop.megmeister.com
Comfort: 4/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Materials: Polypropylene dryarn, nylon 6.6, elastane | Features: Mesh back panel ensuring high breathability, temperature-regulating and sweat-wicking fabric, anti-chafe flatlock seaming, high neck and thumb holes for added warmth | Sizes: S/M – L/XL | Colours: Black, navy or blue
DRYNAMO technology is designed to control the flow of sweat to keep skin dry and your body in a temperature equilibrium. That works well during low-intensity training, but when you’re working hard it’s difficult to notice much of a difference.
But while overheating could be an issue on mild days, when it’s Baltic outside this top comes to the fore, with top-notch thermal insulation to keep out the worst of the cold.
Saxx Underwear Roast Master Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
£60, intl.saxx.com
Comfort: 4/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Materials: Recycled polyester, Tencel™ lyocell and elastane | Features: Textured knit for thermal-comfort and first-layer warmth, sweat-wicking and odor-resistant, flat seams to reduce chafing | Sizes: S – XXL | Colours: Black or patterned
With Underwear actually in its name, it’s no wonder Saxx knows a thing or two about making functional base layers. Its Roast Master, one of the best insulating baselayers on test, is aptly named too.
Made mostly from recycled polyester, it certainly has eco credentials. It’s not quite as fitted as we’d like but details like the Flat Out Seams and the textured knit mean it’s super-comfy all the same.
Enertor Unisex Baselayer
BUY IT NOW:
RRP £38.99, enertor.com
Comfort: 3.5/5
Warmth: 4.5/5
Wicking: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5
Materials: Antimicrobial yarn | Features: EnergyKnit™ stabilisers for enhanced comfort during exercise, Advanced Nilit® Innergy to reduce lactic acid build-up, breathable and odor-resistant, seamless construction | Sizes: XS – L/XL | Colours: Black
If you like your baselayers to squeeze and support, Enertor’s does a fine job of being both breathable and relatively comfortable while it clings to your torso.
Advanced Nilit® Innergy is supposed to reduce lactic acid build-up by converting the body’s energy into Far Infra Red Rays, which is difficult to judge, but any fans of compression will ergonomic fit and seam-free comfort.
Nike Pro Long-Sleeve Top
BUY IT NOW:
£49.95, nike.com
Comfort: 4/5
Warmth: 3.5/5
Wicking: 3.5/5
OVERALL: 3.5/5
Materials: Polyester (including 75 per cent recycled fibres) and elastane | Features: Nike Dri-FIT Technology moves sweat away from skin for quicker evaporation, soft and lightweight, stretchy and ribbed under the arms for better movement | Sizes: S – 2XL | Colours: Black
Nike’s slick good looks are on display here, but the Pro Long-Sleeve lacks some of the more technical features boasted by other tops in this list.
That said, if you’re looking for a simple baselayer that’s comparatively cheap and easy on the eye, you could do a lot worse than this. Lightweight, stretchy fabric moves as you do, and Nike Pro technology wicks away sweat.
