We constantly update our guides when new products launch. Our latest review of Finding the right UPF sun shirt can be a challenge. Of all the base layers we have at our disposal, the Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Half Zip Hoody is the one we've been reaching for no matter the day's objective. 4.7 out of 5 stars 4,583. Polyester - Polyester clothing is durable, quick-drying,, and typically lighter weight than wool. BOTTOM LINE: Base layers arent just for keeping you warm; the Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail (mens / womens) actively helps cool you down. Plus, you wont have to worry about getting too sweaty during a game. The budget-friendly Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew (mens / womens) is a good choice for soggy climates because the material wicks moisture well and dries quickly. The higher percentage of other materials blended in, the more durable the fabric becomes. . Still, theyre much easier to care for and shouldnt need to be replaced for many years. That's why we built the Cut Resistant Base Layer, a protective base layer made with a Level 4 Dyneema, fiberglass blend that we spent over 5 years and 20+ iterations perfecting. Sign up to get our curated emails with the best content from CleverHiker and around the backpacking world. If you have more questions or a suggestion, wed love to hear from you! Daredevil Hockey was born from a desire to inspire and foster greatness in every athlete. Durability is a characteristic that we search for in all of our outdoor gear: we often spend more on high-quality products to own less in hopes that what we own will both last us longer and stay out of the landfill. Add. All of these ingredients are essential to a layer's ability to keep you warm and dry through a range of temperatures. It is the perfect companion for cool-weather camping during the shoulder seasons, works well for both resort and backcountry skiing, and is certainly stylish enough to be worn casually. Merino wool tops are typically more expensive and bulkier. Read more: Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino review. Lightweight backpacking video guides and reviews of the best ultralight tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves, and more. As low as $39.99. 6 left. The stretchy and soft Merino wool blend and athletic fit make this an easy top to layer on top of also. The Capilene Cool Trail shirt is also available in short sleeve (mens / womens). And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Weve used this top for multiple thru-hikes, and its still going strong nearly a decade later. Check out this quick list of our favorites if youre in a hurry, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews. Because its a little bulky, the Capilene Air Hoody isnt our first choice for backpacking, but its great for everyday wear and casual adventures when you want a touch of style as well as performance. . Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. The HeatGear is also water-repellant which prevents your sweat from interfering with your game. While it doesnt trap heat quite as efficiently as some wool base layers, the Capilene Midweight top is still highly versatile and easy to layer. Together, these two make a base layer dream team. As their long sleeve choice is made from a polyester and elastane blend, it provides maximum comfort and mobility for added performance on the ice. Read more: Meriwool Merino 250 Long Sleeve review. BASE LAYER BOTTOMS - This guide focuses on base layer tops, but don't forget about your lower half! You never know, one of these base layers might be perfect for you: Icebreaker 200 Oasis Crewe (mens / womens) - This high-quality wool top is very similar to our top pick, Smartwool Classic Thermal (mens / womens), but its slightly less breathable which gave the edge to Smartwool. ADD TO CART. Best Long Sleeve Top Layer (Torso): Under Armour Fitted Grippy Long Sleeve. Both tend to wear holes through quickly and/or shrink and lose their shape after repeated washings. As an intriguing option to split the difference between light- and mid-weight, the Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino is as equally suited to working hard in the skin track as it is working all day in the snow. PROS: Affordable, quick-drying, excellent moisture wicking, easy to layer, breathable, CONS: Not as versatile as some others, not as warm as others. If youre wanting to add to your performance on the ice, then you have to look at every piece of gear you wear. We purposefully choose to test the best layers on the market, so a low score in our testing does not mean a product is not worth its mettle. $30.00. Compare. It would make a good choice for those doing heavy work outside. Read more: Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip review. After playing a game of hockey your equipment will be damp. For lighter synthetics in warmer weather, the Outdoor Research Echo is ready to be worn on an all-day hike as a sun shirt as well as your base layer under a jacket while you wait for more sunshine and warmth. $ 24.99 CCM Armbands. Elite Base Layer Compression Short w/ Jock - Youth $44.99. here are some links to popular articles: The Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie (mens / womens) is great for summer conditions thanks to the light and airy fabric. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Half Zip Hoody, Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino 1/4 Zip, REI Co-op Merino 185 Long-Sleeve Half-Zip. Colorful and practical, our soak n' dry test seeks to replicate how you would hand wash and air dry shirts while on an expedition or extended backcountry trip. The Black Diamond Solution 150 Hoody reaches the echelons of our ratings for slim, athletic-fit base layers. Finally, we need to talk about the price: this is one of the most expensive base layers we've reviewed. Best sleep layer: REI Silk (Mens / Womens) - We like sleeping in silk base layers because theyre soft and cozy, and they help to keep our sleeping bag clean from days of dirt and sweat on the trail. New. You'll be turned on to new videos, trip reports, gear reviews, inspiring outdoor stories and much more. Best base layer bottoms overall: Patagonia Capilene Midweight (Mens / Womens) - Weve had the same pair of Patagonias Capilene Midweights for years, and theyre showing very few signs of wear. We're a little surprised that the Intraknit tech doesn't extend to the shoulders, where instead there are some not-awesome seams. If youre wanting top-of-the-line compression performance, but dont want to wear full leggings, then these are a great choice. The higher price point alone, when compared to other base layers, may be enough to dissuade you from purchasing this one. Always follow the washing directions on the tags carefully, but here are some general tips: Use a front loading washer - The agitator in a top loading washer can be hard on seams and can snag zippers or drawstrings. 1. Size Chart: XSmall=US Size 6-6X / Small=US Size 7-8 / Medium=US Size 10-12 / Large=US Size 14-16 / X-Large=US Size 18-20. . Shipping Available. Compare. Breathable and pleasant to wear even when wet, Special care needed for washing and drying. Choose the best hockey base layer shirts that has the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage. Your base layer in ice hockey is what you wear underneath all your gear. 1 Color. Smartwool comes out with another winner, especially in colder temps, with the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip. The standout tops for well-balanced warmth are the Smartwool Classic All-Season Merino 1/4 Zip, the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Zip, and the Meriwool Merino 250 Long Sleeve. A breathable shirt will allow the moist air hovering over your skin to escape through the material without saturating the fabric, thus keeping you warm and dry. To test abrasion resistance in a controlled environment, we grind the fabric a set number of times across a one-foot distance of gritty sandstone to see how the fabrics fair (think wash-board technique). Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Since the Echo Hoodie is ultralight, its perfect for protecting your skin on summer backpacking trips. For more hockey gear tips and recommendations, check out these guides: How to Remove Hockey Jersey Wrinkles, Bauer vs. CCM Sticks (Everything You Should Know), and 3 Great Hockey Skates for Ankle Support. Need Help? Not surprisingly, the tops that earn our highest scores for breathability are also made from the lightest weight fabrics. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. About 50% of hockey players prefer a long sleeve base layer, while 50% prefer a short sleeve. Shop the latest technology of Cut Resistant Baselayer Hockey Apparel from top brands like Bauer, CCM, Cutshield, Elite, Oneiric, Veba Kevlar and more. A surprising finding in our dry test was the Under Armour ColdGear Base 4.0, the thickest synthetic we tested. The blend of merino wool and polyester materials offers the best of both worlds for breathability and odor control, so you can wear this layer for multiple days between washes. Best Price: 2: Best Quality LANBAOSI Youth Boys Compression Leggings Athletic Pants Base Layer Hockey Best Price: 3: Recommended Youth Boys Compression Shirts & Pants Long Sleeve Athletic Shirts Best Price: 4: TELALEO Youth Boys' Girls' Thermal Compression Shirt Long Sleeve Fleece Best Price: 5 The Intraknit Thermal isn't without its weaknesses. Synthetic layers dont insulate as well as wool and they can actually sap a lot of your heat if they get wet. Got feedback? TIPS FOR LAYERING - Finding the perfect outdoor clothing layering system ultimately comes down to personal preference and the conditions youre in. $30.00. Overall, if youre wanting to gear up with a short sleeve base layer, then the Bauer S19 Essential Short Sleeve Top is a great option. Sports and Outdoor Team Sports Hockey Base Layers Clear All. They also tend to hold onto moisture, retain odors over time, and often don't provide the same warmth-to-weight ratio when compared to their natural-fiber companions. Men's HeatGear Armour Compression Shorts. Only wash when you really need to - A lot of technical fabrics are designed to be antimicrobial and shouldnt hold odors. Best ever was to have some old Lange skates with the removable liners and an extra set of liners! 75.00. Silja Crew: evo. Base layers should fit well and be comfortable and durable enough to last through constant use over many seasons. We personally experienced hand-washing this garment in a bubbling creek, hand-wringing it, and wearing it out while backpacking, to have it dry to the touch within an hour. The breathability of a garment is determined by how quickly and efficiently a fabric can convert sweat to free water vapor. By Aaron Rice and Justin Simoni. If yours don't, you can also buy an old-school style garter belt to hold them up instead. The socks also feature something really nifty: extra padding where the tendon guard touches the foot. Breathability is an extremely important quality during active pursuits, as well as stop/start activities like backcountry skiing or rock climbing. BOTTOM LINE: Smartwools Classic Thermal Merino (mens / womens) and Classic All-Season Merino (mens / womens) base layers do an excellent job of wicking moisture. Buy CHAMPRO Unisex-Adult Hockey Base Layer Socks online on Amazon.ae at best prices. This top is versatile as a standalone shirt for activities like running and performs impressively well as a technical base layer. Bauer Men's Neck Protect Baselayer Hockey Shirt. The hood fits nicely, and we love that the high collar keeps heat in and drafts out. When the going gets tough, its important to have a base layer, like the Patagonia Capilene Cool Lightweight, that will actively dry out on your body.