Best Baselayer Tops

A quality baselayer comes in handy more often than you’d think. While the employment of “Long Johns” is second nature to most skiers, multi-sport athletes rock baselayers year round. On fall backpacking trips and chilly spring trail runs, Active Junky testers often wear baselayers as standalone long sleeves. Of course, if temperatures drop, you can always layer up.

These three top baselayers have gone through a seasonal gauntlet, passing gear tests with flying colors in winter skiing scenarios, spring backpacking trips and fall adventures fly fishing expeditions.

Helly Hansen Dry Stripe Crew: Best Budget Baselayer

Helly Hansen Dry Stripe Crew

While these tops retail at just under $40, you might be able to find your size on-sale for closer to $30 at backcountry.com. Active Junky testers loved the classic Helly look, noting the stripes earned compliments on the skin track. Lifa Stay Dry Technology consists of lightweight polypropylene, which works tirelessly to shed moisture. This fabric is used across the HH line, so you can be confident that even at a moderate price point you’re still getting the goods.

Tester Quote: “The price is reasonable and I loved how the Dry Stripe performed. I wore this piece for two nights and three days straight on a winter camping trip. It didn’t gather much stink and stayed dry.”

Best For: Lightweight materials, staying warm in cool to moderate temps

Icebreaker Zone Long Sleeve Crewe: Best Premium Baselayer

Icebreaker Bodyfit 200 Zone Crew - Long-Sleeve - Men's

For everyday action, this is Active Junky’s top pick. A super lightweight and stretchy blend of Merino (96%) and LYCRA (4%) is comfortable in a range of conditions. One Active Junky tester has skied, climbed, biked, backpacked and fly fished in the same model over the course of 8 months; as of now, there’s no sign of wear, other than a slightly softer feel to the fabric now that it’s been washed (and he considers that a good thing). On warmer adventures, the light weight makes it a smart pick to stash in your day pack; in winter weather, the 200-gr fabric will keep you warm while the 120-gr underarm panels kick out unwanted perspiration.

Tester Quote: “After 8 months of testing across two continents and 3 seasons, this is my go-to baselayer. End of story.”

Best For: High-octane pursuits from the resort to the backcountry, year-round use.

Smartwool Mid  250 Crew: Best Warm Baselayer

Smartwool Mid 250 Crew

Smartwool’s best-selling base, the Mid 250 crew is beyond comfortable and our primary pick for everything from cold weather casual use to winter camping. Below-zero skiing, chopping wood at the cabin, hanging out around the mountain town—this baselayer gets the job done. Plus, it’s definitely the best looking baselayer in the bunch—namely because it doesn’t really look like a baselayer, rather it appears to be a slim-fitting, comfortable long sleeve. The flatlock-seamed 100% Merino wool won’t chafe, even after being subjected to a jostling 65-liter pack for hours and is a top pick in cold weather conditions. Trust us, we know.

Tester Quote: “I wear this piece all the time, even as a long sleeve in moderate weather. I really appreciated the feel of the fabric; it’s a lot softer than any other baselayer I’ve tested. It wasn’t scratchy, it wicks well, and it looks great. That’s enough for me.”

Best For: Cold weather action and casual use.