Apparel and Gear Workout Clothes The Cutest Winter Sports Base Layers for Après Ski By Rachael Schultz Rachael Schultz Rachael Schultz is a health and fitness journalist and the former online news editor for Shape. She currently serves as a freelance writer and gear editor at Insider. Shape's editorial guidelines and Susan Brickell Susan Brickell Instagram Susan Brickell (she/her) is the associate editorial director of commerce for travel, overseeing news and deals coverage on Travel + Leisure and leading the content direction of a team of commerce writers. Prior to this, she held the position of senior editor at Shape and Health, heading commerce coverage for both brands for nearly 2 years. With more than 10 years of experience in the editorial world as a market editor and writer, her work spans a variety of topics including beauty, lifestyle, home, health, and travel. She holds an M.F.A. degree in nonfiction writing from Sarah Lawrence College and a B.A. degree in creative writing from Florida State University. When she's not putting a pair of comfy shoes, workout leggings, or new eye cream to the test, you can find her hiking U.S. national parks, planning her next surf trip, or spending time with her dog, Ollie. Shape's editorial guidelines Updated on March 15, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Because the real winter fashion show starts when the slopes close and you begin shedding layers. 01 of 10 Wild Rye Mauna Kea Raglan Buy It: Top, $109; Bottom, $99 Wild Rye Channel warmer weather with this cute tropical palm set from women-owned activewear company Wild Rye. Not only is the fabric crazy soft (and warm thanks to 100 percent merino), but the tall, elastic waistband on the leggings and feminine cut of the top make this set functional and flattering. ( Need New Leggings? Try One of These Cool AF Activewear Brands Started By Women 02 of 10 Kari Traa Smekker Set Buy It: Top, $120; Bottom, $110 KARI TRAA This adorable set is lightweight yet warm, features flatlock, no-chafe seams, and an Instagram-worthy jacquard-knit pattern. In addition to earning you a collection of compliments, this set from the queen of some of the best base layers, Kari Traa, has a second-skin fit to hug your body. And thanks to the 100 percent merino wool fabric, it'll keep odors at bay after a long day on the mountain. 03 of 10 Krimson Klover Bernie Merino Base Layer Buy It, $149 AMAZON Designed by women for women, this quarter-zip top consists of a blend of Tencel, merino, and spandex, making it breathable, warm, and stretchy enough to seamlessly move with you on and off the slopes. Plus, with a cute puppy print, it's easy to see why it's one of the best base layers on the market. 04 of 10 Lululemon Rest Less Cropped 1/2 Zip Buy It, $108 LULULEMON This half-zip is perfect for layering under your ski jacket when hitting the slopes or beneath a parka on a wet commute. The seamless, thin thermal offers lightweight coverage and also has handy thumbholes that help to keep your sleeves down and hands warm. 05 of 10 Smartwool Women's Intraknit Merino 200 Pattern 1/4 Zip Buy It, $91 (was $130) SMARTWOOL Made of merino wool, polyester, and elastane, this Smartwool base layer is durable, quick-drying, and 3D-mapped for freedom of movement and extra flexibility — which is a huge perk if you're snowboarding, cross country skiing, or fat tire biking. Also nice: It has knit mesh ventilation in gender-specific zones that's designed to keep you cool and dry as things heat up on your adventure. 06 of 10 Sweaty Betty Betty Ski Base Layer Top Buy It: Top, from $64; Bottom, from $64 SWEATY BETTY Whether you're challenging your buds to a little race or just feel like flying down an empty trail to get your blood pumping, this highly technical leopard print piece is sure to keep you sweat-free while you speed down the slopes. Made from quick-drying, sweat-wicking material, this top is ideal to keep you out on the mountain all day and looking stylish all night. Not going skiing any time soon? No problem. As one of the best base layers on the market, it's also perfect for running, outdoor workouts, and hiking all season long. 07 of 10 Norrøna Wool One-Piece Buy It, $199 NORRONA Get loud and stay warm with this amazing onesie from über-technical Norwegian company Norrøna. Made from thin merino wool, this piece is great for layering and temperature regulating throughout the season. The only thing it goes better with than a day of shredding: the '80s cover band at après. ( Fitness Gear Made with Natural Fabrics That Stand Up to Your Toughest Workouts 08 of 10 Icebreaker 250 Vertex Half-Zip Base Layer Top Buy It: Top, from $98; Bottom, $130 REI CO-OP Bring the outside in after a day on the slopes with this cold weather-inspired top. Made from warm, stretchy, and soft merino wool, this snow-patterned piece wicks away moisture and dries quickly when wet. It has built-in UPF 35 to protect you from harmful UV rays, flatlock seams to prevent chafing, and a half-zip design so you can adapt to changing temperatures. Bonus: If you prefer more coverage, this best base layer has a drop-tail hem that'll keep you covered even while leaning over to adjust your ski boots. 09 of 10 Roxy Daybreak Thermal Layer Top Buy It, from $60 AMAZON Express your artsy side with this tribal-meets-Art-Deco base layer. With its long torso, thumbholes, and Roxy's WarmFlight technology, this lightweight stretch top will be just as flattering as it is warm. 10 of 10 ViCherub Thermal Underwear Set Buy It, from $20 AMAZON You don't have to break the bank for a solid set of base layers. For $20, you can get a buttery soft top and bottom, made from polyester (read: quick-drying material) and spandex, allowing you to move freely on and off the mountain. And thanks to the bulk-free, fleece-lined fabric, this best base layer is breathable, sweat-wicking, and warm. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit