It’s easy to get all starry-eyed about a new shell or even a slick, kitted-out bib, but savvy skiers know that true comfort on the slopes starts next-to-skin. Your choice of base layer directly impacts how well you wick away sweat, dump heat, and retain warmth; in other words, the quality of your ski day.
Choosing the right first layer is no longer an easy task. Long gone are the days off waffle-knit long johns that were wetted out after a few freeze-thaw cycles. From natural fibers like merino, bamboo, and even alpaca to synthetic options infused with all the modern technologies, today’s base layers perform better than ever.
Our test crew put 53 items through the wringer last season, from snow-dusted running trails to deep backcountry powder, to bring you our highly honed list of the best base layers on the market right now.
The post The 11 Best Women’s Base Layers of 2026 appeared first on Outside Online.
