Top-rated base, mid and outer layers for all kinds of adventures
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When you’ve planned a winter getaway, a backcountry adventure or a simple day on the slopes, the last thing you want to worry about is staying warm and dry. Those who love winter sports or exploring the outdoors when the temperature drops below freezing know that staying warm is a necessity. Anything short could result in a complete disaster, especially if you’re far from home.
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After years of getting this wrong (luckily not resulting in disaster), I have finally mastered temperature control and it mainly comes down to properly layering and tweaking my outdoor apparel. The magic number is three:
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- A base layer that sits close to the body and works to remove moisture
- A mid-layer to keep you warm, ideally made from fleece, down or synthetic insulation
- A final layer to protect you from wind, rain, snow and any other weather system you might encounter
So what should you look for when it comes to solid winter wear? First, the materials. This is so important. A quick-drying merino wool base layer will keep you much warmer and dryer than a fleece base layer, for example. Next is durability. Will the product last multiple seasons and endure a regular amount of wear and tear? Followed by, breathability. This refers to the resistance to air movement in and out of the weave of the garment. If you’re getting sweaty on the slopes, you want that moisture to be able to escape, ultimately keeping you dry.
You also want to pay attention to comfort (particularly your base layer, which is directly against your skin) and weight (if you chose bulky clothing you won’t move as freely and layers will be difficult to pack away should you overheat).
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If you’re still not sure what to purchase, we’ve rounded up our favourite technical gear for on- and off-mountain adventures. Check out the best boots of the season, our favourite heated gloves and some incredible winter jackets, too.
Base layers
Arc’teryx Rho Merino Wool top & bottoms
Materials: Lightweight merino wool
Pros: Canadian company with a dependable product, thermally efficient, stretch comfort, breathable with excellent moisture management, fair trade certified, resists odours and static, feels comfortable on your skin
Cons: Pants have a pocket which is strange for a base layer, very lightweight and thin — could become sheer with multiple washes
Cost: Crewneck – $130-150 | Pants – $100-130
Where to buy: Arc’teryx – Women’s crewneck & pants | Men’s crewneck & pants (similar style, but hybrid materials)
MEC T3 Base Layer top & Merino bottoms
Materials: Merino wool, polyester and spandex
Pros: Affordable, mix of materials making it cheaper and more durable, very warm, moisture wicking, antimicrobial
Cons: Mid-weight, therefore, taking up more space in a pack on overnight adventures, not as soft as 100 per cent merino
Cost: Crewneck – $41.95-59.95 | Pants – $89.95
Where to buy: MEC – Women’s crewneck & pants | Men’s crewneck & pants
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Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer top & bottoms
Materials: 100 per cent Merino wool
Pros: An industry leader in base layers for years, enhanced comfort, breathability, thermoregulation and odour resistance
Cons: Pricey (when not on sale), can’t go in the dryer
Cost: Crewneck – $96.99-149.99 | Pants – $83.99-129.99
Where to buy: Smartwool – Women’s top & pants | Men’s top & pants; PRFO Sports – Women’s top & pants | Men’s top & pants
Ibex Woolies Pro Tech crew & bottoms
Materials: 81 per cent Merino wool, 12 percent nylon, 7 per cent elastane
Pros: Extremely lightweight yet exceptionally comfortable, raglan sleeves for unrestricted mobility, attractive enough for casual wear
Cons: Pricey, can’t go in the dryer, shipping from US
Cost: Crewneck – $130 | Pants – $130
Where to buy: Ibex – Women’s top & pants | Men’s top & pants
Mid-layers
Arc’teryx Atom Hoody
Materials: Lining – nylon | Insulation – recycled polyester, 20 denier nylon shell with FC0 DWR treatment, stretch fleece – 94 per cent polyester & six per cent elastane
Pros: Extremely versatile, wind-resistant, moisture-resistant outer face fabric, breathable, super lightweight, compressible and packable, insulated
Cons: Some people don’t like a hooded mid-layer (could get in the way depending on activity)
Cost: $360
Where to buy: Arc’teryx – Women’s | Men’s
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Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie
Materials: 100 per cent recycled polyester ripstop shell with a durable water-repellent coating, 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation (Eco 100 per cent postconsumer recycled polyester)
Pros: Warm, windproof, water-resistant, incredibly lightweight and highly compressible, fair-trade certified, versatile
Cons: Fits slightly shorter than other jackets, no outside chest pocket
Cost: $359
Where to buy: Patagonia – Women’s | Men’s
Columbia Benton Springs/Steens Mountain Fleece Jacket
Materials: Polyester maximum thermal retention filament fleece
Pros: Soft and warm fleece makes it versatile for mid or outer layer, affordable, large side pockets, dries quickly
Cons: Some people find fleece too bulky, don’t pack down as small as others
Cost: $ $37.43 – $159.94
Where to buy: Amazon – Women’s | Men’s; Columbia – Women’s | Men’s
On-mountain outer layers
Arc’teryx Salal Anorak
Materials: GORE-TEX, flannel backer for light insulation
Pros: Ultra-durable, helmet-compatible hood, embedded reflector for emergencies, waterproof, windproof, breathable, laminated velcro cuffs, resort pass pocket on sleeve, watertight zips, lightweight, excellent in extreme conditions
Cons: Pricey, slightly boxy fit, no stretch
Cost: $600
Where to buy: Arc’teryx – Women’s | Men’s (similar specs)
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Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket
Materials: AscentShell 3L: 93 per cent nylon, seven per cent spandex; 100 per cent polyester 50D knit backer
Pros: Lightweight, breathable, waterproof, adjustable hood, lots of pockets, two-way zipper, resort pass pocket on sleeve, stretchy, more affordable
Cons: Runs large, AscentShell 3L doesn’t stand up to GORE-TEX in very wet conditions
Cost: $519
Where to buy: Outdoor Research – Women’s | Men’s
Burton Avalon GORE-TEX Bib Pants
Materials: GORE-TEX
Pros: Fully waterproof and breathable, windproof, durable, mesh-lined vents, drop seat for bathroom breaks, microfleece-lined hand-warmer pockets, zippered chest pocket, lifetime warranty
Cons: Slightly looser fit than other brands
Cost: $429.99-$599.99 (women’s currently on sale $214)
Where to buy: PRFO Sports – Women’s | Men’s (similar style)
Helly Hansen Legendary Insulated Pant
Materials: Shell & lining: 100 per cent polyester polyamide; insulation: 100 per cent recycled polyester
Pros: Fully insulated, affordable, boot gaiters with silicone gripper, reinforced bottom outside and inside hem, stretchy and comfortable, waterproof, windproof and breathable
Cons: Not as durable or fully waterproof as the more expensive options, shows wear over time
Cost: $230
Where to buy: Helly Hansen – Women’s | Men’s
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Off-mountain outer layers
MEC Tremblant Jacket
Materials: Shell – Pertex Quantum Eco recycled polyester with a DWR finish | Lining – 700 fill-power duck down
Pros: Eco-friendly fabric, insulated hood and high collar, stylish, very warm, water repellant, handwarmer pockets, Shockcord hem keeps drafts out, stuffs into in own chest pocket, versatile, affordable
Cons: Doesn’t cover butt/thighs
Cost: $186.94 (currently on sale for $150-202)
Where to buy: MEC – Women’s | Men’s
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody
Materials: Shell – 100 per cent recycled nylon ripstop with DWR finish | Lining – 800 fill power traceable European goose down
Pros: Water-repellent finish, single-pull-adjustable hood, hand warmer pockets, trimmer style, includes repair patches
Cons: Hood is small and snug, not much room in the hip area
Cost: $409
Where to buy: Patagonia – Women’s | Men’s; MEC – Women’s | Men’s
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Materials: Lining:625 fill power white duck down, removable fur ruff
Pros: Made in Canada, chin guard is lined with high-pile fleece for added warmth and comfort, rated for -30 C and below, water resistant, durable, lifetime warranty
Cons: Pricey, dry clean only
Cost: $1,975
Where to buy: Canada Goose – Women’s | Men’s
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Accessories
MEC T2 Warmer Ski System Mitt
Materials: Shell – 100 per cent nylon | Lining - 100 per cent polyester
Pros: Durable synthetic suede palm provides grip, waterproof membrane, microfleece removable liner, adjustable wrist straps, long wrist coverage to keep you dry, nose swipe, affordable
Cons: Not GORE-TEX so could feel damp in extremely wet conditions after all-day wear
Cost: $119.95
Where to buy: MEC – unisex
Airblaster Merino Balaclava
Materials: 55 per cent Merino, 37 per cent tencel, eight per cent spandex
Pros: Compatible with helmet, odour resistant, slim fit, breathable, super soft, stretchy
Cons: Not many colour options
Cost: $54
Where to buy: Evo – unisex
Smartwool Ski & Snowboard socks
Materials: 59 per cent merino wool, 11 per cent nylon, 27 per cent recycled nylon, 3 per cent Elastane
Pros: Cushioning and body-mapped mesh zones for comfort and breathability, lots of colours and patterns, warm
Cons: Thin so likely to show wear over time
Cost: $18.99-24.99
Where to buy: Smartwool – Men’s | Women’s; PRFO Sports – Women’s & Men’s
Columbia Keetley Boot
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Materials: Leather, fleece, rubber
Pros: Waterproof leather upper with textile collar, warm fleece and heat reflective lining, waterproof, breathable construction, responsive cushioning and stability, very comfortable, sturdy, warm and durable
Cons: Only available in women’s
Cost: $180 – $220
Where to buy: Columbia – Women’s | Men’s (similar style)
Check out more of our favourite off-piste jackets and learn how to choose the right pair of winter gloves.
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