Water conducts heat away from your body 25 times faster than air so a quality base layer is vital. The fabric used generally is ‘hydrophillic’ which wicks away moisture from your skin to be picked up by the next layer or taken away by the wind. Of the various fabrics, polyester, polypropylene, polymide or merino wool are used in base layer construction.

Polypropylene is thin and a can really smell after a day on the trail, polyester has a low wicking ability and doesn’t feel good on the skin, merino wool is natural, absorbs 35% of its weight in water before it gets overloaded, doesn’t smell but can be too warm and polymide, although the most expensive, is light, stretches to conform with the skin which helps wicking, doesn’t smell and feels great on. Certain materials also have UV benefits and close reading of the technical details of each garment is important.

Various thickness are available to suit your activities. They can be round necked or have a neck zip. During cooler weather the latter is good for venting. Usually with long or short sleeves some have longer lengths than others, which help the comfort when backpacking, running or cycling.

Please note that for reasons of hygiene we are unable to exchange Boxers, Briefs, Pants or Slips.