Winter Base layer
Which is better for a base layer in winter?
1. Type: What is the difference?
A. T-shirt
B. Undershirts
C. Thermal shirts
2. Material:
Is it true that cotton is inadequate, and only synthetics or wool should be worn?
3. Sleeve length:
Short or long-sleeve?
I already have cotton, short-sleeve T-shirts, so I would prefer to use them if possible.
For context:
I'm not don't any have heavy outdoors activites like hiking or sports.
The temperature where I live hits 60- 70 F highs and 40-50 F lows, so the winter is mild.
My tops will be the baselayer, a basic crew neck sweater, and and lightweight jacket when it is windy.
9 Replies
This is incredibly situational and dependent on how warm or cold you run. You should wear what's comfortable.
Cotton is fine unless you're going to get wet and (very) cold.
That's what I thought. Nobody other than cyclists or maybe hikers would get wet to need the moisture-wicking.
I don't know if short sleeves would be ok though.
Short Vs long sleeve is down to how warm you feel. Probably not something anyone else can offer much useful on.
Fwiw I live in a climate with much colder winter (lows of 10-20F most normal winter days) and wear cotton short sleeve undershirts 80% of the time and I'm fine for bopping around the city
I would say see how you do and feel for a few weeks, and if you're cold then maybe look at a heavier duty jacket or warmer base layers
i only wear long sleeve undershirts for sweaters. otherwise tshirts. If it gets really fucking cold, like <10F I might consider a thermal base layer.
but yeah totally subjective
i wear a basic carhartt thermal knit most winter days (my city averages like 25-30F in the winter) when my outfit can get away with it, but that's mainly because i don't have a lot of rly warm outerwear
Why specifically for sweaters?
possibly to contend with any itchiness or rough skin feel
I also try not to wash my wool clothes and less skin contact means less washing