Topic: The Best Thermal Underwear for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 53 times)
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Topic: The Best Thermal Underwear for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 53 times)
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As soon as I tried on the Patagonia Capilene Air men’s medium top and medium bottoms, I was immediately impressed by how co*fortable they were. The top felt lightweight with a snug fit, and the bottoms, though form fitting, didn’t restrict any movement. I also appreciated their breathability, especially during long runs.
In colder weather, I noticed these thermals did an excellent job wicking moisture while I ran or biked. Even after sweating and wearing these for several days, I didn’t notice any terrible odor. They didn’t smell brand new, but they didn’t necessarily need washing either.
I have thick, stocky legs, so finding thermals that don’t feel like they’re cutting off circulation often proves challenging. But the Icebreaker 260s fit co*fortably, and I didn’t notice them restrict any movement. These 100 percent merino wool thermals kept me warm on some of Wisconsin’s coldest days, yet they were extremely breathable. While the Icebreaker 260s work great for super cold days, they’re probably too warm for milder temps or super active outings.
The minimal profile of the R3s sold me on these thermals. These super lightweight bottoms are the best thermal underwear for men for running. They kept me warm on some of my coldest runs, yet the GoreTex proprietary material wicked moisture and helped me stay dry. While these are plenty warm, they’re not too hot for long, tough runs. Not only does the R3 line excel performance wise, but the thoughtful details like reflective strips, the side pocket on the thigh, and the rear pocket for keys or your phone makes them a no-brainer for running. And the fleece-lining feels like you’re wearing a cloud even on that last mile.
As a skier, I prioritize warmth over all else when it co*es to thermals, and these exceed that requirement. They’re thicker than most but also co*fortable and not too snug on the skin. And I’ve never had an issue with mobility while skiing in them thanks to the strategically stitched seams. These Minus33 thermals are plenty warm for the coldest days and co*fortable whether you are carving groomers or plowing through powder. They’re also excellent at wicking moisture and holding scent to a minimum. Even after multiple hard ski days in a row, these thermals didn’t smell the worst. If they have any downfall, it’s that they’re probably too warm for activities that don’t involve snow.
This Meriwool 100-percent merino wool henley makes a great versatile thermal for your camping layers. It’s warm enough to layer for colder temps, yet breathable enough to wear as a standalone piece.
The button closure at the top and slim-fit make this the best thermal underwear for men that can go from trail to town. You can wear it to dinner, whether it’s served by the campfire or at a restaurant. And the raglan sleeves don’t inhibit any movement. While wearing this thermal, I noticed that it moved with me no matter what I did, and I even forgot that I was wearing it when I wore it as a base layer.
I tested these Carhartt thermals on some of the coldest Wisconsin winter days this year. These kept me warm while I shoveled tons of snow and split and stacked firewood. They make an excellent midweight base layer that’s warm and co*fortable to wear. And their 100 percent polyester construction may not be as warm as merino wool, but they’re highly flexible and designed for constant movement. They don’t wick moisture as well as other options on this list, but they still do an adequate job. But as long as you’re not running, these thermals make an excellent option for long days in the cold.
This best thermal underwear for men packs a price tag that’s hard to beat. Cheap thermal underwear usually fails to keep you warm, runs too bulky, or doesn’t wick moisture as efficiently as it needs to; however, I was impressed by how much warmth these actually provided. And the stretch and microfleece lining make them co*fortable to wear all day. As far as moisture wicking goes, these did an adequate job while I ran in them, but for long distance runs, they might not be the best option.
The TSLAs definitely weren’t the warmest in the test, but that’s to be expected at this price point. While the other options I tested ran true to size, these ran a bit small, and I would suggest sizing up, especially if you have muscular or thick legs. Still, these make a great option for everyday use, and you won’t lose sleep over this price tag.
The SITKA Core top and bottoms are my go-to any time I hit the woods. They’re lightweight and warm, yet their moisture wicking capabilities keep you dry even when you’re sweating through run-n-gun turkey hunts or deep, public treks to the deer stand. This makes them a versatile set of thermals and one of the best base layers for hunting, and I basically live in them from the opening day of whitetail bow season to the last day of turkey season. And the Odor Control technology keeps scent down to a minimum. So if you’re hunting on the road or in the backcountry, you don’t have to worry, because these layers can skip a few washings.
I wore these during Indiana’s opening week of turkey season, where low temps in the mornings dropped to the mid 30s and hit mid 70s by the afternoon. I ran the SITKA Cores all day and never got too hot in them even after logging several miles of hunting ground. At the end of week, they didn’t smell the best, but they didn’t turn any noses up either. These run a little on the pricey side, but I have zero co*plaints when it co*es to SITKA’s durability. Treat these as an investment, and you’ll get your money’s worth years later when you’re still using them. –Adam Moore
Long johns, base layers, thermal underwear, or whatever you call them, their purpose remains the same—keeping you warm and dry. Thermal underwear keeps you warm by trapping your own body heat close to your skin to provide a warming effect, even when the temps drastically drop. And a material’s ability to wick moisture ensures that you’ll stay dry in the sweatiest or wettest conditions.
co*panies typically make thermal underwear from wool, synthetic material, or a blend of the two. And depending on your activities, some might be better suited than others for specific outdoor adventures. Other than a pair of the best hiking shoes, a great pair of thermals might be the most important piece of gear you buy for outdoor activities in the cold.
Wool, especially merino wool, is one of the best materials for thermal underwear. It can absorb up to 30 percent of its water weight and remain dry during cold, wet conditions. However, thermal underwear made from low-quality wool tends to be itchy and ineffective at wicking moisture. And depending on the temps or your activities, wool might be too warm for your specific needs.
Synthetic thermal underwear usually features a blend of polyester or nylon. These synthetic blends typically have excellent durability and moisture wicking capabilities, and I actually prefer a synthetic blend over other materials. These materials also tend to have more flexibility and not restrict your range of motion or movement.
If you want something that’s super lightweight but warm, Wool can sometimes be heavier while synthetic materials usually run lighter. And if you’re counting ounces in the backcountry, lighter materials probably fit the bill better. Oftentimes, however, you sacrifice that warmth for weight. But for most outdoor excursions, the slight weight difference in materials probably doesn’t matter that much, especially if you’re not counting ounces. Depending on your activities, look at which thermal underwear will work best for your needs.
Thermal underwear should be skin-tight to keep you warm. Consider thermal underwear brands that offer a slim profile vs a baggy one. The fit should be co*fortable but not too loose. If your thermals fit loosely, they won’t keep out air or warm you as adequately as they would with a tighter fit.
I learned quickly that most cheap thermals just don’t cut it when it matters most. There’s nothing worse than shivering to death when you’re on a camping trip, and you realize that the thermals you skimped on are actually making you colder instead of warmer. And if you think there’s not a difference between a high-end set of thermal underwear and a cheap pair from your local dollar store, you’re in for a rude awakening. I’m a firm believer in getting what you pay for, not that there aren’t exceptions to this, but for the most part, warm, moisture wicking thermals don’t co*e cheap. However, when you bite it and take a face and chest-full of snow thirty minutes into your ski day, they’ll pay for themselves.
Thermal underwear featuring merino wool or a merino wool blend is typically the warmest. And their moisture wicking capabilities will keep you warm even in active or wet conditions better than synthetic blends or other options. Out of the thermal underwear I tested, the Icebreaker 260s proved to be the warmest.