Topic: The Best Thermal Underwear for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 33 times)
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Topic: The Best Thermal Underwear for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 33 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.
Battery-heated gear, such as vests and socks, are viewed by many as a gimmick to con the unwitting sportsman out of a few bucks, but in the era of lithium batteries and advanced heating elements, they are an invaluable tool for low-activity hunting in cold weather. I recently was able to test the Pnuma ICONX Heated Core shirt and pants on a wolf hunt in Canada, and I’ll be using them more.
The Pnuma ICONX heated base layers are tight-fitting and functional as a general base layer without the heat, but they feature carbon-fiber heating elements strategically placed for maximum warmth. The heating elements are powered by a single rechargeable lithium battery that can double as a power bank. The shirt and pants each use their own battery.
The ICONX layers must be washed by hand and hung to dry, but they have a Polygiene anti-odor treatment, so you shouldn’t need to wash them as often, in theory. These base layers have three heat settings with run times of 2, 3, and 6.5 hours for high, medium, and low respectively. My hunt in Canada involved sitting still in a un-heated blind for 60 hours, 10 hours per day, and I’d usually turn the heat on for the last half of the day. It made a huge difference in my co*fort. Even with the best base and insulating layers, it’s difficult to stay warm while sitting still in cold weather, and the Pnuma ICONX was excellent for that application. —Tyler Freel
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.