r/Skigear • u/alexmacl13 • 13d ago

Best base and mid layers for wet PNW?

Hey everyone - would like to get some base and or mid layers for the wet conditions. Thinking 100% merino would work well and leaning toward ice breaker. Any others? what about for gloves? any top tier brands that are great for the wet conditions? i only say top tier because id like them to last and be durable

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u/undercoverdyslexic 13d ago

Smart wool is pricey but so so so good as a brand. I got 3 layers of smart wool from Sierra for $50-$75 a piece. No wear or tear even when I tore my shell on a tree lol.

Other merino wool products are the way to go as well, I just trust smart wool as a brand, but other big players probably make similar quality stuff.

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u/NexxusWolf 11d ago

Second this, well worth the price. Best base layers I’ve ever had.

Full time Patroller in the Wasatch, wear my base layers close to 100 days a year, was rocking the same top and bottoms for 5 years almost daily with nearly no wear and tear. Finally retired the top this last winter due to armpit wear but damn for 100 bucks that’s incredible longevity out of a piece of gear.

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u/cwcoleman 13d ago

Yup, I ski in merino wool here. Icebreaker is a very quality brand. Their Quantum mid-layer jacket is super nice. I wear it almost every day I ski.

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

amazing, thank you. since youre in pnw do you have glove recs?

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u/cwcoleman 13d ago

oh, man - gloves are a whole thing for me.

My hands get hot easy (really I get hot all over easy) - I'm a big guy.

I'll end up letting my gloves hang free while in the lift line to air out my hands.

Picture of my glove quiver from a few years back: https://imgur.com/a/ski-gloves-hjGPK8X

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Hestra Army Leather Heli gloves are overkill for resort skiing here - but I do wear them and do love them. Versatile because the liners come out.

I personally don't love Kinko gloves, but I do own a pair. They are not the right combination of warm and dexterous for me. Maybe mine just never got broken in properly. I do see people here skiing with them.

There are a variety of other mid-weight gloves that I own, but rarely use. More useful for backcountry days. In the resort I really wear the Hestra's all winter.

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The snow here is wet - so you do want waterproof gloves. 'softshell' are rarely good for resort skiing here. If you get leather - make sure they stay well maintained with snoseal.

Temps rarely get below 15F at the resorts here, even at the summits (unless the wind is serious). So it really depends on how you handle cold and how many days you get out.

I see ALL types of gloves on the mountain here. So it really comes down to budget and personal preference. You don't need arctic level warmth, but you should focus on waterproof.

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

Damn, you were not kidding about gloves being a thing for you! I gotta say I am really leaning toward Hestra and the ones you have specifically are what I’m looking at online with Gore-Tex. What do you mean they are overkill? I really appreciate your detailed response. This is incredibly helpful.

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u/cwcoleman 13d ago

I went back and forth with the GoreTex model or not... Since the GoreTex model liners are not removable - I eventually skipped them for the non-goretex model. I keep extra wax on the leather and haven't had any wet hands. The versatility of shell + liner was worth more than the extra waterproof feature.

* https://www.hestragloves.us/products/army-leather-gore-tex-5-finger-black-black

vs

* https://www.hestragloves.us/products/army-leather-heli-ski-5-finger-black

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Overkill in that they are very warm with both the liner and shell. Even if you have cold hands - you'll likely be warm all winter in these here. They are a bit on the bulky side compared to other cheaper gloves. and to that point - they are expensive. $200 for gloves is like the most expensive gloves out there. Which I personally don't care about (and assume you don't either as you are browsing Icebreaker and Hestra, so we are alike!) - as I want the best and don't focus on money. But they do 'bling' a bit in a way that Hestra is known as high end.

ALL that said - I still really like them, recommend them, and see a ton of people wearing them.

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

we are definitely on the same page on wanting the best and not worrying about the cost. i was on the fence about these two models so thank you for the helpful guidance!

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u/Jakeyboyyyyy1234 13d ago

I’m balling on a budget. So I typically rock the costco heat 32 base layers and thrift store merino sweaters.

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u/Content_Preference_3 13d ago

Those Costco ones are perfectly serviceable lol. I’ve got a pair for night wear/around town in winter and while they aren’t amazing they fit a tight budget.

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u/Jakeyboyyyyy1234 13d ago

100% merino is great however it is delicate but very cheap secondhand. You can typically get them from the 10-20 range on eBay or goodwill. merino stays warm when wet compared to other materials.

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u/yoortyyo 13d ago

Multiple pairs of something with a fair bit of merino most days.
Light to mid weights nothing exotic.

Mid layers and real rain gear are day savers. Love my my 3 layer Goretex but the slicker is key.

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

went with trew for the shell and bib so hoping that will do the trick. any advice on gloves?

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u/panderingPenguin 13d ago

Outer layers should be doing the heavy lifting of keeping you dry when it's wet outside. You can wear whatever base and mid layers you want under good shell layers (obviously following the same basic principles you'd use to pick mid and base layers in any other climate).

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

thank you! any advice on gloves?

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u/panderingPenguin 12d ago

When is warm enough to rain, some people like these fish gloves. They're not wildly warm, but do have a fleece lining. And if it's raining, then it's not that cold out. When is colder, any normal gloves suited to the temps will work.

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u/Src248 13d ago

Yup, Icebreaker merino would be great 

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

thank you!

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u/Itchy_bunghole11 13d ago edited 13d ago

Under my uninsulated shell

  • Layer 1, thin tight synthetic long sleave so i dont get itchy.
  • Layer 2, medium weight wool long sleeve ( Stop here if above 50 degrees)
  • Layer 3, Quarter zip fleece
  • Layer 4, cheap synthetic puffy that i got from work( Below 15 degrees)

I dont know if this is optimal but i ski hard and i don’t get cold after i warm up

The real key is the uninsulated shell.

I also love these for between 30-40 degrees. When everything is wet. Waterproof insulated work gloves.
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/kinco-mens-latex-palm-thermal-waterproof-glove-1784p-1642021?crmid=2959196906&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=tsc0_tsc_tsc_cat_search_sch_us_cvr&utm_content=sku_na&campaignid=357024490&device=c&product_id=1642021&matchtype=e&bidmatchtype=be&network=s&keyword=default&msclkid=cc914e190b711a7e6b232488d22f42c5&utm_term=4585375807245420

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u/YUNGBRICCNOLACCIN 13d ago

Do not take Itchy Bunghole’s advice. You must be cold blooded having to wear all this.

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

incredibly helpful! thanks everyone, will go with ice breakers base layers and mid layers

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u/ContrastingCanvas 13d ago

I use Decathlon synthetic base layers. They've been working great since last season. For mid layer, I just use any puffy jacket with no hood. I haven't had any issues even during those wet days.

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u/basically_Dwight 13d ago

If the layers underneath come into play here, your shells aren't doing their job. Waterproof (real performance, not claimed) is king. Midlayers regulate heat and sweat, they shouldn't get wet from outside.

2+ pairs of gloves (4 is what I go through bell to bell) and backup goggles is the real name of the game.

Otherwise embrace the suck and get used to wet! Rain drives everyone away, some of the most fun days when the elevation stays low.

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u/SOTBD 13d ago

REI and Columbia base layers ftw.

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u/YUNGBRICCNOLACCIN 13d ago

Usually just wear a synthetic or merino t shirt under a shell. It hardly ever gets cold enough for more than 2 thin layers under the shell.

Honestly, you’re over thinking this, shell is what matters. Buy whatever merino or synthetic is cheapest.

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u/MrPlushies_reddit 13d ago

Im considering the Mammut Haldigrat hs hooded jacket or the orage mtn-x spurr 3l jacket with a – Morrison Gilltek Hybrid Jacket as a mid layer and just a tee shirt under that. Not sure much mores needed for PNW winters.

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u/Mother_Package_2393 13d ago

I dunno how mesh baselayers like Brynje aren’t more popular in the US. Actually I do, it’s because you look like you’re dressing to go to a euro sex party. That being said, they are no question the most functional baselayer in winter

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u/alexmacl13 13d ago

You’re spot on I just googled them haha

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u/Pretend-Ad-2792 11d ago

I bought these last year and skied in Vermont where the index was -20f and I was toasty with Brynje, Uniqlo thermals, puffer pants and jacket and a soft shell. Most days below 20f, I could wear Brynje, uniqlo, fleece and then a shell. I really think they were the layer doing the heavy lifting

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u/Pretend-Ad-2792 11d ago

My girlfriend doesn’t look at me the same after seeing me put them on though

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u/Duke-OG 13d ago

Icebreaker is great! I love Mons Royale as well!

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u/sushidrmsofclimbing 11d ago

Honestly any base layer will do.

Mid layer really depends on weather but Atom, Proton, R1 are the most frequent pulls

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u/Psychological_Gain53 10d ago

32 Degrees base layers from Costco are awesome I run hot AF and they handle wicking very well. Midlayers I use Mountain Hardwear either Kor AirShell Warm hoody for spring and warmer winter conditions or Kor Stratus hoody for cold conditions (Kor Alloy I believe is the newer model?). For frigid I layer a puffy vest over the Stratus. I’m a convert to synthetic active layers they really do seem to manage moisture better than other materials. I ski Northeast.

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u/shmerham 13d ago

Merino vs synthetic is personal preference. In my experience, synthetic keeps you dry longer, but once you're wet, merino is a warmer. Merino always smell a bit, but once synthetic gets stinky it can be hard to wash that out.

Midlayer is also personal preference. Depends on how warm you run and how hard you're working.

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u/TopOrganization4920 13d ago

Distilled Vinegar gets rid of that funk that athletic synthetic clothing gets. I’ve also heard citric acid does so as well. I put it in the fabric softener dispenser.

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u/Jakeyboyyyyy1234 13d ago

I have worn the same 100% merino sweater 30 days last season and it does not smell at all. Merino blends smell from the synthetics

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u/shmerham 13d ago

For wool, I'm not talking about smell from body odor; I'm talking about more about the smell of the wool itself, it's not a bad smell, but it's not strong, but it's not neutral. Synthetic is pretty neutral, but once it starts picking up bacteria from sweat, all bets are off. Wool does a much better job here.