The Best Men’s Baselayers and Midlayers of 2022
Threads that keep your body temp just right
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Your winter kit is only as good as the layers you build it with. While there have been capable options on the market for decades, brands pushed the bar even higher this year, making these crucial pieces lighter, more breathable, and better for the earth. In a sea of worthy choices—from featherweight next-to-skin base layers to all-day midlayers—these were the best.
Flylow Pierogi Hoodie ($140)
The Pierogi marries stretchy, fleecy comfort with technical mountain performance. The polyester fleece face kept out breezes, while the hood’s laminated brim protected against sun and snow. Tough taffeta elbow patches ward off abuse. (S–XXL)
Maloja BenedictM Pants ($69)
Stretchy is an understatement when describing the BenedictM. These pants are nylon with 5 percent spandex, so they’re formfitting yet boast four-way stretch for unconstricted movement. The seamless knit prevented chafing no matter how hard we were sweating. (XS–XL)
Corbeaux Jackpot Joggers ($124)
These midweight bottoms are soft inside, ideal for cold days at the resort. Their slim jogger cut also looked good enough for us to wear them solo. Plus, the tightly woven face helps cut the wind when you’re sporting them without shell pants around town. To top it off, they’re made by hand in Minnesota with 94 percent recycled content that’s Bluesign approved. (S–XXL)
Craft Pro Wool Extreme X LS M Shirt ($100)
This skintight layer disappears as soon as you put it on, which is the highest compliment we can give. Its gridded polyamide-wool fabric is soft against your skin, allows moisture to escape, and lends a surprising amount of warming loft for such a thin layer. This was the top that testers reached for to get aerobic in the snow. (S–XXL)
The North Face Summit DotKnit Crew Top ($89)
Some testers were skeptical of this top’s ability to breathe because of its tightly woven face fabric. They needn’t have been. This 42 percent recycled-polyester shirt is knit with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns, which lends slight wind resistance but also facilitates moisture transfer without getting soggy. That’s bolstered by laser-cut holes, which provided excellent breathability even when we were pushing the pace. (S–XXL)
Beyond Clothing K3-Dasche Jacket ($190)
For stop-and-go activities in the alpine, the K3-Dasche is your steadfast companion. Fully recycled synthetic insulation in the torso and arms keeps you warm where you need it, while thin four-way-stretch soft shell everywhere else dumps heat. The hood is made of the same lightweight nylon, and it packs discreetly into the collar when you’re not using it. (XS–3XL)