Snowboarding Base Layers

Proper body insulation is paramount if you want to ride the slopes in comfort. To achieve this it’s important to follow a good layering regime to keep warm and dry when its cold and wet outside. This consists of the:

base layer
insulating layer
outer layer

Each serves its own particular purpose. On most cold winter days, it’s advisable to start out wearing all three groups to keep you comfortable and riding as long as possible. Later on, if you get too hot and uncomfortable, you can remove some of it.

The following gives an overview of each layer and how they work in concert with one another to afford an effective barrier of fabric between you and the elements when snowboarding.

Base Layer

Sweating and exposure to moisture in the air can make your skin cold. Therefore, the base layer should be a non-cotton layer of clothing that soaks up body moisture and moves it away from the body. Good examples are thermal underwear made of Silk or Polartec, Capilene, Coolmax or Akwatec or any other fabric designed to wick moisture away from the body. Moisture-wicking is the process of using material that transfers the water molecules from the surface of the skin to the outer clothing layers, keeping you dry.

Cotton is a hydrophilic material. This means it absorbs water/moisture easily. For this reason it shouldn’t be worn as an inner layer. Both top and bottom base layers should be worn. Socks should be ones made for snowboarding and that use similar wicking materials.

Insulating Layer

The insulating layer comprises clothing worn as one or more layers over your base layers and under your outer snowboard winter clothing. It’s purpose is to insulate the body from cold. These can fit more loosely than the base layer. A typical mid layer may include a fleece long sleeve shirt and long legged mid-weight bottoms.

Clothing made of wool, down and fleece are the most commonly used insulating (mid) layers due to their good insulating properties. As the rider is wearing a moisture-wicking base layer, the insulating layer will receive a lot of the transferred dampness. Once again, avoid using cotton.

Outer Layer

These are your waterproof and windproof snowboarding jackets and pants covered in Snowboarding Jackets and Snowboarding Pants.

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Wickers

Wickers has been a leader in the development and introduction of performance fabric technology since its early beginnings. The Akwatek fabric developed by Wickers, established a new standard by which all other wicking technology fabrics were judged. The fabric has been tested by independent agencies and found to have capabilities superior to that of standard "wicking" fabrics for thermoregulation in performance sports apparel. All Wickers garments are made in the USA.

The company offers a 90 day money back guarantee if you’re not 100% satisfied with your purchase.