How to Choose Base Layers

Whether you're scoring a powder day on the mountain or enjoying a quiet hike through the woods, the men's Icebreaker Merino 260 Tech Crewe Thermal top is a go-to foundation for cold-weather layering.
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Imported.
View all Icebreaker Men's Base Layer TopsBest Use | Snowsports |
---|---|
Shirt Type | T-shirt |
Fabric | Merino wool |
Sun-Protective Fabric | Yes |
UPF Rating | 35 |
Moisture Wicking | Yes |
Quick Drying | Yes |
Underwear Weight | Heavyweight |
Sleeve Length | Long Sleeve |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains ZQ merino wool |
S | M | L | XL | XXL | XXXL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chest | 33-36 | 36-39 | 39-42 | 42-45 | 45-48 | 48-52 |
Waist | 27-30 | 30-33 | 33-36 | 36-39 | 39-42 | 42-46 |
Hip | 34.5-37 | 37-39.5 | 39.5-42 | 42-44.5 | 44.5-47 | 47-50.5 |
Measurements are stated in inches unless otherwise indicated.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT SIZE: If your body measurements are midway between two sizes, select the smaller size for a tighter fit or the larger size for a looser fit. If your body measurements result in different sizes, we recommend using your chest measurement for tops and your hip measurement for pants.
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This shirt is really soft and seemed like good quality at first but after wearing it only a handful of times it has several small holes in it. I didn't tear it on anything sharp and I always air dry it after washing. Maybe I got a bad one but for the money spent I expected better quality. REI brand has held up much better.
I bought this for my ol'man (as well as the so-called heavy-weight base bottoms). He says that of all the base layer brands he has which include smartwool, Under Armour, and Arc'teryx, these offer the least warmth, worn in similar conditions. The top is really thin, compared to the others. Myself I have I.B. Vertex base tops that are extremely warm...they are listed as being 250 and are substantially 'heavier' than this base top. For us, this is a 'hard-pass'...he says ditto for the 300 g bottoms...
Very warm, lightweight, soft. A big part of enjoying your cold weather adventures is having the right gear for the conditions. This has been a great addition to my cold weather go bag.
Just pulling this shirt on makes me feel like heading outside for a winter adventure! It is a perfect balance--heavy base layer, nicely stretchy, fits snug but certainly not tight. The Merino wool is maybe a touch itchy at first wear, but quickly softened up. Some might want a little more length in the hem, but perfect for my tastes. I bought a large and am 6', 185 pounds.
I bought this to wear as a base layer for running. It's not itchy and seems very nice quality. I would rate it a mid-weight layer. I wasn't sure from the photos if it was going to be loose or form fitting. It's form fitting but not overly snug so it works for a base layer. I've worn it under a Smartwool wind shirt on a breezy mid-30s run and was comfortable.
This base layer is warm, soft, and looks great! I’ve been wearing icebreaker for years. This one replaces one that I have had for 10+ years ( the right arm developed a small hole in the forearm , maybe a snag)
I love my new sweater, fits perfectly and not scratchy at all! I need 10 more just like it.
Most important piece of clothing I own. I now have 5 of them.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I have been serially disappointed by Icebreaker of late. I have returned the last 3 products I purchased from Icebreaker to just put things in perspective. But this is a truly outstanding piece. Its feel, thickness, cut and finish not to mention warmth are simply perfect! Only issue is the fact it's a lint magnet. I'd buy a couple of more of these in case the quality goes south just like all the other products over the years.
These are fantastic baselayers and they regulate temperature extremely well. The fit is also nice for wearing as a main shirt and doesn't look like a baselayer. I would highly recommend these shirts. I usually wear them on days that range from 20 degrees F to 40 degrees F and they keep me plenty warm with just a midlayer on top. I purchased 2 of them because I liked them so much and also bought their leggings.