Base Layers: Buyers Guide 2024

When your team works long hours in the cold, you know that layering is the key to keeping them warm, safe and productive. You likely spent a lot of time choosing the right outer layers, like jackets for your employees, but do they have the best base layers to help them get the job done?

This Buyers Guide will help you find all the latest RefrigiWear base layers organized from warm to warmest, so you can find what you need and get on with your work.

Warm Base Layers

These are classic layers designed with lightweight fabrics that move with you and wick moisture away from your skin. Pair these products with heavier mid-layers for protection from mild-yet-unpredictable spring and fall weather.

Warmer Base Layers

These thermal base layers wick away moisture from your skin, but they add serious warmth by making your jacket or other outer layer feel up to 4°F to 8°F warmer.

Warmest Base Layers

Our heaviest and warmest thermal base layers add maximum warmth by making your coveralls, jacket or bib overalls feel up to 7°F to 15°F warmer.

Choose the Best Base Layers for Your Work

All base layers are not made equal, especially when it comes to working in the cold. Learn how to layer for working in the cold and make sure you have the right gear to protect yourself and your team, without hindering productivity or performance.

Why are base layers so important?

The base layer is the layer that lies against your skin, so it needs to give you three important things: warmth, moisture control and flexibility. Base layers, often referred to as thermal underwear or long johns, are your first line of defense against cold stress and cold-related illnesses like frostbite and hypothermia.

The best base layers deliver coverage from head-to-toe, including moisture-wicking shirts and thermal underwear, moisture-wicking socks and even thermal headwear and glove liners.

Will a base layer make me too warm?

Wearing too much protective gear that makes you sweat can be just as dangerous as not wearing enough. That’s why you need a moisture-wicking base layer that is made for the temperature you’re working in, as well as your activity level.

Even in cold environments, when you work hard you sweat. Sweat is the body's way of cooling the body off. But in a cold environment, if that moisture collects under your clothes, it will only make you colder and uncomfortable. To fight this, you need base layers made from materials that wick moisture away from your skin and allow it to evaporate.

Cotton is a poor choice for base layers because it retains moisture. Fabrics that are naturally moisture wicking, and that have additional coatings for assistance, are perfect choices for base layers to help combat sweat.

Will base layers make it hard for me to move?

No. The best base layers from RefrigiWear are flexible and move with you, rather than limiting your range of motion.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again (because we know it is true): performance is just as important as protection when choosing work gear for the cold. Clothing that keeps you warm but prevents you from doing your job T the highest level isn’t going to help you get the job done and only prolongs your time in the cold.

Not hindering movement is especially important with base layers since they are the layer closest to your skin and need to feel more like a “second skin” than a jacket. RefrigiWear base and mid-layers move every direction you do, so you can work more easily in thermal base layers that are flexible and stretch with your movements.

Talk with the Experts on Cold Weather Workwear

If you need help selecting the best thermal base layers and insulated workwear for your employees, please contact RefrigiWear Customer Service.