Mehr Informationen » Best Icebreakers: Fun Ways to Build Relationships We've all been in a group full of awkward silence and staring faces, and it isn't very fun. Sizes: XS to L; fits a 32-inch to 40-inch chest This can lead to severe consequences like hypothermia, which can occur at temperatures as high as 60F. This soft, well-made merino wool top is thicker than our other picks, so it’s a great shirt for wearing under looser clothing like waders or rain gear. The goal is to make a garment that can keep you both warm and cool through a greater range of body-temperature fluctuation than usual. Not so with the Nørrona Wool Round Neck. Some people find wool can feel uncomfortably moist when worn on hot days, but blends can cut down on that feeling. We researched 100+ ski gloves to find the best ski gloves, ski gloves for women, ski gloves for cold hands, leather ski gloves, ski touring gloves, and ski gloves for cold and extreme weather. But the type of fabric is less important in this situation because you’re not necessarily planning to sweat in these clothes. Every ski bum we know has worn a pair of 32 Degrees until they’re threadbare at some point. There is no additional cost to you and the decision to buy something is up to you. Outdoors people say that merino wool “feels warm” even when it's wet. We test. Especially loved by our snowsports testers because it kept them from overheating, this top is pieced together with different fabric panels, so it’s formfitting yet it doesn’t restrict movement, a rare combination for a wool garment. Regardless of how you identify, we recommend choosing the base layers that fit your body the best. Colors: five solids and two stripes, Women’s top: Why they’re great: These base layers are pieced together with two different weights of fabric. We researched and tested the 10 most popular ski sock models taking into tech, cushioning, sizes available, and fit and length. Get your students up on their feet talking to each other and they'll be energized to participate better in class. We sifted through dozens of women's ski pants on the market to find the best options, from budget picks to the most technical. That was a dealbreaker on all the other leggings our testers tried, but they liked the fit of this pair so much that they were willing to make an exception. The temperatures ranged from highs in the 70s to lows in the high 30s. It even features well-tailored mesh paneling for better breathability in those areas. This thin, merino-blend shirt comes in basic colors for wearing alone or layering under clothing. Only one base layer we considered has thumb hooks: the Patagonia Capilene Midweight, our Best Synthetic Base Layer. This merino wool shirt is fitted but not tight, and it wears well under backpack straps. The Odlo Blackcomb is an all-synthetic baselayer designed to wick away sweat and dry quickly. Testing the Icebreaker Cool-Lite Sphere tank top on a trail run in Colorado. Versatility again. Why it’s great: This basic, functional merino wool shirt is a great option if you’re going to be outside all day—it’s available in more light colors than the Ridge, so it’s a better choice if the weather will be bright and you’ll be moving a lot. From here, we dove deeper, looking at reviews from everyday customers at REI, Evo, Backcountry, and Amazon. It’s great at wicking away sweat, and while it takes much longer than a synthetic base layer to dry, it retains some of its insulating capacity even while wet. You decide. Watching a game? At Treeline, we want you to buy right the first time. Leasing an icebreaker, while technically feasible, would be similar to the Navy leasing a submarine or aircraft carrier. That’s why if you can spend more on a recommendation like the Blackcomb Pro, it reduces the amount of money you spend in the long run. Looking for a way to stay upright in icy conditions? Colors: black, Women’s top: ), a moisture-wicking material will move the moisture away from your skin, using the heat from your body to help it evaporate. It also has thumb holes to help keep it in place if you’re pulling a sweater on atop it. Wool-synthetic blends can have the softness of wool with the durability of synthetics. Get this if: You’re playing touch football, running a Tough Mudder, or going to sports practice after school. When people are done drawing, go around the room and ask each person to share their picture. If it doesn’t look good or make us feel good while wearing it, we’re unlikely to continue wearing it. We analyzed the 10 most popular climbing skins reviews to find the 8 models most highly-reviewed for backcountry skiing. I loved the men’s and women’s Patagonia Capilene Midweight. If that’s still too itchy for you, we also found the synthetic Patagonia Midweight Capilene to be incredibly comfortable. Why the Smartwool Merino 150 hoody, and not a hooded sun shirt? Still, the Air Crew scored top points at Outdoor Gear Lab, Switchback, REI Coop, Gear Junkie, and Outside Magazine. They typically cost less and can be more durable, but they also smell bad—quickly. If the sweat can’t evaporate from your back because a pack is in the way, it can make you feel colder, rather than warmer. You can also use a base layer in the heat, though it might be the only clothing layer you wear. And for a minimal price, they’ll even repair items with normal wear and tear. Flaws but not dealbreakers: We don’t recommend the matching bottoms for this top because many testers didn’t like the fit. It's versatile, good for wearing by itself or layering under other layers, and given that it’s synthetic, it’s durable while wicking and breathing well. To be more specific, a base layer is a piece of activewear that wicks moisture away from your body. Roast Your Own Culinary Skills . In addition, we tested the air-dry time of these layers. And finally, they shouldn’t make you itch. Often with a base layer, especially a merino base layer, there’s a delicate balance to be struck between comfort and durability: the more comfortable it is, the less durable, and vice versa. Those numbers refer to the approximate fabric weight of the material in grams per meter (g/m)—so these layers are often the lightest piece of clothing in your outdoor wardrobe. Icebreakers are used when any event requires people to comfortably interact with each other. Unlike cotton, which absorbs moisture, holds onto it, and leaves you shivering (hello, hypothermia! Corporate Icebreaker Games for Small Groups—Icebreaker Ideas . Even if your base layers are designed for the regular laundry cycle, Helly Hansen suggests that “standard laundry detergent can leave behind a film that attracts odor-causing bacteria”—something to consider if your base layers see heavy use. In fact, the Smartwool 250 (sadly, sans hood) was one of our favorites in our Best Plus Size Outdoor Clothing guide. Sometimes, the blend is wool-synthetic. Sign up with your email address to be the first to know when we release new gear reviews! The L.L.Bean shirt showed wear quickly. Base layers are for being active and getting sweaty in, whereas thermals are for being stationary, as in sitting or lounging. We particularly love them because they stretch when you move—something most wool leggings can’t do. Related: The Best Shoes for Trail Running. Utilizing base layers will help you worry less about keeping warm (or staying cool) and allow you to focus on your outdoor or physical activity goals. Having lighter mesh back panels allows the Cool-Lite series to breathe better (and it reduces weight, if you’re gram-counting). In addition, ODLO transports by sea, road or rail. This icebreaker works especially well for meetings about visioning, future planning and team development because it gets people thinking about the future and taps into their hopes for that future. This is the only merino bottom (aside from the Le Bent design) that doesn’t pull or restrict anywhere and thus provides an unhindered range of motion. You don’t need to change out of it to be comfortable, either when you stop backpacking for the day or when you sit down for some food after a long day hike. Eve O'Neill is a senior staff writer reporting on travel and outdoors at Wirecutter. The barge has length 144 m (472 ft), width 30 m (98 ft), combined power output (two KLT-40C / modified nuclear reactors) 70 MW (electricity) or 300 MW (heat) and is owned by Rosatom. Take the Odlo Blackcomb Pro, for instance—our Best for Snow Sports pick. On a related note, we recognize that there are more genders than just women and men, but understand that brands in the outdoor industry categorize clothing sizes and shapes this way. Hunters and fisherpeople also need baselayers and sizing in their brands tend to be more inclusive. Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew ($40) Material: 100% polypropylene. Plan on paying anywhere from $75 to $110+ for a good wool or wool-blend layer. The Smartwool Merino 150 hoody, our Best Pick for Summer Hiking, is the only base layer we recommend that has a hooded version. Colors: one solid, Men’s bottoms: It even features well-tailored mesh paneling for better breathability in those areas. The fine fibers can snag easily, and friction from backpacks or repeated rubbing can result in holes and runs in your layers. Thompson tells us that even as a professional athlete, function isn’t enough when choosing gear: “I buy things based on whether or not they look good on me. Similar to the men’s shirt, but in a more tapered cut. Sizing is limited on the Nørrona Wool Round Neck, ranging from XS-XL. But there are some downsides to the Odlo Blackcomb Pro. For a minimal price, they’ll even repair items with normal wear and tear. Patagonia’s website also gives an option to buy the Air Hoody used (when available). Its lightweight nature suggests it’s best for use in summer, but it works for spring and fall hiking and running, too. Climbing? Most of the layers we tested were champs when it comes to breathability. Most users will find base layers perform best in cold weather when fitting somewhat snug. Launched in … However, in our tests that meant it wasn’t always able to wick away sweat. We did an in-person fit test, in addition to going by the specs listed online. (For large events, divide attendees into smaller groups.) That can be a problem if you’re trying to make a garment, such as a pair of leggings, that needs to fit over a lot of different body shapes. It's important for the facilitator to be positive and energetic. Men’s top: Material: 97% merino wool, 3% elastane (body); 98% merino wool, 1% Lycra, 1% nylon (panels) No other leggings fit women’s curves as comfortably as the Le Bent pair, and just like the men’s version, these leggings can layer under everyday clothing better than most options. Men’s top: The Ridge Aspect comes in neutral colors, which helps it pair with many outfits. That’s the main reason why the Kari Traa Smecker Half Zip and Kari Traa Smekker Pant aren’t currently a pick. It also comes with their Ironclad Guarantee—they’ll pay to repair, replace, or refund any piece you’re not happy with and only charge a nominal fee to professionally repair any damage due to wear and tear. We set aside all the thermal and long-johns base layers that were made of cotton; those make better pajamas than base layers. Here are some questions to help point you in the direction of the base layer of your dreams: We’d like to have the best of the best all the time, but realistically, price is a practical concern for most people. If you are looking to extend the life of your base layers, consider using specialized detergents every time or once in a while to get your base layers clean. Over the course of six months, we did our best to wear these models everywhere. You're going to start this first session with a beautifully simple icebreaker, one that is almost guaranteed to help the group: physically relax, gain motivation, bond together, and; participate in learning. They are made of much thicker material, and consequently, they weigh a lot more. ). The fit on the Minus33 layers was much more tailored overall and fit more of our testers better. Blended fabrics will wick moisture better than pure wool. If you're not an experienced facilitator you might want to practice icebreakers with a small group first. You want your base layer to be breathable, both in the cold and in the heat. It’s also worth noting that all the base layers we recommend are sustainably made, and the companies that created them are at least somewhat environmentally conscious. We ran all the layers through the wash and hung them up, ordering the layers based on how moist they felt right after the spin cycle. We have picks that will take you from city to trail, picks for hiking and backpacking, and picks for fishing and hunting, or even for skiing and snowboarding. A third tester mentioned that his leggings turned his legs black. We tested for 6 months in a variety of conditions and climates—from snowy mountains to desert and from late spring snow to fall night runs. First, we inspected the construction of each garment and put them in a washer and dryer, even if the care instructions said not to, because this is real life. Thermals, on the other hand, are meant to keep you warm. The high crew neck keeps sun off your chest in the afternoon. The Ridge Aspect Midweight Merino Wool Base Layer Bottom, available in men’s and women’s versions, isn’t as flexible as the Icebreaker BodyFitZone Merino 260 Zone Leggings. 17. More info here. Differently named but the same top as the men’s version, this merino wool top is thick enough to wear by itself or under a jacket or sweatshirt. In contrast, the Smartwool 150 shirt also comes in some lighter colors; as a result, it can be useful as an underlayer but also as a standalone shirt because you can wear it on a sunny day without sweating to death. Soft and formfitting without being tight, these are pieces you could wear all day, whereas a technical wool layer can sometimes feel like something you want to peel off right after you come inside. Colors: black, Women’s top: They’re too thick to wear under normal clothing, the pants are too underwear-like to wear alone, and they’re all too heavy for high-intensity sports like running. It’s designed to move with the body and to look flattering as well. 1. Why? But that’s what we’d expect for a garment meant to layer under rain gear. Base layers can be made from wool, synthetic fibers, or a wool-synthetic blend. We also spoke to Robert Thomas, then the senior apparel product line manager at Smartwool (he now works at Arc’teryx). On the Icebreaker Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe for men and women, sizing runs small, and several testers wished the sleeve and shirt length were longer. The fabric is 87% merino wool blended with nylon. The only negative we could find? Most base layer companies recommend air drying your base layers. After three years of testing, these are our favorite merino leggings because they prevent overheating. The Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker Let Pobedy can ram through 10-foot ice and packs a 74,000-horsepower wallop. The Under Armour ColdGear Base 3.0 Crew is ideal for anyone who gets really dirty and needs to clean their base layer often. This crew-neck shirt is a good option for sports practice, obstacle races, or any activity where you might get really dirty, because it’ll stand up to a lot of washing. We think so—our testers definitely found a difference in comfort. A synthetic lightweight layer is often simply labeled as “lightweight” because they’re usually heavier than their wool counterparts. We researched 12 of the most popular MIPS ski helmets by Smith, Pret, Giro, and POC to find the best ski helmets for safety/preventing concussions, backcountry skiing, resort skiing, budget and teenagers, and Bluetooth and audio capability. There is no official definition anywhere we’ve found that makes a clear distinction between thermal underwear and base layers. (Full disclosure: Treeline Review Editor in Chief Liz Thomas worked on an earlier version of this guide for Wirecutter/New York Times.) The men’s and women’s Smartwool Merino 150 hoody is the lightest weight base layer we tested at 150 g/m weight. The men’s Duckworth Vapor LS Crew is an everyday shirt like the Ridge Aspect, but it has a looser fit, which the company says is an intentional design to trap more warm air against the body. Lightweight wool layers are often labeled as 100 or 150 weight. Always check the tag on your base layer before washing or drying. The author testing the Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody on a climb. (A human hair, for reference, is about 100 microns.). A member of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation and a Ph.D. Im Merino-Unterwäschen-Vergleich sind die unterschiedlichsten Hersteller vertreten, um einen möglichst breiten Überblick zu garantieren. We cross-referenced articles on base layers by Outdoor Gear Lab, Switchback Travel, Adventure Junkies, Backpacker Magazine, Gear Junkie, Greenbelly, REI Coop Journal, Ski Magazine, Outside Magazine, and Wirecutter/New York Times. Wirecutter is reader-supported. With too much activity, most people get too hot to wear a heavyweight layer—so counterintuitively, this “base layer” is rarely worn as a next-to-skin layer, but rather a mid insulating layer. Synthetic base layers sometimes have specific features that fight odor retention. It’s tagless, the material is soft to the touch, and the cut is fitted but not skintight. And I like that the patterns on these add coverage, as many layers we’ve tested are kinda see-through. This helped us narrow down our list to the five models we feel are best, both for experts and everyday hikers, runners, climbers, and campers. We always recommend that you try a layer before you buy it where you can, or at least order from a retailer with a generous return policy, like REI. The only reason we didn’t make them a pick is that they’re a little more expensive. Other fun facts: Nørrona is a cool company with a strong social and environmental responsibility mission, including auditing factories, ensuring animal welfare, and donating 1% of total sales to sustainability causes. And for more tips on what to say when meeting new people, This is the Best Way to Make New Friends! Gear care can be time-consuming and impractical. Why they’re great: The 32 Degrees Lightweight Baselayer Crew Top and Legging are inexpensive base layers made of varying mixes of polyester, acrylic, rayon, and spandex that are extremely comfortable. There’s a lot to love about the Kari Traa Lam. Get this if: You’ll be wearing a backpack a lot of the time and you might encounter sunny weather. An icebreaker is a special-purpose ship or boat designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters, and provide safe waterways for other boats and ships. We think this version offers you the right thickness to stay warm in early spring or late fall. Base layers can be used while running, hiking, climbing, biking, or any activity, especially in the outdoors. Get these if: You’re trying an outdoor activity for the first time and you don’t know if you’ll actually like it enough to stick with it. Baselayers and sizing in their care things like guessing games in large groups. ) a cut is! 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