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The Ultimate Mens Snowboard Base Layer Guide

Everything you need to know before buying Mens Snowboard Base Layer Clothing

mens-snowboarding-base-layer-burtonWhile many people focus on the outside portion of their winter wardrobe, it’s important to not overlook a high-quality men’s snowboarding base layer. Base layers offer thermal endurance in the cold as well as keep you dry. They’re great for outdoor activity as well as lounging in sweat clothes indoors.

Materials used in mens snowboard base layers are both breathable and moisture wicking. This means your body’s sweat is pulled to the fabric’s outside surface, while the inside remains dry.

In this guide, we’ll discuss how to get the perfect fit, the different moisture absorbing weights and the variety of materials men’s snowboard base layers are made in.

The Ultimate Mens Snowboard Base Layer Guide

How to Achieve the Perfect Fit
The 3 Different Mens Snowboard Base Layer Weights
Why You Need to Avoid Cotton Base Layers
Synthetic Fiber Materials are Faster Drying
Natural Fiber Materials are Warmer
Where to buy Mens Snowboard Base Layer

How to Achieve the Perfect Fit

mens snowboard base layerBase layers come in your standard clothing sizes (S, M, L, XL etc.) for men and the fabric has some stretch to it. The material should sit snugly on your body. It doesn’t matter what your physique happens to be, so long as the base layer can keep your body heat retained.

You don’t want the base layer to fit loosely, as it’s going to defeat the purpose. It should act as a “second skin”, keeping you warm and dry for the entirety of your snowboarding trip.

When your body sweats during physical activity, you can expect a properly fitting base layer to dry quickly, which will prevent you from getting cold outdoors.

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The 3 Different Mens Snowboard Base Layer Weights

Men’s snowboarding base layers are usually categorized in three different weights: light, mid-weight, and heavy. The weight of a base layer affects its warmth. Heavier weights are warmer than lighter weights. You need to match your body’s normal temperature to the weight of your base layer.

For example, if you’re someone who tends to feel cold often you’ll want to get a heavier weight. But if you’re someone who’s body heats up and sweats easily, you’re better off with a lighter weight base layer.

Mens snowboard base layer is measured by the weight of the fabric per square meter (grams/m2). Every snowboarding brand has its own base layer weight system, so this classification is a generalization.

mens snowboard light weight base layerLight Weight Mens Snowboard Base Layer

This is a thin first layer that’s meant to be next to your skin. Light weight base layers provide versatility because of the ability to easily add more layers of clothing over top. Lightweight base layers are a crucial step in layering as they must be comfortable on the skin and are designed to fit tighter for the best moisture management. Worn alone, they are best suited for mild to cool conditions with high levels of activity.

mens snowboard mid weight base layerMid-Weight Mens Snowboard Base Layer

A mid-weight layer can be worn as a warmer first layer or as a second layer over your next-to-skin layer. This provides a combination of insulation and moisture wicking. Alone, it is best suited to cool or moderately cold conditions with medium levels of activity where you will be moving some of the time but standing still at others.

The mid-weight is a good go-to for snowboarding, as you’ll be active while riding but then sitting still on a chairlift exposed to the cold air.

mens snowboHeavy Weight Mens Snowboard Base Layer

This is designed for cold conditions combined with any level of activity. Almost always worn over a lighter weight layer, heavyweight layers are designed to add insulation and are worn looser with less focus on moisture management. These layers are thicker due to their higher loft for insulation.

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Why You Need to Avoid Cotton Base Layers

You’ll want to avoid cotton fabric when it comes to your snowboarding base layer. Cotton is probably one of the worst options that you could wear while snowboarding as it doesn’t have moisture wicking properties. This means that wearing a cotton t-shirt as your first layer under everything else isn’t going to be ideal when you plan to snowboard for several hours. Cotton is bound to get damp when you sweat. When that mixes with cold air when you’re sitting on the chairlift it will lower your body temperature.

When cotton get wets, it stays wet for extended periods of time. It’s always better to wear even a light weight base layer next to your skin than ever a cotton shirt. You can always wear cotton clothing over top of your base layer, that’s not a problem. But overall when snowboarding, you’ll want to avoid cotton in any of your clothing that touches your skin, including your socks and underwear.

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Synthetic Fiber Materials are Faster Drying

synthetic mens snowboard base layerSynthetic mens snowboard base layer materials are made of polypropylene, which is a polyester or polyester blend. They’re  great for breathability and moisture-wicking. Most light weight base layers are synthetic fiber. They’re quick-drying, reducing uncomfortable sweat against your skin, but they need to be washed frequently as they are not odour resistant.

Synthetic fibers are usually lighter weight, faster-drying, and can be more durable than merino wool.

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Natural Fiber Materials are Warmer

merino wool mens snowboard base layer

The most common natural fiber used in base layers is merino wool. It’s generally more expensive than synthetic materials. Merino wool itself is both very warm and lightweight in comparison to other types of wool. It better retains warmth, even when wet and is naturally odor-repellent.

Merino wool base layers offer excellent heat retention and fine fibres, which allow freedom of movement and feel soft against the skin. Merino has naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. This means merino base layers can be worn for days without needing to be washed.

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Where to Buy Mens Snowboard Base Layer

There are two ways to buy base layers, either purchasing the top and bottom separately, or buying a one-piece suit. The more common option is buying the tops and bottoms separately. You can also easily buy base layers online. Generally, I prefer to go into a local snowboard shop, like Corbett’s, but base layers are one of the few pieces of your snowboard gear that I think is acceptable to buy online.

Using the information above, you should feel much more confident buying mens snowboard base layer. The brand Airblaster has a one-piece base layer called the Ninja suit, which I would recommend. Burton Snowboards also provides a wide variety of light, mid and heavy weight base layers.

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