Choose the right base layer

Why is a good base layer important?

When you spend time outdoors, regardless of activity, the right base layer is essential for comfort and performance. A wool base layer with good insulation and effective moisture management keeps you dry and warm, even when you sweat. Since moisture cools the body quickly, it’s important to choose materials that move moisture away from the skin. Here are our best tips to help you choose the right base layer for your needs and activities.

Step 1: Choose the right material - Why choose a wool base layer?

Wool is superior when it comes to keeping you dry and warm. It effectively wicks away moisture, insulates heat, and can absorb a large amount of moisture without feeling wet. Unlike synthetic and cotton materials, wool continues to keep you warm even when damp, making it a reliable choice for both activity and rest.

Step 2: Body temperature - Do you get cold easily or tend to feel warm?

Your body temperature affects which material and thickness will suit you best. Woolpower offers base layers in two materials: Ullfrotté Original and Woolpower LITE. Both are wool base layers made with merino wool, but the knitting techniques optimize them for different properties.

If you get cold easily

For you, a base layer with good insulation is essential. Our Ullfrotté 200 base layers are our classic thick base layers that trap your body heat thanks to their airy structure. Worn closest to the skin for best effect.

If you tend to run warm or heat up quickly

Then a base layer with efficient moisture and heat transfer is key. Woolpower LITE is our rib-knit thin base layers that fits close to the skin and helps release excess heat. Perfect for high-intensity activities or if you naturally run warm.

Step 3: Activity level - What will you be doing?

Choose your base layer based on your activity level. High-intensity activities require good moisture management to prevent overheating, while lower-intensity activities require more insulation.

Will you be taking breaks?

Your choice of base layer is also affected by whether you’ll be taking long breaks during your activity, such as when downhill skiing or hunting. This helps ensure that you stay warm and comfortable even at rest. In these situations, a wool base layer is always preferable to one made from cotton or synthetic materials, due to wool’s thermal properties.

Step 4: Environment & temperature - Where and when will you use your base layer?

Where and when you use your base layer will influence your choice. Temperature, wind and moisture all affect how cold it feels. To simplify, you can think in two conditions: cold or mild weather.

Cold weather means low temperatures where cold, wind, and moisture increase the cooling effect and place higher demands on insulation.

Mild weather means higher temperatures where the cold is less pronounced and the need for ventilation and moisture management increases.

Which Woolpower base layer should you choose?

Ullfrotté 200

If you get cold easily, you need a base layer that insulates your body heat and keeps you warm.

Ullfrotté 200 is our classic base layer. The crimped wool fibers and our unique knitting method create an airy fabric with few contact points against the skin. The air trapped close to the body helps retain the heat your body produces.

Remember that Ullfrotté 200 is a base layer. It should be worn directly against the skin, with no other layers underneath except underwear.

Choose Ullfrotté 200 if:

• You feel cold easily

• You are outdoors in cold weather

• You have low or varying activity levels

• You switch between high activity and rest

• You take breaks during your activity

Woolpower Lite

If you tend to feel warm, it’s important to choose a base layer that efficiently manages both excess heat and moisture.

Woolpower LITE is made from a rib-knitted fabric that fits close to the skin. The large contact surface helps transport excess body heat away efficiently. It’s ideal for high-intensity activities or if you naturally run warm.

Choose Woolpower LITE if:

• You tend to feel warm

• You are outdoors in mild weather

• You have a high activity level

• You stay active throughout your activity

Sizes and Fit

Most of our garments have a unisex fit and are designed to provide great freedom of movement in a layering system.

All tops come in unisex sizes, while long johns are available in women’s and men’s fits in LITE, and in unisex and men’s fits in Ullfrotté 200.

How to choose your size

Men

Choose the size you normally wear. If you usually wear size M, we recommend choosing M in Woolpower as well.
→ See all our base layers for men

Women

Tops and Ullfrotté 200 long johns:
In most cases, we recommend choosing one size smaller than you normally wear. If you usually wear size M, we recommend size S.

LITE long johns:

Here, we recommend choosing your usual size.
→ Explore our range of base layers for women

If you are usually between two sizes, it may be a good idea to try both for the best fit.