Men's thermal underwear

Choosing men's technical hiking clothing

Two main types of technical clothing dominate the market: merino wool, natural and breathable, and synthetic fibres, lightweight and quick drying. Each meets different needs according to hike duration, season and exercise intensity.

Materials and thermal properties of men's thermal clothing

Men's thermal base layers: which material should you choose?

  • Highlander: an entry-level option suited to occasional use. These warm base layers provide the essentials of thermal protection.
  • Damart Sport synthetics: using Thermolactil technology, these technical garments are warm and fully stretchy, allowing comfortable layering. The EasyBody range suits stationary or moderate activities. ActivBody uses a more breathable knit for sustained activity. These synthetic materials offer good value for performance and dry quickly after exercise or washing.
  • Icebreaker merino: these merino wool base layers combine thermal protection, exceptional breathability and natural odour resistance. They are ideal for active and sporting use, as well as multi-day hiking. Merino wicks moisture while retaining warmth, ideal for changing mountain temperatures.

For more information about merino wool, read our article: Merino wool for hiking: what are the benefits?

Long or short sleeves? Crew neck or ¼-zip neck?

The slightly more expensive ¼-zip top has a high collar for greater warmth and a zip to adjust ventilation to the conditions. This flexibility is valuable when temperatures change at altitude. Long-sleeved models improve thermal protection and reduce UV exposure in the mountains.

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