From Soccer To Skiing: Which Sports Need Base Layers?

Whether you’re concentrating on the ball, slopes or road ahead, you need the right clothing to perform at your best. As an outdoor athlete, this means battling against the weather as well as the terrain or team you’re facing. Rain, cold, and mud can all make you feel uncomfortable if they get close to your skin. Plus, as you work hard, sweat can start to build up in your clothes, make you feel damp and start causing friction. 

The suitable base layers can help you avoid all these problems. By choosing items suited to your sport, you can move freely, stay at the right temperature and give yourself a better chance at recovery, whatever the weather.

What Is A Base Layer?

A base layer is a close-fitting activewear item that stays in contact with the skin and helps athletes maintain their core temperature as they exercise. Base layers come in both tops and bottoms and are available in men’s and women’s sizes. Quality items are made from materials that offer the following features:

• Breathability: this lets heat from the body out without letting moisture or cold in. This helps regulate core body temperature, minimizing excess strain and enhancing recovery

• Sweat-wicking: the materials remove sweat away from the skin, preventing it from building up and making the athlete damp, cold and uncomfortable

• Thermal insulation: keeping an athlete warm in cold or wet weather means their body won’t be put under extra strain and risk injury

• Lightweight: this means multiple layers can be worn or carried without stopping an athlete from moving freely

• Wind and water resistance: helps athletes stay comfortable and keep up with their training schedule in all weathers

Base layers are important for athletes because they help keep the body temperature stable and support muscles to work well by protecting them in all weather conditions. In the winter, long-sleeved shirts or tights keep an athlete warm and dry when the weather is cold and wet. In the summer, vests and shorts wick away sweat and stay lightweight and breathable, keeping them cool and free to move. 

Which Sports Do You Need Base Layers For?

Base layers are useful for a range of different sports. Outdoor athletes who play or train in fall or winter are likely to already have these items in their kit bag as a first defense against wet or cold conditions. However, base layers are helpful for athletes training and playing a range of indoor and outdoor sports all year round.

Base Layers For Running 

If you’re an all-weather runner, base layers are a must-have in your training wardrobe. Even in the hottest, driest weather or when training inside, a sleeveless top and sports underwear are useful for wicking away moisture, keeping you cool and preventing any friction.  This is particularly important if you’re putting in long training hours for endurance or marathon races. 

As you move through the shoulder seasons, a short-sleeve running shirt will become a staple as it layers up under a jacket or is worn alone with a pair of shorts. Then, when the weather gets colder and wetter, long-sleeved running shirts help keep your torso warm and dry while your legs work. 

Base Layers For Cycling 

Downhill winds will cool you off and uphill climbs make you sweat. Wearing cycling base layers as you ride will keep your core temperature stable, which helps your legs work even harder. Short-sleeved or sleeveless tops and undershorts will wick away sweat and prevent any chaffing as you move. Plus, they can be worn comfortably under a jersey, bib or trail shirt without weighing you down or making you less streamlined. 

If you’re cycling over winter, having a long-sleeved shirt under your jersey or cycling jacket will give you breathable protection against the cold and wet. Water-resistant and windproof options are the best for heading out gravel or mountain biking.

Base Layers For Skiing Or Snowboarding

When you’re out on the slopes, the aim is to keep the cold out without overheating. Base layers are the ideal starting point. Moisture wicking with thermal insulations, they’ll let out sweat without letting in any ice or snow, which is important as you push yourself on your skis or board. 

As they’re lightweight, they won’t add extra bulk to your many layers or restrict your movement. Long sleeved shirts and tights will give you full coverage against the cold, and if you can get windproof or water-resistant options, that’s even better. 

Base Layers For Ice Hockey

Hockey pads can become heavy and make you hot as you train or play. Having a moisture-wicking, breathable base layer helps you regulate your body temperature as you work. Their close-fitting design also helps to keep your skin dry, preventing pads from rubbing and causing irritation. 

Long-sleeved tops and tights support your muscles as you move thanks to their compression. This keeps your blood flowing and your muscles and ligaments protected. Some hockey-specific designs have extra padding or reinforcement in particularly vulnerable areas of your body. 

Base Layers For Soccer 

Whether you’re training inside or playing matches outside, having a quality base layer shirt and pair of shorts are essential for your soccer kit bag. From the gym to weekend competitions, they can be worn alone or under your playing kit to keep you performing at your best. 

The compression dampens the vibrations passing through your muscles and keeps blood flowing, both of which help with recovery. Choosing longer length designs with thermal insulation will keep you warm if you’re playing in cold, wet weather. While shorter, breathable and moisture wicking options will help you stay dry and cool in the sun.

Base Layers For Rugby

Rugby is played in all weathers. Wearing base layers will help keep your core temperature stable even in the toughest weather conditions. Materials that are breathable and with some thermal insulation will help keep you warm. While moisture-wicking features will keep your skin dry and comfortable. 

Plus, the compression provided by close-fitting base layers gives your body some protection from tackling and rucking impacts. All these features help you perform at your best and recover better, which is particularly important with tough rugby training schedules. 

Base Layers For Training Days

On big training days, you need to be prepared for anything your plan, coach or the weather throws at you. Wearing quality base layers will help you stay comfortable as you rest, recover and move to new activities across long sessions. Other types of activewear won’t be as close-fitting and may hold onto sweat and other moisture, becoming heavy and uncomfortable over the course of a day. 

As weather conditions or an athlete’s temperature changes, extra layers can be added to a base layer. For example, they could put on a running jacket as they take to the track and put it back on for their cool down routine. Or, for road cycling days when wind or drizzle  are predicted, a cycling vest can be worn over a base layer for extra core protection. So with just a few key items in their kit bag, athletes can train hard all day long. 

Are Base Layers Needed For The Gym?

Base layers are as useful for indoor sessions as they are for outdoor activities, including gym workouts. Their sweat-wicking and breathable features help stop athletes from getting too hot while they’re lifting weights or doing cardio inside. 

Their close-fitting nature also compresses the muscles and supports them during high-impact movements such as plyometrics or jumps. This minimizes the amount of vibrations sent through muscles, reducing strain and helping athletes perform better in the gym. 

Plus, when it comes to cooling down and heading home, layers like jackets or fleeces can be quickly and easily added on top of base layers. This stops any sudden changes to an athlete’s core body temperature or muscles, supporting a better recovery. 

Get Out And Play With GOREWEAR

Whatever your sport or training season, GOREWEAR base layers have been developed to support athletes to perform and recover better. Made from quality materials and available in a range of designs, they’ll keep your core temperature stable and your muscles supported, no matter how long or hard your training session. So you won’t be held back by weather conditions or discomfort.