These base layers will keep you comfortable for summer or winter

One of the most obvious places to start protecting yourself from the cold weather is a trusty set of base layers. In basic terms, these are tight-fitting, thermal undergarments that create an additional layer of warmth. Worn in conjunction with a neck warmer or balaclava and a good pair of winter gloves you should be well protected against the chill, although there is always the option of heated socks to complete the ensemble.

But the technology has moved on quite a way from woollen long johns (although these are still perfectly effective, too) and there’s everything from muscle-boosting compression wear to fabric that generates its own heat on the market these days.

You can also choose to go for a one-piece or two-piece option; the former being the warmest and the latter the more practical. And finally, if the conditions are making mincemeat of your clothing however many layers you add, maybe consider a heated mid layer or vest to turbocharge your efforts.

Best thermal motorcycle base layers

Things to consider before buying thermal base layers

The first thing a base layer or thermal has to do is fit underneath your kit. This isn’t generally a problem with winter kit, which tends to be looser fitting, but if you want to put thermals under your leathers, then you need to make sure they will fit.

Heated kit is a great option for deep winter riding, but you need to consider your use case. If you commute to an office within one charge from home and you can charge batteries at work, then that’s an option, but for longer rides or tours, wiring the kit in makes sense.

One disadvantage of heated kit is that if it stops working for any reason, you will be left exposed, so many riders prefer to layer up a non-heated kit instead. A base layer combined with a mid layer under decent winter kit should be enough for most riding conditions.

FAQ

What is the benefit of a base layer?

The main purpose of a base layer is to keep moisture away from the body to help keep the rider comfortable and dry. hey also tend to have insulating properties to either keep you warm in the old or cool in heat.

Are base layers just for winter use?

Depending on the type of base layer, they can be worn all year round with moisture wicking fabrics to help keep sweat away in warmer months and also keep the heat in during the winter months.

How should my base layer fit?

A base layer ideally wants to be a snug fit so that it sits close to the body, fitting easily under other layers. Some base layers will have a very snug compression fit to aid in supporting the muscles from fatigue.

How MCN tests base layers

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We don’t crash test or lab test (on purpose); there’s no substitute for just putting in the miles with them. We test our base layers the same way you’d use yours, by riding. And, we make sure to put at least 1000 miles in them before sharing our findings. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

While testing base layers we focus on comfort, build quality, protection, and value. When we write up our full reviews we’ll give each base layer a rating out of five stars and offer a final verdict too. This page is only for the best base layers we’ve tested, so every one you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A base layer with a single star rating has fallen far below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A base layer with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A base layer with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A base layer with a four-star rating has performed over and above the accepted average in this category or overall. It has surpassed expectations and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A base layer with a five-star rating has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall, and has impressed the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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