The 13 best ski base layers, reviewed by experts

Swedish brand Fjällräven has leapt headlong into skiing for this season, and the Bergtagen base layer long sleeve top and long john bottom are a great complement to its equally impressive ski mid layers and outerwear. It’s all initials here, with LS denoting long sleeve, LJ meaning long johns, and M standing for male, though they make W versions too.

These pure merino base layers have a clean design without the clutter of flaps and loops. Merino, as you may have gathered, is a bit of a wonder material, when it comes to next-to-skin fabric. It helps regulate the clothing’s internal climate, including moisture and heat management. Thanks to how it deals with bacteria, it doesn’t hold onto nasty odours, either.

The waist band looks fairly basic on the pant, but it is incredibly comfortable and doesn’t leave you feeling squeezed in the middle. The pant also has a relaxed fit, adding to the comfort, although we wish they offered this in a 3/4 length model. The 190g fabric is lighter than most others we tested, but the 100 per cent merino construction delivers good warmth. The top has a comparably relaxed cut and, like the pant, feels fantastically soft when you’re wearing it, with an excellent drape.

One surprising aspect is how slippery the surface of this kit is. This, along with the moderate stretch and forgiving fit, means I never felt any restriction at all in my movements, even with more than one layer over these, as they slid inside the other garments beautifully.

Key specifications

• Material: 100% merino wool, excluding decoration
• Thumb loops: No
• Pant length options: Full length only
• Women’s and men’s models available: Yes
• Other colours available: Black