All | Not Yet Reviewed | Warm layers

Base layers with hoods are not that common and won’t appeal to everybody. However, if you like the idea of the all-over protection that a hooded base layer provides, the Arc’teryx Phase AR Hoody is one of the best. It wicks moisture, insulates and is tailored for an active fit with flatlocked seams for added comfort. The clever combination of ...

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Xcelcius Megatherm (2013)

£30.00

When a base layer comes with a warning not to sleep in it because it’s too warm, you should know what you’re getting; but just to make it crystal-clear, the Xcelcius Megatherm top also comes with a certified -25 deg C rating. Oh yes, it’s a hot one. Looking more like a sweatshirt than a base layer, it has a ...

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Páramo Cambia Shortsleeved T-shirt (2013)

£29.00

With the Páramo Cambia Shortsleeved T-shirt you’re effectively getting two T-shirts in one. The synthetic fabric is finished differently on either side to provide extra warmth or cooling as required. With the slightly shinier surface on the inside, moisture is effectively dispersed during heavy exercise, allowing the wearer to cool down more efficiently. The reverse side has a softer, almost ...

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Keela ADS 100 Short Sleeve Round Neck Top (2013)

£20.00

At just £20, the Keela ADS 100 Short Sleeve Round Neck Top is such a bargain that you might choose to buy a few, and with such a vast array of colour options you could really go to town with your walking wardrobe. Truth be told, you’ll probably want more than one if you’re going on a multi-day hike – ...

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Icebreaker Mondo Longsleeve Half Zip (2013)

£70.00

It would seem that the sheep in New Zealand must be some of the nicest-smelling in the world. The merino wool that the Icebreaker Mondo Longsleeve Half Zip base layer is made from can be worn repeatedly over several days without any hint of unpleasantness, then machine-washed. It’s a bit thicker and heavier than the synthetic base layers we looked ...

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Berghaus Long-Sleeve Zip-Neck Technical T-Shirt (2013)

£32.00

As far as general-purpose base layers go, the Berghaus Long-Sleeve Zip-Neck Technical T-Shirt ticks all the boxes. It’s a good price, it’s reasonably light and, because it’s synthetic rather than merino wool, it’s relatively low-maintenance. The long sleeves and high collar keep the breeze at bay on a cold day, and the long chest zip allows the wearer to cool ...

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Haglöfs Pelamis (2102)

£200.00

The Haglöfs Pelamis is made from Gore Windstopper, which is an extremely popular soft shell fabric, particularly for more general use on and off the hill. The fabric comprises of a Windstopper membrane sandwiched between a stretchy, abrasion-resistant soft shell outer and a softer inner for insulation. The fabric is not classed as waterproof but it does resist water very ...

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Arc’teryx Gamma SL Hybrid Hoody (2102)

£170.00

Soft shell jackets come in various materials, and to optimise performance Arc’teryx uses a combination of two materials in the Gamma SL Hybrid Hoody. So you get a durable, weather-resistant fabric in the high-wear areas (light grey panels) and a lightweight, quick-drying, more breathable fabric in the main body (dark grey panels) to encourage better condensation control. The result is ...

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Rab Vapour-Rise Lite Alpine (2102)

£110.00

Rab’s Vapour-Rise range has been firm a favourite with a wide range of users for many years, and it’s generally ideal when you want maximum breathability while keeping the wind and very light showers at bay. With the Lite Alpine there is no membrane within the fabric, so water can get through fairly easily; but this in turn means the ...

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Páramo Velez Adventure Smock (2102)

£200.00

Páramo’s unique combination of a closely woven microfibre outer with a Nikwax water repellency treatment combined with a Nikwax Analogy Pump Liner results in a jacket that is better at keeping the user dry than some of the lighter soft shell materials. The Páramo Velez Adventure Smock weighs a little more than others, but it is also a notch warmer ...

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Montane Sabretooth (2102)

£160.00

The Montane Sabretooth has been a Trail favourite for many years. It is made from Polartec Powershield, which is a laminated fabric where a perforated membrane is sandwiched between a stretchy, abrasion-resistant outer and a brushed, fleece-like inner. The perforated membrane does not keep heavy rain out but it is water-resistant, so light drizzle won’t get through; however its main ...

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Mammut Gipfelgrat (2102)

£395.00

Some soft shell jackets are fully waterproof, and the Mammut Gipfelgrat is one example. It is made from Polartec Neoshell, which itself comes in many forms; and in this jacket the microporous membrane is sandwiched between a heavy, robust face fabric and a soft inner lining. The membrane has tiny holes in it to allow water vapour out, thus preventing ...

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Columbia Midweight Long Sleeve Top (2012)

£45.00

Keeping the body warm and dry is a complex problem, and therefore complex solutions may be needed. For Columbia the answer is a combination of Omni-Wick fabric to transport moisture away while Omni-Heat reflective dots on the inside keep heat inside the garment. This combination of technologies gives the Columbia Midweight Long Sleeve Top a close fit that is stretchy ...

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Brynje of Norway Super Thermo T-Shirt (2012)

£32.00

The key to staying cosy is trapping pockets of warm air as close to the skin as possible, which is why in days gone by the humble string vest was such a popular garment. Fashions may have changed, but the string vest was a very efficient concept – and the modern version of that idea is the Brynje of Norway ...

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Helly Hansen Dry Charger ½ Zip (men’s) / Dry Dynamic ½ Zip (women’s) (2012)

£35.00

In 1975 Helly Hansen introduced Lifa, the first range of polypropylene performance underwear. This revolutionised comfort when sweating, by moving the moisture from the skin and transporting it to the outer surface of the fabric, where it evaporates. Today the product has developed into the new Helly Hansen Dry range, which benefits from the heritage but performs even better. The ...

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BAM Zip Neck Baselayer (2012)

£45.00

While most base layers incorporate petrochemical bi-products, there are more environmentally friendly materials around that work well for base layer products. BAM clothing is made from bamboo with a blend of other fibres, making it extremely environmentally friendly. But the BAM Zip Neck Baselayer is more than eco-friendly; it is active hillwalker-friendly too. As soon as you put it on ...

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Regatta Aventura (2012)

£18.00

Regatta is well-known for producing good kit at very affordable prices. The Aventura is priced very competitively, yet it still performs extremely well when hillwalking. This is a short-sleeved design with a crew neck and a light and airy fit, making it ideal for summer. The style is not too ‘mountain hero’ either so it could be worn casually without ...

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Smartwool Microweight Zip T (2012)

£50.00

Since the late 1990s, Smartwool has been using the finest quality of wool to make extremely comfortable base layers. This wool is called merino, and it’s produced in the southern hemisphere where the particular range of environmental conditions encourages the sheep to grow a unique type of wool to stay comfortable. Merino fabric is extremely comfortable to wear with a ...

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PHD Minimus Down Vest 2011

£125.00

If you feel the chill or have some serious cold-weather mountaineering planned then the PHD Minimus Down Vest is the right gilet for you. It uses high-quality 800 fill power down to deliver extreme warmth despite weighing a tiny 240g (size M). It also packs down seriously small, so it’s perfect for stashing in your pack for chilly lunch stops ...

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Páramo Torres Gilet 2011

£78.00

Gilets are really useful as throw-on lunch stop insulation, so one designed specifically as an outer layer makes obvious sense. The Páramo Torres Gilet has a windproof, water-repellent Nikwax outer that can be treated to increase wet-weather performance – although our tests found that it was remarkably waterproof even without additional treatment. The fast-drying synthetic fill lends itself to use ...

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Rab Generator Vest 2011

£75.00

A gilet that packs away into its own inner pocket and can be used as a camping pillow? You’ve got to admit that’s pretty cool. The Rab Generator Vest uses synthetic Primaloft to deliver damp-proof insulation. It doesn’t quite pack the warmth-per-gram punch of down, but it does hold up much better against our typical British mountain weather conditions. The ...

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Berghaus Scorch Vest 2011

£75.00

The women’s Berghaus Scorch Vest is made mainly from Polartec Thermal Pro material, which is fleecy and soft to the touch. This fabric claims to trap body heat using lofted (fluffed-up) fibres, and if it’s ultimate cosiness you’re after, then it certainly feels snug to wear. The great advantage of fleece gilets such as the Scorch is that they’re highly ...

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Mountain Equipment Orion Vest 2011

£70.00

The first thing that’s apparent about the Mountain Equipment Orion Vest is its rugged durability. The fabric is EXOlite II, which is hard-wearing as well as having four-way stretch for freedom of movement. It was one of the most water-resistant gilets in our test, and would certainly see off intermittent showers on the hill, as well as providing a breathable ...

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Páramo Kea Light Shirt 2010

£46.00

While the cut and styling of the Páramo Kea Light Shirt hark back to colonial days, this is a hugely practical shirt that’s wicking and breathable enough for light trekking and comes with a host of secure features including two hidden zipped pockets and closely spaced buttons and collar to keep bugs out. It’s quick-drying and has a sun protection ...

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Rohan Equator Shirt 2010

£45.00

One for the bar rather than the trail, the Rohan Equator Shirt is a lightweight, comfortable shirt with two zipped pockets at the chest and looped hangers inside allowing you to hang and dry it quickly. And if the sleeves aren’t short enough already you can even tie them back further to reveal the full magnitude of your ‘guns’ or ...