The Best Men's Base Layers For Running

Best Base Layers 2024: Jump Menu

Rear view of man running in autumn

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

1. The Quick List ↴
2. Best Overall: Soar Merino & Silk Base
3.
Most Versatile: Montane Dart Long Sleeve T-Shirt
4.
Most Comfortable: Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer
5. Warmest: Under Armour OutRun The Cold LS
6. Best For Racing: Soar Race Base 

Base layers are among the most essential pieces of winter running gear. They sit tight against the skin to help keep you warm while also wicking away sweat so you don’t end up a sticky mess 20 paces into a run. The best base layers will be warm without feeling oppressive, and ideally use some kind of odor-resistant fabric to reduce your running laundry pile, which I find always grows during the winter months. 

How I Test Base Layers

You can trust Coach We give honest reviews and recommendations based on in-depth knowledge and real-world experience. Find out more about how we review and recommend products.

I usually run 50-70 miles a week and this continues right through the winter months, with January and February often a key training period ahead of a spring marathon. I live and train in the south of the UK where the winters are fairly mild, but I wear a base layer for pretty much every run once the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C), allowing me plenty of opportunities to test them.

The Quick List

Below you’ll find more detailed reviews of all my base layer picks, but here’s a quick look at the top options available. Click on any base layer to jump to the full review.

The Best Base Layers For Runners

Best Overall

Soar Merino & Silk long-sleeved Base layer

(Image credit: Soar)

1. Soar Merino & Silk Base

Best overall

Specifications

RRP: $92 / £80

Reasons to buy

+
Soft and cosy
+
Naturally resists odours
+
Long- or short-sleeved available

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than others

The Merino and silk fabric used in this base is as comfortable as it sounds, which is to say very comfortable indeed, and the Merino wool naturally resists odours and wicks sweat away from your body. Soar makes the base layer as both a T-shirt and a long-sleeved shirt, so you can pick one to suit your preferences, and the fit is not too tight so you can use it as your only layer during milder weather.

Most Versatile

Model wearing Montane Dart Long Sleeve T-Shirt base layer

(Image credit: Montane)

2. Montane Dart Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Most versatile

Specifications

RRP: $49 / £35

Reasons to buy

+
Polygiene anti-odour treatment
+
Works as top or base layer
+
UPF 20+

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as warm as others

A pleasingly versatile and comfortable long-sleeved top that you can use all year round, Montane’s Dart works well as a base layer in colder conditions or as a standalone tee on milder days. As well as offering UPF20+ protection, the fabric is made from 100% recycled polyester and treated with Polygiene, which means you can use it multiple times before it starts to smell.

Most Comfortable

Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer in slate blue

(Image credit: Tracksmith)

3. Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer

Top temperature regulation in a seamless design

Specifications

RRP: $88 / £104

Reasons to buy

+
Different knits on arms and core
+
Naturally resists odours

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than others

The knit on this top is tighter on the sleeves and more open around the core, to provide the perfect balance of warmth and breathability so you’re never chilly but you don’t overheat. The top is mostly made of Merino wool to keep odours at bay, and comes in a range of stylish designs. Tracksmith’s tops are cut for skinny runners and we found going a size up on our normal running gear produced the best fit.

Warmest

Under Armour Men's OutRun The Cold Long Sleeve

(Image credit: Under Armour)

4. Under Armour OutRun The Cold LS

The warmest base layer

Specifications

RRP : $60 / £50

Reasons to buy

+
Very warm
+
Opening for watch
+
Extra neck coverage

Reasons to avoid

-
Can overheat
-
Not as close-fitting as others

The OutRun The Cold works as both a base layer and a top, but we found we enjoyed wearing it most when used as the latter during a freezing spell in the UK where our runs were consistently done in sub-zero temperatures. If it’s milder then it works well as a standalone top – when it’s warm you’ll get sweaty trying to use it with another layer.

One neat feature is the slit on the left sleeve that allows you to see your watch while keeping your hands covered with the thumb-hole sleeves. This allows easy access to your stats on the run and your watch to track your heart rate using the optical sensor without exposing any skin to the elements.

Best For Racing

Soar Race Base Layer in white

(Image credit: Soar)

5. Soar Race Base

Best for racing

Specifications

RRP: $120 / £95

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Unrestrictive

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Not as warm as others

Many runners, myself included, face a dilemma when winter races roll around. If I just wear a vest I get very cold, especially early in the race. The alternative is to wear a base layer under my club vest, but this can be too warm or feel restrictive when you’re running hard.

The Soar Race Base solves the dilemma. It’s a featherweight layer made from the same material as Soar’s race vest. It provides just enough warmth to take the edge off and ensure you aren’t shivering on the start line, but is light enough that it won’t cramp your style when you’re in full flight during the race.

More Running Gear

Nick Harris-Fry
Senior writer

Nick Harris-Fry is a journalist who has been covering health and fitness since 2015. Nick is an avid runner, covering 70-110km a week, which gives him ample opportunity to test a wide range of running shoes and running gear. He is also the chief tester for fitness trackers and running watches, treadmills and exercise bikes, and workout headphones.