Simple and straightforward, the Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew is an affordable base layer for fall and winter activities.
I’ve been wearing the Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew for downhill skiing, Nordic skiing, running, and gym workouts. I have a layering system pretty dialed in for winter activities: sports bra, light base layer, super-light wind shell, packable puffy, and shell. To me, the most important requirements for an against-the-skin base layer are for the fabric to be comfortable and breathable.
I wore the Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew back country skiing a few weeks ago on Teton Pass outside of Jackson Hole, and I thought it did a good job. It was cold outside, around 15 degrees F, and windy, but as I got going I warmed up enough to shed my shell, and eventually, my puffy as well. An hour later, when it was time to point my skis downhill and enjoy some powder turns, I put these layers back on for the descent. Back at the car, as I cooled down again, I noticed that the base layer had stayed pretty dry throughout my adventure and had been stretchy, lightweight, and low-bulk enough to work well under the other layers.
This layer has also been great for gym workouts. In the winter, I’m always a little chilled even when I exercise indoors, so I’ve been wearing the Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew over a tank top to the climbing gym and to yoga class. If I’m doing a lower-output workout on easier climbs for endurance, I’ll often wear the Duofold Crew for most of my gym session because it keeps my arm muscles warm, breathes well, and stretches as I move.
I tend to be drawn to base layers that are soft and stretchy against the skin because I have sensitive skin. The Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew didn’t necessarily wow me with its softness and against-the-skin feel, but I did like that it was chafe-free, tag-free, and smoothly woven. The design of the crew is fairly standard, with no girly patterns and prints. At under $30, it’s a great deal for someone who likes to keep it simple.
The Duofold Varitherm Women’s First Layer Base Weight Long Sleeve Crew is available in White, Black, and Waterloo Blue in women’s sizes S – XL and in men’s sizes S – 2XL. The size Small, my typical size, was nicely fitted through the torso and had enough length so I could tuck it in to my long underwear bottoms and prevent the dreaded back gap.
Bottom Line: A simple against-the-skin base layer at a great value.
Manufacturer: http://www.duofold.com/
$25, click for women’s. Click for men’s.
