#baselayers

Precision Base Layers

If you have found yourself here then the chances are that you know what a base layer is. If you don’t know then you need to know how great they are and you are in the right place and Outdoor Life are the perfect place for you to get all of the precision base layers that you need.

What are precision base layers?

Precision base layers are tight-fitting to prevent excessive muscle movement, minimising the amount of energy wasted during exercise. The name is a bit of a giveaway in this case, it is the bottom layer, the first layer that you put on. It can include top and bottom items. The fit of these items is snug, ensuring that the perfect amount of heat is retained to keep you happy, whatever your activity.

What’s the best way to wear them?

Keep your base layers as the base of everything you put on, this is what they were designed for, and it is where they work best. Base layers keep you warm in cool weather and cooler in hot weather.

What are base layers made of?

Outdoor life’s  precision base layers are very effective at moderating your body temperature with their make up of 90% polyester and 10% elastane and 4 way stretch fabric. If you are thinking at this point maybe you don’t need one, that's fine, but just make sure not to wear cotton, once you sweat, the moisture will be retained and you will begin to feel clammy and when it becomes chilled you will feel the cold.

Their precision base layers are brushed on the inside for added comfort and of course are cover stitched to eliminate chafing.

Do base layers not get smelly?

Their precision base layers are very effective, of course some sweat will be absorbed and will naturally smell  slightly when dry, but there are no serious odour issues as they wick sweat away and they are 100% machine washable, put into a 40 degree wash cycle and they are good as new.

What size of base layer is best?

Precision base layers work best when they are worn snug to your body. Some people are not a fan of the ‘snugness’, you can always put a looser layer over the top in this case, they won’t be any less effective.

You know all about precision base layers now and how great they are. They are handy to keep spare in your bag (lightweight so don’t take up space) and kept in place with the thumb holes in the sleeves and anti slip band. They revitalise your muscles performance and all of these reasons are why you ‘ll not find a hiker, climber or camper  without base layers on or kept close.

Never leave home without them again. If you are left after that read and you are still unsure then you are in luck with Outdoor Life. There to help  you every step of the way, they will guide you in making the right decision and have you prepared for any situation in the great outdoors. Established in 2004 and family run, you can visit them in store or order online. Their reviews are glowing and they truly do pride themselves on customer service.

How Base Layers Can Improve an Athletes Performance

Anyone who has ever got up on a freezing winter morning to endure an hour of sport will understand and appreciate the importance of base layers. But today we’re going to explain how base layers can improve an athlete's performance as well.

Keeps You Warm 

The most commonly known benefit of base layers is the fact they keep us warm. They do this by trapping a thin layer of air between the material and your skin which in turn acts as a form of insulation. Any layers you add on top of your base layers increase the insulation by trapping the heat in and keeping the cold out. Due to their lightweight nature, base layers are able to keep you warm without being bulky. This is ideal for energetic activities such as running, playing soccer or exercising in the gym.

Keeps You Cool

So you knew base layers could keep you warmer but did you also know they can keep you cooler too. This is because they are made from highly technical materials that transport sweat away from your skin for easy evaporation meaning you are kept cool. Materials like cotton soak up sweat and keep it next to your skin meaning you are left feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Reduces Risk Of Injury

Did you know that cold muscles are much more prone to injury than warm muscles. This is why we have warm-ups. Wearing base layers helps keep your muscles warm. This is one of the reasons why football and rugby players wear base layer shorts under their regular shorts as this helps keep their tight thigh muscles warm. Therefore, reducing the risk of a pulled hamstring or similar injury.

Increased Support

Base layers fit snugly to the skin. This means they could in fact provide a little bit of support which can further reduce your risk of injury. This is particularly beneficial for the hips and shoulders as these areas of the body are not easily catered for with traditional neoprene supports. 

Increased Muscle Performance

Base layers can also offer increased support due to the fact they fit so snug to your skin and muscles. According to Hilton’s law, this will result in greater muscle activation and performance.

Increased Rate of Recovery

Some professional athletes choose to wear base layers between workouts because they can help you recover more quickly. This is due to their compressive nature meaning that swelling and inflammation may be reduced leading to faster recoveries after strenuous exercise.