How to choose a base layer for snowboarding

Whether you’re a seasoned expert or trying out a snowboard for the first time this season, it’s super important to take a good base layer snowboarding. You might even want to keep a few different pairs on hand for multi-day trips or to suit a wider range of needs. If you’re interested in finding your own tried-and-true base layer, we’ll walk you through some essential qualities to look out for as you compare different designs and brands.

The Best Base Layer Snowboarding Pants

You don’t want to just use any old pair of leggings as a base layer for snowboarding. Your base layer should have a few key qualities – thermal properties to keep you warm are essential. Compression is also helpful for this purpose, as well as to prevent injuries and provide light support for your muscles and joints. We suggest looking for a base layer that is made of either synthetic materials or something naturally moisture wicking like merino wool. Avoid materials like cotton at ALL costs! These types of material will hold in moisture, which will not help keep you insulated and warm, leaving you very vulnerable to sickness & injury. Not to mention making you very uncomfortable in wet, sticky pants! Gross!

Now, for length! Some snowboarders want a full length base layer to keep their ankles warm while tucked in their boots – and to prevent powder from sneaking down the sides and chilling their feet! Some prefer a shorter, perhaps ⅞ length pant to minimize interference with their boots. Whether you choose a full or ⅞ length pant essentially comes down to personal preference, and is much less important to snowboarders than skiers.

So there you have it — seems easy to find a base layer with thermal properties, moisture wicking & compressive fabric, and different options for length. That’s not too much to ask for. And if you can find a supportive thermal base layer? Well, you’ve hit the jackpot!

The Supportive Thermal Base Layer for Snowboarding

Even if you take a base layer snowboarding that has the suggested thermal properties & moisture wicking fabric, you might be missing a key and often overlooked quality of the best base layer: support! As we suggested, even just upgrading to a compression pant will help provide some support, while also improving your proprioception and blood flow. But what if you could find a base layer that did more for you – with built-in support for your most vulnerable joints? That would be the ideal base layer!

Enter: Bracelayer! 

Bracelayer is the supportive thermal base layer brand.

They design compression pants that feature built-in knee support sleeves for added stability, balance, and pain-relief! Their pants are loved by skiers and snowboarders alike. Many users report being able to stay out on the hill longer and a great reduction in knee pain when wearing Bracelayer’s compression leggings.

Compression garments can help with preventing injury, improving stability and balance, and proprioception, as mentioned. The thermal compression fabric of their Alpine collection is also antimicrobial, moisture wicking, and equipped with a dreamy fleece lining. They are designed to keep you toasty warm and dry on the slopes, which not only feels great, but helps to prevent injury!

Be sure to take your Bracelayer base layer snowboarding – hey, it’s almost like this base layer is called Bracelayer for a reason!

Shop the thermal Alpine collection of base layers for snowboarding!

See what our customers say:

“Completely game changing!

These are the second pair of these tights that I've bought. They're absolutely life changing for snowboarding. When the season started the first weekend we went out, I was in pain for days afterwards. My friend recommended Bracelayer. I was definitely skeptical but these are amazing. My legs are always cold even in the thickest of snowpants with thermal leggings and so I would wear multiple layers of thermal leggings and still be cold. These leggings are actually warm enough to only wear one layer and my knees haven't been in any pain at all. I couldn't recommend them more.” - Sophia E.

"Comfy, sturdy, easy to wash and even easier to wear. 

“So far, I've used this layer three times while learning to snowboard with positive results. Great find for the cost - I rather spend on preventative items than thousands on a permanent injury.” - Aimee R.

“Warmth and Support:

I hit the slopes often, and these pants have become my go-to. The thermal insulation keeps me warm, and the knee braces provide added stability for snowboarding. Love them!”