Gear Review: Corbeaux Baselayers
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Frank and I agree on a lot of things. But, baselayers is one of the areas where we differ. That’s why we haven’t sought a sponsorship with a baselayer company in years past. Due to Frank’s eczema, he prefers synthetic baselayers. I, on the otherhand, have not been able to find a synthetic baselayer that performs as well as wool for me in the backcountry – too often synthetic layers don’t dry fast enough, leaving me chilled to the bone on a winter day. But then we tried Corbeaux Clothing, and my views of synthetic baselayers have been forever changed.
A Responsible Company
Based out of Aspen, CO, Corbeaux baselayers are environmentally responsible as they are all made out of environmentally-conscious fabrics and renewable resources. China-fearing consumers will be happy to know that all of Corbeaux’s products are made in the USA.
Putting the Gear to the Test
One of the major issues I have had in the past with synthetic baselayers in winter is that they don’t dry as fast as wool. I would sweat on the way up, and stay wet on the way down, which made me uncomfortably cold. In addition, I found that wool kept me warmer when it was wet. But, synthetic layers kept me just as warm (or not-so-warm) as cotton. The Corbeaux baselayers I have been able to test have been just the opposite, living up to my standards of wool – keeping me drier on the way up and warmer on the way down.
In addition to Corbeaux’s high performance, I was impressed by the feel of their fabrics. Every product we tested was exceptionally soft, comfortable to wear, and had a good cut. Forget the itchiness of even the finest merino wool. Corbeaux’s synthetic blends might win you over.
I had the opportunity to test these specific products:
- Arnie Ankle Pant
- Silky Way Long Sleeve
- Stripe Crew
– Made from recycled polyester, this lightweight synthetic blend is perfect for a backcountry outing. Even on cold days, this layer has kept my legs warm and dry.
– Made of the same recycled polyester blend as the Arnie Ankle Pant, this layer is lightweight for days when temperatures are moderate to relatively warm. Moisture wicking is excellent in this layer, and it keeps you a lot warmer than you think it should. It’s also extremely soft and comfortable.
– This layer is so soft that it seems wrong for it to be worn as a performance layer. Yet, it’s durable and performs to the highest standards. Also a recycled polyester synthetic blend, this layer is a bit thicker than the two Silkweight layers described above, and is a great baselayer for any cold to moderate temperature ski day.
The Wrap
We’ve tested lots of baselayers over the years – some free, some not. We don’t always write about them. We just write about the ones we really like – that meet our performance and durability standards. So far, we have had nothing but good impressions from Corbeaux baselayers and each of these pieces has personally far exceeded my expectations. We hope they continue their industry-leading standards!
Corbeaux baselayers can be purchased directly from their site. Or better yet, check out their store locator page to find their product at a local retailer!
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