In the world of performance and sports apparel, base layers play a crucial role in enhancing comfort, support, and overall athletic performance. But not all base layers are created equal. The choice of fabric is important in determining how effective these layers will be. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of high-performance materials, particularly infrared fabrics, and how they create superior base layers that elevate the wearer’s experience.
Base layers are the foundation of any multi-layer clothing system, particularly in performance and sports apparel. These garments are designed to be worn close to the skin and serve multiple functions that are essential to athletic performance and comfort.
In a multi-layer clothing system, the base layer is the closest garment to the skin and acts as the foundation for all subsequent layers. Base layers are typically crafted from specialized fabrics to help manage moisture, regulate body temperature, and provide a comfortable interface between the skin and outer layers of clothing. Additionally, base layers can provide insulation, making them extremely useful for anyone partaking in cold-weather sports. Comfort is another key factor, as these layers must feel soft against the skin while providing a snug, non-restrictive fit. Whether you’re layering up for a winter hike or seeking extra warmth during a morning run, the base layer is integral to maintaining optimal body temperature and comfort.
Base layers are utilized across various settings, from high-intensity sports to everyday wear, thanks to their versatility and performance-enhancing properties.
In sports like running, skiing, and cycling, base layers are indispensable. For runners, a lightweight, moisture-wicking base layer helps regulate body temperature and keeps sweat at bay, ensuring comfort over long distances. Skiers and snowboarders rely on base layers for insulation and moisture management, preventing the chill from setting in after a day on the slopes. Cyclists also benefit from the close-to-skin fit and moisture-wicking capabilities of base layers, which reduce chafing and keep them dry during strenuous rides.
For outdoor enthusiasts, base layers are essential in activities like hiking, mountaineering, and camping. These layers offer thermal insulation, which is critical in cold environments, and wick moisture away from the skin, which can make all the difference on warm days. The right base layer can mean the difference between a comfortable outdoor experience, no matter what the weather throws at you, and an adventure disrupted by less-than-ideal temperatures.
Base layers aren’t just for athletes and adventurers. They’ve become a staple in everyday apparel, providing comfort and support for daily activities. Whether you are layering up for a brisk walk, dressing for a day at the office, or lounging at home, base layers made from high-performance fabrics can offer a wide range of benefits, depending on the materials they are made with.
The evolution of materials in performance apparel has significantly impacted the effectiveness of base layers. As textile technology advances, so does the ability to create fabrics that meet the high demands of athletes and active individuals. While there are key features of base layers that are expected, such as moisture-wicking and breathability, textile innovation over recent years has resulted in fabrics that can go above and beyond. First, let’s review the necessary building blocks of a high-performance base layer.
When selecting fabrics for base layers, several key characteristics are essential:
Thermoregulation is the most critical factor in what makes a base layer truly effective. A base layer’s ability to help maintain the body’s optimal temperature—keeping it warm in cold conditions and cool during intense activities—is essential for performance and comfort. While moisture management plays a key role in this process by keeping the skin dry, it’s your body’s ability to thermoregulate that ensures the wearer remains comfortable regardless of the external environment.
Infrared fabrics are uniquely suited for close-to-skin applications due to their ability to enhance thermoregulation. But infrared textiles can further elevate base layers beyond the traditional functions of moisture-wicking and insulation. They introduce a new dimension of physiological wellness benefits, directly impacting the wearer’s overall health and well-being. By integrating infrared-infused fibers, yarns and fabrics into base layers, brands can offer their customers a product that not only performs exceptionally well in terms of physical characteristics but also promotes stronger performance, faster recovery, and improved overall well-being.
Among infrared textiles, CELLIANT® stands out as the leading technology, offering unmatched benefits for both athletes and everyday users.
CELLIANT is an advanced infrared technology that converts the body’s natural heat into infrared energy, which is then reflected back into the body to the tissues and muscles. This infrared energy increases local circulation and tissue oxygen levels. These physiological changes result in numerous health and wellness benefits that can benefit wearers when incorporated into base layers.
Of course, CELLIANT-powered fabrics support thermoregulation, which we have established is a key advantage of high-performance base layers. By efficiently managing the body’s natural temperature, CELLIANT base layers help keep the wearer warm in cold conditions and cool during intense activities. This makes them an ideal choice for a wide range of sports and outdoor activities, where maintaining the right body temperature is critical for peak performance and comfort.
But beyond thermoregulation, CELLIANT bio-responsive fabrics have been clinically demonstrated to increase grip strength, and support physical performance by boosting speed, stamina and endurance. Because base layers are often used for sports and athletic ventures, CELLIANT be a differentiating technology for brands looking to appeal to customers with innovative, technically advanced offerings.
CELLIANT is highly versatile and comes in several different carriers to best fit a wide range of applications, including materials that are ideal for base layers.
CELLIANT with REPREVE® Recycled Nylon, a unique blend of infrared technology and recycled nylon fibers, has been recognized for its superior performance in base layer applications, receiving a Top 10 distinction in the Base Layers category of the spring 2024 ISPO Textrends Awards. ISPO Textrends’ Base Layer category spotlights next-to-skin fabrics with preshaping, support, thermal or moisture management performance, among other benefits. Softness, comfort, anti-bacterial or eco-friendly properties are also considered during judging.
CELLIANT is available in more eco-friendly options like CELLIANT Viscose, a nature-based infrared fiber that offers a silky soft feel, making it an excellent choice for next-to-skin layers. Produced in collaboration with Kelheim Fibres, CELLIANT Viscose is certified by FSC® or PEFC™, ensuring that the raw materials come from sustainably managed sources. Kelheim Fibres has also received recognition for their sustainability efforts, earning a dark green/green shirt in Canopy’s 2021 Hot Button Report, making this fiber a good fit for brands who are seeking a more environmentally friendly material for developing base layers.
For those looking for base layers that incorporate infrared fabrics, several brands have partnered with CELLIANT to create high-performance garments with science-backed benefits.
Under Armour has incorporated CELLIANT into their Vanish Energy collection (formerly known as UA RUSH), which features a range of athleticwear and base layers that offer athletes enhanced performance and recovery benefits through infrared technology.
Oxeego is another brand that leverages the power of CELLIANT in their range of infrared base layers, focusing on improving local circulation and optimizing athletic performance for cyclists, hikers and adventurers alike.
DFND offers CELLIANT-infused base layers designed for tactical and athletic use, complete with their compression technology. DFND base layers are designed for and have been tested for warrior athletes, including the men and women that service in the U.S. military.
Incorporating CELLIANT into your base layer offerings not only elevates the performance and comfort of your products but also positions your brand at the forefront of textile innovation. Infrared fabrics like CELLIANT are setting new standards in the industry, offering a unique value proposition that resonates with consumers seeking high-performance and wellness-enhancing apparel.
If you’re interested in exploring how CELLIANT can transform your base layers and other close-to-skin products, get in touch with us today. Fill out the form below to begin innovating the next generation of performance apparel that sets your brand apart.
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