14 Great Pairs of Thermal Underwear That Promise All-day Warmth

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LET'S BE FRANK: Thermal underwear is arguably the least sexy type of undies for men on the market. On the flip side, they are some of the most functional bottoms since they support more than just your privates, providing coverage for your entire lower half. And of course, as their name suggests, the main reason to sport these underpants is to keep you warm in the colder months. So, unless you’re willing to brave the freezing temperatures without some much-needed buffering, it’s time to embrace these thermal underwear as a wardrobe must-have.

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But, better yet, the best thermal underwear for men available today has evolved from the drab ol’ long johns of yesteryear into a subset of more types and styles to meet even more needs. Plus, they're great to layer under your favorite winter sweater and winter jacket.

Current selections range from everyday base layers to those worthier for at-home loafing, with the influence of athleisure over the years resulting in more advanced thermals that are resilient enough to keep things toasty during the most extreme of outdoor activities. Planning on an upcoming ski or snowboarding trip? Some of these picks will even prove to be a trusty base layer under your ski pants. No matter your reason for seeking out these winter-ready basics, look no further than these 14 best pairs of men’s thermal underwear.

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Midweight Base Layer Bottoms

Midweight Long-Sleeve Base Layer Top

$39 at REI

If you ask us, there's nothing better than a pair of thermal underwear that moves when you move. The REI Co-op Midweight base layer bottoms are ideal for our active guys who are constantly outdoors or engaging in some sort of sport. They're made with recycled materials and four-way stretch for extreme comfort.

We love the smooth surface on our skin and the brushed back that provides added warmth in colder temperatures. We're talking zero itch and a long lifespan. A nice touch is the UPF 50+ rating that protects against sun rays. Plus, the fabric wicks away moisture and has low-bulks seams for easy layering in the winter season.

Vital Drive Training Tight 28"

Vital Drive Training Long Sleeve Shirt

$44 at Lululemon

With yoga at the core of the company’s ethos, it should come as no surprise that this base layer piece includes four-way stretch fabric that wicks moisture, dries quickly and is abrasion resistant. But Lululemon has stepped it up to the next level. These training tights include interior gripping that correspond with the body’s major muscle groups, keeping the tights in position, and aiding in muscle steadiness. Impressed much? You should be.

We've worn these during morning jogs in brisk temperatures and on long-haul flights that tend to get chilly. No matter how much we move or intense our workouts are, they provide great flexibility and real compression balance. Also, the reflective details are a cool finish, especially if you're training in the dark.

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Long Johns Thermal Underwear for Men

This top-rated thermal set hits it's marks due to affordability and a number of premium specs. Thermajohn uses a polyester/spandex blend for a stretchy, form-fitting feel, but the real highlight is the fleece-lining that keeps you toasty warm. What's great is the garments are moisture-wicking too, thus making them easy to wear for all types of adventures.

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Men's Armour HeatGear Leggings

HeatGear Compression Long-Sleeve T-Shirt

$25 at Amazon

You’ve likely integrated at least some apparel by the sportswear giant into your wardrobe, and if you haven’t yet, the addition of Under Armour base layer leggings is worth adding to cart. The stretchy and lightweight HeatGear fabric incorporates anti-odor tech, moisture-wicking and fast-drying properties, making it an ideal match for the man who likes to be on the move. Plus, this pair arrives in standard and tall sizes.

Read more: Best Compression Pants for Men

Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms

Smartwool Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew

$110 at Amazon

Taking pride in its Merino wool items developed for the outdoors, Smartwool’s base layer tights provide more than enough warmth without any of the claustrophobic stuffiness. Thanks to the underwear’s 100% Merino wool interlock knit fabric construction (with this pair being the brand’s heaviest weight), sweat is wicked away and odors kept at bay without you losing any heat.

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Men's Recycled Premium Waffle Long Johns

Recycled Waffle Thermal Underwear Henley Top

$27 at Amazon

You know what's better than a pair of waffle long johns? Three pairs of waffle long johns. This multi-pack from Fruit of the Loom will give you the ability to cycle through your thermal underwear for multiple days of wear—which is great if you're wearing them for work or simply wanting to wait longer to do laundry.

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Force Thermal Base Layer Pants

Base Force Midweight Classic Crew

$35 at Amazon

When it comes to thermal underwear, you may have come across items crafted in a waffle knit. And that’s with good reason—this fabric blend does an exceptional job at fulfilling all your needs: Trapping heat, tackling odor and managing moisture through its swift-drying and sweat-wicking elements. Add to that Carhartt’s rugged flex tech that makes moving around a breeze, with the added benefits of tactically placed seams reducing chafing and improving comfort.

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Capilene Midweight Bottom

Capilene Midweight Crew Top

$79 at Backcountry

Patagonia's Capilene base layer, made from recycled polyester and ethically sourced, results in a soft, stretchy and quick drying pair of bottoms that retains warmth while also working hard to wick moisture and minimize odor. Comfort is also a priority, as the seamless 3-D construction reduces chaffing while the front crotch’s double layer adds extra support to your package.

Men's Heat Base Layer Leggings

Performance Lightweight Thermal Base Layer Crewneck

$19 at Amazon

A winner in versatility, this offering by 32 Degrees consists of a soft, lightweight four-way stretch fabric that’s equally functional as loungewear, gym gear or as everyday base layer pants. The biggest win? You get all of this without breaking bank.

Organic Cotton Long Johns

If you ask us, there's still nothing better than a pair of classic cotton long johns. This pair form Ron Dorff has a cool Nordic-inspired design and is made from cozy organic cotton. We're talking zero itch and a long lifespan.

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Warmknit Long Underwear

WARMKNIT Waffle Henley

$68 at Mack Weldon

Founded in 2011, the menswear brand Mack Weldon, which develops its own fabrics, has quickly climbed the ranks as a top purveyor of men’s basics, with its thermal underwear no exception. Case in point: The brand’s WARMKNIT fabric constructed in a micro-waffle knit and featuring their insulating Thermolite technology makes for a great base layer that keeps the temps just right.

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Merino Wool 706 Kancamagus Midweight Bottoms

Midweight Crew Thermal Base Layer

$80 at Amazon

Established by textile engineers in 2002, Minus33 has upped the thermal gear ante with their base layers. A prime example of the brand’s winning pieces includes these midweight bottoms made of 100% Merino wool in an interlock knit construction. Simply put, a guarantee that you’ll stay warmed up—yet sweat-free—whether you’re up for an arctic run, a snowboarding expedition, or simply going out to grab groceries midwinter.

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Men's Cotton Modal Long Underwear

Bombas' long underwear has the same high-level comfort as it's socks and underwear. This pair has no tag and limited seams, so all you'll feel is buttery soft smoothness all up and down your legs.

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Long Johns

If you’re determined to keep your undergarment game as hot as possible, then a pair of long johns from CDLP is the way to go. When the Swedish design house launched in 2016, it had one goal in mind: To transform men’s underwear. Fashioned from Lyocell—the most sustainable cellulose fabric found in wood—their thermals provide a more tailored look without compromising on warmth and comfiness.

Why Trust Us

At Men's Health, we take great pride in providing our readers with reliable and trustworthy product recommendations. We believe that our readers deserve the best, which is why we always make sure to conduct thorough research and testing before making any recommendations. For this story, we had months of use during cold weather runs of various lengths throughout NYC. We've tested the thermal underwear and base layers firsthand for comfort performance, and versatility through several activities including camping, hiking, snowsports, high-intensity workouts, and other casual outdoor outings.

How We Selected

For the past three years, we consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best thermal underwear for men. Experts, including our Deputy Editor of Commerce Christian Gollayan, and our Gear and Commerce Editor John Thompson, put a number of long johns to the test and evaluated their warmth, comfort, price point, and durability. We also considered top-reviewed pairs of men's thermal underwear with high praise on e-commerce websites we trust.

What's The Difference Between Base Layers and Thermal Underwear?

Base layers and thermals are designed for different intended uses. While both are worn as an undergarment, base layers are a second skin that can (1) add considerable warmth (2) wick away sweat, and (3) regulate body temperature. Whereas thermal underwear work to retain heat and keep you cozy. Typically, you wear them alone or under a sweater or pants—indoors or out.

What to Look For In Thermals

Like every purchase, the details should be a determining factor in choosing the best thermal underwear. Before swiping your card, be sure to look out for the following specs:

Material: Of course, you want the fabric to keep you in any tundra-like environments. But also, the material should be durable with moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, odor retention, and stretch for optimal comfort.

Weight and Density: The weight of the garment will help you determine how much warmth it will offer. There's a few types: ultralight, lightweight, midweight or heavyweight. In general, heavier and thicker fabrics are better suited to colder climates.

Fit: Without making you feel constrained, your thermals should be close-fitting. If it’s too loose, chances are the thermal layer won’t properly retain much heat. Plus, we inspected the construction of each garment to identify any bulky seams, which could prevent easy layering.

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