I may have lived in colder climates for most of my adult life, but in my bones, I’m a thin-blooded Florida girl. So when the temperature drops to near-freezing, additional underlayers are an absolute must-have for me.

As I was making a packing list for a trip to Aspen, Colorado, I knew I’d need a couple more thermals to wear while skiing and walking around in snowy conditions. I was looking for something high quality that could withstand rigorous activity (aka attempting winter sports) and keep me warm and dry. I came across this long-sleeved thermal base layer from Patagonia and immediately saw it checked all those boxes.

Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew

Capilene Midweight Crew

What we like

Moisture-wicking fabric
Warm but lightweight

Something to note

Not much stretch to it

Colors: 5 | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Fabric: Recycled polyester | Fabric care: Machine wash warm, tumble dry low

Why I tried the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew

Since ski-gear is already expensive, I was a little hesitant with the sticker price, but I knew (or hoped) I’d be getting something high-quality, given the brand’s reputation. According to Patagonia, the shirt has moisture-wicking, odor-absorbing, and flexible fabric, so I decided to save this layer for the coldest and most strenuous day: cross-country skiing through Ashcroft.

When I first put it on, I immediately noticed that this fabric meant business with its honeycomb and grid-like design. Although it wasn’t as soft as I wanted it to be, I was able to look past that because functionality was my main concern. I layered it with a knit sweater and ski jacket and hit the trails for a full-body workout in the snowy wilderness.

Why I like the Patagonia Capilene Midweight Crew

It's moisture-wicking and kept me warm

The temperatures in the mountains that day were below 30 with overcast skies, which is very cold to this Florida native! But with this shirt under my gear, I felt really comfortable and warm as soon as I stepped out with my skis.

My level of cross-country skiing is full-on amateur hour, so this activity is quite the workout for me. I knew this layer was working as soon as I broke a sweat, I had to unzip my coat about halfway to allow in a breeze. I even liked that the stretchy fabric moved with me as I lugged my ski poles back and forth.

But the most notable feature was the promised moisture-wicking fabric. We skied to a restaurant and when I peeled off my ski coat and sweater, the underlayer felt dry and my sweat was absorbed. Plus, I felt like I didn’t smell, which is always a worry when I’m active. The shirt kept me so warm that I just threw my ski jacket over it on the way back; I didn’t need the middle-layer sweater anymore.

Another thing I liked about the shirt was the unique thumbholes. There’s a hidden band that wraps around your hand and helps keep your sleeves from riding up (and snow from getting in if you take tumbles like me).

You can wear it off the slopes

The shirt comes in a few colors and overall looks like a normal, tight long-sleeve tee. I wore it alone while partaking in après-ski activities and felt warm indoors and near heaters, and still felt cute with my snow pants and hat.

I think you could even wear it alone in less harsh conditions, whether that's hiking in the fall or spring, going for outdoor runs, or as an additional layer to throw on after workouts. I personally can't wait to try it on my next run when the weather turns a little warmer in New York. Now that I know I love this layering piece, I'll be grabbing another color so I can have a few more on hand for cooler months, too.