Ruskovilla merino wool base layers are perfect for the harsh and unpredictable winters up here in Northern Finland. Temperatures may drop down to -35°C during the coldest period and with the wrong dress code, this can very quickly turn into a painful experience. For us northern people it is the same every year. We must stay properly dressed throughout the six long months of winter if we don’t want to suffer. Luckily there are ways to prevent freezing in the cold and that starts with choosing suitable base layers.
In this article, we’ll explore what kind of base layers are indispensable for anyone venturing into the chilly Northern wilderness.
Why clothes are not just clothes
Through my work and life as a Nature Guide I see a lot of different ways how people dress during the winter. The main problem is that people don’t know what a real Nordic winter feels like and therefore they lack of understanding what works and what doesn’t. The sensation of being in -20°C or less is hard to imagine and so often the instinct tells you: ‘I am cold, so put more clothes on’.
Well, yes and no.
More layers are not a wrong approach to avoid feeling cold. However when you are in a wintery environment and you are perhaps active it is not just a matter of how many layers, but a matter of what kind of layers you are wearing. And to stay warm over a longer period it all of this starts with one crucial factor: The correct base layers.
What are the best base layers?
Base layers are the first layers, the ones that are closest to your skin after your underwear. Its primary purpose is to regulate body temperature and to manage moisture by wicking sweat away from the body. So there play an important part when layering up for winter.
When I lead snowshoeing or skiing tours I am constantly moving and stopping. One moment I feel totally overheated and the next minute I cool down quickly when taking a break. The problem here is mostly our sweat. As sweat evaporates from our skin, it takes heat away from the body. This cooling effect is amazing when you’re hot, but in winter it can cause your body temperature to drop very quickly.
So what happens when sweat accumulates in our clothing? If you wear materials that don’t wick away moisture well, like cotton, your base layers can stay damp and conduct heat away from the body, making you feel even colder. The only way to staying warm is keeping dry. Wet skin or damp clothing causes heat loss through conduction and draws heat away from the body faster than dry fabric would. So in short what we want are moisture-wicking fabrics that minimize evaporative cooling. And for me there is only one kind of material that can do this job best: Merino wool! Merino is itch-free and one of the best materials to choose from for your base layers in winter.
Why quality matters
Wool is known for its incredible insulating properties. The unique structure of wool fibers trap air, creating a natural barrier that keeps your body warm even in the harshest conditions. Unlike synthetic materials, which can lose their insulating abilities when wet, wool retains warmth, even when damp. Additionally wool has also natural antimicrobial properties that help resist Odors, which means less smelly clothes and less washing needed.
Merino wool can only be obtained from certain breeds of sheep. It is the finest and softest wool on the planet. Merino sheep produce super fine wool fibers that are finer than any other type of wool. Often when garments feel itchy, it’s because the fiber is coarse and ridged. The general rule of thumb is: The finer the micron, the softer the fiber. And the softer it feels on the skin. And that’s what we want.
Not only do I pay attention to the quality of my tours, but also to the clothing and equipment that I am using. I want stuff to last. And I want to be a role model, teaching and showing others that there are ways how to be responsible and have a focus on nature and a sustainable environment. I was lucky enough to find a small family business here in Finland that acts exactly according to my standards: Ruskovilla – where high-quality meets local production and sustainability. A nowadays rare find.
Respecting nature and the people
When Ruskovilla was founded in the early 1980s, one of their main principles was staying in balance with nature. ‘Clothes should be produced in a way that is least harmful to the well-being of both people and nature’, according to the founders.
Even the tiniest scrap of material is used so that as little valuable raw material is left over as possible.
What you get for your purchase is
- organic-certified raw, responsibly sourced material
- durable and timeless products
- domestic design and production
- and a friendly face behind the brand
I cannot express how much this means to me, knowing who I am dealing with and who I can rely on if for some reason something doesn’t work out. And that my pieces went through the hands of a small, dedicated team in Artjärvi, Southern Finland. How amazing is that?!
The base layers I use the most in winter
Even though I go through a long winter every year, no winter is the same and it needs time to adapt to the cold season. But what I do know is what to wear when. Of course, every person feels cold differently, if you are a male or female and it depends where you are located. In Northern Finland we have a dry cold which means there is very little moisture in the air and that is often less chilling than a humid cold, like in countries more South. -10°C are more bearable here in Finland, than in Germany for example.
Since I am very active doing different activities throughout winter, I want my clothing to be hard wearing and thicker, so it keeps me snug also in challenging conditions.
The following items are personal, honest recommendations which I have tried and used in different situations. All I can say is, the feel of these products is incredible. Well thought through, extremely soft and it with the correct care very durable.
1. My all-time favourite: Ruskovilla Outdoor Shirt in 100% organic merino wool
This Ruskovilla shirt is so nice, that I don’t just use this top layer when I am skiing, but as a casual shirt as well. It looks great and feels super soft and like a second skin. I hardly want to take it off, as it regulates my body temperature so perfectly well. One of my favourite features is the longer back which adds additional protection and keeps the Outdoor Shirt better in place. The high collar is so nicely made that it doesn’t feel annoying at all when zipped up and folded over. And the thumb-holes are a great bonus as well. After months of wearing this shirt and really putting it to the test I cannot see any wear marks or pilling whatsoever.
Go for the smaller size if you are a woman, as it is a unisex model.
2. Pair it with: Ruskovilla Outdoor Underpants in 100% organic merino wool
To complete the base layer look we need bottoms. Also here Ruskovilla has created the most comfortable pair of (unisex) long johns that I ever used. I mean it.
The Ruskovilla outdoor underpants come in a knit weight of 210 g/m² (same as the Outdoor Shirt). I start wearing those when the real winter kicks in or I go on longer overnight tours as they are slightly thicker.
What I especially like about these pants is the double-layer on knees that reach up to the waist. This protects the areas that can cold easily. And this is amazing on very cold days, when I would otherwise wear two layers of long johns. What’s great as well is the adjustable waistband.
My tip: Get them in the size that fit snug and comfortable when trying on. I find that the pants barely get wider over time.
3. A game changer: Ruskovilla Merino Wool Shorts!
My weakest spots when I am exposed to challenging, cold conditions are the sides of my thighs and my buttocks. Wind can impact these areas a lot, too. And the body also prioritizes keeping vital organs warm, which leads to less blood flow in certain places. In any case, I am glad I found a solution that makes all the difference to me: Ruskovilla merino wool shorts!
This is the trick to keep our beautiful thighs and butt cheeks warm. It is a game changer especially for women. The shorts from Ruskovilla are made in Finland from 100% organic, merino wool with a knit weight of 210 g/m². They just feel just amazing on the skin. No itchiness guaranteed.
I wear the shorts either by itself in the beginning of winter or underneath my base layer for additional warmth. I noticed that the shorts get a little looser after some time, so I recommend going for the smaller size (unisex model!). But if you prefer to wear the shorts on top of your base layer, go for a bigger size. Definitely one of my most worn pieces throughout winter.
4. Goes on top of everything: Ruskovilla Women’s Wool Fleece Jacket
The Ruskovilla fleece jacket is not classified as a base layer, but because it is so versatile, super soft and comfortable it has become an all-year round favourite for me.
I winter I wear the merino wool jacket over my base layer and on warmer days just over a shirt. The design is simple and timeless so I can combine the jacket with a pair of jeans or my usual outdoor look. And with a knit weight of 300 g/m², it keeps you toasty. What I appreciate a lot is the two-way zipper and zippered pockets. Very practical in my opinion.
Wool doesn’t require frequent washing, which makes the product even more attractive. I wouldn’t wear the jacket when I am highly active as it is not intended for hard wearing activities.
5. Wear it indoors or outdoors: Ruskovilla women’s wool fleece pant
I was curious about the Ruskovilla merino fleece pants, but not sure if I would use them much. They seem too warm for me to wear around the house and not the kind of garment I would wear when I go outside in winter. Well, I am glad I tried them as I use them frequently now. The pants are as warm and soft as the fleece jacket, also made from 100% organic merino wool. Yet again here you can really feel the body temperature regulating properties of merino wool. It warms you when cold and cools you when warm. I find these pants incredibly comfortable to wear indoors when I am at home. Not too warm at all.
And they just fit so nicely. I recommend going for the smaller size as the material stretches a bit over time. The waistband is adjustable in case you need to tighten it up. I wear the fleece pants when I go for an easy walk in dry conditions. But for anything more demanding I recommend to use more hard wearing materials and not these pants.
Last but not least
Whether you’re cross-country skiing, hiking, at work or simply enjoying a day at home – feeling warm and cozy makes everything so much more enjoyable. Go with woolen base layers in on top of your underwear and you’ll see it’ll make all the difference regardless where you spend your winter.
If you are not sure where to start, Ruskovilla’s great selection of wool layers are versatile and offer an option for many different situations to stay dry, warm and comfortable.
Investing in quality wool base layers that you can rely on, that have been produced locally with high-quality and responsible sourced, organic material makes all the difference to me. And if something doesn’t meet your expectations the friendly team of Ruskovilla is always there to help you.
Whether you’re off to your next winter holiday or come join us on one of our unique tours or simply just want to get cozy by the fire after a day outdoors, I am sure you are now ready to embrace the cold with the right woolen base layers!
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
