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If you’re traveling to a colder climate, you may be wondering what will keep you toasty on your adventure. Chances are, you’re already researching the warmest long underwear for women on the market.
While there are plenty of choices for the warmest underwear out there, we’ve handpicked our favorite brands to help you choose what will keep you warm on the go!
Warmest Long Underwear for Women
Table Of Contents
Traveling in cold weather is always a challenge. The key in wearing women’s cold weather underwear is to wear a set of long johns underneath and layer your clothing.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Start by reading these packing tips for winter travel to learn more:
- Capsule Wardrobe for Winter
- How to Pack for Cold Weather
- How to Stay Warm in Cold Weather (without the bulk)
- The Best Travel Shoes for Winter
What is the Warmest Thermal Underwear?
We’ve lined up a few brands that make some of the warmest long underwear for women:
HEATTECH Longsleeve Top | HEATTECH Leggings
Uniqlo HEATTECH is Editor’s Pick for the Best Thermal Underwear
These Uniqlo HEATTECH top and bottoms are my new favorite thermals. They were a lifesaver on my trip to Tokyo–so warm yet so lightweight.
They’ll keep you toasty warm, even when spending hours outside in freezing temps. Plus, they have odor control and are moisture-wicking, so they’ll stay feeling fresh throughout your trip! While they’re extremely warm, they’re impressively lightweight and comfortable to layer under fitted tops and pants, and they have a great amount of stretch.
Terramar Silk Undershirts | Terramar Silk Long Johns
Terramar Silk Women’s Warm Underwear Protects You From the Elements
Terramar offers fleece-lined tops and bottoms, but their silk long underwear is most noteworthy. They are made from 100% silk pointelle knit, and their antimicrobial comfort technology is a plus when you want to rewear your clothing.
The fabric offers optimal heat but is ultra lightweight. That’s right—you’ll stay comfortable and cozy without the bulk! One reader says, “I always take a Terramar silk undershirt. It takes up no room and layers perfectly.”
As a plus, they’re also the best silk underwear for warmth I’ve found, and Terramar is one the most affordable brands, too. I’ve got the silk scoop neck top and bottoms on my gift wish list for sure!
These silk thermals are popular for their incredibly lightweight, breathable insulation, and deliciously soft feel.
Merino Wool Thermal Top | Merino Wool Bottoms
Minus33 Merino Wool Is the Warmest Long Underwear Available
When you think of wool, Merino is likely the next word that comes to mind. The name is synonymous with quality fabric and protection against the elements.
Minus33 combines sustainable, 100% Merino wool with sleek design elements in all their clothing offerings. Their warm long underwear is made with basic and bright colors that work as mid-weight base layers for your cold-weather wardrobe.
Find out the best merino wool sweaters according to our readers!
Icebreaker Longsleeve Crew Top | Icebreaker 175 Leggings
This Icebreaker Set Is the Best Long Underwear for Cold Weather According to Readers
The name of this brand explicitly states what it’s meant to do: break the ice. Made for the adventure traveler, Icebreaker has created the warmest long johns to match your outdoor needs. Their base layers are also 100% Merino wool, which makes them perfect for winter hikes, camping, and cold weather travel.
Anubha, one of our guest writers, lives in the Canadian Arctic and wears Icebreaker long underwear all day, every day. She says, “I’ve found Icebreaker products perform very well in terms of fit, durability, and temperature regulation—I’ve had no problem throwing them in with the laundry!”
I also recommend their socks and undies; if you want to go for a full-wool ensemble. They’re some of the best extreme cold weather long johns.
In terms of style and weight, I find myself reaching for the Icebreaker Long Underwear Leggings in 200gm and the Long Sleeve Crew in 200gm. If I could add anything to my Icebreaker collection, it would be the Tech Top Long Sleeve Half Zip.
These pieces are the best merino wool clothing for women looking to travel light any time of year.
Cuddl Duds Thermal Top (Plus) | Cuddl Duds Thermal Bottom
Cuddl Duds Wins Best Long Johns for Affordability, Style, and Warmth
Cuddle Duds offers winter wear that provides warmth without breaking the bank. You can choose from different waffle-knit designed patterns and colors to match your style.
Their long john leggings get top marks from our readers. Reader and guest writer says, “For an inexpensive base layer, I like the Cuddl Duds stretch leggings. They are amazing!”
When it’s freezing out, I put the leggings under it, which are not constricting at all. I walked all over New York City in below freezing weather and wasn’t cold. The shirts are terrific, and the leggings are excellent under other leggings or pants.
A longsleeve crewneck, with a button up shirt and a Merino sweater, was perfect for very cold weather urban sightseeing. Ditch the button up shirt for normal cold, add a decorative scarf, and stay toasty!
For a full list of our favorite long johns including synthetic and merino wool fabrics, take a look at this post on the best thermal underwear for women!
Meriwool Long Sleeve Thermal Shirt | Meriwool Base Layer Thermal Pants
Want the Warmest Base Layer for Cold Weather? Consider Meriwool
Meriwool was founded by a group of friends who had a love of the outdoors and has over 10 years of experience in manufacturing merino wool. The company creates knitted and warm long john underwear products that embody a familiar, cozy vibe.
Their products are made with 100% merino wool sourced from Austraila that’s perfect for base layering. This is one of the warmest long underwear women’s brands that creates affordable, quality products, including this dual layer bottom and top.
See what our readers recommended as the best cold weather pants for travel!
Woolies Pro Tech Long Sleeve Shirt | Woolies Pro Tech Layer Bottoms
Well-Made and Reliable ibex Merino Wool Thermal Underwear
If you’re looking for something well-made and reliable, the ibex merino wool thermal underwear is of superior quality and it’s been a long time favorite of TFG’s editor!
The Woolies Pro Tech Long Sleeve Shirt not only works as an excellent base layer under midweights but it can be worn solo as a shirt. While the Woolies Pro Tech Layer Bottoms are described as lightweight and work well under trousers or a dress, so not as heavy as typical tights.
One happy user endorses the Woolies soft, long sleeve shirt, “I was surprised by the versatility of this piece when it arrived and have worn it frequently since I bought it a few months ago. It’s a great base layer!”
While another reviewer can’t get enough of the Woolies breathable bottoms and talks about the odor-controlling properties of merino wool, “Wonderful for staying warm inside during winter and so useful to layer. These natural fibers don’t retain odor like synthetic fibers. Always a must-have addition to a wardrobe.”
Why Are Long Johns Necessary?
Long underwear for women is the smart traveler’s secret to packing light. You can wear them underneath your regular clothing when traveling to cold weather destinations and they’ll insulate you throughout your trip!
What Fabric Is Best for Long John Underwear?
During Travel Fashion Talk, one Facebook Live viewer asked, “What’s the best fabric for the warmest long underwear?”
As mentioned, long john material like Merino wool is the traveler’s preferred choice. It is one of the most adaptable fabrics for keeping you comfortable all day and naturally wicks moisture away from your body. It is anti-bacterial and resists odors, too. You can also wear it seasonally—to stay warm in winter or cool in summer.
As a bonus tip, did you know Merino wool makes a great base layer for drysuit scuba diving? Check out these scuba gear packing tips!
What Is the Warmest Insulated Underwear?
The best cold weather underwear will minimize the overall amount of layers you’ll need to wear on top, yet keep you cozy. And consequently, saves you suitcase space.
It’s important to note that bulky fabrics won’t necessarily make you feel less cold! Instead, choose the right fabrics like merino wool, and layer your items strategically as explained in this article on the best merino wool clothing.
Some long johns can be re-worn repeatedly without the need to be washed, which means that you only need to pack one pair for a one to two-week vacation.
Find out what clothing tips our readers recommend to avoid overheating in cold weather!
Terramar Women’s Thermasilk Pointelle Pants
What Is the Warmest Long Johns for Extreme Cold?
You’ve read about Merino wool above, but silk is also a particularly awesome option for travelers since it takes up even less space. For the perfect combination in an arctic cold climate, you could even wear silk underwear for cold weather underneath your Merino wool for optimal coziness.
As you sightsee in the cold, you tend to feel hot from being active, which produces sweat.
If you’re wearing cotton long underwear underneath your clothing, instead of keeping you warm, the cotton will soak up the sweat, which will then make you feel cold and uncomfortable.
The bottom line: with Merino wool and synthetics, you can avoid this. In addition, other natural fabrics such as cashmere are excellent for long johns because they have the same properties as Merino wool.
You never want to use cotton because it absorbs moisture instead of wicking it away. Learn why cotton isn’t the most breathable fabric.
Read about how to choose the best fabrics for travel!
Coldpruf Base Layer Top | Coldpruf Base Layer Bottom
Is There a Cheaper Fabric Option?
Merino wool and the best silk long underwear are expensive but trust me, it’s a worthy investment. Most travelers agree!
To get the most bang for your buck, shop for sales and look at discount outdoor retailers like Sierra Trading Post. They have an amazing selection at affordable prices! I also shop on Amazon and even got one of the most popular Merino wool travel dresses for $40—it’s normally twice the price!
However, if you’re not ready to commit to Merino wool, you can also find a wide array of long johns available in synthetic fabrics like this comfy set from Thermajane. These are much cheaper, and while not top quality, they offer similar results for warmth.
Read our guide to find the best alternative to merino wool.
Columbia Carson Pass Interchange Jacket
Cold Weather Travel Tips for Your Chilly Journey
When you’re choosing your travel outfits for the cold you should plan to layer your clothing like this:
- Long underwear
- Top/bottoms
- Sweater/hoodie/fleece
- Coat/waterproof jacket
Depending on how cold it is, you can either wear the third and fourth item alone or together. You don’t have to layer your clothing in a certain sequence unless you’re headed outdoors.
For city travel, regular clothes will work just fine (but they’ll work even better if you choose the long underwear)!
Watch my Facebook Live video where I show you the basics of this layering strategy with regular clothes (plus Merino wool long underwear).
Compass Rose Carryon Size Packing Cubes: Slim Size Cubes | Medium Size Cubes
How to Pack for Cold Weather
You can still pack a small suitcase even when you travel in cold weather by using packing cubes to compress your clothing.
Many of our readers use Compass Rose Packing Cubes to organize and compress their clothing and other items they plan to bring. These packing cubes are the only ones on the market with a number and color-coded system, so you know where you packed everything.
And now the Compass Rose Packing Cubes are offered in two sizes: slim and medium. The slim size cubes measure 13” x 5” x 2.8”, and the medium size cubes measure 2.8” x 13” x 8.5”. Both fit an international carry-on suitcase. Users say the medium size is great for bulkier items!
If you want to learn how to use packing cubes, watch the video below.
Watch the packing tutorial on Youtube! ( Youtube video)
I also put together a five-part YouTube series showing you the different methods to use packing cubes. If you use this specific packing strategy, cubes can also compress your belongings. This is the secret to traveling carry-on only!
Buy Compass Rose Packing Cubes here!
What do you think are the warmest long underwear for women? Comment and share!
For more ideas on cold weather clothing please read:
- The Best Thermal Underwear for Women
- The Best Merino Wool Sweaters According to Our Readers
- What’s the Best Alternative to Merino Wool?
- Merino Wool Clothing for Women: Why It’s the Best Travel Fabric
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Looks like I am going to order Merino wool layers for my December trip to Paris!
I’m excited to use my new merino wool tops, and suspect they will ‘stand alone’ at times too. I also got a silk for under some things that fit differently. I do need to consider the bottoms…thanks for the resources and info.
It is so helpful to get all kinds of options and suggestions for layers. I especially like the option for budget friendly clothing. Amazing. Thank you.
I’m a Floridian through and through but will be going to Ireland in late March this year. (Two weeks from now) do you think thermals would be necessary, or do you think a wool blend coat should do? I know nothing of winter, the warmest clothing I’ve ever needed is a nice hoodie.
Hi Kelly, have a look at this article on what to wear in Ireland: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-ireland-packing-list-ideas-for-dublin/ Check the weather forecast a few days before you leave, but it has been colder than normal for this time of year so be prepared! Hope this helps. Have a great trip 🙂
What would you recommend (as far as thickness) to wear in February as base layer? Preferably cheaper options.
Hi Jessica, I’d imagine it would depend on the weather in the destination where you’re traveling.
Another great option is the Uniqlo Heattech brand. I used their regular under layers and the “extra warm” option (slightly thicker material) in November in England and Italy. Coupled with a light merino wool sweater and my jacket, I was never cold. They are thin enough of a layer that if you get overheated walking (like I do) you can remove that layer and stash it in your purse or day bag.
Thanks for sharing! Sounds like a great product!
I agree. I just came from Germany to visit the Christmas markets in Munich and Nuremberg, and I wore Heattech almost everyday. I have 2 sets and they are so lightweight but they keep my body warm.