BlackStrap Womens Therma Hooded Baselayer Top and Pant

Kate Agathon

Have you ever tried a pair of base layers that both fitted and looked amazing the first time on? Few and far between, right?

 

Not so with BlackStrap Womens Therma Hooded Baselayer Top and BlackStrap Therma Baselayer Pant. The moment I tried them on, I was hooked (I look like a ninja!, I thought. Badass!).

 

I’m usually apprehensive trying new baselayers; especially synthetic ones. In the past, I’ve found that my options are limited. Typically, size small is too tight, and size medium bulges along the waist and sags in the butt.

 

Once I tried them on, my initial concerns were not an issue.

 

The relaxed fit hugged my body closely in a flattering way and didn’t hang awkwardly like a typical relaxed synthetic base layer fit. Nor did it feel constrictive at all. It hung clung just right.

 

I also liked that the longer tunic-length of the hoody provided more coverage. My only problem with the fit were the sleeves- much too long for my petite body.

 

Overall, the Therma hooded top (I am 5’0 and 125 lbs. and wore a size medium) was not too saggy and not too constrictive. The contoured hood fit my head snugly, left enough room to accommodate a ponytail underneath, and fit underneath my ski helmet.

 

Key features:

• Thumb holes

• 4-way stretch

• Antimicrobial

• THERMA Midweight Soft Touch fabric

• Machine washable

• UPF 50+ for days worn solo as an outer layer

• Tapered drop hem design along front and back

 

Unlike the relaxed fit hoody, the Therma pant comes in an athletic/compression fit.

The Therma pant baselayer features a streamlined fit with flatlock seams to avoid chafing and a slip-free waistband for extra comfort. They stayed in place all day long.

 

However, because they were not available in a petite size, they did bulge up in the knees a bit, despite my pulling the pants up and turning up the ankles.

 

Unsurprisingly, the Therma baselayers were a bit thicker than the wool base layers I typically wear, but I appreciated the extra warmth while skiing on the mountain.

 

Overall, I like the BlackStrap Therma Baselayers.

 

They performed as they should and kept me warm in frigid mountain conditions. They can also be worn as a second layer (as I did alpine skiing), or alone in warmer conditions or even for apres ski. My only suggestion is offering them in petite or tall sizes for optimal fit.

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Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Utah the Adventure Dog.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, fat biking, snowshoeing, camping, peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers, road cycling, and Nordic skiing. After suffering two major knee injuries within four years, Kate hopes to return to alpine skiing next season.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

We also heard she has a (slight) obsession for blue heelers.