Kate Agathon

With its classic Fair Isle snowflake design, the all-new  Kari Traa Vilma Baselayer  Top is the perfect base layer to welcome winter.

Kari Traa base layers have been favorites of mine for years, not just for the beautiful feminine patterns, but for how soft they are. I like to wear them around town and for just about every winter activity you can think of: alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snowshoeing, etc.

While there are many wool base layers out there, I really like Kari Traa, not just for the brand’s whimsical patterns, but for their soft, non-itchy wool.

 

How it Looks
The slim fit Kari Traa Vilma Half-Zip Top is the most flattering Kari Traa base layer top I have ever had. I love the retro Fair Isle design and how it draws attention away from my midsection.

 

Although there are no weight variations among base layers, I do feel the Vilma is slightly lighter than Kari Traa’s Rose collection of which I am more familiar. Because of the white yarn, it does sometimes seem more transparent than I’d like in certain lighting.

In the Colorado mountain town where I live, Kari Traa base layers are extremely popular among both locals and tourists. Women love to show off the beautiful knit patterns at brunch, on the slopes, at apres ski.

 

The first time I tried it on, my partner immediately took notice and remarked how nice it looked. He wasn’t wrong.

The Kari Traa Vilma Half-Zip Top is versatile and can be worn anywhere. Pair it with ski pants, leggings, or winter skorts and you’ve got a winning combination off and on the slopes. This is a base layer you won’t want to cover up!

 

Key Features

• Raglan sleeves

• High collar

• Wool fibers for supreme isolation, wet or dry

• Underarm panels

• Flatlock seams for smooth finish

• Back placket with zip garage

• Half-zip neck opening

• Fold up hem

• Embroidered logo

• IWTO-certified, traceable, non-mulesing Merino wool

 

How it Performs

To my relief, the Kari Traa Vilma Half Zip did not itch (even with the collar fully zipped) so I was able to avoid uncomfortable chafing. Also, the top stayed in place and didn’t constrict or ride up.

 

Because it feels a little thinner than the Kari Traa Rose baselayers that I’m used to, I likely won’t wear it alone. Maybe I’ll pair it with a vest for nordic skiing on warmer ski days.

 

However, I will continue to wear it indoors on its own (I get cold easily so a little bit of warmth without the bulk is nice) and show off the beautiful pattern, or underneath heavier outer layers, such as my ski jacket.

Overall, I like the Kari Traa Vilma Half Zip Top. It is so cute and the perfect piece to welcome winter. While I won’t be wearing it solo outdoors to nordic ski during the coldest winter months, I will be wearing it as much as I can indoors. Paired with the matching Vilma Headband (which will be great for nordic skiing), it is one of my favorite looks this season.

 

The Kari Traa Vilma Half Zip Top is available in five sizes (XS to XL) and three colors (Berry Pink, Pine Green, and Natural White).

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

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, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

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.