4 Best Base Layers for Ice Hockey in 2023 (With Pictures) | Hockey Question (2024)

Hockey will make you sweat.

There’s no doubt about that.

It’s a fast-paced, high-intensity sport that requires the right gear to help you perform at your best.

A major part of hockey equipment are the pieces you don’t see: such as your base layer (or your jock/jill).

Your base layer in ice hockey is what you wear underneath all your gear. It’s also known as performance apparel.

This gear is important because it helps prevent excessive moisture from your sweat, prevent chafing, and extra comfortability, and even add more protection.

In this article, we’ll cover the best base layers for ice hockey in 2023: including the base gear to cover your torso, legs, and feet.

Let’s dive in.

Best Long Sleeve Top Layer (Torso): Under Armour Fitted Grippy Long Sleeve

In ice hockey, you can either wear a standard base layer, like a loose athletic shirt (long or short sleeve). Or, you can wear compression shirts.

Standard base layers act as a simple thermal barrier. They also prevent chafing in your arms, knees, and groin.

Compression garments are one step above standard base layers. They provide the above plus extra sweat control, warmth, and muscle protection. You can get them for your torso and pants. And, you can get them in short or long-sleeve options.

The Under Armour Fitted Grippy Long Sleeve is our top pick in 2023 for a long sleeve torso base layer.

Pros

• Very comfortable HeatGear fabric
• Compression performance
• Lightweight
• Stretch-mesh underarm prevents overheating
• ArmourGrip helps secure your pads in place
• Anti-odor technology

Cons

• Only comes in jet gray
• A bit more expensive than other options

Under Armour has been the top-of-the-line base layer provider for decades.

As their long sleeve choice is made from a polyester and elastane blend, it provides maximum comfort and mobility for added performance on the ice.

The HeatGear Armour is their original performance base layer which keeps you warm—without overheating you during a game.

The longsleeve features stretch-mesh underarm panels for additional ventilation.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about getting too sweaty during a game. The HeatGear fabric easily wicks off sweat and dries really fast.

If you’re worried about your elbow pads sliding around—you can rest assured they’ll stay in place thanks to the ArmourGrips on the sleeves.

Best Short-Sleeve Top Layer (Torso): Bauer S19 Essential Short Sleeve Top

About 50% of hockey players prefer a long sleeve base layer, while 50% prefer a short sleeve.

If you prefer a short sleeve set up, then you’ll want to check out the Bauer S19 Essential Short Sleeve Top.

It’s our top best layer for ice hockey players that are looking for a short sleeve top.

Pros

• Tight, but not too tight
• Doesn’t interfere with pads
• Very comfortable
• Breathable

Cons

• Not compression-tight
• Only comes in Dark Gray

The Bauer S19 Essential Short Sleeve Top is a great base short sleeve base layer if you’re wanting some added comfort and mobility in recreational or competitive hockey.

Made from 100% polyester, this short sleeve top is tight fitting, but not too tight as to compress.

There’s still a bit of room between the material and your skin which helps prevent your pads from moving around on you.

The shirt features Sanitized technology that prevents bacteria growth, limiting nasty odors from frequent use.

The back includes a mesh panel for increased ventilation so you don’t overheat.

The one potential downside is that the shirt isn’t technically a compression shirt—which could actually be good if you prefer a material that’s a bit loose.

Overall, if you’re wanting to gear up with a short sleeve base layer, then the Bauer S19 Essential Short Sleeve Top is a great option.

Best Long Bottom Layer (Legs): Under Armor Hockey Compression Leggings

Our top pick for a bottom base layer for hockey players are the Under Armor Hockey Compression Leggings.

While these aren’t an exact bottom match to the Under Armour Fitted Grippy Long Sleeve (our best pick for a long sleeve top), the pair works really well together as they’re both compression base layers.

Pros

• Compression base layer
• Lightweight
• Very comfortable
• HeatGear base layer is very breathable

Cons

• Top-tier pricing
• Not a ton of sizing options

The Under Armour Hockey Compression Leggings are a great choice if you’re looking to pick up a longer bottom base layer.

Featuring Under Armour’s top of the line HeatGear technology, it’s super comfortable so you can move with ease on the ice.

The fabric is very water-repellant to prevent excessive moisture during play. Plus, it dries fast after the game or after you’ve put it through the wash.

It includes a stretch-mesh cup pocket so you can easily slide your cup in your pants without a jock strap.

Or, simply put on your jockstrap and cup, then slide these compression leggings over top. The compression leggings are tight-fitting so they ensure nothing slides around underneath.

These Under Armour leggings are pretty expensive compared to other bottom layer options. However, if you’re wanting something that’s breathable, comfortable, and adds to your performance on the ice, then they’re an impressive choice.

Best Short Bottom Layer (Legs): Under Armour Hockey Compression Shorts

The best short bottom base layer for hockey players are the Under Armour Hockey Compression Shorts.

If you’re wanting top-of-the-line compression performance, but don’t want to wear full leggings, then these are a great choice.

Pros

• Very Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Even more breathable
• Includes stretch-mesh cup pocket

Cons

• Pretty expensive compared to other options
• Doesn’t have as many sizing choices

The Under Armour Hockey Compression Shorts are our favorite choice if you’re looking to pick up a bottom base layer but prefer being a bit cooler.

These shorts are simply the short version of the Under Armour Hockey Compression Leggings.

They provide more breathing room on your calves which is handy if you tend to overheat a bit more.

They feature Under Armour’s impressive HeatGear technology and are very comfortable—helping you move freely during a game.

The HeatGear is also water-repellant which prevents your sweat from interfering with your game.

Like the leggings, the Under Armour Hockey Compression shorts include a stretch-mesh cup pocket that lets you easily slide your cup in without a jock strap.

The downside is that these Under Armour shorts are pretty expensive compared to other bottom layer options. They also don’t have a ton of sizing options. However, if you’re wanting something that’s breathable and comfortable, then they’re a great base layer option.

Bonus Base Layer—Socks: Bauer Supreme Protall Skate Socks

Something that’s often forgotten when it comes to using the right hockey gear is socks.

And no, I’m not talking about standard hockey socks that wrap around the outside of your shin guards.

I’m talking about the socks you wear inside your skates.

Picking the wrong socks can leave your foot soggy, uncomfortable, and even itchy—which can be a real pain during a game.

Our favorite under-skate socks are the Bauer Supreme Protall Skate Socks.

Pros

• Compression socks
• Merino wool to keep sweat and moisture out
• Very comfortable
• Breathable
• Comes in a variety of sizes

Cons

• More expensive than “normal” socks

If you’re wanting to add to your performance on the ice, then you have to look at every piece of gear you wear.

For many players, it’s what you aren’t wearing that impacts your game.

Hockey base layers have become a crucial part of the game—and skate socks have become an essential part of hockey players’ performance gear.

The Bauer Supreme Protall Skate Socks were designed with performance in mind. As the biggest major skate retailer in the game, it’s safe to say that Bauer understands the problems most hockey players face when playing.

One is moisture in the skate. You could have the best moisture-repelling skate. But, if you’re wearing the wrong socks, you could still be playing with soggy feet.

These socks are made from Merino Wool which keeps your feet both comfortable and dry. And, this actually helps you push off better with each stride.

The socks also feature something really nifty: extra padding where the tendon guard touches the foot. This is great since it helps prevent annoying chafing and bruising, giving you a bit more comfort during the game.

If you’re wanting to improve your performance on the ice, then adding a nice pair of skate socks like the Bauer Supreme Protall’s is a great overall option.

For more hockey gear tips and recommendations, check out these guides: How to Remove Hockey Jersey Wrinkles, Bauer vs. CCM Sticks (Everything You Should Know), and 3 Great Hockey Skates for Ankle Support.

Sources

https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/p/tops/mens_ua_fitted_grippy_long_sleeve/1356494.html?dwvar_1356494_color=010&start=0

https://www.purehockey.com/product/bauer-s19-essential-short-sleeve-top-adult/itm/37475-42/