Women's thermal underwear and socks

NORDBLANC women’s thermal underwear is the base layer for skiing, hiking, running and cycling. Choose thermal tops and bottoms with DRYFOR fibre from the winter, all-season or lightweight range to suit the weather, and add merino wool underwear and compression socks.

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What you'll find in this category

Winter thermal underwear - NORDBLANC women’s winter thermal underwear for skiing, winter hikes and running in freezing weather. The thermal tops and bottoms are knitted in two layers from 96% polyester and 4% elastane with DRYFOR fibre, which carries moisture away from the skin.
All-season thermal underwear - NORDBLANC women’s all-season thermal underwear is worn under a sweatshirt for hiking, running, cycling and spring skiing. The thermal tops and bottoms are thinner than the winter range, mostly 88% polyester and 12% elastane with DRYFOR fibre.
Lightweight thermal underwear - NORDBLANC women’s lightweight thermal underwear is for running, cycling and high-exertion sport in the cold, and otherwise for weather above roughly 15 °C. The lightweight thermal tops and bottoms are 88% polyester and 12% elastane with DRYFOR technical fibre.
Merino thermal underwear - NORDBLANC women’s merino wool thermal underwear: a short-sleeved T-shirt, long johns and shorts in fine merino wool. More than half of the range is compression socks for hiking with 15% or 30% merino wool, the rest mainly nylon and elastane.

How to choose women’s thermal underwear for skiing, running and hiking

The main job of thermal underwear is to move sweat off your skin before it starts to chill you in the cold. It is worn directly on the skin, and depending on the weather you add a sweatshirt, gilet and jacket over it. Choose the range according to the temperature outside and how much you warm up during sport.

The slopes and standing around in the cold

This is where winter thermal underwear pays off. Women’s winter thermal tops and bottoms are knitted in two layers from 96% polyester and 4% elastane: the inner side with its square-grid structure collects moisture and passes it to the outer layer, from where it evaporates. You’ll appreciate them wherever skiing or walking alternates with waiting - on the slopes, on a winter hike and on a walk in freezing weather.

Running, cycling and fast-paced sport

When you’re moving fast, you warm up even in the cold, so a thinner layer is enough. Lightweight thermal underwear made of 88% polyester and 12% elastane is designed for high exertion in cooler weather, and otherwise for temperatures above roughly 15 °C. If you often stop along the way, choose the all-season range instead.

Hiking, spring and autumn

All-season thermal underwear is thinner than the winter range, made of a fine, light fabric, mostly 88% polyester and 12% elastane. It works under a sweatshirt or softshell all year round - for an autumn hike, cycling, running and spring skiing. When the cold sets in, swap it for the winter range or wear two layers.

Merino wool

If you prefer a natural material next to your skin, there is a short-sleeved merino wool T-shirt, long johns and shorts. Merino is a wool made of very fine fibres that feels pleasant on the body and keeps you warm even when damp. Compared with synthetics, though, it takes longer to dry.

Socks for shoes and ski boots

The socks in this category are unisex and, except for one model, compression socks. They differ in composition: merino compression socks contain 15% or 30% merino wool, with the rest mainly nylon and elastane; the sports socks are mostly nylon and elastane, and the hiking socks contain 35% cotton. For the slopes, there are ski knee socks with protective zones on the shin, heel and toe - where your foot presses hardest against the ski boot. For ridge walks, warm socks with 50% merino wool are a good choice.

Most socks have a reinforced heel and toe; the sports socks and some merino models also have ankle support.

What the composition and label tell you

Elastane content - determines how much the fabric stretches. The winter range has 4%, all-season and lightweight thermal underwear mostly 12%, so they stretch more.
Polyester - this synthetic fibre absorbs almost no water, which is why thermal underwear made from it dries faster than cotton or wool.
DRYFOR - a fibre with fine channels on its surface along which moisture travels from your skin to the outside of the fabric, where it evaporates quickly. All the synthetic thermal tops and bottoms in this category have it.
Merino content - in the underwear, merino wool is the main fibre; in the socks, it makes up 15-50%. Added nylon and elastane give the socks durability and stretch.
Flat seams - sewn flat so that they don’t press under backpack straps or ski trousers. All the synthetic ranges have them.

How to wash thermal underwear

Wash synthetic underwear according to the care label and leave out fabric softener: it forms a film on the fibres, and sweat then has a harder time getting out. Merino wool belongs on a gentle wool cycle with a detergent designed for wool; after washing, just squeeze it gently and dry it flat, well away from radiators.

Technologies and materials

DRYFOR®

A functional fiber that excellently absorbs body moisture and wicks away sweat. Thanks to the micro-grooves on its surface, moisture is efficiently carried to the outer side of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, keeping your skin dry and comfortable. This property allows the material to provide perfect body temperature regulation.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between winter, all-season and lightweight women’s thermal underwear?

Mainly in the weather they’re made for. Winter thermal underwear is thicker, made of a two-layer knit of 96% polyester and 4% elastane, and is worn for skiing and freezing weather. All-season is thinner, mostly 88% polyester and 12% elastane, for cooler days all year round. Lightweight is worn in warm weather above roughly 15 °C, and in the cold only for intense sport. All three ranges have DRYFOR technical fibre.

Which women’s thermal underwear should I choose for the slopes?

For the slopes in winter, go for the winter range: women’s thermal tops and bottoms knitted in two layers from 96% polyester and 4% elastane wick away sweat while you ski and keep you warm even when waiting for the lift. For spring skiing, when it’s around freezing or warmer, the thinner all-season thermal underwear is enough. For your ski boots, pack ski knee socks with protective zones on the shin, heel and toe.

Which women’s thermal underwear for running, cross-country skiing and winter sport?

A thinner layer than for the slopes - when you’re moving fast, you warm up even in freezing weather, and wicking sweat matters more than warmth. Lightweight thermal underwear is designed precisely for high exertion in cooler weather, the all-season range for cooler days when you also stop along the way. Save winter thermal underwear for freezing weather when you’re moving more slowly or often standing still.

How should women’s thermal underwear fit?

Close to the body, but without feeling tight - it can only wick sweat where the fabric touches your skin. Most NORDBLANC women’s thermal tops and bottoms have 4-12% elastane, so they adapt to your figure. When trying them on, bend forward and raise your arms: the top must not ride up above your waist, and nothing should dig in or bunch up.