Patagonia Capilene Lightweight Crew

Wicking

We took this uber-thin Capilene (100 percent polyester) layer all over the map, from backcountry ski trips in Canada to a summit push on Rainier to a 60-story Seattle stair climb. Every time, it wowed in the wicking department. “This was my go-to baselayer when I knew I would be moving—it keeps you cool when you’re pushing hard uphill,” says one tester who wore it backcountry skiing into the low 20s. But even when she was trudging up a snowfield on a 65°F, sunny day, she says, “It never felt soaked against my skin.” A grid pattern on the inside pulls sweat to the outside for quick evaporation.

Green cred

It’s made with 100-percent recycled fabric.

Stink resistance

For a synthetic, we were pleased with how fresh this smelled after sweaty trips. We could get three to four wears out of it before laundry day. Credit a Polygiene silver chloride treatment that stymies bacterial growth.