Review: Kari Traa Rose Baselayers

Outdoor layers frequently take the "fun" out of "functional," with plain designs and muted colors. Boring! I recently upgraded my base layers to a Kari Traa set—with the Rose Long Sleeve Top paired with the Rose High Waisted Bottom. Simply trying to choose which color I liked best has thus far been my biggest problem with these layers, as they offer a variety of designs and colors. (But don't worry, boring folks, they have neutrals too). 

I have extremely sensitive and dry skin, so as much as I love wool, it's never been very comfortable for me. Still, I decided to test my luck with these base layers—and my wimpy skin prevailed/. The lightweight merino-wool is hardly scratchy compared to several other options I've tried, and keeps me warm, dry, and itch-free—so much so that I keep them on long after the ski day ends... but c'mon, they're cute.

The layers fit snuggly while still allowing good mobility, so I hardly notice they're there when layering up for a cold day on the mountain. Kari Traa even uses wool harvested with non-mulesing methods, which means no sheep are harmed in the making. Now I just have to decide which color I should go with next...

Available at karitraa.com; $110 for each.