Keep Warm This Winter With the 16 Best Pairs of Thermal Underwear for Men

I hate to break it to you, but it’s that time of the year where you need to start layering up to fight off the cold weather. No, I don’t mean just throwing on an extra jacket and going on about your day. What I’m referring to is, pulling out your best thermal underwear.

Thermal underwear (aka long johns) are effective body-warming pants meant to layer under your existing clothing. They are made from different fabrics that offer many advantages like wicking away moisture, preventing ride-ups, and staying in place while moving around. After all, this undergarment is going to be underneath your pants, so you need something that will provide the most comfort throughout the day. 

When choosing a pair of thermal underwear, make sure they’re durable yet cozy enough for daily wear. With so many brands to choose from, we selected a few of our favorites to ensure you’ll stay warm this wintertime — no matter what.

1. Mack Weldon Warmknit Long Underwear

BEST OVERALL

Thermal underwear is no longer just worn by dads. They have become a way of life now, especially if you plan on being out in the cold weather for an extended amount of time. This long underwear is constructed of warm knit fabric insulated with Thermolite technology to lock in heat. They’re comfortable to wear all day long as they feature a no-roll waistband and stay-put cuffs to prevent bunching up under your pants. The undergarment comes in three classic colors: dark forest, charcoal heather, and true navy. 

2. UNIQLO Men’s Heattech Extra Warm Long Johns

MOST WARM

If you know things are going to get really cold, and you want to prioritize staying warm over everything else, try these Heattech Long Johns. They’re made of a soft, stretchy material that has great shape retention for more comfort. In addition, the long johns are bio-warming, moisturizing and self-deodorizing.

3. 32 Degrees Performance Thermal Baselayer Leggings

BEST MOISTURE-WICKING

Yes, adding an extra layer of garments can keep you warm, but it can also cause excessive sweating. So to avoid this problem, it’ll be best if you consider the 32 Degrees Performance Thermal Baselayer Leggings. This pair of long underwear is equipped with moisture-wicking technology to keep you dry and comfortable when things start to get toasty. They also feature anti-static and anti-odor properties, which are good for guys with strong body odor when they sweat.

4. Duofold Thermal Underwear

BEST VALUE

At a great entry-level price, this set of thermal underwear from Duofold is a solid option for those who want to test and see if long underwear is for them. Made by Champion, they are rough and tough enough to handle most cold climates by combining two different fabrics into a material that feels like one. Luxury and comfort at an affordable price? Count us in.

5. RedHead Thermal Fleece Pants

BEST FLEECE OPTION

If you own any clothing made out of fleece, then you know how cozy and soft the fabric is against your skin. Luckily, you can have the same material for your thermal underwear, thanks to RedHead. These undergarments have a lightweight and breathable design that makes them a great base layer when bundling up for the cold weather. They’re moisture-wicking and minimize friction when layering. The fleece pants even have a crotch gusset giving you optimal movement.

6. Hanes FreshIQ Odor Control Moisture Wicking Thermal Pant

BEST FRICTION-FREE PANTS

One thing that many thermal pant wearers often complain about is comfort. Obviously, adding a layer under your normal layers can cause a problem if the extra layer doesn’t sit flush against your skin. The Hanes FreshIQ Odor Control Moisture Wicking Thermal Pant is a great answer to this problem as these long underwear sport no-rub seams with comfortable rib-knit cuffs to minimize friction and unwanted catching. They are also completely odor-resistant and designed to adapt to your body temperature.

7. Thermaskin Long Underwear Pants

MOST FLEXIBLE

When it comes to buying a decent pair of thermal underwear, one thing to keep in mind is its flexibility. You want to make sure that they’re able to move along with you no matter what activities you partake in, and these long underwear pants from Thermaskin will get the job done. The underwear is made of a soft and stretchy fabric that doesn’t restrict movement. They feature a technology designed to pull moisture away from your skin to keep you dry. Not to mention, they have a no-ride-up leg design that keeps fit consistent and prevents bunching.

8. 2(x)ist Essential Long John

HIGHEST COTTON CONTENT

2(x)ist Essential Long John is a great choice for anyone worried about skin sensitivity issues. This pair of long underwear boasts a 100% cotton construction for a pleasant feel against your skin which will keep you warm and comfortable in cold weather. These high-quality pants can also be machine washed and tumble dried for ease of care. In addition, they’re available in a range of colors, so you can match your underwear to the rest of your winter outfit.

9. Smartwool IntraKnit Merino 250 Thermal Bottom

MOST BREATHABLE

When it comes to lounging around the house, try these Smartwool IntraKnit thermal bottoms. They’re a casual baselayer to wear along in your home or throw them underneath your snow gear to hit the slopes. The bottoms are made of a merino material that will keep you warm, but they feature mesh ventilation to help prevent overheating.

10. Nike Pro Tights

BEST FOR WORKING OUT

If you’re the kind of person that wants a pair of thermal underwear for exercising in, this particular version of Nike’s athletic long underwear is a fantastic option. Thin and lightweight without feeling like you’ll rip them apart, they do a great job of replacing a standard compression short while hugging and supporting your legs. They’ll also do an A1 job of wicking away moisture to keep you cool, even when you’re hot, so don’t worry about getting too warm while you’re hitting some HIIT training on the treadmill or at a workout class.

11. Bombas Cotton Modal Long Underwear

MOST COMFORTABLE

Bombas’ long underwear comes in a super comfortable cotton modal spandex blend that will feel fantastic whenever you put them on. The bottoms have minimal seams to ensure they feel smooth against your skin. They feature a sturdy waistband to prevent rolling and bunching during the day. Not to mention, the underwear gets softer after each wash.

12. MERIWOOL Merino Wool Thermal Pants

BEST ODOR-RESISTANT

If you’re going to be out on the slopes for hours at a time or traipsing through a snow-filled forest on a hike, things are likely to get a little bit sweaty. These MERIWOOL Men’s Base Layer Merino Wool Thermal Pants let you fight accompanying odors by offering naturally present odor-resistance which is found in the 100% Merino wool construction. This high-quality fabric is also breathable and moisture-absorbing to provide a comfortable experience, no matter how many hours you’re in the cold.

13. Arc’Teryx Rho AR Bottom

BEST SPLURGE

Do you love taking morning runs around your neighborhood but can’t stand the frigid air outside? Well, stay warm and active in these Arc’Teryx Rho AR Bottoms. They’re made of a Polartec Power Stretch fabric that is well insulated. The leggings are moisture-wicking, breathable, and non-restricting, giving you greater mobility during workouts. Did we mention they have a thigh pocket with a laminated zip?

14. Odlo Active Warm Originals Base Layer Pants

BEST FOR HIGH-INTENSITY

Odlo’s thermal underwear boasts a totally warming base layer pant that is great to wear under gym clothes, walking around casually at home or climbing Mount Everest. Just pick your poison. All the standard sweat-wicking and comfort features are present here, but there’s a little design detail that we love: they are soft as hell. Like, for real, you simply have to try these ones for yourself.

15. ThermaJohn Soft Thermal Underwear Set

BEST SET

Keep your whole body warm this winter with a Thermajohn thermal underwear set. The set is made of a poly-spandex material that is lightweight and serves as the perfect base layer for your winter attire. It’s extremely flexible and stretchy, making the set effortlessly comfortable and unable to bunch up when moving. The set comes in an array of colors such as gray, charcoal, navy, and green.

16. Lululemon Surge Tight Nulux

BEST FIT 

There’s a reason why Lululemon’s Surge Tights are beloved by so many: they’re some of the most comfortable and supportive pieces of clothing around. Crafted with Nulux, this undergarment is quick-drying, sweat-wicking and lightweight. Tossing them under a pair of jeans or pants will make it feel like there’s almost nothing there. Plus, if you rock them for running outside, the rich blue will pop nicely with whatever else you’re wearing.

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