A couple of weeks ago, I showed up in dusty pink Kari Traa thermals for a ski date with outdoor writer Stacy Gold and laughed as we tried to explain their appeal to her perplexed 70-year-old neighbor, clad in Patagonia. “You can wear functional merino wool layers and have cute colors,” said Stacy when her neighbor admitted that he’d never heard of the brand.
To be totally honest, until three years ago, I’d never heard of Kari Traa either, but this by-women, for-women Norwegian company has recently taken the US market by storm with its super-cute, super-warm thermal underwear. The design at the center of it all? The Scandinavian-inspired Rose Base Layers.
Over the years, I’ve tested several different pieces of Kari Traa apparel, but the set I keep coming back to is my trusty pair of Rose Base Layers, which I love for their odor-resistant, sweat-wicking fabric and form-flattering fit. I’ve taken these babies on ski vacations to Lake Tahoe, on summer backpacking trips in the Sierra Nevada and even on a recent Rocky Mountain backcountry ski class with Colorado Mountain School, and they’ve excelled at every turn.
Let’s dive in and see what makes Kari Traa’s Rose Base Layers not only adorable but also high-performing in technical mountain pursuits.
With its feminine fit and sweat-wicking merino wool fabric, women-owned Kari Traa has created a new classic in the Rose Base Layer. Perfect for layering under a jacket for a snow hike or big ski day, yet cute enough to wear around town as a cozy top, these unique Nordic prints prove that technical apparel doesn’t have to be boring.
Sporting a flattering, flat-seamed high waist and a Scandinavian-inspired print, Kari Traa’s Rose Base Layer Pants prove that you can still look cute when you’re shredding powder or going camping this season. With its ultra-soft merino wool fabric, this toasty pair of tights is naturally sweat-wicking and odor-resistant, ideal for big ski trips or multi-day treks.
What we liked about it
In short, everything. There’s a lot to love about Kari Traa’s Rose Base Layers. Below, we’ll get into a few of our favorite stand-out features.
Soft fabric feel
This ain’t your grandma’s old scratchy wool, but rather a fine merino garment that’s woven from non-mulesed wool, ethically sourced in Australia and New Zealand. The fit is true to size, and a rounded crew neck style means no snagging on jacket zippers and makes layering a breeze. On the bottom, a high-waisted design help keep my core warm — no more chilly wind gusts when I bend over — and flat-lock seams make chafing a thing of the past. Plus, wool is naturally breathable and sweat-wicking, which keeps me comfortable when I’m skinning uphill in the backcountry or snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park. After several washes, the fabric looks as good as new, with no obvious signs of shedding or piling.
Super warm
Because of the Rose’s 220 grams per square meter (gsm) thickness, it’s incredibly warm and performs similarly to my thermal-weight Smartwool base layers. This was especially helpful in my recent backcountry ski class with Colorado Mountain School, because my group was often standing around in the snow with a chilly breeze, practicing transitions or listening to the instructor discuss next steps. Having a warm core is essential to staying safe in the mountains, and this Kari Traa set helped my core and legs stay cozy throughout the all-day excursion.
Because of its flattering profile and warmth, I often find myself wearing the Rose Base Layers like a form-fitting sweater around the house and on shoulder season dog walks around Boulder because I know it’ll keep me insulated when the weather is sunny yet cool. Another bonus? Wool continues to insulate, even when it gets wet, so if I get caught in a sudden downpour, I have an added level of safety until I get home.
The company is women-owned
Founded by three-time Olympian Kari Traa, the company prides itself on being by women, for women, meaning that its designs are informed by what female athletes want and need in the wilderness. How does that translate into the lineup of products? Well, apart from playful fabrics and a huge variety of colors and prints, the fit is custom-tailored with flat seams and thoughtful waistlines to prevent chafing on even the toughest terrain. In addition, Kari Traa has teamed up with the Norwegian Ski Federation and the Olympiatoppen organization to support its own ski team for girls.
What we didn’t like about it
There’s very little that’s imperfect about KT’s Rose Base Layers, but I found a couple of factors that may not jive with everyone’s preferences.
No thumb loops
I’m really splitting hairs here, but many of my favorite thermal underwear tops have built-in thumb loops, so that the sleeves don’t ride up when I put on a mid layer or jacket. As far as I can tell, none of Kari Traa’s current products have these handy little thumb holes, which is a shame, because their functionality and fit are otherwise superior to their competitors.
Bright patterns aren’t for everyone
Personally, I love the spunky, Scandi prints that have made Kari Traa so beloved and famous, but some people might prefer a more demure base layer look. No shade if that’s you, but this is definitely a company that takes pride in its bold design.
How it compares
Kari Traa’s well-crafted Rose base layers aren’t the cheapest you’ll find on the market today, but they certainly aren’t the most expensive, either, at around $110 to $130. The brand also sells an ultra-cute synthetic base layer set, called Lune, for a fraction of the cost of its merino products (from $65).
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layers function similarly, offering flatlock seams, cute prints and moisture management, and cost about the same, at $115 (each) for the top and bottom. If you’re seeking a highly technical, ultralight base layer set, check out boutique brand Artilect and its Flatiron 185 series, made of Nuyarn merino wool, which is spendier at $140 per piece, but lighter and excellent for uphill athletes facing cold weather.
Lastly, if you don’t care much about bold prints and just want to save a little dough on a set of well-made wool thermals, Minus33, a New Hampshire-based company, is a master purveyor of well-priced merino. I’d recommend its Ossipee Crew and Franconia Bottoms (both $80). And you could always use your trusty REI membership to grab a set of the Co-op’s Merino 185 base layers ($80 each).
Bottom line
If you’re in the market for unique, technical base layers that are as functional on the slopes as they are flattering on the streets, look no further than Kari Traa’s signature Rose Base Layer top and bottoms, which have made the European brand a huge success in women’s sportswear. These toasty thermals are made with non-mulesed merino wool, ethically sourced in Australia and New Zealand. Naturally antimicrobial and sweat-wicking, the garments boast fun prints influenced by the founder’s Norwegian heritage along with second-to-none performance on cold weather hikes and all-day ski and snowboard adventures.
