The Ultimate Guide to Football Baselayers

Helmet, pads, gloves, cleats—every piece of football gear has a special job to do, helping a player execute the runs, hits, and catches that make the sport so exciting to watch. But underneath all that very visible equipment sits an additional, often-unseen layer that plays an equally important role in comfort and performance: the baselayer.

Why Wear Baselayers in Football?

Athletes from just about every sport—playing everywhere from outdoor fields to indoor courts—wear baselayers for comfort and support. A baselayer is the clothing that sits closest to your skin. It can serve multiple functions, including helping to regulate body temperature, providing an extra layer of protection, or preventing rubbing from other clothing. The right baselayers enhance comfort in a way that makes it easier to perform at your best.

For football, baselayers are particularly useful. Football players hit the gridiron in arguably the widest-ranging conditions of any sport—from practices in brutal Summer heat to playoff games in below-zero wind chills. And in every condition, players’ bodies are in nearly constant contact—with one another and the field. The extra gear required in football can also be uncomfortable. Baselayers can help protect the skin from chafing, pinching, or snagging from pads and other gear. Acting almost like a second skin, baselayers can help your body cope with all these factors.

Baselayers for Heat & Cold

When selecting a baselayer, the first question is: Do I need to stay cool, or do I need to keep warm? You can select baselayers designed specifically to do either. Cold-weather baselayers help keep heat next to your body. They may be paired with a midlayer item, such as a thermal, to provide additional heat insulation.

Hot-weather baselayers have features, such as breathable fabric or venting, to help dissipate heat from your skin. When selecting either kind of baselayer, look for material that is moisture-wicking. You’re going to sweat, even in cold conditions. Moisture-wicking fabric moves sweat away from your skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate. This helps keep your skin dry, regulates your body temperature, and keeps your clothing from taking on the extra weight of all that sweat. Football players can benefit from having a set of hot- and cold-weather baselayers to accommodate conditions across the season.

Types of Baselayers for Football

Baselayer Tops

Baselayer tops come in a range of options. Once you have determined if the baselayer is designed for your desired playing conditions (heat or cold), the options really come down to personal comfort and preferences.

Long-sleeved: Long sleeves can be used for both hot and cold conditions. If you’re playing under the sun, long sleeves add a layer of protection. Long-sleeved shirts designed for use in heat will have features like venting and quick-drying fabric, so that as sweat is wicked away, the shirt stays dry to help keep you cool. Long sleeves also provide a little extra skin protection for hits and contact with the field.
Short-sleeved: This is a great option for playing or practicing in the heat. Vented options can help release heat in specific areas, such as under the arms.
Sleeveless: Some players prefer the minimal feel of a sleeveless baselayer top. This can be very comfortable in the heat and can also work well if you’re adding a midlayer or an accessory like sleeves.
Mock neck: Baselayer tops in all sleeve lengths may come in crew or mock neck styles. Some football players prefer a mock neck because it helps protect the neck from shoulder pads, which can dig in and get very uncomfortable.

Baselayer Bottoms

Like tops, baselayer bottoms come in different options and are designed for hot or cold conditions. Bottom baselayers can also help reduce shifting of garments (such as football pants) worn over the top.

Leggings: Leggings provide full-leg coverage and may be worn under shorts (for practice) to help offer a little more protection from the sun as well as from contact with the field and fellow players. Leggings designed to be worn in the heat wick away sweat, provide venting in key areas, and should be quick drying. Cold-weather leggings can help hold your body’s heat without adding bulk. Moisture-wicking in cold-weather leggings helps move sweat away from the skin. Some leggings also include a slim side pocket, which is convenient for holding essentials on practice and training days.
Shorts: Baselayer shorts are designed to be lightweight and form-fitting and are ideal for hot conditions. Venting and moisture-wicking fabric help maintain comfort.

Choosing the Right Baselayer

Here are a few factors to look for when you’re selecting baselayer apparel for either hot- or cold-weather conditions.

Stretch: Look for a material that moves with you, in all directions. Synthetic fabrics, which are like polyester, often provide optimal stretch.
Seams: Pay attention to where seams are placed and whether they rub your skin. A good baselayer should have as few seams as possible. Seams should lay flat and be positioned away from high-abrasion areas to minimize chafing. If you can, try on the baselayer with the extra weight of pads and gear to make sure nothing rubs you the wrong way.
Form-fitting vs. compression: A form-fitting baselayer skims your skin without being baggy. Compression baselayers fit tight around your body. Many players like a compression fit because it helps their muscles feel supported and gives them a better feel for how their body is moving in space. One option may simply be more comfortable for you. Try both and see what feels good.
Moisture-wicking fabric: Whether the baselayer is for cold or hot conditions, make sure it’s made from a moisture-wicking fabric that moves sweat away from your body so that it can evaporate. This will help regulate your temperature and comfort. Look for fabric that is also fast drying. Sweat that’s wicked away needs to dry quickly so you don’t feel soggy and bogged down.
Ventilation: For hot-weather baselayers, look for a design that incorporates vents in high-sweat areas, like under the arms. This will help air flow to your skin and keep you feeling cool.

Baselayer Care & Maintenance

A comfortable, high-performance baselayer is important equipment, and you’ll want to take special care of it, just like any other part of your uniform. You should always follow the care instructions on your garment tag, but here are a few general tips for baselayers made from synthetic materials:

Wash in cold water with like colors (most baselayers can be machine washed).
Tumble dry on low, or air dry.
Don’t use fabric softeners, which leave behind a film that can interfere with moisture wicking.
Don’t use chlorine bleach, which can break down synthetic fibers, especially elastane.
Consider investing in 2-3 sets of baselayers so you can rotate them.

Think of baselayers as the foundation of the rest of your uniform and gear. When you start with a layer that is right for your playing conditions and feels comfortable on your body, you’re ready to add the pads, helmet, cleats, jersey, and all the rest to complete the package for your protection and performance.