If you are working outside during the brutal winter months, using a cold weather compression shirt as a base layer is almost a necessity. The good news is there are several companies who produce winter compression shirts, so you do have several options to choose from.
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Here are our choices for the best compression shirts for cold weather:
- Under Armour Men’s ColdGear Compression Long Sleeve T-Shirt (click here to view)
- TSLA Men’s Winter Compression Baselayer Mock Long Sleeve Shirt (click here to view)
- Thermajohn Men’s Fleece-Lined Compression Shirt (click here to view)
- Under Armour Men’s Base 4.0 Crew (click here to view)
- DEVOPS Men’s 2 Pack Thermal Heat-Chain Compression Tops (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Thermajane Women’s Ultra Soft Thermal Compression Top (click here to view)
- *Women’s* DEVOPS 2-Pack Thermal Heat-Chain Compression Baselayer Shirts (click here to view)
I’ve worn the UA compression shirts many times over the years and they are always a dependable option. In many ways, the Under Armour brand has become synonymous with compression shirts.
Some of the other options on the list offer intriguing alternatives. For example, over the past year I’ve personally turned towards the TSLA shirts because some versions have a built-in face shield.
I was skeptical at first. A co-worker of mine had a compression shirt with a face shield, and he talked me into trying one. I was shocked how much I appreciated having that face guard that I could pull up at any time. Even for everyday tasks like pumping gas, etc.
In this article let’s take a closer look at these winter compression shirts so that you can decide which style might work best for you.
Best Winter Compression Shirts for Cold Weather
Under Armour Men’s ColdGear Compression Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Under Armour is well known for making compression shirts and compression pants. They also do a very good job of creating seasonal gear, and their “Coldgear” line has become a dependable go-to winter base layer.
Here’s what their “ColdGear” compression shirts looks like:
This is the current price of this Under Armour cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This UA ColdGear compression shirt comes in several colors.
- Stretch Material – This shirt is made with a polyester/elastane blend that will stretch with your body as you move. This shirt is machine washable.
- Warmth – The fabric has a dual layer, brushed interior designed to trap heat and function as a base layer for winter.
- Quick Drying – No, this shirt is not waterproof, but it is designed to be fast-drying.
- Anti-Odor – This compression shirt does have anti-odor technology which can be very helpful if this shirt becomes something you wear daily in the winter.
I’ve owned several of these over the years, and if you are looking for a dependable compression base layer, these do the trick. This is probably the most popular base layer going right now.
Within the past year, I actually have started wearing the TSLA base layer I cover next because I liked the adjustable face shield. But it’s impossible to deny that UA ColdGear is a great place to start when looking for winter base layers.
Click here to buy this Under Armour cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt is also available in tall sizes.
TSLA Men’s Winter Compression Baselayer Mock Long Sleeve Shirt
As I just mentioned above, this is actually the cold weather compression shirt I’ve turned to over the past year. I personally got to a point where I wanted a base layer that also had an attached face shield, so I started using this TSLA shirt.
Here’s what the TSLA face-shield version looks like:
This is the current price of this TSLA winter compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). I personally ordered my normal sizing and it fit fine.
I turned to this base layer for 2 main reasons:
- Fleece-Lined – There is a micro-fleece lining on the inside of this compression shirt which adds warmth in my opinion.
- Face Shield – Again, I wanted an attached shield that I could use during work, but also use – for example – when I get out to pump gas during those days where it’s so cold you’d pay someone $100 to pump the gas for you.
Now, it’s important to note that TSLA does offer compression base layer shirts without the face shield. If you prefer the attached face shield, make sure are ordering the right version.
But if you don’t want the face shield, and just think it would be in the way, TSLA does offer compression crew shirts without the face shield. These TSLA shirts have all the basics for cold weather compression shirts: stretch fabric, quick-drying properties, and seams that won’t eat into your skin.
Is this the absolute best compression shirt on the market? Okay, probably not. If you want a premium brand, I’d recommend sticking with Under Armour. But for me, this shirt more than does the trick.
You know that feeling when you walk to your truck at 6 o’clock in the morning and it’s so cold your truck door barely opens? And then you sit there letting the truck “warm up” just wishing it would start blowing hot air instead of cold air…. it’s moments like that where it is so nice to have this built-in shield to pull up over my face.
Click here to buy this TSLA cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, not all version of this shirt have the built-in face shield so make sure to double check that the version you are buying matches what you want.
Thermajohn Men’s Fleece-Lined Compression Shirt
Thermajohn is another brand to consider if you are looking for a budget-friendly compression shirt for cold weather. Here’s what the Thermajohn Men’s Fleece-Lined Compression Shirt looks like:
This is the current price of this Thermajohn winter compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt has a fleece-lining to help keep you warm.
- Material – This Thermajohn winter compression shirt is made of a polyester/spandex blend that is super soft and flexible. This shirt will stretch with your body.
- Warmth – Just like the TSLA compression shirt we covered earlier, this Thermajohn shirt has a non-bulky fleece lining to help keep you warm.
- Weight – Yes, this shirt is warm, but it’s also lightweight so it shouldn’t weigh you down. Like most compression shirts, it gives you the feeling of a second skin.
- Anti-Odor – Yes, this shirt has anti-odor properties to keep you smelling fresh and clean.
- Quick-Dry – It’s moisture management technology is design to wick away sweat. The seams are designed to prevent discomfort.
Click here to buy this Thermajohn cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt does not come with an attached face shield, so if you like the face shield, stick with the TSLA shirt we covered earlier.
Under Armour Base 4.0 Crew
As we discussed at the top of the article, Under Armour is well known for making compression shirts and compression pants. They also do a very good job of creating seasonal gear, and their “Coldgear” products have been a great option for base-layering for well over a decade.
One popular option has always bee the Under Armour Base Crews. Here’s what the 4.0 UA Base Crew looks like:
This is the current price of this Under Armour cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is a premium option and will not be as budget-friendly as some of the other options on this list.
- Stretch Material – This shirt is made with a polyester/elasterell blend that will stretch with your body as you move. This shirt is machine washable.
- Anti-Odor – This compression shirt has UA’s “Scent Control Technology” to help keep odor controlled.
- Quick Drying – No, this cold weather compression shirt is not waterproof, but it is designed to be fast-drying.
I know a friend who uses this UA Base 4.0 as a base layer while he golfs. He loves it. But he also only golfs once, maybe twice a week. If you plan to wear a base layer everyday for work (that’s what I do), you’ll probably need at least 2 or 3 compression shirts so you can cycle and wash them.
Buying 2 or 3 of these can get a bit pricey. If you are using this for something you do just on the weekends, buying just 1 might work perfectly, and then this UA Base 4.0 is a great option.
I’m no scientist, and I’m certainly not running temperature experiments on these base layers, but having worn a wide variety over the years, I feel like they all do a very similar job in retaining warmth, and so I personally spend a little less to save some money.
DEVOPS Men’s 2 Pack Thermal Heat-Chain Compression Tops
If you are looking for a value 2-pack of compression shirts, these DEVOPS shirts are a nice option. These shirts have all the qualities you’re probably looking for in a winter compression shirt.
Here’s what these DEVOPS Men’s 2 Pack Thermal Heat-Chain Compression Tops look like:
This is the current price of this DEVOPS winter compression 2-pack available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt has a fleece-lining to help keep you warm.
- Material – This DEVOPS winter compression shirt is made of a polyester/spandex blend that is flexible. This shirt will stretch with your body. This shirt is machine washable.
- Warmth – Just like some of the other compression shirts we covered earlier, this DEVOPS shirt has an ultra-soft, non-bulky fleece lining to help keep you warm without taking up a lot of space.
- Quick-Dry – Yes, this is a quicky-dry fabric that will help keep you from feeling like you are soaking wet.
Click here to buy this DEVOPS cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt does not come with an attached face shield, so if you like the face shield, stick with the TSLA shirt we covered earlier.
Best Women’s Cold Weather Compression Shirts
Women may not have quite as many options as men when it comes to cold weather compression shirts, but there are still plenty of options on the market. Many of the same companies that make compression shirts for men also make cold weather compression shirts for women.
Under Armour does make Cold Gear for women. Here’s what the Under Armour Women’s Cold Gear Authentic Crew Shirt looks like:
This is the current price of this UA women’s cold weather compression shirt available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This shirt has stretch, quick-drying fabric, with anti-odor technology.
If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, DEVOPS does make a value 2-pack of women’s compression shirts. Here’s what they look like:
This is the current price of this DEVOPS women’s cold weather compression shirt 2-pack available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). These shirts have a stretch, quick-drying fabric, made with a polyester/spandex blend.
4 Things to Consider When Buying Compression Shirts for Cold Weather
Here are 4 things you should at least consider before you buy your cold weather compression shirt for winter:
- Face-Shield – Do you want a built-in face shield? As I mentioned several times in the article, I love built-in face shields. Of course you can always buy a neck gaiter to wear in addition to a normal shirt, but I prefer to have mine be attached to the shirt. At first, I was skeptical, then when I tried it, I noticed how many times it helped. It is really a nice little bonus to have some face protection, and even when it’s down, it adds some protection to your neck.
- Sizing – I personally order my normal sizing, but you’ll have to remember these shirts are built to fit skin tight. If you are in-between sizes, probably best to size up. I’m tall (6’3″) and length is usually not an issue even for me, but if you are worried about height, the UA shirts at the top of our list offer tall sizes.
- Fleece-Lined – Although all compression shirts are built to trap in heat next to your body, some versions also have a micro-fleece lining. This lining is not bulky. I actually prefer a compression shirt to have this fleece lining.
- Affordability – There is actually a drastic difference in pricing for compression shirts. Certain brands can be double or triple the cost of a budget-friendly shirt. I don’t know your budget, but I personally tend to choose a cheaper work base layer because I know I’ll need 3-4 of them and I don’t want to pay $200 total.
Other Ways to Stay Warm On the Job
Yes, using a compression shirt for cold weather work is helpful, but there are other ways to stay warm while working outside in the brutal winter months. Consider some of these options:
- Insulated Pants – Both fleece and flannel lined pants can keep you warm. In my experience, fleece is warmer, but flannel is a bit more breathable. To read more, visit our article about the best winter work pants.
- Insulated Boots – Have you considered insulated boots? Most work boots stop around 400 grams of Thinsulate, but for extreme cold, you might need 800 gram Thinsulate boots, or even higher, like a 1000 gram insulated boot.
- Hoodies – I like to wear a hoodie underneath my work jacket in the extreme cold, but there are certain types of hoodies I prefer to use as a base layer over others. To see what I mean, visit our article about the best work hoodies.
- Quality Outerwear – If your jacket is cheap and old, perhaps it’s time to upgrade. For ideas, see our list for the best workwear jackets.
- Hats – Have you thought about buying a winter hat. I prefer to wear a Thinsulate hat. These hats usually use 40 grams of 3M Thinsulate for insulation, although 100 gram hats are available. To read more, visit our article about the best Thinsulate hats.