[Review] The Lus Baselayers by Kari Traa

It’s no secret that baselayers are an important part of your layering system no matter what activity you’re embarking on. For me personally, if I don’t choose appropriate baselayers for a day of skiing, whether I’m at the resort or in the backcountry, it can really impact my day! I tend to run cold so you can usually find me wearing warmer, thicker baselayers. The Lus Longsleeve and Lus Pant by Kari Traa is an extremely warm, comfortable, and well-fitting set of baselayers.

I’ve tested Kari Traa gear in the past and I think my number one mention every time is that Kari Traa is made for women by women. It’s not men’s gear that has the whole “shrink it and pink it” mentality. Kari Traa base layers are some of the best fitting base layers I’ve been able to find on the market. Oh, and did I mention that they’re cute and flattering too? Because we should be able to take off our outer layers and run into the grocery store without being embarrassed by our bottom layer. Kari Traa designs are inspired by Norwegian designs and some are subtle, some are loud (in a good way) but there are many options for you to find exactly what you desire.

I personally love the button closure front of the Lus because of the style and functionality it adds. At first, I wouldn’t normally be drawn to it because in my head, I would be able to feel it while skiing. That is absolutely not the case and you won’t even know it’s there. On super warm days in the backcountry, it’s nice to unbutton them for a little bit of airflow. Again it’s a very simple feature, yet one that adds a feminine yet functional touch.

The Lus baselayers fit really well. I always order a size medium in Kari Traa. I’m 5’10, 155 pounds and usually wear a size 6/8 in pants. I like my base layers to be tight. I feel as though they don’t keep me as warm if they are not. The sleeves are plenty long as well as the length in the bottoms. I will say that after one wear, because of the material, I sometimes feel that these will bag out just a little bit in the knees and butt. It’s not very much and not terribly noticeable but worth mentioning.

Lensing Modal is a modal/wool blend that I really like. It’s soft up against the skin, extremely warm, and wicks moisture. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the warmest) these base layers rate as a 6.5 for me. They’re the perfect thickness to keep me warm on those extremely cold days, yet not bulky feeling.

One personal preference that I have for both baselayers or leggings or tights is that they have a wide waistband. The Lus Bottoms do not have a wide waistband – it is just about an inch wide elastic band. It’s not the end of the world but I just have bigger hips and so I like the feeling and look of a wider band. Many of Kari Traa’s bottom pieces do have a wide waistband so if you’re like me, you can find those on their site. Again, nothing wrong with the Lus particularly, just a personal preference.

If you’re looking for cute baselayers that look good, feel good, and fit well, look no further than Kari Traa. Kari Traa gear is built for women by women and while it’s high performing gear, it will at the same time impress. If you are in need of base layers but prefer something a little bit thinner, try the Tiske by Kari Traa, another one of my daily go-tos. If you’re interested in purchasing some Kari Traa gear, doing so using our provided links supports us in that we get a small kickback from your Amazon purchase. We appreciate the support. 

*We received the Lus Base Layers for free in exchange for a review, however, it’s important to know that all thoughts are our own.