Men's LF Baselayer Bottoms

These are awesome and I’ve been looking for a zippable leg base layer for a long time. Great design. They are so perfect for cold mornings when you know it’s going to be warmer later. Easy off, and stash down small in the pack. Huge fan!

I'm not sure why there aren't more zip on and off lower body layering options for backcountry skiing, so I'm grateful for these. These serve the role I needed well, they are relatively easy to get on and off without taking my skis off. They are thoughtfully designed for backcountry skiing, with useful features such as the venting and grippy surface at the cuffs that prevent them from riding up. They feel good to move in. It seems unlikely that I'll use the beacon pocket, since I take these on and off throughout the day and don't want to be switching where I've got my beacon. They are lightweight, which I like, providing just a bit more warmth for cold mornings or stormy days. I had to size up from what I expected based on my measurements, but the team at Raide were super helpful in getting me the right size. Thank you!

I've been on the hunt for my perfect ski touring baselayer bottoms for a while now. I typically touring in a warmer climate (PNW) with temps in the teens to 20s for most of the winter. I run hot and with a typical merino wool baselayer bottom I would be warm in the morning and sweating buckets come afternoon. I've tried using zip off merino base layers from hunting brands but found them too warm for my use. With the Raide bottoms I've found an excellent mid-layer bottom for most ski touring. I've worn these over synthetic boxer briefs from temps in the low teens with a strong wind chill up to just around freezing in strong sun; opening the bib pant vents gives some ventilation through the perforations and I can (and have) zipped the bottoms part way off for even more ventilation. Taking them off with my bibs on is very quick and easy but I would definitely need to take my shell off to put these back on. Regarding fit, I am 5'11", 195 lbs, athletic build with larger legs. I'm a 36" waist measured, 34 in pant sizing and a size L in other Raide pieces (LF belt, tourtech bibs, running shorts). The size L baselayer bottoms were TIGHT at first and I really struggled with the waist fit, even popped a few seams tugging them on at first but fit in the legs was great. My LF belt was similarly tight at first but loosened in nicely after a few uses and I'm happy to report these bottoms have done the same and are now a perfect fit all around after 3-4 uses. The trick to getting them on comfortably I've found is to either fully zip them on or do the zippers down around 1/3 the leg length, step in, then zip them up. No issues so far with durability despite the popping of threads I heard at first.

Loved the concept of these when I saw them. I run cold in the morning and come spring time or warm sunny days in Colorado, I always want to shed layers. I’m a medium in everything but the Large size ended up working much better for me (6ft, 165). Kyle and the Raide team were super quick to send me a different size, free of charge. My only issue seems to be the zippers end up right where my hip belt sits on my LF 40 (original, maybe newer ones differ a bit) so if I am carrying quite a bit of weight (eg hiking with skis and boots on the pack), the pack drives into the zippers. Not enough to ruin a day, just enough to annoy. These have no competition on the market so props to them for doing something unique and incredibly useful.

So it matches what it's described. It's well thought out and great quality.

Sizing matches the sizing chart but a small is smaller than is typical, so make sure to check the size chart. Consider sizing up.

But I'm of two minds. In my mind (maybe a bit of wishful thinking?) I was expecting something heavier weight. This is a true base layer. Thin, breathable, wicking. comfortable. With the fabric weight and the fly, it's something I'd rather wear next to skin without anything else under it. In which case.... the side zippers aren't of much use.

I think the design (with beacon pocket and side zips) would work better as a with a heavier weight fabric that goes over a thin (underwear) wicking layer, or even better, a midlayer like grid fleece or Polartec Alpha or similar. This is something I'd use the zippers with.

With the current fabric, using as baselayer I'd rather not have zippers (or the beacon pocket) and wear it as underwear, without anything else.