Today's performance underwear is engineered for warm, perspiration-wicking, stretchable comfort. With the technological improvements in fabric come far more choices than the stiff, moisture-absorbing cotton waffles that were the norm not that many years ago.

Cabela's offers a gamut of performance underwear in a range of weights and fabrics that are tailored to every level of activity and any sport, from traditional silk to Cabela's versatile MTP (Maximum Thermal Protection) Series and the special scent-controlling power in the MTP Hunt Series. And for high performance, Cabela's military-specification E.C.W.C.S. (Extended Cold Weather Clothing System) and Under Armour® keep you protected and comfortable in any condition and any activity.

We're all familiar with that time-honored adage, "Layer your clothing.'' And the most important of those layers begins at skin-level.

"If you wear performance underwear, you'll notice the benefits right away,'' said Ryan Vowers, Cabela's product manager for Workwear/Base Layer. "You won't freeze, and you'll stay comfortable no matter what you're doing.''

It's easy to select the right style for your needs, starting with the weight of the fabric and the special features of each product series.

Weights
Weight is your first guide in narrowing your choices. Base layer garments follow a logical progression from light to heavier weight to match activity levels, from polar weight to lighter weight. Polar weight underwear is the warmest, but if you're planning a day of strenuous activity, such as hiking or cross-country skiing, it could be overkill. Similarly, wearing lightweight silk material for ice fishing in bitter cold could send you hustling to your car early.

You also should base your choice on your metabolism. If you sweat easily even in cool temps, a lighter weight fabric might suffice. Similarly, if you feel chilled on mildly cold days even while exercising, a heavier weight is the best option.

Heavy weight: Ideal for stationary activities in moderately cold temperatures, heavy weight garments can be used for hunting from a blind or tree stand, fishing, or other functions that require less body-heat-producing exertion.

Medium weight: This weight is designed for more strenuous activity in cold weather, such as upland game hunting, snowshoeing, skiing, hiking or fly fishing.

Tech Silk Lightweight: If you're planning to stay on the go in moderately cold conditions, this softer, lighter weight wicks away moisture and retains warmth.

Materials/Product Series
Cabela's offers everything from the traditional silk and polypropylene to scent-eliminating MTP and Cabela's exclusive Hunt Series for superior scent control for extended backcountry hunting trips. Cabela's ThermaStat series provides complete thermal comfort control, while E.C.W.C.S. and Under Armour deliver maximum base layer warmth without bulk and offer complete ease of movement. Best of all, each of these series wick moisture away from the skin to ensure you stay dry.

Silk: The natural wicking properties of silk and its soft comfort have made it a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts for years. Heavyweight spun silk is spun into a heavier weight yarn for a more substantial feel. Smooth, breathable original weight silk makes a good all-around base layer.

Cabela's women's silk collection comes in heavyweight and original weight, plus a textured, knitted jacquard silk. And every weight in the women's series is crafted with Interlock construction for extra bulk and four-way stretch for warmth and the ability to retain its shape.

MTP: Cabela's most popular line of performance underwear, MTP is created with a proprietary ScentEliminator™ process that permanently modifies the polyester fabric to wick moisture away from your body and inhibit bacteria, mold and mildew. Because the treatment is locked into the fabric, you can wash it for years without affecting the odor-controlling properties.

Big-game hunters should consider Cabela's MTP Hunt Series with ScentEliminator Plus. This series is designed with X-Static, which contains pure silver fibers that eliminates bacteria-causing odors before scent molecules can even be formed. The silver also is an excellent heat regulator, reflecting heat back to your body on cold days and dissipating it on warmer days. X-Static even disperses electrostatic charges to help you stay noise-free.

"It's the best anti-microbial on the market. It actively kills odor-causing bacteria,'' Vowers said. "It's great for the hunter who's packing into the backcountry or is planning to stay out for a few days or a week or so and can't take along a lot of clothing.'' Hunt Series polar weight garments also are made of a heavier non-piling fleece with a soft chamois lining for superior comfort on frigid days.

ThermaStat™: A lightweight and soft fabric from DuPont®, TheramaStat gives complete thermal comfort control. It's designed with hollow-core fibers that trap insulating air to keep you warm, yet it's also breathable and wicks moisture away from your skin when you sweat.

Duofold: A standby in base layers, Duofold comes in an expedition weight, an all-purpose polypropylene and two-layer underwear. In the expedition weight, the versatile Varitherm™ base provides an optimum fit and moisture management. Polyester fibers are spun around an inner core of Lycra® to form a dual-layer thermal knit for warmth, and Duofold's 360( stretch permits complete freedom of movement. The lighter all-purpose polypropylene offers lighter insulation with moisture management and easy movement.

PolarMax®: The Acclimate® fabric is designed with micro-fine polyester fibers for softness and warmth, and it rapidly wicks moisture away from your skin to keep you dry and odor-free. It also comes in three weights: lighter weight System One, middle weight System Two, and heavier weight System Three.

Goose down: A traditional favorite in bitterly cold weather, Cabela's high-loft Premier Northern Goose Down is guaranteed to loft to 550 cubic-inch-per-ounce to trap more air, creating a comfortable microclimate around your body that prevents outside air from penetrating.

E.C.W.C.S.: The newest addition to Cabela's base layer family of products, this is the same performance underwear and layering system used by U.S. military units, including Special Operations forces. This state-of-the-art system, tested under harsh conditions, provides long-term comfort over a wide range of temperatures and offers maximum freedom of movement.

Cabela's E.C.W.C.S. is a four-level layering system, with Level One and Level Two covering base layer garments. Level One consists of Polartec Power Dry Tech Silk crews and drawers that rapidly wick away perspiration and are extra breathable. The tough outer layer rapidly disperses sweat that's been drawn away from the soft inner layer. Because the outer layer is smooth, other layers can easily be worn over it without bunching.

These garments are ideal under other layers in extremely cold conditions, and when the temperature or your activity level heats up, the crew can be worn alone.

Level Two garments include Cabela's Polartec Powder Dry Crew, zip t-neck, and Power Stretch pants and bibs. Providing body-hugging warmth and breathability without bulk, the abrasion-resistant, wind-resistant nylon face disperses moisture, while the low-pile fleece inside offers outstanding warmth. Level Two garments can be worn underneath other layers or as a base layer itself during milder conditions.

Under Armour®: One of the hottest products on the market, Under Armour comes in three styles: ColdGear™ for true cold-weather base layering, HeatGear™ for layering or on its own in warmer weather, and looser-fitting LooseGear™ for spring, summer and fall wear.

Each series is designed with a Moisture Transport System to wick moisture away from the skin to the outer layer to keep you dry, and help your body regulate its temperature in all conditions. The secret to this highly effective temperature regulation system is the body-hugging compression fit in the ColdGear and HeatGear series, which decrease muscle fatigue while allowing complete freedom of movement.

Designed for stationary and active use in cold weather, ColdGear is crafted of a double-sided fabric that wicks away moisture and circulates body heat. The snug fit supports muscle contraction while increasing circulation for complete warmth, dryness and comfort. If you are particularly active, you may need to wear only a ColdGear top under a heavier shirt or fleece pullover to stay comfortable.

HeatGear fits like a second skin in warm weather or hot weather to wick away sweat instantly and decrease muscle fatigue while allowing uninhibited movement. It can be worn as a base layer or on its own. LooseGear has the same moisture-wicking properties and easy movement, but it sports a loose-fitting cut that also functions nicely as a base layer or on its own.

Weather conditions do not have to curtail your recreational pursuits. By paying attention to that first layer of clothing, you can enjoy nearly any outdoor activity in comfort.

Click this link to see our entire selection of men's Performance Underwear.

Click this link to see our entire selection of women's Performance Underwear.