Men's LF Baselayer Bottoms

I am a huge Raide fanboy....so it pains me to write this rewiew. Have been with Raide from the beginning and currently running all the latest iterations of bags, pants and jackets. I really wanted to love these baselayers but sizing is off and beacon in the leg pocket doesn't work for me in a harness.

PRO's
--love the material and perforations
--breathe well and vent well
--great to be able to remove when needed

CON's
--only right side pocket for beacon (would prefer pocket on each side for us lefties)
--I am exactly 34" waist. Fit guide says size large 35-38" waist. However, the waist fit is very very tight and velcro tabs often get pulled open.
--HERE IS THE DEAL BREAKER: When using the right side beacon pocket, my harness leg strap rides exactly across the beacon. If I try to move the harness leg strap above or below the beacon it just either pulls the base layer down or restricts leg movement. I was thinking the leg pocket would be a good place for a gel or nutrition also; but again, put on a harness and that gel would get crushed and squirt goo all down your leg. Yuck :-0

Would love to see this perforated material used in a standard (non zippered) base layer...awesome slippery product!

Kyle -- keep the products coming. Love your stuff. Can't wait to test the Tourtech in the Japow next week!!!

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.

I'm 5' 10" and 210#; I grew up as a competitive gymnast and springboard diver and so have a decent muscle mass with a lot of it carried in my legs.

I end up needing to size into the XL and even then I'm almost unable to get the zippers closed on the sides of the legs. (a) it's unusual for me to size into the largest article of clothing offered by a manufacturer (e.g. with other Raide apparel such as backcountry bib's and jacket's I fit well in a size L), (b) I'm further surprised that this XL only affords a 'tight' fit.

At the intersection of sizing and functionality: I really like the idea of the beacon pocket in these undergarments. However, the beacon pocket could be a little bit larger - with the fit of these leggings being so tight, it makes accessing the beacon pocket more cumbersome than ideal in an emergency scenario.

I'm hoping that maybe this will motivate an expanded collection of leggings that are slightly oversized for overbuilt legs.

Great concept - sizing a little off - I usually take a medium but the large was required(tight but acceptable) - the medium would have fit me in my bicycle racing past when I weighed 138 lbs at 5’10” - my full evaluation was limited by a knee problem but the concept makes sense which was reinforced by overheating due to a layering problem that would have required removing my boots and bib to resolve

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!

Size up! Wear a 32 across the board, this medium is more like an XS.

These are a well-thought out design, but consider ordering a size up unless you're on the leaner side for your height. The adjustable waist has a great range, but the sizing doesn't seem to match the numbers given. At 6'2, 190 lbs I've never not fit into size L baselayer bottoms, even with "uphill oriented" legs/butt, but these are VERY tight on me with the waist adjustment on the largest setting (which comes undone once I start skinning/skiing), despite my measurements being smack in the middle of the size guide for L.

Unfortunately the L fits more like a M/L, and I absolutely needed the XL. Maybe they will stretch out over time as I can't return them now (my fault for bringing them on a trip without trying first), but not holding my breath as the fabric has much less stretch than most other merino or polyester pieces. Excluding size issues these get 5 stars.

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.