 This Product
Baleaf Fleeced Lined Thermal - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  Best on a Tight Budget | Best Value for Merino Bottoms | Best Value for Synthetic Bottoms | ||
| Price | $36 List $36.99 at Amazon | $80 List $79.99 at Amazon | $55 List | $40 List | $25 List $11.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | While these bottoms lack warmth for the coldest months of the year, they are a great option for those seeking a three-season stand-alone legging | These bottoms offer a ton of warmth and substantial comfort at a more affordable price | These lightweight tights feature a soft and stretchy fabric that is easy to layer and maintains substantial warmth when dry | Lightweight, breathable, and highly affordable, these tights unfortunately lack warmth and require constant adjustment due to the stretchy fabric and wide waistband | Though these bottoms are highly affordable, they lack the warmth, breathability, comfort, and durability we expect from a high-performing long underwear bottom |
| Rating Categories | Baleaf Fleeced Line... | Minus33 Franconia M... | REI Co-op Midweight... | REI Co-op Lightweig... | Thermajane Thermal... |
| Warmth (25%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (20%) | |||||
| Durability (15%) | |||||
| Drying Speed (10%) | |||||
| Layering Ability (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Baleaf Fleeced Line... | Minus33 Franconia M... | REI Co-op Midweight... | REI Co-op Lightweig... | Thermajane Thermal... |
| Measured Weight (Size Small) | 8.80 oz | 7.52 oz | 6.40 oz | 5.44 oz | 5.22 oz |
| Material | 87% polyester, 13% spandex | 100% Merino wool | 92% recycled polyester, 8% spandex | 92% polyester, 8% spandex | 92% polyester 8% spandex |
| Insulation Weight Class | Midwewight | Midwewight | Midweight | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Smelly Over Time? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Odor Control Fabric | No | Naturally odor resistant | No | No | No |
| Cuts Avaliable | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length | Full-length |
| Listed Fabric Weight (g/m²) | Not disclosed | 235 g/m² | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Inseam Length (Size) | 27.5 in (small - measured) | 28.0-30.0 in (small - as listed), petite and tall options available | 29.0 in. (all sizes - as listed), 26.5 in (petite all sizes) | 28.0 in (all sizes - as listed) | 25.0 in (small - measured) |
The Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal is a perfect option for those seeking three-season coverage from a super cute and flattering stand-alone tight that's available for a fraction of the cost of its competitors. This minimally-lined bottom is constructed from 87% Polyester and 13% spandex, along with a brushed fleece interior that feels stretchy and soft next to your skin. The high-waisted design and subtle pockets on each thigh offer a flattering and functional fit, while the midweight fabric breathes efficiently during activity. They are easy to layer and durable enough for multiple rock-climbing adventures during our spring testing period. If you're looking for a super cute, stand-alone, three-season tight, look no further than the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal.
The Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal is not a traditional long underwear bottom design, especially for those seeking optimal warmth. Though the polyester and spandex design supplies a comfortable and minimally fleece-lined interior, the midweight construction isn't exactly built for trapping body heat during the coldest months of the year. While the fabric is not see-through, we note that it is rather thin, resulting in a noticeable difference in performance for our testing team, especially when comparedared to the heavier-weight desiare specifically built for cold weather mountain performance.
During our spring testing period, we wore these tights independently while climbing and running in temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees and found them perfect as a stand-alone bottom. We even layered them below our ski bibs for a spring tour and found they offered enough warmth to remain comfortable in temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees in a dry Eastern Sierra climate. Though they were perfect for spring temperatures in a dry climate, these bottoms are not what we would typically recommend for optimal warmth during the coldest months of the year.
Our testers were impressed by the overall breathability of the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal bottoms, which kept us dry even when pushing the pace during our testing runs and rock climbing in relatively warm spring temperatures. Even during the hottest days of the testing, the fabric can effectively shed moisture without holding onto any sweat in the waistband or behind the knees. This is especially impressive when considering that these bottoms have a fleece-lined interior and the construction of what most would consider a thicker (i.e., non-see-through) yoga-tight or workout bottom.
Though these bottoms don't have any specific ventilation panels or perforated fabric, we couldn't help but notice how easily the fleece-lined interior allowed the wind to permeate the bottom and wick sweat away from the skin. When layered below our ski bibs, we noticed that the bottoms held onto sweat more so than when exposed to ambient air, though they dry quickly on the body post-run or ski. Overall, these bottoms offer a breathable performance that is similar to that of a synthetic workout tight.
The comfortable fleece-lined interior and the high-waisted and stylish fit are where the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal bottom sets itself apart from the competition. Though not what you typically think of when purchasing a long underwear bottom, these tights feature an 87% polyester and 13% spandex construction, perfect for those seeking a stand-alone bottom for three-season use. The high-waisted fit is similar to a modern yoga pant and body contouring seams that are flattering on many different body shapes and sizes. The design also features two pockets along the exterior of each thigh that are big enough to fit your smartphone or energy bar and a discreet pocket within the waistband that is big enough to hold an energy gel or car key.
Our testers loved to wear these comfortable tights during long days of rock climbing in the Owens River Gorge and Indian Creek, thanks to a high waist that easily tucked below our harness and a stretchy spandex construction that allowed for freedom of movement. We appreciated the touch of spandex in the construction so that the tights kept their shape (even between washes) without being too constricting to sacrifice comfort for those with athletic calves. Though not a traditional long underwear bottom, the Baleaf offers solid performance when considering overall comfort and fit.
Our testing team is happy to report that we experienced no major durability issues with the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal, even after multiple days of use in harsh desert environments. Beyond some piling on the flatlock stitching along the high-traffic area between the inner thighs, these bottoms remained in great shape, even holding their form when worn multiple times between washes.
Though we were initially skeptical about exactly how well this highly affordable bottom would perform when exposed to sharp and abrasive rock climbs and desert trail runs, we were pleased when the tights revealed only minor piling and a tiny hole near the seam (that didn't grow any larger) after being snagged on a sharp sagebrush plant during a trail run. We even took these bottoms up an off-width rock climb where relying on your knee is the only way to gain progress. After over 100 feet, these tights showed no further signs of wear. And while this bottom isn't constructed from Merino wool, we never detected any body odor ingrained within the synthetic fibers.
Though not an overall top performer, the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal bottoms did stand out amongst the bottoms that feature a thicker, midweight construction during our drying speed tests. When testing the specific drying speed for these bottoms, we dunked them in a creek, wrung them out, and started our timer while they dried in the sun on the clothesline outside Bishop, California. At 8:30am in 55-degree temperatures and 17% humidity with minimal wind speeds, these fleece-lined bottoms required only 50 minutes to dry, a somewhat atypical speed for a midweight design.
After drying on the clothesline, we took these bottoms out for a three-hour run around the two tracks surrounding the Buttermilk bouldering area, where we carefully monitored how long it took them to dry after working up a sweat. We noted their still performance after they only collected a minimal amount of sweat around the waistband that dried efficiently in 10 minutes on body post run in 50-degree temperatures and light winds. We love it when an affordable tight performs well, especially compared to its high-dollar competitors.
The Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal features a slim-fitting design that hugs your curves and allows for easy layering over the top. The high waistband sits above your belly button and allows for other layers like puffy pants or thick Carhartts to more easily fasten at the natural waistline.
Though we prefer these bottoms as a stand-alone tight for everything from rock climbing to yoga to trail runs, they are easy to layer if you need a little extra warmth during those cold desert nights in the early spring and fall.
If you're interested in a highly affordable synthetic bottom that will outperform its modest price tag three seasons out of four, the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal bottom is an excellent consideration. Though not exactly a traditional long underwear bottom that excels in optimal warmth, these bottoms look and feel like your favorite yoga pants, complete with a flattering high waistband and super comfortable fleece-lined interior. A pocket on each leg holds your essentials while trail running or en route to your next yoga class, while the construction is durable enough for rock climbs, only showing minor signs of piling on the seams after tons of use. The Baleaf is a versatile bottom that offers excellent performance and high value in exchange for a modest price tag.
If you like the idea of the Baleaf Fleece Lined Thermal bottom but are more interested in a traditional long underwear bottom that is designed to optimize warmth at an affordable price, check out the Minus33 Franconia Midweight Wool. These bottoms are another favorite when it comes to affordable performance. And if you're interested in other non-traditional long underwear bottoms that are versatile enough to perform on their own or within a layered kit, check out the Arc'teryx Rho Bottom and the Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Bottom. And if you are keen on synthetic but after top-notch performance when it comes to the perfect combination of warmth and breathability, check out our favorite, the Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms.
