In keeping with Velobici's other gear, the Seamless Couche stands out from the crowd due to its understated looks and heavyweight price tag. Often, form comes at the expense of function, but with the Seamless Couche, Velobici have combined them both.
The first question that springs to mind is just what on earth is a couche (I've yet to find an explanation)? The picture on the Velobici website shows the model wearing it as a tight fitting t-shirt but you've got to have a certain body type (not stick thin cyclist) and lack of inhibitions to be able to pull off this look.
I ended up using it primarily as a base layer on cold days and in this capacity, it performs extremely well. The tight fit and merino wool content traps air close to the body where it can be warmed up. For its weight, the Seamless Couche provides excellent insulation against the cold as long as it isn't exposed to wind of any kind. The slim fit also ensures that you can easily wear it under a tight fitting jersey for racing cyclocross for example, when you don't want to be wearing a bulky jacket but need some extra warmth.
The collar is cut low to prevent any neck chafing from occurying whilst the rear is ever so slightly dropped to suit the cycling position. The weave on the armpits is perforated to help dissipate the heat that can build up in this area.
In terms of wickability, the Couche performs really well and it rarely got damp when worn under many layers. This makes it pretty versatile in terms of the range of conditions in which it can be worn, which goes some way to justifying the price. When wet, it does take a bit longer to dry than a totally synthetic alternative, but this is the price you pay for all that warmth and comfort.
It's gone through the wash a handful of times now and hasn't lost any of the elasticity that makes it fit so well. Base layers aren't usually the most abused pieces of kit, but the Seamless Couche looks as though it will hold up well in the long term.
Verdict
A warm, great fitting and comfortable base layer that works well over a range of temperatures depending on what you put over the top. Whether it's worth the money is ultimately a personal decision, but you can't fault its performance.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Velobici PBP Seamless Couche
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
The Seamless Couche is part of Velobici's PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) collection aimed at the "long distance traveller, [and] marrying durability with comfort, practicality and European chic"
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
The Seamless Couche is composed of:
42% Merino wool
51% Polyester Thermo-cool
4% Nylon
3% Elastane
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
The seamless construction eliminates any irritating seams whilst also including neat features like the perforated under arms
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Excellent warmth and comfort over a range of temperatures. Wick-ability is good whilst the fit is figure hugging as any good base layer should be
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
It has held up well to the handful of washes it's been subjected to so far. No loose threads to suggest that it will fall apart any time soon
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
The warmth this layer provides is quite astonishing when you feel how light it actually is.
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
The lack of seams and good fit make it easy to forget you are wearing it which in this case is a good thing.
Rate the product for value:
4/10
You get a lot of bang but you have to shell out an awful lot of bucks too. At this price you could buy a decent winter jacket or the Howies baselayer we tested recently and change
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes, once I move to the City
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 20 Height: 190cm Weight: 70kg
I usually ride: Giant TCR Advanced 2 My best bike is: Canyon Ultimate CF7
I've been riding for: Under 5 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, sportives, mtb,
War on cyclists....
Don't cars already take up the majority of roads? What about motorways? Drivers should stick to those.
You need to re-read the appeal judgement my friend. The appeal judges are clear that the video does not show an assault. A lot of people have made...
The usual short-termism so prevalent in UK politics: a barrage would produce the power of three nuclear power stations but cost about the price of...
Sounds like a bit of undeclared interest showing itself there which explains your aggression and desperate need to manufacture an excuse for Halfords.
My cleaning go-to is old t-shirts. I've got mixed feelings about the fluff of microfibre towel; tea towels not so much as they don't have the bit...
Inventive Journalism "Car Collides with wall", lazy journalism would have been 'Crashes' ...
Unlikely IMO. They've already pretty much run out of parliamentary time. Only statutory instrument stuff could get done now.
Good luck Dave. May well see you there. Hopefully the weather will be like it is this week!
Well done for Reading cyclists for being so welcoming.