Base layers

This summer base layer provides excellent ventilation and moisture transfer to keep you comfortable on even the hottest rides.

Craft make some great base layers. Their winter base layers are far and away my favourites for the off-season and this lightweight option is another top performer.

When I say 'lightweight', at 56g this is almost floaty light. It's made from polyester with just a little (5%) Lycra in there to add some extra stretch. It's a mesh structure with large, round dimples that let loads of air through.

The Polaris Torsion is a decent base layer for keeping you dry and comfortable during off-season rides.

It's mostly polyester (70%) with nylon (24%) and elastane (6%) added in there. Polaris use a looser, more absorbent weave in the areas where you sweat most – under the arms and down the centre of the front and back

The Vangard Windflex base layer isn't just your average base layer in that it includes a wind stopping panel across the chest. It's an unusual feature although it's not unique; we've just reviewed the competition in the form of Craft's impressive Extreme WS. So how does the Vangard perform?

This dhb Merino Roundneck base layer is very good indeed for most types of cold-weather riding.

I've been testing the short-sleeve round-neck version. Other merino options from dhb include versions with long sleeves and with long sleeves and a high, zipped neck. The vests are also available in two fabric thicknesses (M 150 and M 190, the numbers refer to the fabric's weight in grams per square metre), and in men's and women's cuts. Oh yeah, and they come in a range of colours too.

Frankly are convinced that their Neobi fabric is "set to change the performance industry forever", according to their website. It certainly has impressive wicking qualities and in conjunction with a jersey of softshell jacket moves a lot of moisture away from your body quickly and efficiently. In more restrictive conditions, though, it tends to suck some of that moisture back in, and when it does it's fairly slow to dry.

Craft are specialists in the field of base layers with a whole section on their website dedicated to their 'layering system' and it shows in the Zero Extreme Windstopper.

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.

This 100% merino wool base layer provides loads of natural warmth and it's environmentally sound too.

The Jethro is made from 215g Zque (see below) merino which is a fairly heavyweight for a base layer. To give that some context, Howies' NBL Classic base layer is 190g while the NBL Light that we reviewed recently is 150g.

Available in long or short-sleeved versions, Altura's Thermocool base layer has radically improved my default perception of man made, mid priced technical wear.

This merino wool base layer from Howies provides plenty of warmth and comfort when worn underneath a long-sleeve jersey for winter riding, or under a short-sleeve jersey in milder conditions.

The NBL Light is made from 100% merino that, as the name suggests, is pretty lightweight; it's 150g/m2 whereas Howies' NBL Classic is 190g if you want more insulation. This NBL Light will still keep you warm in cold winter weather, the fibres holding a whole lot of heat around your body.