Base layers

There's not getting away from it Scott's Next2Skin base layer is pricey but there's also no escaping the fact that it does a good job, it's well constructed using technical fabrics to keep you comfortable during cool-weather rides.

Although they make a full range of cycling, running and skiing clothing, Craft are best known for their base layers and this is another top performer to keep you comfortable on high-intensity autumn/winter rides.

The way Craft name their base layers is confusing, to be blunt. The Craft Pro Cool clothing is designed to keep you cool in warm conditions. Okay. The Pro Warm is designed to keep you warm in cold conditions. Okay. Then, sitting between those two is the Pro Zero that's designed to keep you comfortable in fair to cold conditions.

The OneTen Intimo is a good, well thought-out base layer for cooler rides.

OneTen is a new British bike-clothing brand that concentrates on 'thermophysiological interactions'. Do what? They've used thermal body mapping in the design process - looking at where you produce heat and where you sweat - to decide what fabrics to use and how to use them.

The thing about Castelli's Feroce long sleeve base layer is that it's not a long sleeve base layer.

Um...

'Don't think of it as a long sleeve base layer. Think of it as a short sleeve base layer with arm warmers attached,' say Castelli.

Well, that partly explains things but they're still messing with my mind here.

Summatory's Hermida is a great base layer for keeping you dry and comfortable over summer.

It's made from polypropylene (63%), polyamide (25%) and polyester (12%). Polypropylene sometimes gets a bad press but some of my favourite, most-effective base layers are made from this fabric.

The BL Lite Tee from Polaris is a basic base layer/ technical T-shirt but if you want something simple at a good price, it's a solid buy.

One of the best things about the BL Tee is the slim fit - 'contoured', Polaris say. It's not quite figure-hugging on me, but I'm a bit of a beanpole. Whatever your build, it's going to fit fairly closely and there's enough stretch in the fabric, especially crossways, that it won't cut off your circulation if it's snug.

The Merino wool base layers from dhb come in many different forms: with or without zip, high or round neck, long or short sleeve, thick or thin fabric (190g or 150g) , male or female cuts.

We reviewed a dhb Merino long-sleeve base layer back in October. http://road.cc/content/review/25150-dhb-merino-long-sleeve-zipneck-base-... That was the male version, with thicker fabric, and it had a zip.

Providing excellent wicking and a reasonable amount of warmth, Craft's Zero Crew long sleeved base layer is the best cold-weather base layer out there, in my opinion.

This extremely comfy Sportwool base layer comes at an incredibly affordable price. The particular variety of Sportwool used here is a lightweight mix that’s 39% merino wool and 61% polyester. As with all Sportwool, you get the wool on the inner face next to your skin, and the tougher polyester on the outside for extra durability.

This Crew Neck Base Layer from Scandiwegian cold weather wizards Craft is nice, very nice, but it could do with being sized rather better for cycling.