Wick away sweat and stay comfortable with one of the best cycling base layers

The ArmaUrto Impact Pro Base Layer Elite is a light and comfortable base layer with added protection to your elbows and shoulders in the event of a crash. ArmaUrto says that despite the thinness of the padding, the ‘ARMA’ is capable of absorbing and safely dissipating up to 80 per cent of impact energy.

It’s ideal for icy rides, commutes and some crit racing with an upper limit of about 12 or 13°C when worn with a lightweight jersey. The 3/4-length sleeves mean it’s best suited to wearing under long-sleeved outer garments, and it’s easy to forget you’re wearing it when the temperature is below the mid-teens.

The ARMA padding is flexible and it conforms well to the shape of the shoulders and elbows. Tester Jamie said, “I found them perfectly comfortable for riding both in an aggressive position on my road bike with arms bent, or when riding more upright on mountain bikes and commuters.”

The Chapeau Mesh Base Layer Sleeveless is lightweight, feels soft against the skin and works really well when the temperature is warm thanks to really good wicking capabilities.

It’s made from made from a mesh material, with solid, stretchy panels down the side, which contribute to the fit being really good without feeling restrictive. On all but the hottest days it does a good job of keeping you dry, and should it get overwhelmed it’ll soon dry again quickly once your pace has dropped a touch.

The Chapeau Sleeveless is available in five colours, all with corresponding decals and logos on the chest.

Craft’s Active Extreme X Round Neck Long Sleeve Women’s Baselayer offers exceptional performance and comfort, and eco-credentials to boot. It keeps you warm and dry in cold to mild weather making it difficult to fault for the price. 

Tester Emma writes, “I’ve used the vest in a variety of conditions, with temperatures as low as 3°C and as high as 12. It’s certainly proved versatile – Craft gives it a range of -5ºC to +10ºC.”

It ticks all the performance boxes – breathability, wicking, ventilation, warmth – and on top of that, the fit is functional and comfortable, making it very difficult to fault,. 

The FR3ND Classic T-Shirt is the ideal casual baselayer for on and off the bike with an excellent fit and good breathability. 

Fr3nd’s Classic T-Shirt is constructed from a mix of Tencel – an environmentally–friendly type of fabric made from sustainably sourced wood – and bamboo. Both have excellent properties for activity, being naturally breathable, antibacterial, and with good heat regulation. It feels incredibly soft on the skin too and tester Hollis found that it doesn’t ever get smelly. 

It’s not one for high-intensity workouts because of the very slow drying nature of the fabric.

The Galibier Echelon baselayer performs extremely well when it comes to comfort and moisture management, and it’s a very attractive price. Tester Paul said, “The construction and fit make it a baselayer that can compete with more expensive offerings from the big brands”. 

Galibier claims that the Echelon is a year-round garment, despite its AirMesh construction, and while it is the sort of baselayer you would usually reach for in the warmer months, it can be layered up effectively under one of the best winter cycling jackets. It isn’t there to add insulation the way a merino layer might, but it helps to regulate your body temperature by ensuring you don’t get too clammy on milder days or during periods when you’re working hard.

A bit of a bargain, but without the usual cost-saving woes of cheap cycling kit, the Galibier Female Specific Barrier base layer is a very impressive bit of winter kit. 

It uses a high neck design to help keep some of the heat in on colder days, but that doesn’t mean you overheat. The material wicks any moisture really well and didn’t give our reviewer the chills after she sweated heavily. 

Although it’s slightly pricier than when we reviewed it, the GripGrab Expert 2 Thermal Seamless LS Base Layer is still a high-performing, thick layer for cold weather. 

Best reserved for autumn and winter, the layer is thick, comfortable and breathes really well. The only thing we took issue with was the name – ‘seamless’, when in fact, it does contain seams. 

The GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Base Layer is called a thermal base layer but it’s great for mid-teen temperatures in autumn and spring, and even handy for evening summer rides. This isn’t for the hottest summer days but given the infrequency of extreme temperatures in the UK, this is an excellent base layer option.

It features an effective windproof front that means you can ride gilet-free whilst still looking and feeling like a normal fabric without the shine or crinkle of other wind-resistant fabrics, and despite its thick construction and windproof character, it’s still incredibly breathable. 

The Kostume EDIT002 Men’s Sleeveless Base Layer is a highly effective base layer with lovely detailing, a comfortable material, great wicking and good odour management. It works well underneath a jersey but can also be worn as a standalone garment for both indoor training and in hot riding conditions. 

In keeping with other garments in the Kostume range, this base layer is made from recycled plastic bottles and unusually for a base layer, this comes with a small back phone pocket which is a handy addition, especially for indoor training sessions. 

Megmeister’s Women’s Drynamo Cycle Sleeveless Baselayer is an excellent summer-weight baselayer that’s great-fitting with comfy seam-free sides and excellent wicking ability. 

There are strategically placed sections of mesh across both the front and rear of this baselayer, as well as under the arms, for moisture to escape more easily in the areas you sweat more. Anna said, “It manages sweat generated very well and I found that it wasn’t ever overwhelmed”, making it an excellent choice for hard, competitive riding. 

Sizing-wise, the Drynamo is split into just two, XS/S and M/L. This may not seem like a lot of choice, but there’s so much stretch to this material that it can accommodate a wide range of shapes for each size.

The Spatz BASEZ 2 Black Baselayer is excellent in very cold temperatures – the warmth and wicking performance is excellent and it has some features you don’t always see on baselayers.

First, the sleeves go over the wrist, with thumb holes to keep it in place, providing a little extra warmth over the part of the hand it covers. There is also a longer dropped back section, which goes right the way down below your back to keep your lower back warmer, and a high neck which adds incredible warmth and helps keep the wind off your chest.  

The Specialized Seamless LS is a relatively thick, very warm baselayer that’s best for when temperatures are under 5°C. It’s comfortable against the skin thanks to the seamless design and flat-locked stitching, with nothing to rub even when you’re layered up. 

The Seamless LS is also excellent at wicking sweat considering its thickness; the different fabric styles for the armpit and back sections help here. It’s also remarkably good at resisting smells. 

You can also choose between masculine and feminine fits, too.