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Base layers
Rapha Merino Base LayerRapha Merino Base Layer

Rapha Merino Base Layer

8
by Mat Brett
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jan 23, 2015

18
£60.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Super-comfortable merino wool base layer with subtle styling
Weight: 
165g
Contact: 
www.rapha.cc
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Rapha's Merino Base Layer is super-comfortable and it does a good job across a range of conditions.

This design has been around for years and I've used it loads over that time, although this orange version is a relatively new addition to the range. Rapha actually describe it as red but everyone we asked said it was clearly orange.

Rapha use 100% superfine merino wool here, about as far removed from that scratchy, wiry wool you endured in childhood as it's possible to get. It feels really smooth and comfy, and it's also lightweight (150g/m2).

The cut is slim enough for racing snakes to get the body-hugging fit that's vital for any base layer to work its magic, and a huge amount of inherent stretch means that anyone carrying a bit of extra bulk will be accommodated easily too. Pretty much everyone is going to get a decent fit.

The rear is cut slightly longer than the front to avoid any exposed skin back there and all of the seams are flat-lock stitched so you can't even feel them. The Raglan sleeves put the seams to the front and rear of the shoulder so they don't irritate you even underneath the shoulder straps of a bag or bib shorts.

Chances are that you already know whether you're a merino type of a person or not. Many people adore the stuff and will use nothing else when it comes to base layers.

Merino is great at wicking sweat away from your skin and it's naturally antibacterial so it's extremely resistant to odours. Whereas many synthetic base layers start to stink after the shortest of rides, this one stays fresh for much longer so the mid-ride tea stop is a much less pungent experience. You can also wear this for a ride to work or into town, for instance, and keep it on for the rest of the day without being shunned by everyone in the vicinity.

The other key feature of merino is its thermoregulation. Despite its light weight, the Rapha base layer is exceptionally good at keeping you warm on colder rides. Merino fans also talk about its ability to keep you cool in warm weather although I must say that I find that it can get heavy with sweat if you overheat, so I much prefer it for winter use.

You can wash this base layer in the machine with the rest of your cycling kit and it comes out just fine, although you shouldn't stick it in the tumble dryer.

It is available in a variety of colours and also in sleeveless (£55) and long sleeve (£65) versions.

With its styling limited to just a logoed neck tab, the Rapha Merino Base Layer has become a bit of a modern classic. You'll find cheaper merino options out there, but the high-quality merino makes for great performance.

Verdict

Super-comfortable merino wool base layer with subtle styling

road.cc test report

Make and model: Rapha Merino Base Layer

Size tested: Medium - Orange

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?

Rapha aim this at both performance/sports cyclists and people who are commuting by bike.

They list these features:

* Beautifully soft and itch-free

* Naturally anti-bacterial and odour resistant

* Close fit with flat-locked stitching for comfort, seams positioned behind shoulders to avoid rub from bags or bib-shorts

* Short sleeves and sleeveless versions

* Washes beautifully

* Fabric weight is 150g/m2

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

It's virtually impossible to feel the flatlock stitched seams. The build quality is high throughout.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

It's 100% superfine merino wool from New Zealand and performs very well.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

I've got a couple of these that are several years old and they look in great nick. Admittedly, being hidden away under outer layers means they don't have to contend with much, but they don't tend to bobble. Avoid moth larvae!

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

You can certainly get cheaper merino base layers but the high-quality merino helps justify the price tag.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It is super comfy and keeps you warm in cooler weather. I'm less of a fan of merino's performance in warm weather when I prefer something ultra-light.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The level of comfort, the ability to keep you warm in cooler weather, and it's resistance to odours.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The price is higher than most other short sleeve merino base layers.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, and I have. I own several.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

You can buy short sleeve merino base layers from about £35 (lower if you get discounted items, obviously) so £60 looks pricey, but the high quality throughout means that you should get loads of use out of this over many years, and that helps justify the price.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 190cm  Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

 

Rapha Merino Base Layer
Rapha
Mat Brett

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

18 comments

Avatar
il sole | 9 years ago
0 likes

my wife bought me this and the long sleeve one for xmas and I must say they are fantastic, I absolutely love them and wouldn't hesitate to buy in the future even at the RRP, I would say it is worth it. BUT, I must say as this was my first Rapha item, I was a trifle disappointed to find a 'made in China' label...considering the cost and the truly OTT packaging rapha stuff comes in, I would have hoped for a UK made item, or at least european. Sportful and castelli manage to make things in Europe, so why not rapha???

Avatar
Iamnot Wiggins replied to il sole | 9 years ago
0 likes
il sole wrote:

my wife bought me this and the long sleeve one for xmas and I must say they are fantastic, I absolutely love them and wouldn't hesitate to buy in the future even at the RRP, I would say it is worth it. BUT, I must say as this was my first Rapha item, I was a trifle disappointed to find a 'made in China' label...considering the cost and the truly OTT packaging rapha stuff comes in, I would have hoped for a UK made item, or at least european. Sportful and castelli manage to make things in Europe, so why not rapha???

People complain enough already about the cost of Rapha. If it was UK made or even European made, the cost would increase tenfold! Don't forget that labour is cheap in the Far East. Although I initially shared your disappointment and was the same when I made my first purchase!

Avatar
Tin Pony | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've got a couple of Rapha long sleeved merino base layers and they wash well and are comfortable and warm. Like !
http://www.tinpony.co.uk/shop/?category=Sale+items

Avatar
72vintage | 9 years ago
0 likes

Devold merino is great stuff. Norweigians know about keeping warm comfortably. Can buy cheap on Sport Pursuit. The 140gm breeze range is amazing to wear next to skin and a great fit. It's not on all the time as its a flash sale site but sign up for free and wait till they come up. Other merino brands also available!

Avatar
Spankey | 9 years ago
0 likes

Ive worn the long sleeve version for pretty much every chilly day for the last two years and stll goin strong..however rapha dont sell sausages in jars..wind up beard trimmers or automatic hammers..so aldi could just pip it.

Avatar
Iamnot Wiggins | 9 years ago
0 likes

I've got the winter merino base and wow, what a great piece of kit. Compared to my 2 Craft base layers, it's head & shoulders above them.

Avatar
Nick T | 9 years ago
0 likes

£130 for a 3 pack of these, brings the price down about £42 each. Let's face it, you should have more than one base layer anyway.

My rather old ones of these say you can tumble dry them, and I do it all the time on a hot cycle without issue. I doubt they've changed the fabric.

Avatar
Fireworkboy | 9 years ago
0 likes

Yup, they're the bees knees. I wear them everyday.
Mostly, though, how good is this review? This is no lazy piece of fluff - someone's gone to some right trouble to explain, for the benefit of late-adopters, the merits of merino as well as forensically describing the product. At length. No corners cut. For free! I love this site. I also love the fact that the review leads with the oh so unfashionable point that if the pay per wear of a super quality item works out, across its lifetime, as less than a nano penny, then it's not expensive. Boom. So *hush* all you Rapha haters, you'll just make yourselves cross.

Avatar
Some Fella | 9 years ago
0 likes

Isnt informing us that Rapha stuff is expensive in a review something of a given? Hardly seems worth mentioning anymore.

ps - the £15 ALDI ones are great. I wish i had bought two. Got one for the wife instead. She thinks its great too.
End of review

Avatar
notfastenough | 9 years ago
0 likes

They're only occasional, and in London or Manchester.

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hsiaolc | 9 years ago
0 likes

Rapha sample sale? When? I never been to one or could find one.

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michophull | 9 years ago
0 likes

On One do some nice ones too. The one I have is similar to this and works well for me:
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLOOMCLST/on-one-merino-core-long-sleeve-t-s...
16

Avatar
Helidoc | 9 years ago
0 likes

The Rapha stuff I have I am a bit ambivalent about, but not this, which is just a lovely lovely base layer. It is expensive, but one from Howies is £45, Endura is £35-40, and IceBreaker costs about the same as Rapha. I would rather but it at a discount, but I paid retail from mine, and have no regrets.

Avatar
crikey | 9 years ago
0 likes

Planet X merino stuff is considerably better value but only available in black.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/clothing/clothes/merino

Avatar
notfastenough | 9 years ago
0 likes

£10 each at Rapha sample sales. I have 2 x merino and 2 x mesh. Great stuff.

Avatar
Municipal Waste | 9 years ago
0 likes

Not keen on this particular colour, but the cut looks real good.

Avatar
Dnnnnnn | 9 years ago
0 likes

I wonder how it compares to the merino tops Aldi were selling for £15 recently...

Avatar
KiwiMike | 9 years ago
0 likes

So to summarise:

It's 150gsm Merino (95% of review)

Rapha* made it a bit longer at the back (5% of review)

*Other manufacturers are available who also make it a bit longer at the back.

On behalf of quite a few Road.CC posters: Ahem:

WHATTHEFUCK ***SIXTYFIVEQUID*** FOR A T-SHIRT

YOUMUSTBEMAD

IGOTSOMETHINGEXCACTLYTHESAMEFROMLIDLFORATENNERLASTWEEK

On behalf of the remainder of Road.CC posters: Ahem:

Yawn rolleyes some people are jealous / just don't understand true value / fashion / democracy yawn rolleyes

There now. Comments closed 1

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