Rivelo Men's Hathersage Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer

The Rivelo Hathersage merino long-sleeve baselayer is a warm, comfortable and well-fitting undergarment for steady winter riding.

That assessment comes after rides at different tempos and intensities, as well as teaming the baselayer with multiple styles of kit over the top. Put simply, it's excellent at wicking moisture away, as well as keeping you warm when your metabolism isn't stoked into a furnace.

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This is down to its fabric construction: 50% merino wool, 50% polyester, which also gives it a particularly soft feel against the skin. The benefits of merino wool for moisture wicking and breathability have been championed by road cyclists for years, and here we have another shining example.

The fit is slim-to-tight, with the medium on test fitting me snugly as I would expect (I usually opt for a medium or large depending on the cut itself). There's no extra-long back, but frankly that's okay as I find longer backs tend to bunch up unnecessarily while riding anyway.

As with other long sleeve baselayers I've used, the cuffs also tend to ride up the arm to about halfway up the forearm while in the saddle. As uncomfortable as this might sound, it's actually quite a natural place for the sleeves to sit, and you soon get used to it. In fact, it allows a little cooling air to contact your arms, which can be a bonus when working hard. (I know some will disagree with me here – each to their own!)

The design of the baselayer is set off with a stylish purple and black stripe colourway, with a signature 'Ri' brand logo sewn on the upper chest, and an unrestrictive crew style at the neck, which is useful for people with thicker necks, like me.

Really, it's hard to fault, and with the merino/polyester blend keeping the baselayer in shape through a 40-degree delicate wash (I've had some serious shrinkage nightmares with merino-based products in my time), I could happily wear it all winter long on my more steady rides. I still prefer a short sleeve or sleeveless option for hard rides, but that's a personal preference at this time of year.

> Buyer's Guide: the best cycling baselayers

As a result, I have no option but to declare it good value at £55. I like using it, and if you're going to get good use out of a product, then – within reason – it's worth spending the money on it. Rivelo kit is available through sign-up sales platform Sport Pursuit and this baselayer is currently in the sale for just £19.99; I wholeheartedly recommend snapping one up.

Verdict

Very competent cool-to-cold weather baselayer – and currently a real bargain