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review
Base layers

dhb Women's Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer

8
by Siobhan Kelly
UPDATED Fri, Mar 03, 2017 09:45

First Published Mar 3, 2017

1
£45.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Good quality wardrobe essential to keep you snug from autumn to spring
Weight: 
198g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk

Wiggle's clothing brand dhb is known for its well-designed, good value cycle clothing and its Women's Merino Zip Neck Base Layer is no exception. The decent fit, comfort and warmth of this 100 per cent Merino top make it a winter staple, with the super-soft wool giving it a touch of luxury. At £45 it is mid-priced, but if you buy two you get a 15 per cent discount.

dhb Womens Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer - sleeve logo.jpg

This base layer is constructed from mid-weight 200gsm wool and is part of dhb's Performance range, designed to be "suitable for energetic and sustained efforts". I found it performed much the same as similar Merino base layers, in that I got sweaty during moderate exercise, and it takes a while to dry out (a good hour or more depending how sweaty it was). The advantage of Merino over synthetic fabrics, though, is that it still keeps you warm even when it's wet – plus it has odour-resisting properties so is suitable for wearing a few days on the trot without alienating your friends.

>Read more: 10 of the best cycling base layers

dhb Womens Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer - collar.jpg

The fit is close to maximise the wool's insulating and wicking properties and, on the whole, it fits well. It is snug around the body and the collar is nice and tall for added cosiness. The half zip is very useful to help regulate your temperature, with a zip garage to protect your chin. The body is the same length front and back, and while this is ample at the front I'd prefer more length at the rear to cover your hips when in the riding position. Same goes for the sleeves: another couple of inches would make them perfect. Also, they are rather baggy around the wrists which makes them draughty.

dhb Womens Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer - back.jpg

Like the very similar Madison Isoler baselayer, all seams are flatlock-stitched to reduce skin chafing and it sports raglan sleeves, but there is a seam running underneath the armpit which potentially might irritate some people (the Isoler has a clever lozenge-shaped underarm insert). Compared to the Isoler, the dhb has a slightly taller collar and marginally longer sleeves, no drop tail and is longer at the front, and costs £5 less.

Buy dhb Women's Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer

This base layer comes in black as well as this Deep Purple, and you can buy the crew neck version for a fiver less.

Verdict

Good quality wardrobe essential to keep you snug from autumn to spring

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Women's Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer

Size tested: 12, Dark Purple

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?

Wiggle's website says: "An ultra fine mid weight merino base layer with a high zipped neck for effective insulation and natural technical performance in cold conditions. A warm, comfortable and versatile layering piece to see you into winter."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

100% Merino 200gsm wool

Superfine grade 18.5 micron merino yarn for high level comfort against the skin

Abrasion-free flatlocked seams

Zip neck and high collar

Natural odour resistance, wicking properties, and breathability

Fits close to the body

Provides outstanding thermal regulation across a range of climate conditions

Australian wool from a guaranteed non-mulesed source

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
6/10

Try not to snag it on Velcro - it goes fuzzy.

Rate the product for fit:
 
5/10

Nice fit on body but the sleeves are not quite long enough for my liking and they're a bit baggy around the wrists, also the body could be longer at rear.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

The size guide was accurate, but if between sizes I would size up.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's mid-priced for a Merino base layer.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

Machine wash 30 degrees.

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

It is warm and comfortable and wicked about the same as other Merino base layers - it got damp but Merino stays warm when wet.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The soft feel of the wool and tall collar.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Loose and slightly too-short sleeves.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

It's well made from high-quality fabric – more length in the body and sleeves plus no underarm seam would have bumped it up to a 9 at this competitive price.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 45  Height: 170cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Marin Point Reyes 29er  My best bike is: Whyte T-130 RS

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Audax

dhb Women's Merino LS Zip Neck Base Layer
dhb
dhb 2017
Wiggle
Merino

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