Q36.5 Base Layer 1 Sleeveless White

The Q36.5 Base Layer 1 Sleeveless may look like an expensively fancy scrap of cloth, but it’s actually a lovely and very effective expensively fancy scrap of cloth. Knitted in a tube with only a small seam on each shoulder, it has a clingy-stretchy fit that’s very comfortable and a whole map of clever holes for keeping you relatively cool and sweat-free.

> Buy now: Q36.5 Base Layer 1 Sleeveless White for £60 from Q36.5

There’s not much to say about this garment as there’s not much of it, but what does exist is full of impressive-looking details. It’s thinner on the back (and the holes are bigger) in a panel that narrows from your shoulders down to your lower spine…

Your sides get simple perforations, while the chest has a kind of honeycomb layout. There’s even a hard-to-see logo on there for when you’re wondering which way round it goes.

The vast loop of label won’t help you there, as it’s on one of the shoulder seams, screaming to be cut out. Snipped and laid out flat it measured a full 35cm, which is a good 5cm wider than the top itself. Impressive. My car didn’t come with that many instructions.

The Base Layer 1 Sleeveless (catchy) can start to look a bit scruffy quickly – especially in white – as the raw-cut arm- and head-holes will start to curl slightly and are rough-edged to start with. But none of that affects performance. The white tested here rapidly discoloured from suntan lotion/insect repellent too, but there are red, green and blue options, plus two shades of grey, so even if the last option sounds like a crushingly feeble erotic thriller, you can at least avoid stains.

There are also three sizes, and these top out at L-XL (tested). Q36.5 doesn’t give chest measurements in its size guide, instead relying on height and weight. At 183cm I’m comfortably inside the 175-190cm range to fit an L-XL, but at 71kg I’m also comfortably within the 58-78kg guide for an S-M. So I’m recommended two (arguably four) different sizes, and while the stretch means I’d probably be okay in S-M, my pretty standard 100cm chest has no need for this skinhugging top to be any tighter. I’m an unremarkable 6ft and kind of skinny, so if you’re much taller and/or larger, you’re going to be relying a lot more on its (at least fairly easy) stretch instead of getting an actual XL.

The lack of seams and skintight fit mean this sits securely and very comfortably beneath your jersey and does nothing – except wick very well – to remind you that it’s there. I found it a bit too warm on the nicest of UK summer days (25+ degrees and humid), but then I’m not the type to find two layers of fabric cooler than one. Many riders swear by it, however. I preferred this baselayer for adding a bit of well-regulated core warmth on cooler rides.

Value

It’s quite spendy, at £60. The Sportful Pro Sleeveless Base Layer is also very good at regulating temperature and is a third less at £40, for instance – although it only comes in white. The Kostume EDIT002 Men’s Sleeveless Base Layer is also £40 and also very effective, with the twin bonuses of having excitingly bright patterns and a much sillier name.

Meanwhile, spending just £9.99 more than the Q36.5 costs will get you the Gorewear M Gore Windstopper Baselayer Shirt Short Sleeve, which, as the name suggests, offers both useful windproofing – and sleeves. Arguably, it’ll be more versatile too, at least in the UK. Typically you can expect more features for £60, then, and you can decide for yourself if seamless construction is a feature you value that much.

Check out more options in our guide to the best cycling baselayers.

Overall

This is a very comfortable base that wicks well and will provide either some usefully stable core warmth or, apparently, extra cooling on hot days. I personally can’t fathom that having tried many times, but I’m assured by multiple riders that an extra layer keeps them cooler, and this one regulates heat well. It’s also made well and looks fancy. If you’re happy with the price you’ll be happy with the rest.

> Buy now: Q36.5 Base Layer 1 Sleeveless White for £60 from Q36.5

Verdict

Expensive, but lovely to wear and very fancily made, so… no arm done

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