Hydra Tech Pro Fresco Short Sleeve Men’s Base Layer

Designed for warm weather use, the Hydra Tech Pro Fresco Short Sleeve Men’s Base Layer is excellent: the lightweight fabric is exceptionally breathable and comfortable against the skin, with slightly thicker fabric panels that should aid durability. The only thing to watch is the sizing – the baselayer has a certain degree of stretch to provide a form-hugging fit, but does seem to come up a little smaller than other brands.

Receiving a baselayer that’s claimed to ‘set new standards in hot and warm weather cycling across the globe’ might ordinarily seem a little optimistic for March and April in the UK, but after a surprising number of rides over 20°C during the testing period, before spring turned back into winter, I can confidently say that it is a high performer.

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Pulling on the baselayer, I was immediately struck by how well it fitted, the material stretching to the contours of the body with no bagginess or excess bunching. It being a short sleeved baselayer, I paid particular attention to under the arms; having a climber’s body shape certainly has its perks on climbs, but very often leads to spare material in the lower torso region, which can bunch under aero jerseys or high cut bibs, causing discomfort on long rides. None of that with the Fresco, I found that it was just as form fitting on me as on its much hencher model.

Although the overall fit was excellent, it should be noted that I’m normally right on the cusp of small/medium for jerseys and baselayers, and with a 37.5in chest I do indeed fit right between sizes on HTP’s size guide. This medium baselayer fitted me perfectly but does feel smaller than other brands’ medium baselayers I own, from the likes of Castelli and dhb. If you also find yourself between sizes, I’d recommend going for the larger of the two.

> Buyer’s Guide: 16 of the best cycling baselayers

It’s easy to see how the Fresco baselayer weighs just 67g with the majority being made from 95gsm fabric. Despite it being so thin and also fairly transparent (maybe keep this one for at home and under jerseys rather than public spin sessions), I have had no durability issues or worries that I’m going to tear the material. You can give the fabric a good tug with no worrying tearing sounds.

Also, there are some areas – over the tops of the shoulders, across the back of the shoulders and down the sides – that are made from a heavier weight 130gsm material. This is by no means thick, but should help to make the baselayer last and are in areas that won’t impede breathability.

The 55% nylon, 28% polyester, 17% elastane fabric wicks sweat well, aided by a high surface area in contact with the body thanks to its form fit. The fabric shifts the moisture on well, not becoming heavy with sweat, drying out in the first few hundred metres of a descent after a hard climb. This makes the Fresco SS comfortable to wear even on long, intense and warm rides, whether outside or on the trainer indoors.

It’s also nice to see that as well as getting the fundamentals right, the details haven’t been overlooked: there’s a distinct lack of labels, which aids comfort – the washing instructions are instead printed in the collar – the sleeves are suitably sized so as to not poke out of jersey sleeves, and the collar is cut fairly low to prevent it poking out of collarless aero jerseys.

At £49.99, HTP’s offering is priced towards the premium end of the market, up with the likes of the Castelli Pro Mesh (£55) and the Megmeister Drynamo baselayer (£54.95) that we recently rated highly.

You can pay less – there is some strong competition in the shape of the Chapeau Mesh base layer at £34.99 – but I’d say the HTP has the credentials to back up its price: it’s comfortable to wear, feels of high quality and has an excellent fit. 

Verdict

Excellent high-quality, lightweight baselayer with a performance fit

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