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review

Funkier JS-640-L Winter L/S Thermal Base Layer

8
£39.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Good heavyweight base layer for fighting off the winter chills
Weight: 
280g

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Funkier's catchily named JS-640-L base layer is a really nicely made first defence against the cold weather. It's warm and comfortable, and wicks and dries well considering its weight.

The base layer is a polyester weave, using different weights in different places. Across the front and down the arms it's a tighter knit, whereas in the armpits and across the back there are sections of looser weave to help with temperature management. Overall it's a fairly heavy base layer, though: this is one for autumn and onwards.

Find your nearest dealer here 

Buy this online here 

It's a very comfortable top. It's not quite seamless, as Funkier claims, but the few seams it does have certainly aren't intrusive. There's plenty of length in the body and the arms for full coverage on the bike.

When you're working hard and wearing some heavier outer layers the JS-640-L can get a bit damp, but considering its weight it dries out pretty quickly. If you're wearing it under something like a softshell that breathes well, it's rarely an issue; it's only when you're fully layered up with a proper waterproof that it begins to struggle, and it's not alone there.

>> Check out our guide to cycling base layers here 

Basically, you want a winter base layer to be warm and comfortable, and the Funkier ticks both those boxes. At £39.99 it's not exactly cheap, but it does put in a good performance and for that reason it's easy to recommend.

Verdict

Good heavyweight base layer for fighting off the winter chills

road.cc test report

Make and model: Funkier JS-640-L Winter L/S Thermal Base Layer

Size tested: Large - XXL, Grey

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

Seamless under jersey base layer

Smart Dry technology

Perspiration is wicked away

Keeps body dry and retains heat

Ergonomic structure applied where perspiration is intense

Lightweight

Super soft touch

Available in black/grey

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

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

Very well. A good quality base layer for colder weather.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Comfortable, warm, wicks well for its weight.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 189cm  Weight: 92kg

I usually ride: whatever I'm testing...  My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Kinesis Aithein

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mountain biking, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track

Dave is a founding father of road.cc, having previously worked on Cycling Plus and What Mountain Bike magazines back in the day. He also writes about e-bikes for our sister publication ebiketips. He's won three mountain bike bog snorkelling World Championships, and races at the back of the third cats.

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