Best cycling base layers 2024 — ride year-round in comfort with this cycling wardrobe essential

The GripGrab WindBreaking Thermal Short Sleeve Base Layer is called a thermal base layer but it's great for mid-teen temperatures in autumn and spring, and even handy for evening summer rides. This isn't for the hottest summer days but given the infrequency of extreme temperatures in the UK, this is an excellent base layer option.

It features an effective windproof front that means you can ride gilet-free whilst still looking and feeling like a normal fabric without the shine or crinkle of other wind-resistant fabrics, and despite its thick construction and windproof character, it's still incredibly breathable. 

The Lusso Pain Cave Eco Summer Base Layer is a very good summer-weight baselayer made in the UK from recycled PET bottles without impairing comfort, or performance. Though it's it's primarily designed with balmy summers in mind, it's a good bet for indoor training too. 

Tester Shaun said, "Bottom line, it's delivered exactly what I expect from a decent quality baselayer. The synthetic weave is soft and smooth against the skin, not comparable with pure merino but not particularly synthetic either. The lightweight material undoubtedly helps, but wicking prowess is swift". 

There are five different designs to choose from, all employing sublimation printing. Skulls and pain not really your bag? 'Bike Addict', 'I'm not a Climber', and 'Rest Day' are alternatives. 

The FR3ND Classic T-Shirt is the ideal casual baselayer for on and off the bike with an excellent fit and good breathability. 

Fr3nd's Classic T-Shirt is constructed from a mix of Tencel – an environmentally–friendly type of fabric made from sustainably sourced wood – and bamboo. Both have excellent properties for activity, being naturally breathable, antibacterial, and with good heat regulation. It feels incredibly soft on the skin too and tester Hollis found that it doesn't ever get smelly. 

It's not one for high-intensity workouts because of the very slow drying nature of the fabric.

Megmeister's Women’s Drynamo Cycle Sleeveless Baselayer is an excellent summer-weight baselayer that's great-fitting with comfy seam-free sides and excellent wicking ability. 

There are strategically placed sections of mesh across both the front and rear of this baselayer, as well as under the arms, for moisture to escape more easily in the areas you sweat more. Anna said, "It manages sweat generated very well and I found that it wasn't ever overwhelmed", making it an excellent choice for hard, competitive riding. 

Sizing-wise, the Drynamo is split into just two, XS/S and M/L. This may not seem like a lot of choice, but there's so much stretch to this material that it can accommodate a wide range of shapes for each size.

Pearson's Long Sleeve Base Layer is made from a mid-weight merino wool blend that will keep you warm and comfy on less intensive cold-weather rides. 

It doesn't wick sweat quite as well as synthetic base layers though it does still feel warm when it gets damp, and on the flip-side, merino fabric has great odour-eating properties. 

Tester Iwein said, "Purely in the interest of scientific research – and so you won't have to – I wore it for six straight days skiing, and my wife agreed its olfactory status was still passable."

The ArmaUrto Impact Pro Base Layer Elite is a light and comfortable base layer with added protection to your elbows and shoulders in the event of a crash. ArmaUrto says that despite the thinness of the padding, the 'ARMA' is capable of absorbing and safely dissipating up to 80 per cent of impact energy.

It's ideal for icy rides, commutes and some crit racing with an upper limit of about 12 or 13°C when worn with a lightweight jersey. The 3/4-length sleeves mean it's best suited to wearing under long-sleeved outer garments, and it's easy to forget you're wearing it when the temperature is below the mid-teens.

The ARMA padding is flexible and it conforms well to the shape of the shoulders and elbows. Tester Jamie said, "I found them perfectly comfortable for riding both in an aggressive position on my road bike with arms bent, or when riding more upright on mountain bikes and commuters."