Tried and tested: Base layers

• Tweet
• Pin It

Sportsister gave Bristol Ariel Rowing Club five women’s base layers to test. Here’s the low-down on style, functionality and value for money.

" width="200" height="200"/>

Base layers are a must for many sports and serve as a really versatile all year round item, and yet most of us are reluctant to spend much on one and wear the same ones for years.

Have you been tempted by the write-ups surrounding merino wool styles, but put off by the price? Our testers really significant finding was that they really did stay true to their claims of being virtually odour free – so if that’s important to you, then it may be worth trying one.

Conclusion

The great news is that all the tops scored really well, with none of them rating less than 21/25. Out on top though, with full marks, was the Helly Hansen Dry. according to Sarah “It was extremely comfortable, a very flattering design as well as being very warm and breathable”. This will come as no surprise to Helly fans. They have a lot of heritage in this area and it’s great to see they are still performing well.

Top Marks: Helly Hansen Dry

" width="140" height="200"/>

Tester: Sarah W
Price: £25.99
Comfort: 5
Style: 5
Sizing: 5
Performance: 5
Love it hate it? 5

Total: 25/25

I went rowing and cycling in this top. It was extremely comfortable and a very flattering design as well as being very warm and breathable. It is also lightweight and quick drying. It washed perfectly with no fading, shrinking or stretching.

I would thoroughly recommend this top. I cannot think of anything I did not like. The price is great, I found it really warm and I am now a convert – I would choose it over rowing tech tops now.

Click here to buy

Icebreaker Oasis Crew - Pink

" width="140" height="200"/>

Tester: Sarah
Price: £40
Comfort: 5
Style: 4.5 Loved the style but the pink colour was slightly see through
Sizing: 4.5 I am 6ft so it was not quite long enough. This is a common problem for me
Performance: 5
Love it hate it? 5

Total: 24/25

I did outdoor and indoor rowing, circuits and cycling in this top. I felt warm and cosy in this item whether training or not. It kept me warmer than my other base layers but kept me cool during exercise better than others too. One great thing about this item is that it did not smell. I did ten training sessions in a row without washing it (for scientific purposes only!) and it still smelt as if new.

The only downside was that it is not really long enough because I am tall – I would love the option of extra length styles, and also the price would put me off buying it in the first place.

Click here to buy

Finisterre Merino Base Layer

" width="140" height="200"/>

Tester: Katie
Price: £30
Comfort: 5
Style: 4
Sizing: 4 – very slightly small for me
Performance: 5
Love it hate it? 5

Total: 23/25

I went training and did coaching in this top, the coaching involved being on the launch and on the bank. I really liked this top, the colour made it very versatile as it went with everything. It is very comfortable and since it is quite light it is great for layering. I found that I did not need to wear so many layers when I was coaching which was a great advantage especially since it has been so cold this winter.

It washed well and did not shrink. The only downside was that it is definitely a base layer, I had to be careful what I wore underneath as it shows through!

Buy this item here

Craft Pro Zero Xtreme

Tester: Clair
Price: £25
Comfort: 5 - Very good feel and good fit
Style: 5 – Flattering and long enough in the body
Sizing: 5 – a definite size 12
Performance: 3 - more a thermal layer than a base layer
Love it hate it? 3 – good but I neither love or hate it.

Total: 21/25

I went rowing, cycling, did some cross training and indoor weights in this top. It is a very nice mid layer although it was not really warm enough to wear on it’s own. I liked the flattering fit and rib detail. It is warm to the touch and you feel instantly enveloped, it also dries very quickly.

My only complaints are that it was slightly static after wearing and although it washed well I think it shrank slightly in the length.

Click here to buy.

Howies Merino wool, Brown

" width="140" height="200"/>

Tester: Chantelle
Price: £40
Comfort: 5 - very comfortable to wear and easy to layer
Style: 4 – loved the contrast piping and the neckline is flattering
Sizing: 4 - I would buy a size smaller as it does stretch a little while wearing
Performance: 5 – it was great, I actually had to drop a layer when I was coaching as it was so warm
Love it hate it? 3 – not sure about the feel of the wool.

Total: 21/25

I went rowing (outdoors and in), boxing, coaching rowing from a launch and shopping!. The claim that you can wear it several times without it getting smelly is true, I wore it five days straight, plus did two workouts before it needed a wash. Impressive, it would be ideal for hiking and camping due to this. I really liked the length of both the sleeves and the body, made it easy to tuck in.

The only downside was that it stretched a little during wear and there was a bit of static build-up when worn with fleece. It washed well and dried in three hours just hanging on a chair – great. Normally I cannot wear wool, but it took 4-5 days before this top reacted with my skin. Quite expensive but I would buy as a gift.

Buy this item here

About Bristol Ariel Rowing Club

Both experienced and beginner rowers are given a warm welcome to the Bristol Ariel Rowing CLub, the oldest rowing club in Bristol, whether joining the Women’s, Men’s or Veteran Squads.

With a large coaching team available, including beginnner coaches and senior coaches, all members are given the opportunity to reach their full sporting potential. The social side of membership is not forgotten with both organised social events, and many last minute ones too.

Members of Bristol Ariel Rowing club can expect to gain both friends for life, as well as sporting achievements that will stay with them forever.

Contact: www.bristolarielrowingclub.co.uk

Danielle Sellwood, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine

Click here to read more about the Finisterre brand and the chance to win a base layer.

Read more tried and tested features

Capri Leggings

Sports Bras

Running t-shirts

Yoga pants

• Tweet
• Pin It

You may like

• 

  Tried and tested: Gore Running pants
  Tried and tested: Gore Running pants
• 

  Kit Review: PUMA Women’s FAAS 600 S running shoes
  Kit Review: PUMA Women’s FAAS 600 S running shoes
• Tennis Week Kit Review: Dunlop Performance Tank and Skort
  Tennis Week Kit Review: Dunlop Performance Tank and Skort

One Comment

1. Pingback: Sporsister, The Women's Sports Magazine - Tried and tested hats | Sportsister

You must be logged in to post a comment Login