Sportful winter base layer guide
Base layers are an important part of any cyclist’s outfit. When choosing a cold weather base layer, you must decide between synthetic fabric, natural or a mixture. Long sleeve, short sleeve and sleeveless options are available to suit your personal preferences and layering strategy.
Consider also whether extra features, such as airy mesh sections, a long neck or an extended back hem for extra warmth and protection, will be most useful on the type of rides you do.
With base layers to take you from -5° to 30°C, Sportful has you covered for the chilly months, from deepest mid-winter to the sanctuary of your pain cave.
Designed to draw moisture away, the 2nd Skin Mesh Sleeveless promotes evaporation and therefore cooling. Featuring widely spaced mesh construction, it’s an ideal base layer for keeping outer garment fabrics off the skin, without adding too much extra insulation and warmth.
Its sleeveless design minimises coverage and pairs well with a tightly fitting outer layer, as the arms won’t bunch up.
Made from high stretch mesh, the 2nd Skin Mesh T-Shirt is highly breathable but will add a touch of warmth under your jersey, by trapping pockets of air and warming them, keeping you comfortable and dry in hinge season or when you’re riding an intense route.
Wear it on a warm autumn or spring day when you’re planning a long, hard ride.
Regular fit, but elasticated and form fitting enough to be barely noticeable under a jersey, the Pro Base Layer T-Shirt has ribbed fabric to trap warm air, while also being slim, light and made from efficiently wicking fabrics.
It’s perfect for when you’re planning a day ride in cool to mild conditions.
Regular fit, for ease of movement, yet light, breathable and made from ribbed, wicking fabrics, the high stretch Pro Base Layer Sleeveless is for riders who want to stay warm and dry, without overheating, in mild hinge season weather.
It adds light warmth around your core, without any added bulk around the arms.
The Winter Layer T-Shirt is warm enough for use on cold days, thanks to the inclusion of high-quality polyester and thermal ribs, both of which trap warm air close to the skin. Although warm, this base layer is still light and breathable, so it will layer up nicely under a jersey or jacket, or pair with arm warmers, while managing sweat like a pro.
This long sleeve t-shirt is Sportful’s warmest base layer, taking you down to freezing and beyond. Its ribbed polyester fabric traps a layer of air to keep you warm, without feeling heavy or restrictive, and still lets moisture and excess heat escape.
Wear it when you’re sure the day will stay cold and you want to feel cosy and dry.
Made from Techwool, which is warm, odour resistant and light, this base layer will stabilise your temperature and is incredibly efficient at wicking moisture. Whilst it draws and holds it, that moisture doesn’t evaporate as quickly as it would from a synthetic base layer, so the Merino Layer T-Shirt Long Sleeve is best suited to less intense rides.
Form fitting yet unrestrictive, this is the base layer for you in all winter weathers.
Light and breathable yet cosy, the odour resistant Merino Layer T-Shirt is made from Techwool, a special fabric of mixed wool and synthetic fibres. The wool is excellent at wicking but doesn’t allow moisture to evaporate as quickly as synthetic fabrics do. You’ll therefore benefit from it most on leisurely rides, rather than during hard training.
Grab this base layer to maintain a constant temperature on cold, foul days.