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review
Base layers
dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer
dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Baselayer

dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer

7
by edwardbmason
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jun 2, 2014

3
£29.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Comfortable, well-fitted base layer that carries away your sweat and keeps you warm on chillier rides
Weight: 
99g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

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DHB's ever expanding range has recently had the addition of this mid-weight, short sleeve seamless - we'll get to that in a minute - base layer. It's comfortable and effective.

This short sleeve, tight fitting top reminds me of riding in big mountains where you need to stay cool on the big climbs but have just a bit more warmth on the descents. But that doesn't mean you need big mountains for this base layer to be useful. Despite dhb's statement that it's "suitable for all seasons', this garment is not one for the very cold winter days, but rather for springtime or early morning rides that require more than one layer.

The material certainly transported sweat away very quickly. The anti odour treatment is also very welcome for rides that carry on a bit.

However, dhb's "seamless" claim is either very bold, or just not quite right. This base layer just isn't seamless. There are quite clear and obvious seams holding on both of the sleeves, running underneath the armpits. Now I didn't have a problem with seam-related irritation at all, which I am glad about, for there's nothing worse than an irritating seam next to my skin. But I must confess I did find it very odd that this apparently stitch-free top has two quite obvious seams.

And before you ask, yes I did check I have the right product in to test. It's on Wiggle, seams and all in the picture. Bizarre. I can only speculate that 'seamless' refers to the main body and not the whole garment.

Fit is a bit tight for size M I tested. I'm just over 6 foot and 70-odd kilos, and it was absolutely fine out on the road, tucked into my bibs. But if I was wearing mountain bike shorts without any straps it would ride up my back a little.

Price wise, 30 quid is probably towards the top end of what I would pay for a short sleeve base layer, but I wouldn't call it unreasonably expensive. You can currently get a pack of two for £48 and there's a women's version too.

Verdict

Comfortable, well-fitted base layer that carries away your sweat and keeps you warm on chillier rides

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Baselayer

Size tested: Medium, Grey

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

From Wiggle:

A mid-weight, high performing seamless short sleeve base layer with wicking properties and an anti-odour treatment. Suitable for all seasons and weather conditions.

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

Again from Wiggle:

Versatile and High Performing

The dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer is suitable for all types of activity. Functional knitted zones provide wicking, venting and increased stretch in the area's you need it most. This top also benefits from a Polygiene™ anti-odour treatment to prevent the build up of bacteria and a high level of moisture management which draws sweat away from the skin, keeping you feeling dryer and fresher.

Designed with the Athlete in Mind

The dhb Seamless range is featured in a supportive and ergonomic fit with a high level of stretch, sitting close to the body and allowing full freedom of movement. Minimal seams are designed to follow the natural contours of the shoulders for increase comfort and to reduce friction and chaffing when training.

The dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Base Layer has been designed to enhance your comfort while working-out and training, and is suitable for all types of physical activity in any season and weather conditions.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Comfortable and well put together. But not actually seamless.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Kept me warm when I needed to be, but never too hot.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

No issues.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

Very comfortable.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

As above, definitely towards the top end of what I would pay for a base layer.

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

Pretty well

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The comfort.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Probably could have been a fiver less expensive. And it rode up a little bit when wearing baggy shorts on a mountain bike. And it actually did have two seams.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? Maybe.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Probably.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 21  Height: 182cm  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: On-One Carbon Whippet Single Speed MTB/Kinesis Pro6  My best bike is: Scott CR1 Pro

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

 

dhb Seamless Short Sleeve Baselayer
dhb 2014
dhb

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3 comments

Avatar
Yennings | 10 years ago
0 likes

Much as I rate DHB kit, £30 sounds a bit steep when you consider that fancy-pants Vulpine just launched a similar base layer tee for the same price...

Avatar
ashfanman | 10 years ago
0 likes
Quote:

What can you do?

Return them? Wiggle has free returns with Collect+, so you don't even pay postage. Not as convenient as trying before you buy in a shop, of course, but I've used it several times in the past and it's a great service. If I'm unsure on sizing, I just usually order an item in both sizes and return the one that doesn't fit.

(I'm not affiliated with Wiggle in any way.)

Avatar
adrianoconnor | 10 years ago
0 likes

"Fit is a bit tight for size M I tested. I'm just over 6 foot and 70-odd kilos, and it was absolutely fine out on the road, tucked into my bibs."

Downside of buying this stuff online is getting the sizes right, but it's not helped by inconsistent sizing between different stuff from the same brand. I'm about the same size as the chap writing this review (6 foot, 75 kilos, 31 inch waist), but the DHB jerseys I own (they're jerseys, not base layers) are size L, and they're a bit like sails on me.

I went size L because all of the size Ms I own (from different brands) are very 'race cut' on me, and I wanted something less skin tight for general riding. DHB M would have probably been about right. What can you do? 1

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