Pearl Izumi Men's Transfer Wool LS Cyc Baselayer

Having cold hands can start with cold wrists; cold wrists can start with a cold core. The Pearl Izumi Transfer Wool LS Cyc Baselayer features a lovely merino wool blend with plenty of length in the arms and torso. I was pleasantly surprised to be warm but not clammy, even after some hard efforts.

The Transfer is made with two different blends for front and rear. The front is made from 86% merino wool and 14% nylon; the rear is 62% polyester and 38% merino wool. The make-up of each section is designed to meet their different requirements.

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The front features a heavier concentration of merino wool as this is the area that faces most windchill when riding. As a result, it feels very soft and wonderfully warm on a chilly morning; my core, especially, felt well protected, which does a lot to keep everything else warm.

The rear of the baselayer is designed to stretch with your position. My size medium came with plenty of length, meaning my lower back was kept warm. This can help remedy a range of problems from back pain to digestive issues, so it's something to consider if you suffer.

The sleeves have definitely been designed for cycling, with extra length to help cover the wrists. There are also hand 'stirrups', so the sleeves don't get pushed halfway up your arm when you put on your jersey/jacket. I left these looped over my thumb when I wore gloves and it kept the baselayer in place over my wrists with no discomfort. The material on the sleeves is a soft mesh, and it worked really well to regulate my temperature.

In terms of fit the baselayer is quite snug, but with the stretch in the material it should suit a wide range of body shapes.

The stitching is robust yet comfortable, with a nice flat profile. It is very well constructed, which is what you'd expect for £60. The price does put this in direct competition with premium brands such as Rapha and Castelli. The styling is a little less attractive in my opinion, but that's in the eye of the beholder, and it is a garment that'll stay hidden from view, mostly.

> Read our guide to the best cycling baselayers

For my early morning commute, I simply paired this with a long-sleeve jersey on dry days or a rain jacket for the miserable weather. I also took it out for a cyclo-cross training session. With hard efforts and lots of muddy running, I thought I might get quite hot and clammy, but the long sleeves and wool blend kept me perfectly dry and comfortable, a fact I only noticed at the cafe stop.

Overall, this technical baselayer does a very good job of insulating you and also keeping you dry. The long sleeves with hand-loops will be a particularly welcome feature for those with long arms.

Verdict

Versatile baselayer with very long sleeves and good performance