B'Twin Aerofit Windproof Long Sleeve Cycling Baselayer

Want a technical winter baselayer that will allow you to keep the other layers off? B'Twin's Aerofit Windproof Long Sleeve Cycling Baselayer could be the answer.

Baselayers – generally speaking – tend to be thin layers of fabric that help provide a passage for sweat to move from skin to the outside, and as a result perform a key function in keeping the body warm when needed, and cool when not.

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B'Twin's Aerofit is a technically constructed top with a race cut that's designed to do the former and help you resist the cold thanks primarily to its slightly thicker construction and front windproof panel. Putting it on is like donning body armour – genuinely making the cold outside seem a little less hostile compared with thin merino-blended baselayers and giving you the confidence to shed a layer when heading out.

Layering up is a key component of winter clothing for me, but a lot of the time I find myself feeling just a little too laid down; a little too heavy to be able to ride as comfortably and naturally as I'd like. Not so here – where normally I'd wear baselayer, normal jersey and jacket, with the Aerofit I only felt the need to wear it and either a thick jersey or jacket.

That seems like a small change, but what it does do is allow moisture to escape from your body more easily, through two layers rather than three. The Aerofit is also very adept at this, alongside its windproofness: moisture and excess heat is allowed to escape through carefully constructed seamless mesh panels on the rear and around the armpits, while the front does its job of insulating you from the cutting wind, in tandem with a nicely high neck.

Make no mistake, this is a baselayer for temperatures in the mid to low single figures, and unless you genuinely struggle in cold temperatures, this plus a good quality long-sleeve winter jersey will do the job.

That's chiefly because the front black panel (called an 'Extrem Protect' layer) is a slightly softshell-like fabric, and functions as a physical barrier from the cold. Your torso is kept well insulated, and you barely notice the extra thickness when riding. Over three hours of riding, as B'Twin states, it performs as well as any winter baselayer I've tried – and not a merino fibre in sight!

It's also long in the cut so can reach right down to your midriff no problem, especially if you size up, which you can do because the fit is so snug. There aren't any rubbing seams to speak of, and as baselayers work best when flush against the skin, this works in its favour. Throw in the fact that as long as you wash it with care (I went for a 40 degree delicate spin), it'll keep its shape, and soon become a go-to piece of clothing.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling baselayers

At the excellent price of £24.99 direct from the Decathlon website, this baselayer is a steal, and makes winter riding much more bearable if you really feel the cold.

Verdict

An excellent winter baselayer – superb performance and value