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review
Base layers
dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer
dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer

dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer

8
by Liam Cahill
UPDATED Sat, Feb 23, 2019 09:45

First Published Feb 23, 2019

0
£30.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Great fit, effective wicking and very comfortable
Weight: 
88g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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This dhb Aero Body Map short sleeve baselayer is brilliant for a wide range of ride intensities, and stretches from freezing (if you don't mind slightly cold arms) through to early spring rides. The fit is brilliant and the fabric is soft and has remained so.

  • Pros: Very comfortable, great fit, wicks well, breathable
  • Cons: None really; shame there isn't a long sleeve version

For cool weather riding, the starting point for my clothing is always the baselayer. Starting with a bad one can leave you sweaty or cold, sometimes both. This dhb Aeron baselayer is pretty simple and affordable, but it performs brilliantly.

dhb Aeron Map Baselayer

Steve Williams has already given us his thoughts on the sleeveless version of this and I agree with him on many points. The fit is great, it wicks well and it's warm too. I don't mind the thickness as it has proved to be a very useful layer under a skinsuit for winter cyclo-cross racing.

Over the last couple of months, I've ridden outside in everything from snowy cyclo-cross races through to the first warmth of the spring sun. While I've got other long-sleeve baselayers, I've been reaching for this as much as possible.

The fit is brilliant. That circular knit, seamless construction means there are no rough edges on the skin to cause irritation. Combine this with a very soft material and you've got comfort that lasts very well. Body Map refers to the baselayer's ability to conform to the contours of the torso. This results in a close fit that isn't in any way restrictive. The fabric doesn't touch the sternum, though, or the spine between the shoulder blades when in a more relaxed position on the tops. This is deliberate and designed to help sweat transfer. dhb calls it 'zoned breathability' and it seems to work very well.

dhb Aeron LAB Equinox bib tights-4.jpg

Out on the bike, I never found the baselayer uncomfortable and this is partly down to that breathability. dhb has incorporated ventilation holes into the knit. This really helps to let air in when you ramp up the intensity on the hills.

I've used this for some really intense races on the muddy fields of cyclo-cross and again, I always felt comfortable, apart from when I crashed in slushy snow. That's really cold. I'd have preferred long sleeves – wearing this and dhb's Aeron LAB All Winter Polartec Jacket, everything on my upper body was perfectly warm apart from my forearms. I can see the short sleeves being useful in the early season races when combined with arm warmers and a gilet, but for deep-winter rides, I'd love a long-sleeve option.

dhb Aeron rain defence bib tights-1.jpg

The makeup of the fabric is mainly polyamide (93%) with a bit of elastane (6%) and a dash of polypropylene (1%). So, no merino wool, and I'm glad of that. While I won't deny that a merino baselayer starts supremely soft and comfy, if I get sweaty then it really itches. Maybe that's just me, but I'm happy with the softness of the Aeron Body Map. Washing is also much easier. I've not had to be careful at all with this. It gets washed with anything and then tumble dried. There have been no negative effects on its size or softness. Top marks here.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best cycling baselayers

Baselayers are very common, but not in this style of circular knit, and I think £30 is a very sensible price. The short-sleeve baselayers we've tested lately on road.cc – from Rapha, Metier and Ashmei – cost more. One of the cheaper long-sleeve options is Craft's Fuseknit Comfort Turtleneck, which comes in at £40; the short-sleeve version is £25.

Overall, this is just a really nice baselayer to wear on cold and cool rides. I'd like the option of a long-sleeve version for the really cold days, down at freezing, but that's not a criticism of this one. I never really noticed that I was wearing it, thanks to the non-itchy fabric, great fit and excellent breathability.

Verdict

Great fit, effective wicking and very comfortable

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

dhb doesn't actually say, but the thickness and breathability suggest to me that this is for hard rides in the colder months.

What dhb does say is, "This Aeron base layer uses a Polyproylene and Polyamide yarn blend. Polypropylene is an amazing yarn for technical sports products where wicking is a priority."

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

dhb says:

Circular Construction

This base layer uses a circular knit construction method. This means that the body can be knitted in a single tube. The circular knit process also allows for changes to be made to the structure and yarn composition of the knit at different areas of the base layer, without having to sew in different panels. The only seams are those attaching the sleeves to the body, rsulting in a more comfortable next-to-skin fit and feel.

The Science of Body Mapping

When exercising, different parts of the body react in different ways in order to regulate heat and maintain performance. dhb have delved into the research studies that look into this, and used their findings to create a base layer that works with your body. By mapping the areas where the body perspires most, they have adapted the knit on specific parts of the base layer. In the areas you sweat the most, they've used a 'Tuck Knit'. By creating a 3D structure, this raises the surface of the material in these areas, holding it away from the skin, and encouraging higher rates of moisture transfer.

A micro rib knit structure has been applied around the lower torso and sleeves. This applies some light compression in this area, keeping the base layer close to the body and adding a little support.

Composition

This Aeron base layer uses a Polyproylene and Polyamide yarn blend. Polypropylene is an amazing yarn for technical sports products where wicking is a priority. It has a very low density and is therefore super lightweight, but extremely durable. It's also hydrophobic, so it will carry moisture away quickly. To finish this product off, dhb have added an antibacterial treatment to help reduce odour causing bacteria.

polyamide (93%), elastane (6%), polypropylene (1%)

Circular Knit with ventilation zones and 3D Body Map zones.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Very good. This has seen plenty of use and no pulled threads.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

For riding hard in cool weather, this is brilliant. I needed to pair with a very heavy winter jacket for the coldest rides but that's not an issue. It's extra cosy!

Rate the product for durability:
 
10/10

I've crashed in this a few times in cyclo-cross and tumble dried it and it's still in great condition.

Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10

Possibly a touch long, but I think that about all baselayers these days.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

The stretch in the material is very forgiving and while this is a small size and close fit, it is far from restrictive.

Rate the product for weight:
 
5/10

Steve tested the sleeveless version and cited the weight as a negative, but the weight is fine in my opinion.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

Snug and highly breathable, kept me comfortable on every ride.

Rate the product for value:
 
8/10

30 quid for a piece of kit that works brilliantly and lasts well.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

You can wash and tumble dry without fear. Can't say that much these days.

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

Really well. I wore this through the winter on loads of different types of rides. I was always comfortable and I suspect will continue to be until the sun properly warms up in late spring.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The breathability is brilliant. It kept me comfortable on club runs, intervals and cyclo-cross races.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

No long-sleeve version. If there was one, I'd buy it.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

A lot less than the majority of short-sleeve baselayers we've tested lately on road.cc.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Really good for breathability and lack of sweaty feeling, the fit is great, and you can tumble dry without worry.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo-cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer 2019
dhb Aeron Body Map Short Sleeve Baselayer
dhb 2019
dhb

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