- Versatile year round base layer
- Comfortable and unobtrusive cut
- Really well priced
- Not quite as durable as more expensive mesh base layers
dhb's Lightweight Mesh Base Layer is a hugely versatile bit of kit that's rapidly become part of my go-to riding wardrobe, whether it's under a jacket or jersey. It's well cut, a great price and the only downside is that it doesn't seem quite as durable as much more costly versions.
- Buyer’s guide to summer mountain bike jerseys
- How to go bikepacking: A beginner's guide to getting started
- The Best Mountain Bike Jerseys for Women
It's a bit of clothing that does pretty much exactly what the name suggests, being made from a lightweight mesh material that's hugely effective at wicking away sweat but also works really well to regulate temperature. It's versatile enough that you can use it next to your skin all-year-round, especially shining on chillier spring or summer days when it provides an unobtrusive boost of warmth under a jersey.
I'm a big fan of the sleeveless design, which is cut nice and deep at the armpit. This means that it doesn't bunch up and gives completely unrestricted movement. It's usually a good sign when you simply forget you're wearing a bit of kit, and this is one of those items that does just that, thanks to the mesh having a light stretch to it. I've worn it under everything from baggy enduro jerseys to skintight drop bar clothing and it's never bunched up or generally been a pain, with a length that's just about spot on to keep your lower back warm when in a riding position without starting to interfere with the fit of your bib shorts.
The only downside I've found is that it seems to have developed a couple of cosmetic pulls in the material during washes - but then again, it's been in almost constant rotation since it landed a few months ago. I've used other mesh base layers like that this that have been a bit more durable over a similar period of time and use, but for this sort of money, it's easy to forgive it. I wouldn't be without it now.
1 comments
Yeah I think items like this need to be washed in a bag. Maybe inside a pillowcase. The danger, I believe, comes from all the velcro patches on so many outdoor clothes.