• Planet-X Husky base layer
• £30 (long sleeved), £25 (short sleeved)
• www.planet-x-bikes.com
• Orderline for UK customers 0796 767 3709

A good base layer is the foundation of a toasty warm clothing system. It’s only recently that companies have started producing bike-specific base layers to counter the short back/arms syndrome that sometimes hampers more general-use outdoor garb, and Planet-X’s offering is styled very much along the lines of a cycling jersey.

There’s a bit of a paradox with base layers. The good ones are intended to draw moisture (OK, sweat) away from your skin and allow it to evaporate off the surface. To do that they have to be in contact with the skin, but if you happen to be a slightly too warm having a close-fitting layer makes matters worse.

Planet-X has gone for a slightly looser fit which works great on its own but is sufficiently close that sticking something else on top doesn’t leave any unpleasant bunched bits. The front zip is good and long for extra ventilation potential and the sleeves are long enough (on the long sleeved one). The best bit is the Husky fabric. It’s rather soft and lovely, is certainly warm and so far hasn’t started to pong (yes, we have been washing it…).

Verdict
The key benefit of the Planet-X baselayer is the lovely, soft fabric. It really is very comfy and warm – if we leave it lying around cats go to sleep on it. And they know comfy and warm when they lie on it. It’s versatile, too, being one of those base layers that you can happily wear on its own (you’ll probably want to wear some sort of legwear too, obviously) if conditions permit.

Performance: 5/5
Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5