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review
Base layers
dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer
dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer

dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer

8
by themartincox
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Aug 30, 2014

2
£24.99
Buy this online

VERDICT:

8
10
Lightweight, high performing base layer; excellent value for money
Weight: 
60g
Contact: 
www.wiggle.co.uk
How we test

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I've never really been a fan of DHB stuff. The first few items I tried from Wiggle's house brand were sufficiently ill-fitting to not make me want to go back. But time's a great healer and I here I am writing an emphatically positive review, about this DHB Lite-Fit short sleeve base layer.

With its comfort and performance properties, and coming in at a penny under £25 this top seems to represent solid value for money.

Classified as ultralight, it certainly just tickles the scales, and when on it's barely noticeable under a jersey or bib straps.

A lightweight polyester front, combined with a mesh rear, ensure that it's both fast-wicking and highly breathable. I've used it extensively out on the road and in the gym on Wattbike smashfests and its performed admirably, keeping me as fresh as could be expected. With its flat locked seams there's no chaffing or irritation, and all stitching has stayed in place after three months of solid use.

DHB says the fabric is treated with Polygiene permanent odour control, to keep the garment odour-free between wears, cutting down on washing and theoretically prolonging its life-span. Sounds good. Not sure I noticed it enough to make me want to wear it two days in a row though; it certainly wasn't active enough to allow my wife to let me keep it at the foot of the bed overnight.

At a sensible price and with excellent performance characteristics it's certainly gone some way to making me look at the DHB range again. Recommended.

Verdict

Lightweight, high performing base layer; excellent value for money

road.cc test report

Make and model: dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer

Size tested: Small, White

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

A lightweight base layer with solid wicking properties and an anti-odour treatment, ideally suited to warm weather and/or high tempo riding. Ticks the boxes nicely, maybe not enough on the anti-odour part (possibly just me)

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

It's been treated with Polygiene permanent odour control, to inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi on fabrics, meaning clothes can be worn several times before laundering, it's sased on natural silver salt made from recycled silver.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Everything stayed true and firm through months of use.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Wicking and supremely breathable with a mesh back.

Rate the product for durability:
 
10/10

Spot on.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
9/10

A barely-there item; flat-locked seams ensured comfort was high throughout.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

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

Spot on, comfortable on longer rides, fast wicking and quick drying.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The rear mesh helped keep my back suitably cool, much appreciated on hotter rides.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I'm not a big fan of logos under the neck, easily viewable when jerseys are open. This has that. Small point.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.

Would you consider buying the product? For sure.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Good value, great performance, a solid addition for the wardrobe.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 176cm  Weight:

I usually ride: Raleigh SP Race, Hoffman BMX  My best bike is: Raleigh SP Race

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, Adventure-packing, crossing-countries

 

dhb Lite-Fit Short Sleeve Baselayer
dhb 2014
dhb

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2 comments

Avatar
vanmildert | 10 years ago
0 likes

Looks exactly the same as the Nike pro one, down to the lady detail, which you can get permanently reduced to £19.99 at sports direct or Nike outlet stores.

Avatar
Paul J | 10 years ago
0 likes

Merino base layers FTW when it comes to pong.

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