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review
Jerseys - short sleeve
Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank
Mountain Hard Wear Womans Wicked Lite Tank

Mountain Hardwear Women's Wicked Lite Tank

9
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 12, 2015

2
£20.00

VERDICT:

9
10
Excellent value for a versatile and effective hot weather sleeveless top
Weight: 
80g
Contact: 
www.mountainhardwear.eu
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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Mountain Hardwear clothing is aimed predominantly at the climbing, hiking and mountaineering market. That said, many of their pieces have crossover appeal for recreational and summer cycling, and their Women's Wicked Lite Tank is a perfect example. The clue is in the name: it's an insanely light tank top/vest, and it's a great option for those who like a sleeveless top for hot weather riding.

Made from super-quick-drying and breathable Wicked Taper SD Fabric, this tank is designed with climbers, runners, outdoor enthusiasts and gym goers in mind. Features are minimal, with most of the technology in the fabric itself. The claims are that it has enhanced moisture-wicking capabilities, dries super-fast and has an anti-microbial finish to prevent odour build-up.

Find your nearest dealer here

Buy this online here

The fabric certainly dried very quickly and kept me at a good temperature, and being sleeveless there's no real issue with body odour build-up in the armpits.

For hot weather riding it's extremely comfortable, although realistically its use will probably be limited to overseas cycling as it rarely gets hot enough in the UK to warrant such a super-light sleeveless top.

The fit and cut are excellent for cycling, with a good length, a contoured but not shrink-wrapped fit throughout, and a high front to prevent flashing any cleavage when riding in a sporting position.

All seams are flatlocked to prevent chafing. There are no pockets, but in such a lightweight top, these would seem unnecessary.

Given the price of £20, this is a superb choice for anyone likely to be doing a lot of hot weather riding. It's a versatile top for general sports and gym use too, and it comes in a variety of great colours.

Verdict

Excellent value for a versatile and effective hot weather sleeveless top

road.cc test report

Make and model: Mountain Hard Wear Women's Wicked Lite Tank

Size tested: Medium, Fission

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?

Mountain Hardwear say: "Fast-drying, performance athletic tank with outstanding wicking abilities. Whisper-light, quick to dry, and with excellent moisture management, the Wicked Lite Tank with Wick.Q™ moisture-wicking keeps you cool and dry at the climbing gym, out for a jog, or knocking out your 1000 morning pushups. Anti-microbial finish eliminates odor, reflective trim for visibility."

Does just what it should, but no reflective trim on the chartreuse Fission colour option tested.

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

100% polyester

Wick Q tm technology for enhanced moisture wicking

Fast drying

Anti-microbial finish

Flatlock seams

Available in sizes XS-XL

Washable at 30

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Soft and very effective moisture-wicking fabric and nicely finished stitching.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

For a non-cycling-specific top this performed exceptionally well as a summer riding top.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Provided it doesn't get savaged by Velcro, there's nothing to go wrong. The anti-microbial finish should reduce long term smell as well.

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

Super super light.

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

Very comfortable – airy, fast drying and with nice flat seams.

Rate the product for value:
 
10/10

For a top that can be used for a huge variety of purposes, this is great value for money.

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

Very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Length, shape, higher neckline at front, fabric.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely. Especially for a cycling trip to a hot country.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

Light, extremely effective and very versatile hot weather top. Great value for money.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mountain biking

 

Mountain Hardwear Womens Wicked Lite Tank
Mountain Hardwear 2015
Mountain Hardwear
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

Add new comment

2 comments

Avatar
Airzound | 9 years ago
0 likes

So it comes in hi-viz only?

Avatar
crikey | 9 years ago
1 like

See.
See now.
See now here.
Twenny?
I mean, bloody, Twenny?
Twenny bloody poonds?
Fae a bloody vest?

//newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44285000/jpg/_44285792_rab_vest203.jpg)

Tank?
Tank is it?
Bloody tank is it noo?
It's a bloody vest and ye know it's a vest, sae bugger off wi' y'tank, eh?

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