Lusso Dryline Base Layer

The Lusso Dryline Baselayer promises to be lighter and more insulating than merino. Performance is indeed very good and it fits like a glove.

When something only weighs 78g, arguing the toss about lightness is only relevant to the most weenie of weight watchers. That said, the Dryline Baselayer is indeed very light. It's made from Dryarn, an Italian fabric that's claimed to be lighter, more breathable and more insulating than pretty much anything else. I'm a huge fan of merino baselayers – mesh and normal – for warmth, cooling and moisture control, so approached the claims of the Lusso base with a sceptical eye. The bottom line is that the Dryarn fabric is indeed very good at keeping you warm, cool or dry, or a combination of the three.

> Find your nearest dealer here

> Buy this online here

It's very comfortable next to the skin, and 'made-in-Manchester' Lusso has styled the fit body-hugging to sit well under racy kit. I really liked the sleeves – wide, black, laser-cut grip strips keeping them in place, and working well with jerseys that weren't overly generous in length (avoiding that no-no of a gap between it/your jersey sleeves and arm warmers).

On a muggy 20-24°C day, working hard (in a Zone-5 training session), the Dryline baselayer kept things cool. I didn't feel the need to unzip my jersey at all, despite repeated multi-minute uphill forays into the red. Sweat transferred very well through to the jersey for evaporation – my saturated phone screen (in a waterproof case, naturally) testament to the amount of moisture being passed outwards.

On a cooler 16-21°C day, wearing it underneath an excellent windproof jersey, I had to use the zip to keep cool on the hills but never felt that moisture build-up was an issue.

In preparation for the 300km Mighty Corinthian ride I knocked out a hilly 110km in 14-20 degrees, underneath the classic road.cc merino jersey and occasionally the rather excellent Endura FS260 Pro shell. Again the Lusso Dryline Baselayer kept things balanced and non-sweaty.

> Check out our guide to the best baselayers

On the Mighty Corinthian ride itself, the Lusso base performed perfectly – which is to say I forgot I was wearing it. Over nearly 16 hours and temperatures ranging from just 8 up to 23 degrees, with over 4,500m of climbing and again under the road.cc merino, I was dry and comfortable.

Although £28 isn't the cheapest technical baselayer out there, by no stretch is it the most expensive. What you get is excellent fit, generous, stylistically assistive arms, and control over perspiration and temperature. That's well worth the price – and it's made in the UK. No sweat.

Verdict

For under 30 quid this is an excellent option for staying dry, and warm or cool. Great sleeves too