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review

Oneten Short Sleeve Base Layer 2016

8
£19.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Reasonably cheap baselayer that does the job for spring and autumn temperatures
Weight: 
109g

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The Oneten Short Sleeve Baselayer uses a polyester construction with added mesh panels to control your body temperature. Thanks to its slightly heavier construction it's one that is more suited to cooler temperatures of late autumn and early spring, and some winter days too.

If, like me, you wear a baselayer all year round whatever the weather, the one you choose needs to get on with its job without being noticed. If you finish your ride without once feeling like you've been wearing one under your jersey, then perfect. The Oneten is like this. The polyester fabric is very soft against the skin and with flatlocked seams there is never anything to irritate, even with a tight pair of bib short straps passing over your shoulders.

Oneten describes the baselayer as being a close fit, but even though the chest sizes of the size guide line up with the real world, the fit in the arms and torso is a little loose. This isn't something I'm a massive fan of in a baselayer; I like it to sit really close to the skin.

Oneten Short Sleeve Base Layer 2016 - back.jpg

Despite the looseness, the Oneten's performance at wicking sweat from your body is pretty impressive. Due to its fabric, I'd say when paired with a short sleeve jersey it works well up to about 15°C before getting overwhelmed, although it is helped by the mesh panel that runs under each arm and around the upper back.

Taking a look at the stitching, you can see the Oneten is very well put together, and a good hard tug on the seams doesn't find anything unravel or rip.

> Check out our guide to the best cycling baselayers

As far as value for money goes, you can get quite a few baselayers in this price band, some good, some bad. The Oneten is a good 'un. With its build quality, comfort and performance, I'd say this baselayer is a decent investment for cooler days.

Verdict

Reasonably cheap baselayer that does the job for spring and autumn temperatures

road.cc test report

Make and model: Oneten Short Sleeve Base Layer 2016

Size tested: Medium

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?

Oneten says, "It's in spring and autumn, when the weather is slightly cooler, that the Oneten short sleeved base layer really comes into its own. The technical fabric wicks moisture away from the skin and dries quickly, keeping you warm and comfortable."

It works a lot better than I expected on first impressions.

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

From Oneten:

Lightweight, technical fabric wicks moisture away from the skin and provides warmth

Mesh panels provide optimal ventilation

Flatlocked seams offer excellent comfort, by eliminating chafing

Slim fit, ideal for under your cycling jersey

Fabric: 100% polyester

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
5/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

A 40 degree wash and tumble drying is an option. No ill effects at all from being washed.

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

Sweat wicking is good thanks to the mesh inserts.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Softness of the material.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Not quite as close fitting as described on the website.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your score

For the money this baselayer is very well put together plus it works well in terms of breathability and comfort. The cut isn't exactly close, though, so if you want a more snug fit go down a size.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 37  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: Mason Definition

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, fixed/singlespeed

Since writing his first bike review for road.cc back in early 2009 senior product reviewer Stu has tested more than a thousand pieces of kit, and hundreds of bikes.

With an HND in mechanical engineering and previous roles as a CNC programmer/machinist, draughtsman and development engineer (working in new product design) Stu understands what it takes to bring a product to market. A mix of that knowledge combined with his love of road and gravel cycling puts him in the ideal position to put the latest kit through its paces.

He first made the switch to road cycling in 1999, primarily for fitness, but it didn’t take long for his competitive side to take over which led to around ten years as a time triallist and some pretty decent results. These days though riding is more about escapism, keeping the weight off and just enjoying the fact that he gets to ride the latest technology as part of his day job.

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