Shimano S-Phyre Winter Baselayer

Shimano's S-Phyre Winter Baselayer is a brilliant layer that can cope with both cold and mild conditions. It's soft, with a great fit. But the price is very high compared with equally excellent rivals.

• Pros: Brilliant wicking, perfect fit, very robust
• Cons: Expensive

The new range of Shimano S-Phyre clothing is certainly at the premium end of the spectrum. At £69.99, the baselayer is almost, but not quite, the most expensive baselayer we've tested on road.cc. Brands such as Craft, dhb, Rapha and Altura are all producing brilliant but cheaper baselayers, some for a fraction of the S-Phyre's price.

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That said, this is a seriously good piece of kit. It has great features, like the venting on the spine, and the fit is excellent.

That venting comes in the form of a mesh back panel that looks like a honeycomb structure. It certainly works: I never found myself feeling that 'cold, damp back' sensation that usually comes at the cafe stop. It's certainly pleasant to remain comfortable, even after hard training efforts.

There is also venting under the arms, which not only helps regulate body temperature it also seems to regulate body odours too. The baselayer hasn't developed any foul smells, even after two months of heavy use.

Fit is also very good, with a close but unrestrictive cut and very little stitching. Shimano has used its anatomic 3D construction to reduce stitching to a minimum, and I have to say, I haven't noticed any.

Be aware that the sizing is decidedly small. I usually wear a small but I fitted this medium perfectly. If you've not got the body of a racing snake, size up by at least one size.

The sleeves are well proportioned with the cuffs sitting right on the wrist. The stretch in the fabric means my chest was unrestricted and the fit across the shoulders is close but comfortable.

The neckline is low, which may put some people off, but I prefer this cut as I can then wear it with a skinsuit for cyclo-cross, then layer with a good snood for training rides. The hem of the main body sits relatively high. This prevents any bunching of fabric at the lower abdomen, which can irritate skin and also leave a visible bunching line beneath your shorts.

I'm pleased to report that while the price is high, the baselayer is lasting well. I've used this for cyclo-cross races, caking it in mud, crashing and pressure washing it clean before it's allowed in the washing machine. It's survived everything and still kept its soft feel against the skin.

It does have a whole host of rivals, and many are heavily discounted. The Craft Active Extreme 2.0 baselayer got a great review and is currently only £20 on Wiggle.

> Buyer's Guide: 15 of the best cycling baselayers

A better option for deep winter when the temperature drops below zero is the Rapha Merino Baselayer LS. This is warmer for steady rides but it does struggle at higher intensities. At £65, it's only a fiver cheaper than the S-Phyre, though they are quite a regular feature in the sale section.

The S-Phyre is brilliant, but until it comes down in price I couldn't really recommend it for the average rider. If you need a baselayer for cyclo-cross racing, that's a different matter; the fit under a skinsuit makes it nigh-on perfect.

Verdict

Brilliant wicking and perfect fit but it's very expensive