Castelli Seamless Sleeveless base layer

It might look like a string vest but Castelli's seamless sleeveless base layer is a top quality cycling undergarment that shifts sweat off your skin and doesn't get smelly despite daily use.

Comfort and good wicking properties are the two fundamental requirements when it comes to a good base layer.

Castelli gives the seamless sleeveless base layer great wicking properties by using two different materials, a polypropylene layer next to the skin and a nylon outer layer. Both have very little absorbency making them ideal for transferring perspiration and humid air away from the body through the mesh pattern of the base layer. The nylon provides some elasticity and as long as it isn't stretched too far it will retain its shape over a long period of time.

Castelli has varied the mesh pattern throughout the base layer so that it has bigger gaps in the material where you're likely to get warmer. The underarms, chest and upper back are the main parts to receive this treatment.

Both nylon and polypropylene can be melted which allows seams to be created without stitching and how the garment gets its seamless moniker. The joins run around the edges of the mesh panels adding strength to the base layer.

Versatile & comfortable

The Seamless Sleeveless is part of Castelli's Spring/Summer range and although its nominal temperature range is 20°C to 35°C it works very well in much cooler climes. Down to around 12°C has been fine in short sleeve jerseys and under a winter jersey it's been fine at low single figures.

Comfort is very good, the thicker material (compared to the likes of Craft's Cool Mesh that I normally wear) makes it feel a little bit odd as you pull it on but once in place it contours to the body and feels great. It's a good length and doesn't ride up when you're in the drops. The high close fitting neck stops any unwanted drafts.

Regardless of effort the wicking properties are some of the best I've known and whether you've finished an interval session or a 100 miler the Castelli is virtually dry having passed the perspiration out to your jersey to evaporate.

Low whiff

Surprisingly for a man-made garment the whiff-o-meter hardly registers a reading after a week's riding (2 hours a day commute) and when it has been bunged in the wash its come up clean every time and no signs of shrinkage.

Overall it's a top performer in the world of base layers and a price of £35 is hardly extortionate for the quality and performance you're getting. It comes in a sleeved version to and three sizes of small, medium and large. As per usual with Castelli kit its best to err on the larger size from the norm.

Verdict

High performance base layer that is a man-made alternative to merino in the anti-stink stakes.