RedLevel Short Sleeve Ceramic baselayer

RedLevel's Bioceramic base layer uses technology from the health industry to promote your body's performance while you wear it. More importantly, though it's well-made and very comfortable.

The Bioceramic isn't a cycling-specific garment being more of a generic sports item; RedLevel suggest you can use it for skiing, snowboarding and horse riding too. The fit, surprisingly for an Italian designed and manufactured garment is rather generous with a medium fitting more like a Castelli large or even X-large. The size range is pretty good with XS – XL options in either black or white and there are also long sleeved and sleeveless versions available.

The material is 90% Tactel, a microfibre which has plenty of elasticity for a form fit and allows it to move with you without bunching. It seems pretty breathable and is also hydrophilic meaning that that material absorbs sweat away from your skin quickly by spreading it over a larger surface area before passing it to the next layer or atmosphere. When you remove it you can feel how damp the base layer is but it isn't noticeable when you are actually wearing it.

The remaining 10% are ceramic particles that have been fused to the fibres before being woven. This innovation has been used to treat things like arthritis and poor circulation by increasing blood flow to soft tissue in turn promoting regeneration and faster healing, both also beneficial when you're pushing your body pretty hard.

How does it work (you probably didn't ask)? It's to do with far infrared light rays, those ones from the sun that make you feel warm which have been proven to offer therapeutic benefits as your body absorbs them. The Bioceramic compounds used are naturally occurring minerals which also give off these far infrared rays and only require normal body temperature, 36-37°C to start emitting them.

Does it work? Well its hard to tell really. The first half of the test period I knew nothing of the material properties so wasn't looking out for anything in particular. Once you know what you're looking for any performance benefits are hard to quantify due to so many variables to be fair but I will say this for it, wearing it on the time trial bike has seen fewer aches in the shoulders and lower back after an hour on the tri-bars. I reckon its also ideal used as a recovery garment where you can feel the natural warmth of the material as you rest post ride.

One thing that is noticeable is the antibacterial effect of the material; it doesn't get stinky. Even after a week of heavy commuting you could get away with not washing it.

Overall the RedLevel Ceramic base layer does a good job thanks to decent wicking and great comfort next to the skin. The cut is good with both the torso and arms being of a sensible length when in the saddle and the overall quality looks to be pretty impressive.

Looking back at previous base layers we've tested the £46.99 rrp, while at the upper bracket doesn't seem like an unrealistic price. Add to that even a small amount of benefit from the ceramic material and it's a worthy addition to your wardrobe.

Verdict

Comfortable base layer with good wicking properties, quality construction and a whiff free material