Lusso Race Base Mesh Base Layer

Lusso's Race Base Mesh Base layer is a great performer, seriously helping to wick away that summer sweat.

I've always sworn by a baselayer; even when I completed the Etape du Tour in 2013 in mid-30-degree heat, I donned a layer to help me regulate my body temperature. A well-designed layer can seriously help you achieve a more comfortable ride, and the Lusso mesh variety is certainly worth its (light)weight.

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The short sleeve variety I tested is top drawer in many respects: it's the perfect length to sit seamlessly around your hips, doesn't ride up, and moulds to your individual body shape thanks to shaped (rather than seamed) fabric. The mesh also seems to be of the same ilk as you'll find from high-end brands such as Rapha.

There's no chafing – always my fear when it comes to mesh baselayers – and it stays remarkably dry, acting as a conduit to transport moisture rather than absorb it. That means in 30-degree heat you're kept very cool, yet the fabric sitting against your skin remains relatively dry. Salt marks on my jerseys were common, indicating that it performs its job well.

My only complaint is that, having slightly bigger arms than your average keen road cyclist, I found the hems of the sleeves a little tight. It's a shame there isn't a sleeveless option, as that would also get around the problem that a lot of my jersey sleeves are shorter than the baselayer's (I don't particularly like the newer fashion of elbow-length short sleeves) – and how tight my jersey sleeves tend to be with a baselayer squeezed underneath...

You could always buy a size up (an Italian-esque fit applies, so you're already aiming a size higher than normal), but then you risk having too much length in the body, making the hem visible at the rear of your bib shorts.

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Thanks to its extreme light weight, it washes through easily, although you need to take care – I stuck to a delicate treatment. Do this and it comes out as new, which is good as it's going to be the layer that sits against your skin, and you want it remaining soft and smooth.

It's good value, too, at £22.99, when you consider (decent) baselayers from mainstream manufacturers such as Nike or Adidas can cost twice as much. This makes it an attractive buy for the summer months, or if you happen to run particularly hot, your current cotton or merino blend baselayer just isn't light enough.

Verdict

A very good performer for hot summer days – if we get any…