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review

Metier Element Race Layer Short Sleeve

5
£80.00

VERDICT:

5
10
Nice fit and ideal for chilly mornings but doesn't deliver on its cooling claims when the weather is warm
Weight: 
88g

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Metier has used the latest wonder material, graphene, to control body temperature in its new Element baselayer. The theory sounds plausible but in reality I can see very few benefits over baselayers a third of the price. It does fit nicely, though.

  • Pros: Well cut, compressive fit
  • Cons: Removes sweat from the body but doesn't dry very quickly, high price

We've seen graphene appearing in all sorts of applications since it was recently 'discovered': things like tyre treads or the soles of high-end running shoes, mostly because of its unbelievable strength and the fact that it is so thin it's also incredibly light and flexible.

> Buy this online here

Metier has used it here more for its thermal conductivity though. The pattern you see on the baselayer is the graphene printed to the fabric and the theory is that it engages with your body's hotspots to dissipate heat throughout the circuit, to either keep you cool on hot rides or warming you on cooler ones.

metier_element_race_layer_ss_-_back.jpg

While we may not have the exceptional temperatures we saw back in the summer, it's still knocking around the high-teens to low 20s here. On each ride I've done in the Element it has becoming overwhelmed with sweat quite quickly, making the whole baselayer wet, and even when opening my jersey zip to get some wind flowing through it refused to dry to a decent level.

I like the close cut of the Element and the mild feeling of compression, but with it sitting so close to the body everywhere it means that you feel the wetness every time you move. It wasn't pleasant.

With chillier early mornings it has kept me warm and not been so much of an issue, but whether that heat is being transferred around my body via the graphene is very hard to quantify.

metier_element_race_layer_ss_-_label.jpg

What I'm basically saying is that it doesn't feel to be doing any different a job than other similarly fitting non-graphene baselayers in my collection.

There are things to like, though.

As I mentioned, I like the slim fit, and that compression element to the fabric doesn't feel overly restrictive if you aren't exactly the lightest rider in the group.

The seams down each side have been bonded rather than sewn so you have nothing protruding against the skin, although those around the neck and arms are left as normal.

metier_element_race_layer_ss_-_collar.jpg

The fabric is also anti-bacterial so you can wear it a fair few times before washing it, which makes it ideal for a short tour or if you are a regular commuter.

Value-wise, at £80 it is at the expensive end of the market, and as I personally didn't find the whole graphene thing much of a bonus I wouldn't see myself paying for it.

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

The Ashmei baselayer recently tested got excellent marks for its sweat wicking and quick drying, and even that was considered expensive at £65. Dave tested the £82 X-Bionic Energy Accumulator winter baselayer back in 2016 and gave it 9/10 – but he did say the performance was 'best in class'.

Something like the dhb's Blok baselayer is just £20 and is an excellent performer in the summer. It hasn't got the cold weather capability of the Metier, but for the same money you could buy a separate winter baselayer and still pocket some change (Lusso's Thermal baselayer is £35 and very good according to Mike Stead).

On the whole the Element is a decent piece of clothing when it comes to form and fit, but it just doesn't deliver on its promises for me.

Verdict

Nice fit and ideal for chilly mornings but doesn't deliver on its cooling claims when the weather is warm

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Metier Element Race Layer Short Sleeve

Size tested: Medium

Tell us what the product is for

Metier says, "The short sleeve Element Race Layer is the first base layer in the world to use Graphene G+ technology. The application of Graphene when printed onto fabric creates a unique performance environment which is incredibly effective at controlling the core temperature of your body - either dissipating heat in hot weather, or retaining heat in the cold."

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

From Metier:

Close fitting

Core Temperature Control

UPF 50+

Seamless bonding for greater comfort

High degree of breathability

Bacteriortatic and therefore reduces odour

Quick drying for rider comfort

Made in the UK

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
5/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
8/10

Sizing was exactly as the chart says. Available in sizes XXS to XXL.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

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

You need to wash it in its own bag on a 30-degree heat.

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

As a summer baselayer it's too warm and doesn't breathe very well; it's slightly better in cooler weather.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Well cut.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Doesn't live up to the graphene claims.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

There aren't many other baselayers on the market for this kind of money, even the likes of Ashmei and Rapha are cheaper. Dave did test the X-Bionic Energy Accumulator back in 2016 and that was £82 – but he did say the performance was excellent.

Did you enjoy using the product? No

Would you consider buying the product? No

Would you recommend the product to a friend? No

Use this box to explain your overall score

For the money this baselayer would have to be near-perfect to take on the competition, but it just doesn't deliver on its technical claims.

Overall rating: 5/10

About the tester

Age: 40  Height: 180cm  Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: This month's test bike  My best bike is: B'Twin Ultra CF draped in the latest bling test components

I've been riding for: Over 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

As part of the tech team here at F-At Digital, senior product reviewer Stu spends the majority of his time writing in-depth reviews for road.cc, off-road.cc and ebiketips using the knowledge gained from testing over 1,500 pieces of kit (plus 100's of bikes) since starting out as a freelancer back in 2009. After first throwing his leg over a race bike back in 2000, Stu's ridden more than 170,000 miles on road, time-trial, track, and gravel bikes, and while he's put his racing days behind him, he still likes to smash the pedals rather than take things easy. With a background in design and engineering, he has an obsession with how things are developed and manufactured, has a borderline fetish for handbuilt metal frames and finds a rim braked road bike very aesthetically pleasing!

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