Best cycling base layers 2025 — wick away sweat and stay comfortable with a quality under layer

Megmeister's Women’s Drynamo Cycle Sleeveless Baselayer is an excellent summer-weight baselayer that's great-fitting with comfy seam-free sides and excellent wicking ability. 

There are strategically placed sections of mesh across both the front and rear of this baselayer, as well as under the arms, for moisture to escape more easily in the areas you sweat more. Anna said, "It manages sweat generated very well and I found that it wasn't ever overwhelmed", making it an excellent choice for hard, competitive riding. 

Sizing-wise, the Drynamo is split into just two, XS/S and M/L. This may not seem like a lot of choice, but there's so much stretch to this material that it can accommodate a wide range of shapes for each size.

The Spatz BASEZ 2 Black Baselayer is excellent in very cold temperatures - the warmth and wicking performance is excellent and it has some features you don't always see on baselayers.

First, the sleeves go over the wrist, with thumb holes to keep it in place, providing a little extra warmth over the part of the hand it covers. There is also a longer dropped back section, which goes right the way down below your back to keep your lower back warmer, and a high neck which adds incredible warmth and helps keep the wind off your chest.  

The Galibier Echelon baselayer performs extremely well when it comes to comfort and moisture management, and it's a very attractive price. Tester Paul said, "The construction and fit make it a baselayer that can compete with more expensive offerings from the big brands". 

Galibier claims that the Echelon is a year-round garment, despite its AirMesh construction, and while it is the sort of baselayer you would usually reach for in the warmer months, it can be layered up effectively under one of the best winter cycling jackets. It isn't there to add insulation the way a merino layer might, but it helps to regulate your body temperature by ensuring you don't get too clammy on milder days or during periods when you're working hard.

The FR3ND Classic T-Shirt is the ideal casual baselayer for on and off the bike with an excellent fit and good breathability. 

Fr3nd's Classic T-Shirt is constructed from a mix of Tencel – an environmentally–friendly type of fabric made from sustainably sourced wood – and bamboo. Both have excellent properties for activity, being naturally breathable, antibacterial, and with good heat regulation. It feels incredibly soft on the skin too and tester Hollis found that it doesn't ever get smelly. 

It's not one for high-intensity workouts because of the very slow drying nature of the fabric.

The ArmaUrto Impact Pro Base Layer Elite is a light and comfortable base layer with added protection to your elbows and shoulders in the event of a crash. ArmaUrto says that despite the thinness of the padding, the 'ARMA' is capable of absorbing and safely dissipating up to 80 per cent of impact energy.

It's ideal for icy rides, commutes and some crit racing with an upper limit of about 12 or 13°C when worn with a lightweight jersey. The 3/4-length sleeves mean it's best suited to wearing under long-sleeved outer garments, and it's easy to forget you're wearing it when the temperature is below the mid-teens.

The ARMA padding is flexible and it conforms well to the shape of the shoulders and elbows. Tester Jamie said, "I found them perfectly comfortable for riding both in an aggressive position on my road bike with arms bent, or when riding more upright on mountain bikes and commuters."

Although it's slightly pricier than when we reviewed it, the GripGrab Expert 2 Thermal Seamless LS Base Layer is still a high-performing, thick layer for cold weather. 

Best reserved for autumn and winter, the layer is thick, comfortable and breathes really well. The only thing we took issue with was the name - 'seamless', when in fact, it does contain seams.