A base layer should be part of every cyclist’s wardrobe. It keeps you fresh and comfy throughout the year. It doesn’t matter what season of the year it is, a high-quality cycling base layer for women is crucial for comfort while riding. It helps to normalize your body temperature as well as managing your body odor.
There are plenty of options to pick from, depending on technical materials, types of fibers, and various fabrics. Additionally, some are designed for particular kinds of weather; therefore, the length of the sleeve, cuts, and thickness are among the things you should consider.
Women-specific ones are different from the men’s and unisex ones. The key lies in their cut. For it to be comfortable enough, it should easily embrace your figure and sit evenly against your body. This is how women’s base layers are designed. To make the buying process a little bit easier for you, we’ve given detailed reviews of the best women’s cycling base layers in the market currently for different budgets.
Contents
Helly Hansen base layer for women
Base layer Features:
· Weighs 144g
· Easy-stretch fabric
· Flat-lock seams
· Light padding
· 100% LIFA
Overview
This is a unique design with a chic strip on its sleeve. It features moisture passage technology during your ride, and it is also perfect for other sports and training. Furthermore, it has an insulating layer, which makes it more comfortable to use. It also has a comfy snug and cuffs. It is made of 100 % LIFA, a super breathable, quick-dry, high-performance, and light base layer.
The LIFA technology has been constantly perfected for the last four decades, and it is a unique feature in every Helly Hansen base layer.
Pros
· The flat-lock seams make your ride more comfortable
· LIFA technology
Cons
· Price
Sub-sports Women’s Compression Base Layer
This Sub sport product is a compression base layer and is perfect for women. This long sleeve product is perfect for all fitness fans but especially cyclists.
It features super-wicking fabric that keeps you dry by lifting sweat away from your skin, to the base layer’s surface where the sweat can evaporate. This efficiently normalizes your body temperature and stops the extra moisture from accumulating and decreases chaffing. Normally, a base layer is smaller than your body once you unpack it. When you wear it, it will stretch and fit properly after some time.
Features
· Flat-stitched seams
· Genuine compression
· Sweat transport technology
· V-neck
· Perfect for any season
Pros
· It is designed to be perfect for any season
·Moisture passage technology
Cons
N/A
TCA Super thermal performance base layer
Features
· Light inner thermal fabric
· Fitting and lightweight design
· Quick-dry fabric
· 4-way stretch
Overview
The TCA Super-thermal fabric is constructed using a brushed interior layer, soft and secures some heat keeping your body warm. This quick-dry fabric keeps you dry and helps you work out comfortably all through your ride.
Pros
· The inner fabric keeps you warm
· The quick-dry fabric which helps you to remain comfortable, dry and light
Cons
MEETYOO thermal underwear leggings
Features
· Absorbs sweat instantly when riding
· Lightweight and warm
· Offers flexibility
Overview
This MEETYOO thermal base layer features fleece padding, and it is lightweight. Additionally, it keeps you warm and has a windproof feature that is useful during the cold weather since it reduces the loss of heat.
It is constructed using moisture-wicking fabric, which is also super-breathable. This absorbs the sweat fast and keeps you dry during the entire ride.
Pros
· Flexibility
· Lightweight
Cons
Castelli Pro Issue 2 base layer for women
This women-specific base layer mainly focuses on high-performance and cool, sweat-free ride.
Features
· Sleeve options; sleeveless & short-sleeved
· Material; Polyester
· Colors; 1
Overview
This base layer is perfect if you are looking to keep cool during your ride. It keeps you cool and fresh without any overheating issues. It is constructed to be used during the warmer temperatures, from 150c to 25oc.
Pro Issue 2 is made using a lightweight 3D mesh fabric that lifts sweat from your skin, making your ride a comfy and dry one. Moreover, it features fewer collar seams and one flat hem on the waist. This translates to fewer irritation areas.
This Castelli product has a comfortable fit that remains flat and does not bunch up. It pairs off perfectly with anything featuring a tight collar; thus, it is unnecessary to bargain on performance. Unfortunately, Pro Issue 2 comes with one disadvantage, it is extremely biased towards slim women, and thus it might not be the best choice if you have a curvier body.
Pros
· Perfect during the summer
· Offer a dry and comfy ride
· Designed for high-performance
Cons
· Designed for slim women
DHB light base layer for women
This DHB product is designed for high-performance, and it is very hard to beat, considering its price.
Features
· Sleeve options; sleeveless, long and short
· Material; elastane and polyester
· Colors; 2
Overview
This is a good option if you are on a budget. This base layer is high-performance and is cheap. It is treated using a polygiene antibacterial finish, which helps fight body odor and keeping you cool. For body temperature normalization, the open mesh knit lifts sweat away from the skin.
For layering, there are fewer seams, and the stitches are flat-locked. In general, it is a great base layer that is inexpensive, although they are quite small. Thus check Wiggle’s size chart before making any purchases.
Pros
· High-performance
· Cheap
Cons
· Small sizing
Assos Skin-Foil
This base layer is made from breathable, high-quality material, and comes in lots of options for all-weather cycling.
Features
· Multiple sleeve options; sleeveless, long and short
· Material; 15% polyester, 85% polypropylene
· Color options; 2
Overview
The multiple base layer options for seasonal cycling include a sleeveless mesh summer one, a long sleeve one with a winter layer, and another short sleeve one perfect for the spring/autumn.
The summer-specific design is designed to keep you cool during the high temperatures. It is made using Assos` Transport mesh, which is said to alter its cooling effect depending on the cyclist’s amount of sweat. This means the faster you cycle, the harder it works to ensure you are cool.
On the other hand, the winter and spring/autumn base layers have additional heft and are engineered from a moisture-wicking mesh with polypropylene fabric.
All the four designs are made from a continuous tubular knit, which lessens the number of aggravation areas. This helps you to remain comfortable all the time. Even though it fits quite tightly, it does not limit your body movement. It takes sweat away from your body and gives light compression to prevent muscle fatigue.
Pros
· Breathable
· Lightweight muscle compression
Cons
· Pricey
Bottom-line
A base layer is usually your first defense line that your body will have in normalizing your temperature. It also comes in handy when you want to transfer sweat away from your body during intense rides. Hopefully, this guide has helped you to choose the women-specific base layer for you.
