Won't Be Beaten

ON PRICE ACROSS SELECT MTB HELMETS
Shop Now
wearing a castelli cycling base layer wearing a castelli cycling base layer

Best Cycling Base Layers

By regulating your body temperature and managing moisture the best cycling base layers make a big difference to your comfort in the saddle. Choosing the right base layer is crucial. Some help you to stay warm on the coldest rides while others are better for keeping you cool on long hot days in the saddle.

Base layers work in both cold and warm conditions because they perform two important functions: insulation and moisture-wicking. All good base layers perform these functions, but to varying degrees depending on the type and intended use. We’ll look at all the features and benefits here to help you choose the right base layer for your ride.

All base layers are designed to move sweat away from your skin, so they need to be close fitting to work effectively. Comfort is important too so 4-way stretch materials and multi-panel construction are important. Your base layer will be worn under a jersey and/or jacket and you won’t want the material bunching up.

Most base layers are made from technical synthetic fabrics. These lightweight, flexible fabrics are very good at wicking moisture away from your skin and are quick to dry. They can be made very thin for summer use or have a thicker brushed fleece lining for extra insulation.

A natural alternative is Merino wool which has excellent temperature regulation properties as well as being highly breathable. Merino base layers don’t lose their insulation properties when they get wet, and they don’t get smelly as easily as synthetics.

cyclist wearing castelli jersey and base layer

For cold-weather cycling, a base layer that offers good insulation, as well as moisture-wicking, is best. Most base layers offer enough insulation for all-year-round use but thicker fabric with thermal fabrics are better at keeping the warmth in while still allowing your sweat to evaporate. High-loft fleece linings like Primaloft provide extra warmth for cold weather riding.

For warm weather cycling and indoor workouts, a lightweight base layer that helps to move sweat away from your skin to aid efficient evaporation is best. Warm weather base layers are very thin, they offer very little insulation but are excellent at wicking moisture away from your skin helping to keep you cool despite the heat. Thin mesh fabrics that are highly stretchy and conform to your skin are most effective.

Cyclist wearing base layer

Best cycling base layers for cold rides

Base layers that cover more of your body are best for cold-weather cycling. Long sleeves with thumb loops that cover your wrists are helpful as well as high necklines.


Best cycling base layers for warm rides

Short sleeve or vest style base layers with lower necklines are best for hot bike rides.


Suggested Guides


£5 OFF VOUCHER

When you spend £50 or more.

Sign up to our newsletter and get all the deals and special offers first.

GoogleNorton securedNovunaPayPal Credit

© Performance Cycling Limited 2025. Tredz is a trading name of Performance Cycling Limited. All Rights Reserved Company No. 03398601 | VAT No: 797 0776 69

Performance Cycling Limited trading is registered in England and Wales 03398601. Registered office: Icknield Street Drive, Washford West, Redditch, Worcestershire, England, B98 0DE.

Performance Cycling Limited t/a Tredz and Tredz Bikes is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and acts as a credit broker and not a lender, offering finance products from a restricted range of finance providers including PayPal UK Ltd and Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC.

PayPal Credit is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, 5 Fleet Place, London, United Kingdom, EC4M 7RD. Your actual interest rate and credit limit may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

Terms and conditions apply. Credit subject to status. UK residents only. PayPal Credit Representative Example: Representative 23.9% APR (variable), Purchase interest rate 23.9% p.a. (variable), Assumed credit limit £1,200.00.

Learn more about PayPal Credit

PayPal Pay in 3 is a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, 5 Fleet Place, London, United Kingdom, EC4M 7RD. Your actual interest rate and credit limit may vary depending on your individual circumstances.

PayPal Pay in 3 is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Pay in 3 eligibility is subject to status and approval. 18+. UK residents only. Pay in 3 is an unregulated credit agreement.

Learn more about Pay in 3

Novuna is a trading name of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, Novuna House, Thorpe Road, Staines-Upon-Thames, Surrey, TW18 3HP.

Novuna finance products are subject to status.  UK residents only. 18+.  Terms and Conditions apply.

† Novuna Representative Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52 and your selected term is 36 months 14.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 14.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £145.38 per month. Total amount payable will be £5.233.68 with a cost of credit of £978.16.

† Novuna Buy Now Pay Later Representative Example: If total purchase price is £4,255.52, payment holiday of 12 months followed by 24 monthly payments. 9.9% APR Representative, Annual Interest Rate 9.9% p.a. Fixed with £0 deposit you would pay £213.02 per month. Amount of Credit £4255.52, Total amount payable will be £5,112.48 with a cost of credit of £856.96. If the loan amount is voluntarily paid in full before the deferral period ends, interest will be waived but an early settlement fee up to £29 will apply.

Prior to taking out any form of credit you should ensure that the payments are affordable and how you will repay them. Taking on additional credit may make other borrowing more difficult or expensive. See product terms for more details.

FacebookXInstagramYouTubeStrava