At a glance A great close-fitting, wicking, warm and anti-smelling layer for cycling with a crew neck to avoid bulk at the neck
Tested by
Claire Maxted, tester for The Bike List
Performance
Feeling toasty and warm is something I rate highly when I'm out cycling as winter turns into spring. This baselayer is designed to fit closely to your body to trap in heat and seal any draughts as you speed along the road or trail. The sleeves are plenty long enough to stretch out over the handlebars without draughting up the sleeves too. I can honestly say that the Oasis Crewe top is one of the most comfy items I own and it fits very nicely under regular short sleeved cycling tops as a baselayer, or simply under a cycling jacket. The flat locked stitching adds to the comfort, and there is also a seamless underarm which reduces friction and just makes it really comfy to be in the saddle, especially on mountain bike rides when your upper body tends to move around a little more.
Icebreaker do thinner and thicker baselayers, and the Oasis Crewe is what they refer to as Bodyfit 200 which means it is meant for active use. Their thinner layer, the Bodyfit 150 is made of 25% less merino wool, so it is cooler. Having worn both in the past, I do find that the 200 weight is ideal for prolonged use as it is more durable, especially on mountain bike day rides with a backpack, or commuting on a road bike with your work clothes and lunch on your back. Icebreaker also do Bodyfit 260 layers for very cold conditions, which can be slightly too warm for active use as we come into spring.
The only feature some might want for cycling is a collar and half zip at the front so you can get even more toasty round the neck and ventilate when you need to. Icebreaker do make tops that fulfil this requirement; one called the Mondo Zip has those exact features. The advantage of the Oasis Crew for cycling however is the lack of bulk around your neck, which is particularly useful if you are wearing a jacket that already has a collar and you find too much neck-bulk uncomfortable as you ride.
So on to the fabric itself. The great thing about merino wool for active sports like biking is that it naturally resists odours, so you can take this baselayer on a week-long trip without it smelling bad, or cycle with it to work all week and save time and faffing with no mid-week cycle clothing wash. In fact, on their site Icebreaker say, "the known record for wearing an Icebreaker non-stop is 196 days in extreme conditions" although I'm not sure I'd want to try and beat that.
To get this kind of life span from a merino baselayer you do have to look after it a little more than you would a synthetic top. They are slightly more delicate both to wear and wash, but for the comfort you gain it is well worth it. As long as you wash this baselayer on a low temperature with some soap flakes or mild detergent and hold off the fabric softener and detergents with bleach, the Oasis Crewe should last for years.
At £50 it is £10-£20 more than your average synthetic baselayer, and that price hike can put some off, but I would go for a merino baselayer over a synthetic one for most rides - mostly for multi-day trips where I need to pack light and not smell! I save my light and cool synthetic layers for spinning classes, inside where everyone sweats loads, but only because I know I can chuck them in the wash immediately afterwards!
All in all, if you treat the Oasis Crewe with the care it deserves, it will serve you well, whatever riding you do.
Buy from www.evanscycles.com
Icebreaker says:
This raglan long-sleeved top has a higher neck to trap in heat where you most need it. Flat sewn seams in the side gusset keep you comfortable and give you great freedom to move.
- Crewe neck
- Raglan sleeves
- Gussets for ease of movement
- Forward side seam
- Fits close to the body
- Flatlock stitching
- Icebreaker embroidered logo
Find out more www.icebreaker.com
