Bikeradar - The world is for riding

A lightweight Merino wool base layer, the NZO Basejumper is just the job for warding off the chill,and the price is an absolute steal. It's warm and comfortable and as wool fans already know, real sheep fur has a number of advantages.

It feels soft and natural against the skin. Synthetic base layers, however good they are, can feel a little static-clingy and plasticy. That makes it wonderfully cosy on chilly mornings, but wool's ability to absorb sweat means it doesn't get clammy when you're working hard. It stays surprisingly comfortable when things warm up too.

My only criticism of the Basejumper is that I'd like a slightly longer back. A curved tail rather than the flat shape would give a bit more coverage.

Famously, wool takes a long time to get smelly, so you can wear it for, say, several days of commuting before it needs washing. Wool has smooth fiber surfaces so there are far fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to lurk and breed and make it smelly.

Compared to similar baselayers, the Basejumper is an absolute bargain at under 30 quid. In fact, it's under 25 quid at the time of writing, though shipping from NZO's base in New Zealand will bump that up.

NZO says the Basejumper will tolerate tumble-drying. We've not tried that, but it has handled a few runs through the washing machine so far and come out looking like new.

Construction is excellent and the Raglan-sleeved cut is flattering. It's very much a close-fitting base layer, so go up a size if you plan to wear it as a t-shirt and you're not a certified waif or whippet.

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