The Sportful Thermodynamic Lite is a fuss-free and effective sleeveless base layer ideal for warm summer conditions.

A good base layer is as important in the heat of summer as it is in the depths of winter. Though that may sound counter-intuitive – why would you want to put on another layer when trying to stay cool? – a super-light base layer like this one helps wicks sweat away from the skin in order to keep the rider dry and help regulate body temperature, particularly if, say, you work up a sweat on a climb and then start a descent.

The Thermodynamic Lite is made from a super-light and very thin fabric – and so adds very little weight beneath a short sleeve jersey – and has a closed-mesh polyester construction. It works just as you’d hope: the fabric is fast-drying and quickly moves sweat away from the body, thus allowing moisture to evaporate and helping to keep you, the rider, feeling fresh.

The fit isn’t as snug as some base layers but we stuck with our regular size, medium, with no problems and the fabric sits close to the skin beneath a jersey. There’s a good amount of stretch in the material if you need it and flatlock stitching throughout rules out any irritation . Our test sample is sleeveless but there’s also a short sleeve version and, if you want a lighter base layer still, Sportful’s X-Lite range will take care of that.

Conclusion

Sportful Thermodynamic Lite sleeveless base layer’s super-light, sleeveless design and fast-wicking qualities ensure this is a piece at home on warm summer rides, when it will do its job with little fuss. There’s not much more to it – you can scrunch the base layer up so it’s only a little bigger than a tennis ball – but that’s no bad thing and it’s decent value at £18 RRP, too.

Price: £18
Sizes: XS-XXL
Website: Sportful
UK distributor: C3 Products