The Le Coq Sportif Cailly base layer does everything you’d want an undervest to do – it’s light, fits well and does an excellent job at wicking sweat away from the skin, but is a little expensive.
The base layer is part of Le Coq Sportif’s new performance range, launched to celebrate the French brand’s return as sponsor of the Tour de France’s leaders jerseys.
It’s made from a 82 per cent polyester, 18 per cent elastane mix and the fabric is very light. That, combined with the fact its sleeveless, makes it ideal for warm summer rides, although I’ve preferred an even lighter, open mesh base layer on the hottest days we’ve experienced of late.
The fabric is micro-aerated – it has very small holes in it, like a very fine mesh – which means it breathes well, with sweat quickly moved away from the skin.
The fit is good, with our medium sample sitting close to the skin, without ever feeling restrictive, and the fabric has plenty of stretch in it.
Styling isn’t so important when it comes to a base layer – it will be hidden from view most of the time, after all – but it’s a stylish piece as far as undervests go, with the Le Coq Sportif logo printed on the right breast and left shoulder, plus there’s the French tricolore on the back of the neck. The contrasting white stripe which runs around the middle of the base layer also means it matches the Arac short sleeve jersey we’ve also got on test, which is a stylish (if unimportant to performance) touch if you pair the two pieces together.
Any negatives? Well, the Cailly certainly sits at the premium end of the base layer market at £45 but the performance is excellent, even if you’re wallet will be left a little light.
Price: £45
Sizes: S-XL
Website: Le Coq Sportif
