The oneten Intimo Sleeveless Base Layer uses a clever combination of polyester weaves which results in a well thought out garment ideally suited to spring/summer riding.
oneten is a clothing brand launched last year by Hotlines, a UK distributor that looks after the likes of Lynskey and Pro-Lite. They focus on thermal body mapping in the design process, which works out where your body produces, or loses, heat and the Intimo is constructed accordingly.
What that means is the Intimo has a heavier polyester fabric at the front and the sides, and mesh at the rear. The front isn’t windproof but keeps the chill off your chest while remaining very breathable, even during warmer rides (around 23c) like those I experienced in Majorca, with a salt stain the only trace of sweat that was quickly wicked away. The mesh at the rear allows heat to escape in areas where protection from the wind isn’t so vital, while the base layer is, on the whole, very lightweight.
The Intimo’s label is printed on the outside of the base layer at the rear; a nice touch which means there no irritation against the skin, and although we’d like to see flat lock seams on the rest of the garment, the raised seams haven’t caused any problems during our test. The fit hugs the body well (a size guide is available on oneten’s website); a longer rear provides ample cover, while oneten have placed the arm and neck holes slightly forward to reflect a rider’s hunched position on the bike.
So, the Intimo’s innovative fabric is ideal for spring and much of the British summer, when conditions are rarely better than mild, although a mesh wicking vest would be preferable on hot rides, when the not-quite-windproof nature of Intimo’s front panel is likely to render it too warm. All in all, I’d say it’s suitable for temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to the low to mid 20s.
Retail price for the sleeveless Intimo is £24.99, while short sleeve and long sleeve versions are available for £27.99 and £29.99 respectively.
