An effective lightweight baselayer

The cold weather of the last few weeks has made a good baselayer essential, not just for warmth but more importantly to move moisture away from the skin so you stay dry. In freezing conditions a damp base layer can make you feel chilly very quickly. Happily the one I’ve been trying recently has performed well.
The Sprayway Roola ½ Zip is a 50/50 blend of merino wool and polyester. The fabric weight is 145gsm, making this a lightweight top with a total weight of 176 grams (Medium size). It is quite thin and so not very warm in itself – on warm days early in the autumn I didn’t find it too hot. However it does combine the properties of wool and polyester well, wicking moisture fast, feeling soft and comfortable against the skin, not smelling after prolonged wear, and drying fast when damp.
The Roola has a standard design for a zip-neck baselayer. The long zip has a fabric strip behind it to protect the skin and ends in a double–layer collar. The seams are flat-locked and there are none over the shoulders. The wide cuffs and narrow hem are double-layer fabric.
The Roola is available in two-tone blue or dark grey and in men’s sizes from S-XXL. The women’s equivalent is the Kara ½ Zip which comes in two-tone pink or dark grey and sizes 8-18. It costs £5 less than the Roola too.
The Roola ½ Zip is an excellent base layer and the price is good for a merino wool/polyester top.
£50