Men’s Baabaa Blend long sleeve (L/S) Base Layer
I’ve reviewed this Merino Blend base layer before. See the full review here. I still love this top, and it still looks brand new. I used to be a bit of a snob; that merino clothing had to be 100% merino wool. The thing about 100% merino wool is that, as lovely and natural as it is, there always is a bit of an itch. There is no getting away from it.
The Baabaa Blend is 80% Lyocell, 20% Merino and feels much more like a soft cotton, and it’s itch-free, making it comfortable next to your skin and giving you no issues over the length of a ride.
Although it contains less merino wool, the top maintains the odour resistance you would expect from a merino. It’s easy to wash and doesn’t have the worry of shrinkage or shaping afterwards. Although the top feels substantial, it dries quickly.
Although I love to ride my bike in the Baabaa Blend, I also wear it for days out hiking and walking, and happily wear it snowboarding and as a layer to change after training to keep warm.
Windchill Jacket II
This is the only upper body cold-weather outer-layer bit of kit I have. When I look out of the window on a wintery day and see the frost on the grass, I shiver a little, knowing it’s going to be a cold ride. Then I open my kit drawer and see my Endura Windchill jacket and feel a little better about the ride, knowing I’m going to be warm.
The soft-shell jacket is stretchy, so it maintains some form-fitting, looks good and doesn’t flap around. The fleecy lining makes the jacket warm and comfortable, and lovely to pull on. There is a water repellent finish, which may rescue you during a rain shower, but as any bike rider knows, nothing will keep you dry in driving rain.
There are 3 open rear pockets plus a zipped security pocket, as you would find on a normal jersey. A grippy hem to keep it in place and underarm vents help temperature regulation.
Coming in at around £100, the Windchill Jacket is great value for a kit that will keep you warm and happy on a winter ride.
Hummvee Gilet
What I want is a gilet is something lightweight that keeps the chill off my chest during the cold early morning and the fast downhills, plus easy to stash away once it warms up. The Hummvee Gilet does just that. A windproof front and rear mesh back to keep the weight down and stop overheating. Having no pockets, pouches or vents, the gilet pack down nicely and neatly fits in the back pocket of your jersey or jacket.
The high neck offers more protection, and the soft microfibre collar panel makes it comfortable and warm.
A gilet is an essential for any bike rider and almost always makes a ride a little more comfortable and gives that extra layer of protection when you’re stuck between how many layers to wear.
Endura BaaBaa Merino Tech Multitube
Buffs, as I call them, are just so handy and helpful in many situations. Neck warmer, bandana, mask, hat under your helmet and easy to store. Made from the same material as the long sleeve base layer, so nice and soft with the merino benefits. An overlooked but highly valuable bit of winter kit.
Click here to buy direct from Endura
Baabaa Merino Winter Socks
There is nothing worse than cold feet. Cycling shoes are not the most heat retentive of footwear, so a good pair of socks goes a long way to having an enjoyable ride.
Our final bit of merino on this post, these sock will keep you feet nice and toasty. They have a padded sole for comfort and a long cuff for warmth. They come in a variety of funky colours, so you can still make a statement. They are also available in black!
Click here to buy direct from Endura
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