7mesh Ashlu Merino Base Layer LS review

7mesh’s Ashlu Merino wool baselayer is made from an 89/11 per cent wool/nylon blend.

The fabric is claimed to offer the thermoregulation and antibacterial properties the brand says wool is renowned for.

Plus the material’s mostly natural origins mean the Ashlu is free from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; there are no harmful ‘forever chemicals’ in its construction.

Seams are ‘flatlocked’, which means their stitching creates a flat join between each panel of material. This, 7mesh says, is to improve comfort against the skin.

7mesh claims a 50-plus Ultraviolet Protection Filter (UPF).

Cut with a ‘skin fit’, the top is designed to hug your body, but is stretchy enough to function as either a baselayer or mid-layer.

A shorter-than-average length is aimed to reduce “bulk under your bibs,” according to the brand.

My size-large 'Thyme'-coloured test sample weighs 182g, lighter than 7mesh’s medium-sized 193g claimed weight.

It’s available in sizes extra-small to extra-extra-large.

7mesh Ashlu Merino Base Layer LS performance

The Ashlu’s Merino and nylon blend is soft and smooth against your skin.

There’s enough stretch to prevent its figure-hugging shape feeling restrictive when moving and reduce the chances of the material rucking up or bunching.

True to 7mesh’s word, the seams are imperceptible when worn.

Also matching the brand's claims is its length. While the shorter cut is fine if worn beneath the securing lycra of a pair of bib shorts, when donned above the bibs it can untuck while riding, lifting up at the back.

Whether this affects you will depend on your layering strategy.

Given the thin, stretchy material, an extra few centimetres of length wouldn’t ruck up, as 7mesh suggests it might.

Conversely, I found the arm length to be spot-on. They don’t lift up beyond your wrists when you extend your elbows, nor do they swamp your hands and wrists when your arms are bent.

The collar has a reasonably loose fit, which is comfortable and unrestrictive but leaves space for air to channel down its opening.

Overall, I found it ran smaller than expected. While I was able to squeeze into a medium, which is my usual size for long-sleeve tops, it felt too tight compared to the large; consider sizing up unless you like a sporty fit.

Its clean and simple looks will please many and help it blend into different types of riding outfit.

While the material remained soft and smooth when drenched in sweat, the most saturated sections changed colour, darkening from its attractive light green to an uglier, stained tone.

Although aesthetics aren’t everything, big, obvious sweat patches are far from fetching.

Unsurprisingly, when damp and hot, the Ashlu emits the distinctive, although not unpleasant, Merino smell. Whether that’s a problem is between you and your nose.

When saturated, it retains body heat well; its performance when wet is commendable. A chill can set in quickly, especially when it’s cold and windy, but throw a windproof shell over the top and your body heat is restored.

7mesh Ashlu Merino Base Layer LS bottom line

The Ashlu is an impressively comfortable, lightweight and tight-fitting baselayer; its Merino wool construction provides the foundations for keeping you warm and snug.

Best worn with a windbreaker on colder days, or alone in warmer temperatures, it’s only the price tag and short cut that might put some people off.