Like this site? Help us to make it better.

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price. Cold Drink Fan Paper Cup

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

Pearson's 'Skin in the Game' Long Sleeve Base Layer is made from a mid-weight merino wool blend – and fits like a glove (or a good-fitting baselayer). It doesn't wick sweat quite as well as synthetic base layers, but I've found that equally true for all merino base layers and, on the flip side, merino's odour-eating properties mean you can wear it for a whole week(ish) before the whiff beats you. And at £55 the price isn't bad either.

For its Skin the Game base layer, Pearson has specified an 80% merino, 20% nylon fabric mix. The idea is to retain merino's warmth and anti-smell properties while avoiding the durability issues you can get with 100% merino wool tops. Though as our best base layers buyer's guide shows, all sorts of materials – natural and manmade – can work well.

So far, I'm pleased to say the base layer isn't showing any of those small holes that are often the first sign of a fabric failing.

This merino-mix strategy has worked on other cycling tops I've had for longer, so I've high hopes this one will go the distance too.

I'd call this a mid-weight, long-sleeve base layer that's designed to keep you warm – and it does this really well. Pairing it with a decent winter jacket such as Stolen Goat's Climb and Conquer has kept me warm on rides where my Karoo computer was telling me it was six below freezing.

As with all merino base layers, wicking is not its superpower. When you stop for a mid-ride coffee, it looks and feels damp.

But unlike a synthetic base layer, a merino or merino-mix top will still keep you warm when it's damp.

Also, unlike a synthetic base layer, it laughs the stink of sweat away. Purely in the interest of scientific research – and so you won't have to – I wore it for six straight days skiing, and my wife agreed its olfactory status was still passable.

A 'Smelly Helly' would have failed the test after half a day, with who knows what effect on my wife?

But both synthetic and merino base layers have their place, with merino or merino blends still my top choice for longer but less intensive activities, especially when it gets colder.

At 178cm and 77kg – on a good day – I'm usually a medium in non-Italian cycling brands. My chest measurement of 98cm is exactly what Pearson's size guide suggests for medium, and the base layer fits me perfectly.

The cut works well for me too, without any bunching up or tightness around the shoulders or armpits.

The Skin in the Game's £55 price is about par for a long-sleeve merino base layer.

The Altura Merino 50 Unisex base layer that Liam liked is a fiver cheaper, though you could spend the same on a synthetic base layer such as the Specialized Seamless LS Baselayer that Jamie found warm and comfortable.

If you're not bothered about merino, Liam also liked the Madison Isoler Mesh Men's LS baselayer when he reviewed it, and this costs just £25. 

As ever though, this being cycling, you could very easily spend a whole lot more. Santini's Grido Thermal Unisex Long Sleeve Base Layer that Adam thought 'near perfect' but expensive at £120 is now a whopping £150 – although for that money you do get a clever two-layer construction with merino on the inside and polyamide on the outside.

Pearson's Long Sleeve Base layer is a decent choice to eke a bit more warmth out of the winter jacket you already own. It's worth bearing in mind that like all merino base layers, it's not the best at wicking sweat away, though it does still feel warm when it gets damp. I found it worked best well for long, less intensive activities in colder weather.

Decent quality merino base layer that will keep you warm and comfy on less intensive cold-weather rides

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

Make and model: Pearson Long Sleeve Base Layer Iron Grey

Tell us what the product is for

A line generally attributed to Warren Buffett, having 'skin in the game' means you have a stake in the outcome. Our base layers are so comfortable however, they eliminate risk – there's no chance you'll be cold or too warm. Performing almost as a second skin, merino wool is one of nature's miracles. As our grandfather, Arthur Pearson, liked to remark: 'Have you ever seen a cold sheep?' He might have added you rarely see a hot sheep either. Merino regulates temperature superbly, keeping you warm when it's cold and cool in the heat. Naturally anti-bacterial, high wicking and odour resistant, merino is extremely soft against the skin.

Pearsons iron grey base layer has a 'rib' construction that ensures a close fit (ensuring you get the most from merino's performance properties) and great stretch. This Long Sleeve version has deep cuffs, merrow-stitched for maximum comfort, and which double over to retain warmth. The base layer is finished with a Pearson Rose detail.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Comfort: Extremely soft and quick-drying.

Durable: Merino and nylon blend.

Natural: Our wool is produced sustainably using non-mulesed merino. ['Mulesing' is cutting off part of a sheep's skin without adequate anaesthetics.]

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

The care instructions say wash at 30°C with similar colours, do not bleach, do not tumble dry and use a cool iron. Following these instructions there's nothing to report so far.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

As a merino base layer to keep you warm in cold weather on rides of lower intensity, it works very well. Though I wasn't quite so persuaded by Pearson's claim that it will also keep you "cool in the heat", or that it's naturally high wicking. However, that has also been the case with other merino base layers I've used.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

It doesn't start smelling for ages, which is just what you want, and it keeps you warm even when damp – which is also what you want.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

It's not great at wicking away sweat, but in my opinion that's one of the inherent characteristics of merino wool.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Merino base layers cost from £50 upwards, so £55 is towards the lower end of the scale. You can easily pay the same or even much more for a synthetic base layer, like the Specialized Seamless LS Baselayer. Santini's Grido, which was already £120 when we tested it, now costs nearly three times as much at £150, though it does have a merino inner layer with a polyamide exterior.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Bearing in mind merino wool's inherent strengths and weaknesses, this base layer works really well and feels comfortable at a reasonable price. It doesn't quite do what it says on the tin, in that I didn't find it a high-wicking or that it kept me cool in the heat. I didn't find it that quick drying either. I wouldn't say those are problems with the top, and if anything are more to do with the marketing.

Age: 44  Height: 1.78m  Weight: 77kg

I usually ride: All of them!  My best bike is: Ribble Endurance SL disc

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, mtb, Zwift

We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99. 

If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.

If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.

I agree with you. This person is a danger to others.

Man arrested after car crashes into home in Gilfillan Avenue, Saltcoats...

We have located the original call and have sent this footage to the relevant department...

Schwalbe also showed off ... frame soap (in a tin) as it aims to make bike washing more eco-friendly...

Probably not plagued with banjaxed wheels as the average Dutch bike appears to be pretty much bomb proof. 

Thanks Jack, it was the link above, which I've just tried again and it works.

It could have been a newish commute, whenever I start a new job I tend to take the roadier route....

probably covered by the drivers hit things thread, but 4months on police are still investigating......

Excellent baselayer that's thicker than normal with an effective windproof front that means you can ride gilet free

Good performance from the Polartec fabrics but Le Col needs to look again at the design and construction

Low weight, excellent comfort and great sweat control – but this premium product comes with a matching price tag

Exceptionally comfy and does what any decent baselayer should, but the cut is niche and won't be for everyone

Editorial, general: info [at] road.cc Tech, reviews: tech [at] road.cc Fantasy Cycling: game [at] road.cc Advertising, commercial: sales [at] road.cc View our media pack

Report an advert on road.cc

Paper Cup Lid All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. Tel 01225 588855. © 2008–present unless otherwise stated. Terms and conditions of use.