- Brand/from – Morvelo
- Model – Stormshield Baselayer
- Price –£75.00
Windproof fabric is the mainstay of most cyclists’ wardrobes, particularly in the UK. More breathable than a waterproof, but great for boosting warmth – not just on windy days, but also cutting the windchill generated by riding.
We usually use windproofs as an outer-layer; jackets and gilets, maybe gloves or windproof panels in winter tights. Morvelo has flipped this approach on its head with the Stormshield baselayer – great innovation or missing the point?
What is it?
The Stormshield baselayer is designed to be worn next to the skin and under your favourite jersey. According to Morvelo, this is to extend the life of your lovely summer jerseys for all round use. It’s pretty feature packed:
- 100% Italian Windtex polyester with membrane
- Three layer membrane
- Windproof
- Water resistant
- Vislon YKK zip
- Hydrophilic mesh panels to increase the breathability
- Heat seal label
- Flatlock seams
- Body mapped for a superior fit
- Handmade in Europe
The cut is a little baggier than most baselayers, presumably because the windproof fabric isn’t quite as stretchy as more typical materials. It has a short offset zip and mid-height neck – again, I think the neck zip is more to aid to putting the top on than for mid-ride adjustment, although it does allow for a bit of cooling. Not all of the Stormshield is windproof; there are large wedges of mesh panels to help offset the less breathable Windtex material.
In use
The Stormshield Baselayer has quickly become one of my most used baselayers in the last few months. It sits well underneath short and long-sleeved jerseys and adds noticeable warmth to them. Aesthetically, the higher neck stands proud of most jerseys – not a problem in itself, but this looked a little odd with some combos. It definitely does what it is meant to. On cool mornings there was noticeable windchill on my uncovered forearms versus my core. It allowed me to remain comfortable in tops that would more often have been consigned to the back of drawer until spring. Bob on? Well, mostly.
Once up to warmth and on intense rides, there isn’t the option of throwing open a zip as there would be on a gilet or a jacket. Equally, whipping the baselayer off and shoving it in a pocket is a little more revealing and time consuming than de-jacketing. It does, therefore get a bit clammy. While still moving, this isn’t a problem, but I would chill quite quickly once stopped. For this reason, the Stormshield isn’t perfect (especially as the £75 asking price is enough to buy a windproof gilet or jacket). However, if you have a favourite jersey, or a team top, or even summer-weight skin suit that you want to continue using (and not covering up) then the Stormshield ticks that box very well.
Overall
Not as versatile as a windproof gilet or jacket, but still a good piece of clothing that adds versatility to your summer wardrobe.