Always dry and warm? GripGrab cycling base layers tested [Review]

When I just started cycling enthusiastically I was still cycling in a cotton t-shirt, without a base layer. An undershirt, “that wouldn’t serve me at all”, was my thought. But if you descend in a t-shirt that is all sweaty, it can be freezing cold (even on the warmest days!). Same goes if you’re taking it a bit easier in a shadowy forest. After I decided to go for real cycling clothing and especially proper base layers, such as the GripGrab base layers, I was sold completely. Nowadays, I always cycle with an undershirt, even in temperatures of over 35°C.

So it wasn’t a tough job for me to test 3 new GripGrab undershirts for cyclists. I am always on the hunt for even better base layers for all conditions. That is mainly due to the fact that I am commuting to work every day, about 50 km in total per day.

Changing circumstances

That means I am on my bike for about 45 minutes in the morning as well as in the afternoon, in the most varying conditions. Sometimes it freezes a bit in the morning, with a vicious breeze that makes it a bit colder even, but I can return in shorts and short sleeves with a pleasant temperature of 20°C.

And sometimes it also happens that it’s lovely weather in the morning, but on the way back it's raining cats and dogs. In order not to suffer from the cold in the morning, I choose to wear pretty thick base layers with long sleeves or arm pieces and leg warmers for most of the year. That means sweating in the afternoon in spring and summer, but I’m willing to do that for a warm ride in the morning.

I also take other cycling clothes with me for the way home when the weather difference is really big. I always thought it would be an illusion to be able to commute comfortably both in the morning and in the afternoon without having to bring a whole range of cycling clothes with me. But then GripGrab introduced the 3 season cycling base layers. I figured that would be ideal.

1 undershirt, 3 seasons?

GripGrab was kind enough to give me a pair of shirts to test. I got the GripGrab 3 season undershirt in two versions, one with and one without sleeves. And to be prepared for really nice weather they also sent me the GripGrab Expert Seamless Lightweight.

The first thing you notice about the 3 season shirts is the structure. The net does give me a visual association of other things. Something with boats and a party on the canals of Amsterdam. But in the end you don’t see anything of these looks, since it’s just a base layer.

The first acquaintance

When you put on the shirt for the first time, you will definitely notice the tight fit. Not uncomfortable, on the contrary. It’s exactly the level of compression that has a nice feel. And I immediately notice that the shirt feels pretty warm. You wouldn’t say that when you see the shirt at first glance. I only wear a warm winter cycling jacket and that’s it. An undershirt, a cycling jacket, and the rest of my cycling attire.

It’s time for the first ride. Commuting with a starting temperature of just above freezing point. The wind’s is pretty calm, so that’s a plus. As always, it’s a bit chilly for the first 5 minutes but surprisingly it feels warmer and more comfortable in comparison to my standard undershirts. Only my forearms stay cold for longer, because the undershirt has short sleeves.

Despite the near-freezing cold, the shirt keeps me warm for the entire ride. And if I have to wait for another 10 minutes in the cold before I can enter the office, I don’t cool down so much that I get cold. The shirt still feels dry when I change for a shower. All in all, a good first impression.

Rain and headwind

The way home is not much better as far as the weather is concerned. Cloudy, mild showers, about 10°C, and a strong headwind. That is going to be a tough ride. Now the shirt can really prove itself. We have to struggle against the wind for about an hour, that’s guaranteed to be sweaty. At least, it was...

Because it appears that my undershirt is still holding up well. Thanks to the higher temperature, my chilly arms didn’t bother me. From the first metres on it was nice and warm. And miraculously, the shirt is still dry on the inside. I didn’t expect that, given the exertion during the ride.

Spring!

The day after this ride the weather is a lot better. In the morning the temperature's just under 10°C and in the afternoon it would be just 20°C. So back to shorts and shorts leeves! The outward journey went as expected: perfectly. Nice and dry I arrive at work.

For the way home I brought a set of shorts and short sleeves. I wore the GripGrab 3 season undershirt under this outfit. I wondered if it wouldn’t be too hot, as I could even wear it with freezing cold temperatures. Since it was a nice day for cycling, I decided to go home with a little detour. All in all, a good 60 km of cycling in the sun.

I noticed after I got started that it was a bit warmer than a thin summer undershirt. But the heat didn’t get unpleasant. In fact, the shirt still kept me dry. Normally I get cold even in the summer when I stand still for more than 3 minutes. But the 10 minutes I had to wait for a ferry didn't bother me. I stayed nice and warm, even though I was standing in the wind.

Climbing and cooling down

The last 20 km I make a few climbs on the push moraine in Nijmegen. No PRs, but I have to do my best. After having completed a series of hills, I am all nice and warm.

And this is the moment where I usually get a bit cold, the last kilometres home. When you actually feel like you’re done and cycle in a leisurely pace. But to my great surprise, it’s not that bad. It does get chilly, but it isn’t uncomfortable. Great!

For the high summer with temperatures above 30°C, I am afraid the undershirt is a bit too warm. But for me it is suitable for temperatures from around freezing point to about 25°C. A very wide range indeed.

Cycling in the rain

After a few more rides - unfortunately for me - it was finally chucking it down with rain. And with a rain jacket over my cycling clothes, the undershirt was even a bit warm for me. Still, compared to my other cycling clothes, it stayed dry. My cycling jersey was a bit damp, but my undershirt felt dry on the inside.

The sleeveless GripGrab 3 season undershirt was my next victim. And it actually did exactly the same job as its sleeved sibling. The only disadvantage I found was that during a very chilly morning ride my arms felt cold. That is reason enough for me to ignore the sleeveless version. I'm a bit sensitive to the cold after all.

Real summer rides

I don't see myself as a fair weather cyclist, but I have to say that I do go out a lot easier when the sun shows its best side. Luckily for me, I didn't have to wait long for a beautiful weekend with very nice weather. A long weekend off? Check. Nice weather? Check! That means cycling!

I also had the GripGrab Expert Seamless Lightweight waiting for me. An ideal shirt for the real hot days. So in order for it to finally be warm enough for that undershirt, I had to be patient for a while.

The GripGrab Expert Seamless Lightweight shirt is nice and thin, but not so thin that it is a pure summer shirt. From about 20°C it keeps me warm, even with a relatively cool start at 09:30 in the morning.

Inconspicuous

The undershirt is so good that it’s hardly noticeable that I’m wearing it. I almost forgot that I was actually reviewing something whilst cycling these rides. And that’s a big plus. Just like the 3 season undershirts, you don’t realise you are wearing an undershirt.

I don't mind that it's still a little chilly on the first ride. The temperature rises slowly, but the sun is shining and that keeps me warm. But regardless of the temperature, the shirt keeps me warm and dry. Unfortunately, real heat is absent.

Seamless and lightweight

You hardly feel that you’re wearing the undershirt, due to the fact that it barely has any seams. Yet, it still fits tightly around your body. That may not seem like something to worry about. But I'm one of those people who can't sleep if there's a fold in the sheet...

It is exactly that tight fit that I find comfortable. It also fits well under the armpits. And the shirt is also long enough at the back to keep your entire back well covered.

Let’s weigh!

Well, as far as weight is concerned, I do not really pay attention to the weight of undershirts. In fact, if it hadn't been in the product name, I probably wouldn't have thought about it at all.

So on to the scales. For comparison I also weighed two old undershirts with short sleeves that I still had in my closet. They are also from GripGrab, but didn't have the label of 'lightweight'.

And the results… Frankly, disappoint me a bit. The lightweight undershirt weighs 78 grams. The old shirt weighs 86 grams. I also put the GripGrab 3 season shirt (with sleeves) on it. It weighs a lot heavier: 127 grams.

That 8 grams that the Lightweight shirt is lighter than a standard shirt, is not really that big of a difference. For the majority of cyclists, those few grams really don’t matter. But for the real weight weenies it is of course an easy ‘win’. However, if it really deserves the name Lightweight, that’s another question.

Carefree forgetting about the laundry

What strikes me more is GripGrab's claim that all 3 tested shirts have an anti-odour fabric. And for someone who occasionally forgets to turn on the laundry immediately, that's good news.

Because everyone who has thrown his or her laundry into the laundry basket without a care in the world, only to find out a day later that you did not do the laundry. That person knows that even after washing, your cycling clothes can still smell stale. To test if the shirts really stay that fresh I left all three shirts once for 48 hours. And then not very loosely, but half under some towels and other laundry. A good festering session.

And I have to admit, even before washing, the smell is really not that bad in my opinion. And after washing, all shirts smell wonderfully good. No sweaty undertones, but really clean. That’s super ideal for me. Nothing is worse than putting on a seemingly clean shirt and even before you put it over your head, you can smell a slight odour of sweat.

Off to France with GripGrab base layers!

I know enough. I get myself a pair of both types of undershirts. Perfect for my cycling holiday in France this summer. The lightweight shirt for hot days without too many epic climbs.

And the 3 season shirt seems perfect for real mountain rides where the temperature difference between the top of a mountain and in the valley or during a descent. Maybe that's where the 3 season shirt will come into its own.