Merino wool baselayers have many advantages over their manmade fibre brethren, but the most important are their resistance to odour build up and ability to insulate even when damp. Endura have capitalised on this by creating the BaaBaa Merino baselayer, created from 100% pure mercerised merino. Mercerising is a process applied to the wool that creates a soft, silky, almost cashmere like, feel to the surface.
Straight out of its very smart packaging the BaaBaa feels every bit of that: soft, pliable and a pleasure to pull on. Positively luxurious in fact. With every seam flatlocked and a fit that offers a perfect compromise between tightly fitted performance and roomy for everyday cycling, it barely registers as being on after a few minutes - and that is a great compliment for any baselayer.
Pressed into action we found it an ideal spring or autumn weight, backing up a long sleeve jersey on cooler rides, yet smart enough to be worn on its own on warmer excursions.
Underneath less breathable shells such as water or windproofs it does hold onto moisture more than a synthetic baselayer, but that is really only picked up on when arriving at destinations. During the ride it remains warm, and it is only once stripping layers off we would feel the fabric to be saturated and clingy. Not a big problem then, and it dried out quickly enough.
