Attaquer Summer Base Layer review: Tested during a British heatwave and on a 13-hour ride

A really good summer base layer can be tricky to find at times, so when I land on one I really click with, I find myself reaching for it often. This summer, that's been the case for me with the simply-named Summer Base Layer, from the Australian brand Attaquer. 

I wear a base layer for pretty much every ride I do, if it’s super hot, I’ll maybe leave it off, but I live in the UK, so generally, I feel more comfortable wearing one. In the event of a crash, I also like the idea of an extra (albeit thin) layer between my torso and the tarmac. 

I’ve been testing it for the past few months and recently wore it for the Chasing Cancellara event in Switzerland; my longest-ever ride, which at over 13 hours straight is surely a robust test for any base layer. 

The Summer Base Layer is a lightweight polyester sleeveless number that's available in two colours. The main part of the piece is made from a thin, lightweight mesh. It took the top spot in our best cycling base layers guide for this year and is priced at £55 / $70 / €70. 

Design and aesthetics 

Atttaquer’s base layer range is easy to navigate. The base layers are named Summer and Winter and it’s easy to see what’s what. The Summer Base Layer is designed in Australia and made in China from a Polyester/Elastane mix. It is available in black or white and in three stepped sizes: XS, S-M, and L-XL. 

There’s a single white vertical Attaquer logo on the chest, this one has resisted cracking after many washes (a problem I saw appear on the Attaquer All Day cycling jersey I recently tested). The bottom of the hem has the Attaquer slogan "be your alter ego" printed the whole way around the inside. I find it a slightly unnecessary touch on a base layer, the comfort and performance speak for themselves. I'd say save yourself the effort and any additional costs on this one, Attaquer. 

The base layer is stretchy and fitted but without being overly tight or small, and it sits nicely under a wide range of jerseys. If you want the smallest base layer possible under a tight jersey, or because you just prefer it, check out the Pas Normal sleeveless option in our best cycling base layers guide. 

Design-wise, the Summer Base Layer uses a fine, transparent Polyester mesh for the torso and shoulders and then a solid, very soft Polyester material on the torso sides and bottom of the hem. The seams aren’t flatlock, but only feature along the sides of the torso and on top of the shoulders, not on the back panels like the Endura Translite II. The seams themselves are neat though and haven’t caused me any irritation. 

The Attaquer sizes are staggered and I’ve tested a size S-M, which to me, fits like a regular small in other brands' sizing, although there is a decent bit of stretch. 

I’d say size up if you're typically a big medium, or just want some extra room. 

Performance 

The Summer Base Layer is very comfortable, pulling it on does feel great, and provides a barely-there feeling. There is plenty of stretch and give in the torso material,  but the more elastic hem brings things back in again and ensures a snug fit. 

For tighter fitting, summer jerseys. I prefer to wear a sleeveless base layer or vest, especially as temperatures rise. I’ve been really comfy in this base layer in a range of jerseys. 

The Summer Base Layer's sternest test was my 300-kilometre ride in Switzerland at the Chasing Cancellara event. The ride started in the early hours, and I rode through to dawn comfortably, and then on through the rest of the day as the temperatures climbed into the mid to high twenties (Celsius). The ride finished just after 5pm, but not before 90 minutes of rainfall. 

The base layer kept me really comfortable all day. There was zero rubbing, chafing or discomfort of any kind, and it dealt with moisture well. Not once did I need to readjust or think about it, nor did I feel like it wasn’t breathing well. The temperature range on this ride was from the mid-teens up into the high twenties. I specifically chose shorts and a jersey for this ride that I felt totally comfortable in and the base layer tied into this.

My only real complaint to speak of is that my test sample has developed a few light pulls in the mesh material on the chest area. I'm not really sure how they got there, but they aren't causing me any issues. 

Verdict 

The Summer Base Layer is light, soft and comfortable. It has become my go-to this summer for a range of summer jerseys and it passed my 13-hour-long road test with flying colours. 

The seams are there and aren't flat-locked or totally minimal, but they are positioned in a way that hasn't caused me a single issue, and I don't see it as a negative. 

If you're looking for a lightweight, comfortable summer base layer, step this way.