Icebreaker 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe
The Icebreaker 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe is a midweight merino thermal built for all-around cycling comfort, offering breathable insulation and natural odor control ideal for variable-weather rides. It earns best-in-class status for balancing softness, temperature regulation and everyday value—warmer than ultralight baselayers but less bulky than the Smartwool 250—while delivering a more approachable price and broader sizing than premium race-oriented options like Rapha.
Ultra-soft touch
All-day breathability
Ultra-soft touch
All-day breathability
Review Summary
"Users consistently praise the Icebreaker 200 Oasis for its soft merino feel, reliable temperature regulation and odor control over long-term use; a few report minor pilling after heavy use but overall durability is rated well."
Natural odor control — sheep-powered freshness
200gsm merino wool for breathable, next-to-skin warmth.
Natural odor control — sheep-powered freshness
200gsm merino wool for breathable, next-to-skin warmth.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Eco-Friendly Living
The Icebreaker 200 Oasis Long Sleeve Crewe is a midweight merino thermal built for all-around cycling comfort, offering breathable insulation and natural odor control ideal for variable-weather rides. It earns best-in-class status for balancing softness, temperature regulation and everyday value—warmer than ultralight baselayers but less bulky than the Smartwool 250—while delivering a more approachable price and broader sizing than premium race-oriented options like Rapha.
Ultra-soft touch
All-day breathability
Natural odor control — sheep-powered freshness
200gsm merino wool for breathable, next-to-skin warmth.
Natural odor-resistance and moisture-wicking for long rides.
Ultra-soft touch
All-day breathability
Natural odor control — sheep-powered freshness
200gsm merino wool for breathable, next-to-skin warmth.
Natural odor-resistance and moisture-wicking for long rides.
$110-140 CAD
Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Crew
The Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Crew is the market leader for cold-weather cycling thanks to its heavier-knit 250g merino that prioritizes insulation and durability on longer, chillier rides. It stands out financially for riders who need maximal warmth per layer and outperforms lighter options like Icebreaker 200 and Sugoi 190 on thermal retention, although it is bulkier than race-cut, technical pieces from Rapha and 7mesh.
Thermal warmth
Durable knit
Thermal warmth
Durable knit
Review Summary
"Buyers note the Smartwool Merino 250 is exceptionally warm and comfortable for extended cold-weather use, with excellent wicking and fit; some find it a bit bulky under layers and report occasional pilling after many washes."
Odor-fighting wool — coffee-scent banisher
Heavy 250gsm merino construction for excellent insulation in cold conditions.
Odor-fighting wool — coffee-scent banisher
Heavy 250gsm merino construction for excellent insulation in cold conditions.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
The Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Crew is the market leader for cold-weather cycling thanks to its heavier-knit 250g merino that prioritizes insulation and durability on longer, chillier rides. It stands out financially for riders who need maximal warmth per layer and outperforms lighter options like Icebreaker 200 and Sugoi 190 on thermal retention, although it is bulkier than race-cut, technical pieces from Rapha and 7mesh.
Thermal warmth
Durable knit
Odor-fighting wool — coffee-scent banisher
Heavy 250gsm merino construction for excellent insulation in cold conditions.
Ergonomic, performance-oriented fit tailored for active layering under cycling kits.
Thermal warmth
Durable knit
Odor-fighting wool — coffee-scent banisher
Heavy 250gsm merino construction for excellent insulation in cold conditions.
Ergonomic, performance-oriented fit tailored for active layering under cycling kits.
$130-170 CAD
Rapha Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer
Rapha's Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer targets performance-focused cyclists with a trim, race-oriented cut, premium merino finishing and attention to next-to-skin fit that reduces bunching under close-fitting jerseys. It holds a premium position for riders who prioritize fit and low-profile layering—offering a sleeker silhouette than the loftier Smartwool 250 and more refined tailoring than the value-minded Sugoi—at a noticeably higher price point.
Race-fit cut
Lightweight warmth
Race-fit cut
Lightweight warmth
Review Summary
"Cyclists like the Rapha Merino base layer for its tailored fit, performance on long rides and refined finish, though many say the premium price and occasional seam wear are downsides after long-term use."
Performance-focused flair — peloton-approved wink
Cycling-specific slim cut that layers cleanly under jerseys and jackets.
Performance-focused flair — peloton-approved wink
Cycling-specific slim cut that layers cleanly under jerseys and jackets.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Rapha's Merino Long Sleeve Base Layer targets performance-focused cyclists with a trim, race-oriented cut, premium merino finishing and attention to next-to-skin fit that reduces bunching under close-fitting jerseys. It holds a premium position for riders who prioritize fit and low-profile layering—offering a sleeker silhouette than the loftier Smartwool 250 and more refined tailoring than the value-minded Sugoi—at a noticeably higher price point.
Race-fit cut
Lightweight warmth
Performance-focused flair — peloton-approved wink
Cycling-specific slim cut that layers cleanly under jerseys and jackets.
Premium merino blend for soft next-to-skin comfort and reliable warmth.
Race-fit cut
Lightweight warmth
Performance-focused flair — peloton-approved wink
Cycling-specific slim cut that layers cleanly under jerseys and jackets.
Premium merino blend for soft next-to-skin comfort and reliable warmth.
$150-210 CAD
7mesh Sight Shirt LS
The 7mesh Sight Shirt LS blends merino fibers with cycling-specific technical construction—articulated seams, stretch and low-bulk layering—to deliver a high-performance thermal top for aggressive riding. It is a market-leading technical choice for riders who want the merino benefits with bike-specific fit and mobility, offering more engineering for on-the-bike movement than the simpler cuts from Icebreaker and Sugoi, albeit at a premium cost.
Technical fit
Fast-drying
Technical fit
Fast-drying
Review Summary
"The 7mesh Sight Shirt LS earns praise for technical performance, close cycling-oriented fit and lasting construction on repeated rides, with a few users noting the high price and that fit is quite athletic."
Climate-smart design — summit-ready swagger
Technical merino blend engineered for high breathability and rapid drying.
Climate-smart design — summit-ready swagger
Technical merino blend engineered for high breathability and rapid drying.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The 7mesh Sight Shirt LS blends merino fibers with cycling-specific technical construction—articulated seams, stretch and low-bulk layering—to deliver a high-performance thermal top for aggressive riding. It is a market-leading technical choice for riders who want the merino benefits with bike-specific fit and mobility, offering more engineering for on-the-bike movement than the simpler cuts from Icebreaker and Sugoi, albeit at a premium cost.
Technical fit
Fast-drying
Climate-smart design — summit-ready swagger
Technical merino blend engineered for high breathability and rapid drying.
Performance cut with articulated sleeves for unrestricted on-bike movement.
Technical fit
Fast-drying
Climate-smart design — summit-ready swagger
Technical merino blend engineered for high breathability and rapid drying.
Performance cut with articulated sleeves for unrestricted on-bike movement.
$170-240 CAD
Sugoi Merino 190 Long Sleeve
The Sugoi Merino 190 Long Sleeve is a versatile, value-oriented midweight merino top that performs well as a single-layer on cool days or as a thermal base under jackets. It secures the best-value spot by delivering dependable warmth and breathability comparable to Icebreaker 200 but usually at a lower price, though it lacks some of the high-end fit refinement and advanced seam engineering found in Rapha and 7mesh offerings.
Balanced warmth
Lightweight mobility
Balanced warmth
Lightweight mobility
Review Summary
"The Sugoi Merino 190 is commonly described as a good-value, comfortable midweight merino that performs well over many rides, though some users report faster pilling and slight shrinkage after repeated washing."
Commute-friendly charm — rides-to-work approved
190gsm merino offers a balanced mix of warmth and breathability for varied conditions.
Commute-friendly charm — rides-to-work approved
190gsm merino offers a balanced mix of warmth and breathability for varied conditions.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Sugoi Merino 190 Long Sleeve is a versatile, value-oriented midweight merino top that performs well as a single-layer on cool days or as a thermal base under jackets. It secures the best-value spot by delivering dependable warmth and breathability comparable to Icebreaker 200 but usually at a lower price, though it lacks some of the high-end fit refinement and advanced seam engineering found in Rapha and 7mesh offerings.
Balanced warmth
Lightweight mobility
Commute-friendly charm — rides-to-work approved
190gsm merino offers a balanced mix of warmth and breathability for varied conditions.
Fast-drying, odor-resistant fabric that performs well over multiple days.
Balanced warmth
Lightweight mobility
Commute-friendly charm — rides-to-work approved
190gsm merino offers a balanced mix of warmth and breathability for varied conditions.
Fast-drying, odor-resistant fabric that performs well over multiple days.
$90-120 CAD