Sailing in a stiff and decidedly cool easterly breeze at the weekend provided the perfect opportunity to test out Henri Lloyd's new thermal Core base layer range - part of the company's Atmosphere 360 Cold Zone collection.
The Cold Zone collection has been designed, as the name suggests, for when the temperature falls, and the thermal Core base layer range is described as lightweight, high-stretch and quick-drying, with a high wicking quality - drawing moisture away from your body to keep you dry and comfortable.
One problem with cold weather sailing is that, once you have got enough kit on to keep you warm enough while sitting relatively still for long periods, running around on the boat, even short bursts of activity, can make you very sweaty!
But I can report that, even after all the running around stowing away fenders and warps, and getting the sails up and set, I was not uncomfortably hot, and furthermore, I stayed comfortably warm during two day-long outings in relatively hostile April temperatures.
I really appreciate the fact that these days you can keep warm without bulk, thanks to all this high tech kit. (The Core thermals, a mid layer fleece and my HL Goretex Offshore oilies were enough.) It's so much more comfortable, as well as more effective, than the bad old days of being weighed down with two Guernseys and unyielding, unbreathing, heavyweight oilies.
The Core long-sleeved crew is available in men's and women's sizes at £28, with matching long johns at £28. The light grey colour makes a refreshing change from the ubiquitous navy blue.
The top is indeed light and stretchy, which makes for a comfortable fit - you almost forget you are wearing it. It's nice and long, to prevent any draughty gaps. The sleeves are good and long, too, which means you can hold them in place while you pull on the next layer.
Inevitably made in China, the garment is finished to a high quality, and being made of 100 per cent polyster, it is washable at an economical 30 deg, and dries as fast as the Fast-dri trademark suggests. A nice touch is the addition of a label for writing in the owner's name - essential on boats where lots of crew wear near identical kit.
What keeps you warm in winter can also keep you cool in summer, according to the technical clothing experts, and HL's Core thermals also have built in 30+ UVF protection for defence against the sun's rays. The collection also features silver ion antimicrobial technology “to prevent the build up of odours.” HL claims: “Bacteria cannot adapt and become resistant to silver, thus preventing their formation.”
And the tops are smart enough to wear ashore as a casual shirt. The HL logo on the breast implies that this is intended.
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Excellent kit that proved its worth in demanding conditions. Not the cheapest around, but it does exactly what it says on the packet.
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