This top is soft, warm-feeling and comes with flatlock seams for next-to-skin comfort. I consider it a modern take on baselayers, with a smart, shiny-looking colour, slim cut and a mock collar.

Its polyester knit fabric has been impregnated with The North Face’s FlashDry technology – as you sweat, the fabric disperses the moisture over a larger surface area to speed drying time.

I found it comfortable to wear while exercising, never getting too hot or, more crucially for the winter conditions I used it in, too cold. It’s also versatile. Due to the slim cut, half-zip and collar, it looks smart and I was able to wear it in casual settings.

I felt the cut could have been slightly longer. It rests on the hips, but a little longer would allow it to be tucked in or prevent it riding up and exposing your stomach when you reach for the sky.

It has an anti-odour treatment and this proved effective for the most part. But after wearing it for two or three days on the trot, including sleeping in it, I found it required washing.

At 250g (w: 220g), it is bulky for a baselayer, but it is well constructed and even after two months of frequent use and several washes, it was showing no sign of wear and tear.

If you’re after a performance top that looks good on and off the trail, it’s worth a look.   – AH