Silverskin Base Layer in Review
24.03.23 07:23 1.4752023-03-24T07:23:00+01:00Text: NoMan (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenWoolly undershirts in three warmth levels are offered by the Milan textile specialists at Silverskin. What's special about them is the precious metal in their name. We have tried out two baselayers.24.03.23 07:23 1.5072023-03-24T07:23:00+01:00Silverskin Base Layer in Review
24.03.23 07:23 1.5072023-03-24T07:23:00+01:00 NoMan (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenWoolly undershirts in three warmth levels are offered by the Milan textile specialists at Silverskin. What's special about them is the precious metal in their name. We have tried out two baselayers.24.03.23 07:23 1.5072023-03-24T07:23:00+01:00
A spoiler alert – especially for environmentally conscious people: Nomen est omen. What the Italians write on their web goods is exactly what you get. Namely, silver.
Specifically, it's about Enhanced Silver-Fiber Technology, abbreviated as EST, a silver fiber yarn with a hollow core that utilizes the thermoregulatory properties of the precious metal. Thanks to its conductivity, body heat is evenly distributed and body temperature is maintained at a constant level. Both cooling down and overheating, both uncomfortable, counterproductive for performance, and sometimes even associated with an increased risk of muscle injuries, are thus intended to be prevented.
And then there are the other properties of silver that are beneficial for athletes, considered antibacterial and thus odor-inhibiting as well as hypoallergenic.
So far, so familiar. However, Silverskin combines this special yarn with the help of sophisticated processing techniques and other high-tech materials such as ThermoCool, Lycra, or CoolMax to create a fabric that feels like comfortably soft wool, but unlike the natural product, it allows sweat to evaporate very quickly.
90% PE, 5% elastane, 5% silver
The Bare Numbers Behind the "Advanced Base Layers"
Comfortable Wool
The manufacturer-specified, extremely wide temperature ranges from 30 to even 50° Celsius seem astonishing at first glance, but in the light of the mentioned thermoregulatory properties, they are fundamentally understandable, yet after our practical review, still too high and ambitiously set.
Indeed, the - naturally always very individual and intensity-dependent - comfort range with the Fresh-Shirt while running and cycling for NoMan was at low single to double-digit temperatures. For skiing, the thermoregulation was suitable up to the spring-like conditions in mid-March; under similar conditions, about 13°C, sunshine and only light wind, they would not have wanted to undertake a ski tour with the "cuddle shirt" because it was too warm.
NoPain, on the other hand, found thermal satisfaction with the Warm-Longsleeve during running and cycling sessions in the late winter forest quarter; real comfortable climate only set in with his "thin wool sweater" while on the motorcycle.
Probably also because on the machine the outer layer better convened with the layer underneath than with his muscle-powered modes of transport, the BB-Boss prefers to wrap himself in crisply cut outerwear, under which only space for a very thin "Heidl" remains.
Unlike NoMan, who always puts her racer in the corner during the cooler half of the year and only ventures outdoors on the MTB and in correspondingly casually cut outer clothing.
Thin wool sweater and cozy undershirt
NoPain and NoMan about their review models
Odor-inhibiting: check
Both subjects can fully confirm one thing about Silverskin: The base layers do not stink! Not even when you - against all personal disgust limits - deliberately sweat in them multiple times in a row and then hang them back on the hook almost unventilated, but certainly unwashed.
Speaking of washing: 40° machine wash, no tumble dryer - as simple as that.
And what has also proven true: Given the "woolly" feel, which inevitably provokes comparisons to Merino & Co., sweat can evaporate better and the fabric dries very quickly. However, the skin does not completely escape the sensation of moisture.
Conclusion
In this regard, we would recommend the Silverskin undershirts less for (highly) intensive workouts in classic training settings, but rather for relaxed cruising through woods and fields, for MTB rides in the cooler half of the year, and various alternative types of exercise. And for all people who, in light of energy prices, only use their washing machine in absolute emergencies, or for other reasons - bikepacking trip, carry-on only flight, etc. - need or want to rely on clothing that doesn’t start to smell to high heaven after the first wear.
