Oxford Advanced base layers review | Designed for year-round use, but can they handle temperature extremes?

There’s a lot to love about these Oxford Advanced base layers, and as the foundation of my kit for more than 8,000 miles they’ve become something that I’d be rather reluctant to part with. I’ve worn them at the height of summer and through the depths of winter, and although performance stops short of more technical apparel, I’ve largely found them to be durable, reliable and effective.

How comfortable are the Oxford advanced base layers?

General comfort is certainly not an issue, thanks to the soft and stretchy polyamide/polyester mix material. The inner face is smooth against the skin, so it slides easily as you move, and there’s plenty of give so that it never feels restrictive. All seams have flat-lock stitching, which creates a bond that is barely perceptible when you’re looking for it, and in normal use I haven’t noticed it at all. I’ve slept under canvas wearing them all night in a sleeping bag and they’re as comfy as a pair of pyjamas.

How do they perform in warm weather?

In warmer conditions, the wicking action works well to draw away sweat – provided you can get the airflow. Under textiles with generous ventilation I found them fine, but with leathers in hot weather the material’s a bit too bulky to shed moisture adequately. They’re more effective than, say, a cotton t-shirt, but there are lighter, thinner products out there, like Zerofit’s Ice Weave and Cold Skin, that perform better.

How about cold weather performance?

Most of the winter I wore the Oxford Advanced base layers beneath a heated gilet mid layer (Keis B601RP) with a textile jacket on top (Halvarssons Gruven), and this combination got me through the coldest commutes of the year. Heated element aside, the thermal properties are pretty good, although not as cosy as EDZ’s Merino wool or specialist fabrics such as Zerofit’s Heatrub. 

Do the Oxford Advanced base layers look good?

Figure hugging base layers aren’t generally something you want to be seen in, especially if you’re carrying a bit of extra bulk around the middle as I do, however I like the disruptive pattern of the fabric and the comfort’s so good that I often sling a t-shirt over the top when I get to the office. I’m partial to that look and think it’s kind of cool. The chest logo is barely visible and there’s just a small blue ‘Advanced Rider Wear’ label on the hem of the shirt and bottom of the trouser leg that gives anything away as to what they are.

Are the Oxford base layers good quality?

Considering my Oxford Advanced base layers have been washed almost as often as I’ve worn them (I get a couple of wears per wash on average), they have survived thus far incredibly well. In fact they still look like new, with no loss of stretch or shape. The material dries really quickly, whether it’s out of the machine or hung up after a sweaty ride, so there’s been little chance for stiches or fabric to weaken or rot. The only reason I’ve knocked a star off here is due to performance at the extremes.

Are the Oxford Advanced base layers good value for money?

The top and trousers together comes to less than £45 at full rrp. You can wear them day in day out, wash them as often as you like, and still get a couple of years use – as a return on investment I’d say that was excellent value for money.

So what’s the verdict?

As versatile, multi-season base layers, the Oxford Advanced top and pants offer great value for money, a durable construction and effective performance. There are dedicated products that work better at the extremes of cold and heat, but as a do-it-all solution I’d happily spend my own money on these and probably bag a spare set too. Treat your feet to a pair of Oxford’s Coolmax Oxsocks (as I have) and you’ll be sorted from top to toe.

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Also tested by Emma Franklin for 10 months

Published 23.02.2023

Part of the Oxford Advanced layering system, this base layer top is designed to be worn next to the skin and below one of Oxford’s mid layers and outer garments to provide perfect comfort in all conditions. Claiming to be both wicking and thermal, it’s designed for year-round use.

How comfortable is the Oxford Advanced base layer?

Made from a 65% Polymide / 35% polyester mix, this Oxford base layer is stretchy but unlike some other base layers isn’t a tight compression fit. This slightly more relaxed fit boosts comfort under textiles, although isn’t quite so useful under tight-fitting gear such as leathers where the loose fit can cause a bit of runckling, especially the arms. There’s also comfort boosting little details, like flat-locked seams and printed-on care labels, which further reduce the risk of anything rubbing or irritating your skin.

How Practical is the Oxford Advanced base layer?

These are designed as all-season wear, meaning that they negate the need for separate summer and winter base layers, therefore saving you money as well as space in your chest of drawers. As mentioned, that relaxed fit makes it super easy to put on and take off – compared to compression-fit alternatives, which supposedly help prevent muscle fatigue, can often be a bit of a struggle to get into and out of.

In terms of the Oxford shirt’s thermal qualities, when worn as part of a layering system (underneath both a mid-layer and outer layer) it definitely helps keep you warm and comfortable, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most overtly thermal of garments like a dedicated winter base layer would be, so when the temperature does drop below 5degrees you’ll definitely need some sort of mid layer over the top in order to keep you warm.

During warmer weather, the Advanced shirt definitely makes it easier to get in and out of a leather or textile jacket as the fabric prevents warm clammy skin sticking to internal linings. Oxford claim the fabric is wicking – and to a certain extent it is as it takes moisture away from the surface of the skin where it can then be hopefully got rid of by the outer garment’s breathability. However, I found that on particularly hot days when I was sweating a lot (yeah, sorry, TMI…) the Oxford Advanced did get a little overwhelmed with moisture and left my skin a bit damp too. Eww. On the plus side, up until that point I do find that they help to keep you feeling cool – their lightweight simple design definitely is more suitable for warm-weather use.

Does the Oxford base layer look good?

It’s fairly subtle and inoffensive, plus being dark means that any damp patches aren’t easily noticeable. Also, the fact that it’s not skin tight like other base layers means that it’s a bit more flattering and enables you to be able to wear it on its own without feeling too exposed.

Is the Oxford base layer good quality?

After 10 months of regular wear and countless washes, the Oxford Advanced shirt still looks as good as new. All the stitching is intact and the garment itself has retained its shape.

Is the Oxford base layer good value for money?

These base layers are excellent value. I often wince at the prices demanded by other, admittedly more technical, alternatives – you can easily pay over £100 for a top and bottom set from a premium brand like Alpinestars, Rev’It or Dainese. These Oxford Advance are on a price par with garments from EDZ and DXR.

So what’s the overall verdict?

The Oxford Advance base layers are well worth a look if you want a good value, comfortable and versatile set of undergarments for everyday use. If you’re looking for a bit more performance from your undersuit, such as if you ride in extremes of either hot or cold conditions, or if you’re involved in motorcycle sport, then a more specific set of base layers might be more suitable – but you will have to be prepared to splash the cash on these.

• Related: Your expert guide to motorcycle base layers

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