Quick answer
Wear the Unisex Pro Mesh Short Sleeve Base Layer first against your skin, then add the Arm Screens over your jersey sleeves if you need extra sun protection or a slight warmth boost on cooler starts. The base layer manages moisture and ventilation across your torso, while the arm screens target UV shielding on exposed arms.
What each piece does best
The Le Col Arm Screens are lightweight sleeves engineered specifically for peak summer riding. They shield your arms from harsh UV rays while remaining breathable and fast-wicking. Their close-to-skin cut means you barely notice them once they’re on, making them ideal for rides where the sun is intense but the temperature is already warm.
The Unisex Pro Mesh Short Sleeve Base Layer uses a unique woven knit structure with open holes across target ventilation zones. This design helps heat and moisture move away from your skin and escape through your jersey. The fabric is exceptionally soft and seamless, eliminating flapping or friction. It’s built to keep your core comfortable and fresh for longer, not to add warmth.
How to layer them correctly
For a typical summer ride with a short-sleeve jersey, put on the Pro Mesh Base Layer first. It sits directly against your skin, managing sweat and airflow across your torso. Over that goes your jersey. If the ride starts cool or you expect long exposure to direct sun, pull the Arm Screens over your jersey sleeves. This order keeps the base layer’s ventilation unobstructed and lets the arm screens sit where they protect without compressing the base layer.
If you try to wear the arm screens under the jersey, the jersey fabric can trap heat against the arm screens, reducing their breathability. The arm screens are designed to be worn as an outer layer on the arms, not as a base layer.
When to choose one over the other
If your main concern is keeping your core cool and dry during a high-effort ride, the Pro Mesh Base Layer is the priority. It handles moisture and ventilation where your body produces the most heat. The Arm Screens are optional and best added when UV protection or a slight warmth layer on your arms becomes necessary.
On a very hot day with no cloud cover, you might skip the base layer and wear only the Arm Screens over a jersey to protect your arms from sunburn while keeping your torso as cool as possible. The Arm Screens’ lightweight, fast-wicking fabric still helps manage arm sweat without adding bulk.
Trade-offs to consider
- UV protection vs moisture management: The Arm Screens excel at blocking UV rays on your arms, but they don’t help cool your torso. The Pro Mesh Base Layer handles torso moisture and heat but offers no arm coverage. Use both together for full coverage on sunny rides; choose only the base layer on overcast or short rides.
- Cooling vs warmth: The Pro Mesh Base Layer is designed to keep you cool, not warm. The Arm Screens add a thin layer of fabric on your arms that can provide a slight warmth buffer on cool starts or descents. If you need warmth, arm screens are the better choice; if you need cooling, the base layer is essential.
- Versatility vs specialization: The Pro Mesh Base Layer works under any jersey year-round and is a staple for warm-weather riding. The Arm Screens are more specialized for summer UV protection and can be removed mid-ride if temperatures rise. Invest in the base layer first for year-round use; add arm screens when you ride in strong sun.
Product facts at a glance
- Arm Screens: Engineered to protect on peak summer rides, our lightweight Arm Screens shield against harsh UV rays while optimising speed and performance. Cut to fit close to the skin so you barely notice you’re wearing them. They’re breathable and fast-wicking to ensure you stay cooler and fresher for longer. If UV protection is your priority, the Arm Screens deliver targeted shielding on your arms without adding noticeable weight or restriction.
- Unisex Pro Mesh Short Sleeve Base Layer: The unique woven knit structure is mapped with open holes across target areas that require optimised ventilation, helping heat and moisture move away from the skin and escape through the garment. The fabric is exceptionally soft next to the skin and fast-wicking to help you stay comfortable and fresh for longer. Tailored for a completely seamless fit that hugs your skin, it eliminates flapping, creasing or friction. For core temperature management and all-day comfort, the Pro Mesh Base Layer actively pulls moisture away and vents heat, making it the foundation of your summer kit.
Which should you choose?
Best for
- Riders who want core moisture control and ventilation on hot, high-effort rides
- Cyclists who need a versatile base layer that works under short and long sleeves
Not ideal for
- Riders whose primary concern is arm sun protection without torso coverage
- Cool-weather rides where you need significant warmth from your base layer
