Hot
- Available for men and women.
- Next to skin soft and comfortable
- Naturally odor-resistant, wear multiple times without washing
- Fabric is highly breathable and moisture-wicking properties
- Various uses: wear as a tank top or as a baselayer
- 30 day Trial Guarantee
- Great for off the bike use, too
Not
- Torso length is on the long side and could be a fit issue for shorter statures
Price: $75 MSRP
Sizing: XS-XL (women’s); S-2XL (men’s)
Color: Light Grey
Fit: Next to skin fit
Material: 20% yak wool, 40% merino, 40% recycled Coolmax polyester
Availability: Online
Obtained By: Company Sample
RBR Advertiser: No
Yak Wool Isn’t Just for Winter
Over the winter, I reviewed Kora’s Yushu base layer that was excellent for cold weather riding. In May, Kora released the Neema collection that included a vest or, as we call it in the US, a tank top. Available in light grey in both a men’s and women’s version. Wear it as an ultralight base layer under a summer jersey, sweater, or long sleeve tee, by itself for yoga or other off-the-bike activities.
Made from 20% yak wool, 40% merino, and 40% recycled Coolmax polyester, this top checks all the performance boxes. The natural fibers offer excellent breathability, moisture management, temperature regulation, and odor resistance. This fabric is next to skin ultra-soft, and you’ll often grab it to wear during the spring and summer months.
As with the Yushu base layer, this top runs long in the torso to keep you covered when in the riding position, tucked in when wearing a favorite pair of jeans, or in downward dog at a yoga practice. However, it might be too long for people of shorter stature. Check the company’s sizing before ordering.
Yak Facks
Under the yak’s thick and rough hair is a warm down used to make the wool. Every spring, yaks lose their down during a molting process. Therefore, the animal is not sheared like merino or alpaca. Each yak will provide about 100 grams of down/year, which is why the wool is so expensive and rare. In addition, yak wool is purer than other wools because its climate does not allow them to secrete fat. Thus, yak wool does not require chemical treatment to soften the wool and rid it of the scratch rough feel.
Bottom Line
I’m all about maximizing my budget and investing in gear that has multiple uses. The Neema tank top is one of those items. Wear it as an ultralight base layer on the bike, a tank top out to lunch after yoga class, or a little extra warmth under a sweater. The uses are endless.
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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