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All of @hoefla's late night baselayer business correlates with my experience.
I'm put off because I don't feel like I can trust Howies stuff. I've had jumpers warp, fall apart and t-shirts that fit badly (like sodding GAP stuff). When you're buying online and it's nicebutpricey you only do this for so long. I think the quality is varied and it's not cut for my shape. Or people with arms.
Finisterre stuff has been OK but again not brilliant for cycling. I guess I'd rather be comfortable and smelling of awesome* for the post-ride beer than (try and) look norm/casual.
*not awesome
miro_o
^^ Yeah I know you made it clear. Also to be clear I am generally comparing Rapha mens range with Howies womens, although there are close mens equivalents (unlike Rapha). The lightweight stuff isn't new, it used to be called NBL Light or something like that. But their stocking is a bit gappy so some things just disappear off the website for ages.
IMO the lightweight fitted stuff is the only proper baselayer in the range, the rest is t-shirt cut and feel. Even though the long- and short-sleeved Classic are supposedly the same weight, they don't feel it, the long-sleeved is heavier and denser, the short-sleeved washes/wears into a really nice feel after a while (not much stretch but a thinner smoother feel). But not a baselayer.
Rapha is slightly lighter than the lightweight Howies, and has better "drape" and stretch (I think the two are related) but the Howies is softer. In the Rapha shop the new colours and cuts (eg. V-neck short-sleeved) feel different, maybe not as stretchy as the "classic" cream. Anyone got? I'd like to get the royal blue and maybe dark grey at some point.
How come you're put off @miro_o ? Is it just that they don't seem cycling specific? The lightweight Howies is certainly long enough and non-flappy. Finisterre is a bit short maybe.