A Top

Jamey

Here's the thing... Every morning I turn up at work dripping with sweat, dark patches all over my T-shirt (unless it's a white one) and generally feeling disgusting.

There are plenty of showers in my building and I always bring a change of clothes so it's not a massive problem but it would be kinda nice to turn up looking a little bit less, erm, wet.

Obviously the main problem is that I'm wearing normal cotton T-shirts (often with a Gore-Tex jacket over the top) and I should probably start looking at a proper base layer BUT... I'm a fat bloke and I really don't think anybody wants to see me in a skin-tight top. I certainly don't want to look in the mirror wearing one, anyway.

Lycra shorts I can just about handle, mainly because of the padding, but wobbling about in a lycra tee (or long-sleeve) is going to make everybody at work vomit, and I should imagine the people I pass on my commute will feel none too good either.

So what other options are there for fat blokes that don't want to have soaked T-shirts but aren't ready for skin-tight tops?

linsen

www.howies.com have some generously sized merino tops which work well as a base layer but are wicking and don't get too smelly. They are not cheap but they are very good

_Brun_

Try a normal sports top. Don't expect miracles but it'll be a damn sight better than cotton.

snooks

Black breathable tops...not the roadie fit ones the baggy MTB ones

Yes they'll get wet, but they are much better than cotton, lighter than cotton, cooler than cotton, and they do get soaked with sweat, but cos they are black you can't see it (although you can feel it)

Jamey

snooks wrote:

Black breathable tops...not the roadie fit ones the baggy MTB ones

Cheers snooks. Got any links? Could only find tight, roadie ones on Wiggle.

ride_whenever

Wear a lycra top (ideally a wicking one) and keep your goretex on, or you could try compression lycra...

particularly if you buy it really small

UnworthyPapaLazaru

Football tops.

Mithras

Wear the tight fitting lycra..
and proudly delclare yourself the "Only Gay in the workplace!" No one will bat an eyelid then!

Feltup

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=26144 something like this? There are lots in the downhill/freeride section. Goretex jackets will make you sweat a lot more than just a windproof.

Anonymous

I wear Helly Hansen Lifa long sleeve tops - either on their own or with a Gore windstopper on top.

They come in 'Warm' and 'Dry' guises - warm keeps you warm, dry dry etc.

Give them a try, the Dry will definitely leave you feeling less drenched.

Oh, and it's skin hugging - which is what makes these wicking layers work.

Matt-B

I am not a massive fan of tight clothing, and I have 3 howies merino base layers - they are awesome. They aren't "tight" as such, and most of the time you wear something over them anyway. Expensive, but awesome.

Alexonnavitch

I have 2 or 3 tops i use to play 5-a-side football in. They are all fairly loose fitting but still take the sweat away from your skin. They are all nike ones with their dri-fit technology.

zanes

Try these;

http://www.sweatshop.co.uk/Results.cfm? ... mit=Search

I use the light logo ones as a base layer.

jedster

merino tops are the answer

irrespective of what the question is

i.e.,

"I feel my life is without purpose, where can I find meaning?"

A. merino tops

"My wife doesn't understand me, how can I make things like they used to be?"

A. merino tops

I'm rather proud of this discovery. people have got nobel prizes for less.


J

Specialized Needs

linsen wrote:

www.howies.com have some generously sized merino tops which work well as a base layer but are wicking and don't get too smelly. They are not cheap but they are very good

Hi

Think it is www.howies.co.uk.

Stuart

lost_in_thought

jedster wrote:

merino tops are the answer

irrespective of what the question is

i.e.,

"I feel my life is without purpose, where can I find meaning?"

A. merino tops

"My wife doesn't understand me, how can I make things like they used to be?"

A. merino tops

I'm rather proud of this discovery. people have got nobel prizes for less.


J

Ummmmm they're pretty pricey! Are they worth it and if so why?

linsen

sorry yes it is www.howies.co.uk

Merino just doesn't get smelly. At all. Not in my experience anyway.

Cool when it's hot.

Warm when it's cold.

Sheep have the right idea.

No matter what we make out of nasty chemicals it won't be as good as something mother nature / God / the Big Bang / (insert your own beliefs here) designed in the first place

Jamey

Merino is definitely one of those stock answers, isn't it.

Alongside such classics as "it doesn't matter as long as you get out there and ride a bike" and "ride up more hills".

PeteinSQ

I have some merino tops and yes they're great, but if you don't want to spend the money just buy some mountain bike tops, they're not skin tight and are made of man made fabrics that are breathable and will wick sweat.

Sleeptech

Are the Merino advocates here suggesting to wear only a merino short/long sleeve top or would you wear a windproof over it?

Edit: They look quite thin here: http://www.howies.co.uk/productviews.php/1360/16/

Trying to cost up autumn / winter commute gear.... :?

linsen

merino tops from howies are quite thin yes and they will not keep out wind. I have a much more fitted "icebreaker" top and that is better at keeping out wind. But if I put on a windproof over the top I sometimes arrive with that "boil-in-the-bag" feeling. It depends how far you are going and how hard you ride too - I max out for 12 miles so I create my own heat!

Sleeptech

Yeah - I was thinking of going down the same line as Jamey & trying to find a loose(ish) fitting top that I wouldn't boil in.... Havn't done much winter riding as of yet and was a little concerned that a simple merino T wouldn't be enough?

Dumb Q perhaps - Whats an "icebreaker" top? Sounds like it could be ideal....

linsen

That's what they are called.

www.icebreaker.com

I got mine in an outdoor shop.

Sleeptech

Oooo - Cheers for that link

MichaelW

Whatever you do, stash that gortex until it is raining quite hard.
Get a cheap, bright windproof/showerproof without any fancy membrane, just a tight-weave nylon or polyester. Montane and Sprayway both make good ones and they dont need to be bike specific with that whole rear pocket thing.
If you are still to warm you need a wind baffle rather than windproof.
Try a sleeveless gillet windproof or 2 layers of baselayer (eg a long-sleeved and a short-sleeved wicking top.

Merino tops are indeed the best but I reckon chocholatefish.com are as good as Howies without the surfer-bmx price premium.

zombiejack

If you don't mind a bit of searching to save some pounds I picked up some of these in TK Maxx!

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/undershirts-and-base-layers/product/armourfit-cold-9139

I know it's not Merino but it's only 12.99 and I haven't been smelly yet! Worth it just if the Merino is in the wash!

snooks

Jamey wrote:

snooks wrote:

Black breathable tops...not the roadie fit ones the baggy MTB ones

Cheers snooks. Got any links? Could only find tight, roadie ones on Wiggle.

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/north-face/s-s-primus-tee-ec002286
I've got one of these...or summut like this
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pearl-izumi/boulder-bike-t-ec002387

but Evans has a sale on at the mo http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/sale/cycle-clothing/mens-clothing/jerseys/casual-freeride-tops
OK the summer stuff might not be a great idea for now, but by the time spring comes you'll be thanking me

biondino

Uniqlo have (non-cycling) merino tops on sale at the moment - I have two lovely lightweight jumpers for £15 each! Get a smaller size and I'm sure they'd make great base layers

Specialized Needs

MichaelW wrote:

Merino tops are indeed the best but I reckon chocholatefish.com are as good as Howies without the surfer-bmx price premium.

It's only because I'm interested in merino tops ... not 'cause I'm a pedant, honest.

http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/

biondino wrote:

Uniqlo have (non-cycling) merino tops on sale at the moment - I have two lovely lightweight jumpers for £15 each! Get a smaller size and I'm sure they'd make great base layers Smile

Thanks - I saw this advert in the Metro this morning, but couldn't see over the person's shoulder well enough to work out which shop...

Stuart

biondino

I have a merino cardie from there as well but since I don't have a Pashley I doubt I'll be wearing it on the bike

Get to Uniqlo quickly - the crew neck jumpers appear to be almost gone. Still lots of v-necks left in the Oxford Street branch.

Today I was wearing full-length bib tights, a long sleeve base layer, some Endura winter gloves and my (half-price at only £57) fluorescent Descente windproof jacket. I felt like A Real Cyclist. Also known as a complete ponce.

lost_in_thought

I am beginning to think I need some gloves...