Armour and waterproof jacket, that was a BAD idea.

weeksy59

So went out Sat and thought i'd try out some winter wear.

Put my Fox armoured jacket on over a Proskins base layer, topped it off with a Waterproof jacket. Cagoule (sp) type. Usually used on my motorbikes.

By the time i came back my shorts were 100% saturated and i'd lost 5.2lb's in weight (SWEAT).
Jacket was brilliant as it's windproof so no cold sweat on the downhills. Opened it a bit for the climbs but the sweat was pouring off me.

(i do sweat a lot at the best of times)

Guide me a bit lads...

.blitz

Choosing the right clothing can be tricky but if I'm cold for about the first 15 mins, I've got it right.

Eranu

Take off the jacket

weeksy59

Eranu wrote:

Take off the jacket

Never had my rucksack with me, just a bottle for fluids. Otherwise i deffo would have.

Bit exposed though if just a mesh armour suit.

Eranu

I know what you mean, this time of year it's hard to chose what to wear. Have you not got a camelback? I have my jacket in the helmet holder thing so it doesn't take up space in the bag.

weeksy59

Eranu wrote:

I know what you mean, this time of year it's hard to chose what to wear. Have you not got a camelback? I have my jacket in the helmet holder thing so it doesn't take up space in the bag.

Yeah but i only use it when i'm out with people who make me work harder than my old buddy

It's overkill for riding mostly.

Although i should use it purely for the weight off the bike of bottle/toolkit.

mac_man

If the jacket's one you've used for motorbiking chances are it's not very breathable by the sound of it.

I'd suggest a top that's windproof and warm and then a very breathable waterproof for if it's persisting it down. I always find it's a trade-off between weather protection and sweat. I sweat way more when cycling than I do hiking.

Goretex is supposed to be the best breathable fabric out there, but there other alternatives. I haven't gotten round to buying a waterproof yet... being generally a fair wether rider. If there's a bit of light drizzle or occasional shower I won't bother putting a top jacket on.

weeksy59

mac man wrote:

If the jacket's one you've used for motorbiking chances are it's not very breathable by the sound of it.

I'd suggest a top that's windproof and warm and then a very breathable waterproof for if it's persisting it down. I always find it's a trade-off between weather protection and sweat. I sweat way more when cycling than I do hiking.

Goretex is supposed to be the best breathable fabric out there, but there other alternatives. I haven't gotten round to buying a waterproof yet... being generally a fair wether rider. If there's a bit of light drizzle or occasional shower I won't bother putting a top jacket on.

It's more for the cold/wind than the rain.

I'm sure 'breathable' has limitations though.

If i do a 5km run in the gym, my t-shirt is fully soaked by the time i get off the machine.

I'm not sure fabrics and out that much sweat can they ?

mac_man

weeksy59 wrote:

It's more for the cold/wind than the rain.

I'm sure 'breathable' has limitations though.

If i do a 5km run in the gym, my t-shirt is fully soaked by the time i get off the machine.

I'm not sure fabrics and out that much sweat can they ?

I'd say no.... but if it's the cold/wind you want to keep out there are a lot of jackets which have a 'windstopper' layer to them which would probably do the job. TBH if you sweat that much when exercising there's probably no point getting a waterproof ;-).

Ideally you'd need something to keep you warm even when it's wet. Windchill in wet clothes can be a major problem on the hills. Maybe carry a spare set of layers in your pack if you're out on a long ride.

weeksy59

Not a bad idea actually


Thanks mate. Good plan.

jayson

The same thing happened to me on sat, it looked like it might be a bit chilly out so wore my jacket over my usual base layer and shirt and by the time i got home i too was dripping with sweat. I could have refilled my camelbak from the back of my shirt alone.

Dam these unpredictable warm autmnal days!!! :P

The Mickster

Breathability is very important, especially if you're a heavy sweater! I tend to use layers eg t shirt, micro fleece and either light windproof fleece (cold but dry) or light waterproof outer shell (cold and wet). If any of that layering isn't breathable then sweat is sure to build up.
Good gear is expensive and bike specific stuff can be ridiculously expensive. TK Maxx can be good for getting stuff cheap and most walking/hiking stuff is fine for cycling too.
Hope this helps.

.blitz

Worth remembering that ultimate breathability relies on contact from layer to layer. It's no use having a fantastic wicking base layer under a million-dollar baggy jacket because the sweat can't jump across

jayson

My base layer and jacket are both breathable gortex but it was so mild out i was just 'hot' specially on my back where my camelbak was.

Goomba Fletch

One of my work mates has a Berghaus GoreTex paclite shell that he swears by for cycling, its designed more for hiking but it's super light and highly breathable. Fully waterproof too, as in you'll actually need to rip a hole in the thing for the fabric to leak. But the paclite shell can be a bit flimsier.

tjwood

.blitz wrote:

Worth remembering that ultimate breathability relies on contact from layer to layer. It's no use having a fantastic wicking base layer under a million-dollar baggy jacket because the sweat can't jump across

It can't, but then waterproof/breathable membranes only let out water *vapour*, so liquid sweat won't get through either...

Cycled to work in last week's fun rain with a coolmax style t-shirt under my newish Endura eVent jacket, was pretty impressed with the breathability of it. I was still sweaty underneath but I'd say no more than I would have been had I not been wearing the jacket (on a warmish dry day!). And I'd rather be slightly damp with warm sweat than soaked with cold rain.

europeandy

I wear a merino ls base layer and a montane featherweight pertex shell, if its proper gharstley ill have a paramo velez in my pack,

furby

Remember to start cycling cold, you will soon warm up.

deffler

I find if I wear a short-sleeved T-shirt under a waterproof I sweat like Gary Glitter in a nursery however with a long-sleeved top underneath I dont sweat half as bad.

To be fair though, your exercising, hopefully pretty damn hard when your on it, of course your gonna sweat & get hot, whatever the weather.

I get the impression people are expecting magic clothing that stops them sweating, it aint gonna happen

deffler

.blitz wrote:

Worth remembering that ultimate breathability relies on contact from layer to layer. It's no use having a fantastic wicking base layer under a million-dollar baggy jacket because the sweat can't jump across

Spot on

wordnumb

If you do wear too many layers and find yourself sweating, remember to keep hydrated with a 20 litre hydration pack from Adidas. :shock:

steelo

I use a long sleeve base layer with either a micro-fleece or Altura waterproof depending on whether its raining or not. I find that I still sweat quite a bit but i'll take a spare base layer to change into at the pub which saves me from freezing my @rs3 off during the ride back to the car.

I am lookign for some decent waterproof biking trousers for when it gets really wet and cold though. Anything to stop my sealskinz socks filling with water and my feet going numb! They also look better than wearing the thermal 'tights' that some guys wear!