Base Layers??

nax-ian
nax-ian Posts: 209
edited November 2009 in Road beginners
Whats the latest recommendations for warm n toasty base layers (torso) guys?
Hands, feet an legs all well taken care of.
When I got up around 450m above sea level this a.m. it was bloody freezing! Especially with all that sweat i'd built up.

But it did make me come down pretty rapid... yee-haa
Finished

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    I have a couple of Howies NBL merino base layers, which are excellent.
  • Most days I use a Polaris BL Tee when it's colder still I have the long sleeve and a Lusso breathe. I wear a windproof jersey over these the Goretex comes next and the serious winter jacket when we go sub zero.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • Mister W
    Mister W Posts: 791
    Merino baselayers are the dogs dangly bits. I've got a fairly cheap one from Mountain Warehouse but it's excellent. Very warm and being wool it doesn't smell, like a synthetic once will. I wore it for a week while skiing and people were still happy to sit next to me on the bus on the last day.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Am I the only one with synthetic baselayers that don't smell? Of course some do, but not all. I've got merino ones too, which are fine, but not quite as comfy as my favourite - a Vangard synthetic number. I couldn't find a long sleeve version locally, so ended up getting a Craft one instead. Not had a chance to try it out yet as it's been too warm.
  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    I have some HH synthetic base layers too - they only smell if you leave them at the bottom of the washing basket for a week or more....
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    APIII wrote:
    Am I the only one with synthetic baselayers that don't smell? Of course some do, but not all. I've got merino ones too, which are fine, but not quite as comfy as my favourite - a Vangard synthetic number. I couldn't find a long sleeve version locally, so ended up getting a Craft one instead. Not had a chance to try it out yet as it's been too warm.
    I can catch the ammonia whiff off mine after a 1 hour ride. It might be the material, or it might be...
  • flasher
    flasher Posts: 1,734
    Craft, merino's too itchy for me.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    I have got quite a selection so here go my quick reviews:

    Prendas Long Sleeve – http://www.prendas.co.uk/details.asp?ty ... =22&ID=367 – Price £22.50 inc

    Quite feathery and feels really nice against bare skin, seems to wick away sweat really well as I only really feel the sweat once I stop for a few minutes. Against it, it is not very wintry and it is probably better suited for temperatures between 13-14c to 10c but for under that I would be looking for something thicker. Body length is good but sleeve length is slightly on the short side. It stinks after a single ride so you need to wash it quite often. Although it is the lowest score of the 3 they are a great autumn base layer (to be honest the only one of the 3!) My score 7

    Trekmates Merino Long Sleeve – http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Trekm ... 360035570/ - Price £20.99 inc

    This is a 100% merino wool long sleeve base layer and it is, I would say to use for temperatures under 8c. It is not as light or feathery as the Prendas one but it is not too thick or heavy either and wicks sweat with ease. As with all merino wool, it is slightly prickly against your skin when you first put it on but after you start riding with it you forget about it really. As an advantage over the man made fibre ones it doesn’t smell after one ride and you can use it for a few days. The Length is very generous in both departments and you should be looking at a size smaller. Thumb holes are really useful to avoid the sleeves going up and will keep part of your hands warm. My score 8

    Craft Pro Zero Base Layer http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0988 – Price - £13.40 inc

    This is the best of the bunch IMO. It is made of man made fibres so you are going to be looking at washing it very often. Body and arm length are great, not too big or small. They are very warm and feel great against the skin, the wick away the sweat better than the other 2 and they’ve got a zip for when it gets too hot. The collar is very useful as well against wind. I would say is for use in temperatures from 13c to 5c or even colder. My score 9

    Hope this helps.
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    I just bougt some more umbro ones from Sports direct, as good as I have seen for fraction of price. £10 for short sleeve and £12 for long.
    They also have a less tigh fitting one for winter in the skiing section, called campri. I paid £7.99 to try one and it is great for autumn/winter riding, but not like the umbro ones which are more like compression base layers for racing.
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    Rapha's merino tops are the mutt's nuts. If you buy three at once you get them for 30 quid each, which is excellent value for money. They're more comfy than any others that I've tried, are cut really long so your kidneys stay warm, and they regulate your temperature excellently. I've worn them when it's been freezing and when it's been rather warm and have always felt just right.

    PS I'm not a Rapha fanboy! In fact they're the only Rapha thing I've ever considered buying.
  • gabriel959
    gabriel959 Posts: 4,227
    jswba wrote:
    Rapha's merino tops are the mutt's nuts. If you buy three at once you get them for 30 quid each, which is excellent value for money. They're more comfy than any others that I've tried, are cut really long so your kidneys stay warm, and they regulate your temperature excellently. I've worn them when it's been freezing and when it's been rather warm and have always felt just right.

    PS I'm not a Rapha fanboy! In fact they're the only Rapha thing I've ever considered buying.

    When you mean comfier do you mean against other merino tops or against other base layers?
    x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
    Commuting / Winter rides - Jamis Renegade Expert
    Pootling / Offroad - All-City Macho Man Disc
    Fast rides Cannondale SuperSix Ultegra
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I've got loads of Nike Pros, I used to get them for rugby, and so still use them now. Pretty cheap too, but those Craft ones look a right bargain that gabriel posted, so I might get some of those too :oops:
    I like bikes...

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  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    +1 for craft...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • jswba
    jswba Posts: 491
    gabriel959 wrote:
    When you mean comfier do you mean against other merino tops or against other base layers?

    Both, in my (limited) experience. They're not itchy at all (massive contrast with the Endura merino tops), and wick better and are warmer or cooler when necessary than my HH, Gill, dhb synthetic base layers. They're as soft as lambswool and seriously are worth every penny. I also wear them when it's cold and I'm not cycling.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    jswba wrote:
    gabriel959 wrote:
    When you mean comfier do you mean against other merino tops or against other base layers?

    Both, in my (limited) experience. They're not itchy at all (massive contrast with the Endura merino tops), and wick better and are warmer or cooler when necessary than my HH, Gill, dhb synthetic base layers. They're as soft as lambswool and seriously are worth every penny. I also wear them when it's cold and I'm not cycling.

    I thought they worked well, but just not as comfy as some of the synthetics and not the best cut.
  • Dazzza
    Dazzza Posts: 2,364
    Personally my trek mates bamboo baselayer is the best i've tried, endura baa baa is nice but a bit heavyweight for my liking, bamboo also does a good job of controlling my temperature.

    http://www.hikebikeandride.com/Products ... oduct=3351
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  • Flasheart
    Flasheart Posts: 1,278
    I have:
    Nike Pro
    Umbro
    Canterbury

    All are black sleeveless Compression Base Layers. I wear them every ride now 8)
    The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle. ...Stapp’s Ironical Paradox Law
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  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Have a look at Icebreaker Merino baselayers. I had a look at the Endura ones but the Icebreaker ones were far superior.
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Cycling Plus has a test in this month's issue
  • teagar
    teagar Posts: 2,100
    Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    jswba wrote:
    Rapha's merino tops are the mutt's nuts. If you buy three at once you get them for 30 quid each, which is excellent value for money. They're more comfy than any others that I've tried, are cut really long so your kidneys stay warm, and they regulate your temperature excellently. I've worn them when it's been freezing and when it's been rather warm and have always felt just right.

    PS I'm not a Rapha fanboy! In fact they're the only Rapha thing I've ever considered buying.

    Lets see, thats £90 for 3 what a bargain :D Can get 9 umbro or 7 Nike pro for that money, know which I would go for :D
    I tried the craft ones, their ok but not as good as the umbro or nike pro IMHO.
    The £7.99 campri are good value I have to get some more for winter before they change price!!
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    Ive been using Chocholate Fish Taranaki T shirts for a couple of winters (and summer too)
    chocolatefishmerino.co.uk
    They are superfine NZ merino and are not itchy. Coarser grades can feel itchey. They wash well , dry quickly and dont pill or shrink.

    I can recomend them very highly.
  • timb64
    timb64 Posts: 248
    hugo15 wrote:
    Have a look at Icebreaker Merino baselayers. I had a look at the Endura ones but the Icebreaker ones were far superior.

    +1 (But don't think I'd wear one for a week non-stop-Mr W!)