base layer

bugsrabbit
bugsrabbit Posts: 182
edited May 2010 in Road buying advice
can anybody recommend a short sleeved base layer for the warmer weather, i'd like it with pockets for my ipod but i don't think they make one

Comments

  • ALaPlage
    ALaPlage Posts: 732
    No pockets on this but JJB do a Champion badged range of compression tops in sleveless, short and long sleeve. Great value at about £12 and work very well. Just as good as my more expensive Craft and Endura base layers. Try one as not a massive layout if it does not suit you.
    Trek Madone 5.9
    Kinesis Crosslight T4
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I have never known of any base layers with back pockets have to say but for summer use these are nice

    http://prendas.co.uk/details.asp?typ=typ&fkid=22&ID=368
  • bugsrabbit
    bugsrabbit Posts: 182
    giant mancp wrote:
    I have never known of any base layers with back pockets have to say but for summer use these are nice

    http://prendas.co.uk/details.asp?typ=typ&fkid=22&ID=368

    thanks, I had one of those in mind
  • mike ives
    mike ives Posts: 319
    + 1 for Craft. They are excellent and great value for money. I don't think there is a version with pockets though.
  • hugo15
    hugo15 Posts: 1,101
    Icebreaker Atlas 150. It's a fantastic piece of kit.

    http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreak ... atlas.html
  • jthef
    jthef Posts: 226
    Craft have some summer base layers which are good.

    HTH

    .
  • cogidubnus
    cogidubnus Posts: 860
    I have a couple of the Nike Pro tops which I use for football. Also found them to be excellent when cycling too.
  • stokepa31
    stokepa31 Posts: 560
    Cogidubnus wrote:
    I have a couple of the Nike Pro tops which I use for football. Also found them to be excellent when cycling too.

    +1 for nike pro core. got mine on ebay for £14
    Burning Fat Not Rubber

    Scott CR1
    Genesis IO ID
    Moda Canon
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Your ipod wouldn't last very long in a base layer unless its in a waterproof case. Sweat is very corrosive.
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    Why do you need to wear a baselayer in warm weather?
  • ALaPlage
    ALaPlage Posts: 732
    Garry H wrote:
    Why do you need to wear a baselayer in warm weather?

    Just as you see International footballers on the TV and pro cyclists in the Grand Tours wearing an under garment - it is not to keep you warm although there are base layers that help do that in cold weather, but to help wick away sweat away from the body. Helps the body maintain a natural temperature and avoids you getting cold as the sweat cools.

    Much more comfortable. Recommend you try it if you spend more than an hour in the saddle or push yourself to build up a sweat.
    Trek Madone 5.9
    Kinesis Crosslight T4
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    edited May 2010
    ALaPlage wrote:
    Garry H wrote:
    Why do you need to wear a baselayer in warm weather?

    Just as you see International footballers on the TV and pro cyclists in the Grand Tours wearing an under garment - it is not to keep you warm although there are base layers that help do that in cold weather, but to help wick away sweat away from the body. Helps the body maintain a natural temperature and avoids you getting cold as the sweat cools.

    Much more comfortable. Recommend you try it if you spend more than an hour in the saddle or push yourself to build up a sweat.

    I think that's all marketing buff. How does wearing two layers of thin, synthetic material help to wick sweat away quicker than wearing one? By wearing two, you create another layer for moisture to get trapped. I've never heard a sensible explanation for this "phenomenon". Major case of "Emperor's new clothing"!

    Edit: You put forward a good explanation of how it helps to keep you warm, but not of how doing the same thing can also keep you cooler. I'm not being facecious, I simply would like to read a sensible explanation of how it works. If I'm wearing a baselayer, even a Craft summer one, under a jersey and it's too hot, I'll take it off. This usually helps to cool me down.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    No it's not marketing buff. I always wear a good wicking base layer in the summer, cos they work ...
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    giant mancp wrote:
    No it's not marketing buff. I always wear a good wicking base layer in the summer, cos they work ...

    But how?
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Because it wicks sweat and keeps you dry ....
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    giant mancp wrote:
    Because it wicks sweat and keeps you dry ....

    Still don't get it. You sweat to maintain body temperature. The evaporation of sweat from the surface of the skin is what keeps your skin feeling cool, and the sweating process itself keeps your body temperature constant. (Twenty years since I last attended a biology class, so things may have changed ;o). Adding a second layer will slow down the evaporation processs as well as acting as further insulation. If I wear a baselayer, it usually ends up saturated.

    Any biologists out there care to explain?
  • orderodonata
    orderodonata Posts: 86
    I think the theory is that the base layer wicks moisture via capillary action to the outer layer, where it evaporates, and the base layer should remain dry and not get saturated, so it's more comfortable. Not wearing a base later means your outer (only) layer might feel clammy if the sweat doesn't evaporate fast enough.

    I always feel more comfortable with a base layer in summer than without.
    ______________________________________
    Alive at both ends, but a little dead in the middle.
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    I only ever wear a base layer in the summer if it's raining and then it's always merino wool as it doesn't feel cold when wet. Other than that I stick to just wearing a jersey which is designed to wick sweat away from me
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    orderodonata wrote:
    I think the theory is that the base layer wicks moisture via capillary action to the outer layer, where it evaporates, and the base layer should remain dry and not get saturated, so it's more comfortable. Not wearing a base later means your outer (only) layer might feel clammy if the sweat doesn't evaporate fast enough.

    I always feel more comfortable with a base layer in summer than without.

    But this doesn't quite sound right. A cycling jersey itself will wick sweat, it's practically the same material as the baselayer. The sweat will evaporate quicker because it only has one layer to go through. Moisture doesn't just pass through the first layer, leaving it dry. Sounds like pseudo-science to me.
  • Team Banana Spokesman
    Team Banana Spokesman Posts: 538
    most people are silly and dont wear tight fitting clothing. so they need one in summer. a perfect fitting jersey will wick sweat away better.
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    A base layer could only wick sweat properly if the jersey on top can wick sweat at least as well, if not better. If the jersey doesn't wick as quickly as the base then the base can't do its job, but if the jersey wicks as well or better than the base then there is no point in the base.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    guilliano wrote:
    A base layer could only wick sweat properly if the jersey on top can wick sweat at least as well, if not better. If the jersey doesn't wick as quickly as the base then the base can't do its job, but if the jersey wicks as well or better than the base then there is no point in the base.

    My thoughts exactly. Snakeoil anyone? :wink:
  • Slimbods
    Slimbods Posts: 321
    The Giordana bibs have a handy little back pocket:

    http://www.parker-international.co.uk/8 ... Black.html

    I use it for the remote when I'm on the turbo :)
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,591
    guilliano wrote:
    A base layer could only wick sweat properly if the jersey on top can wick sweat at least as well, if not better. If the jersey doesn't wick as quickly as the base then the base can't do its job, but if the jersey wicks as well or better than the base then there is no point in the base.

    There is. The base layer removes moisture via capillary action and allows more efficient evaporation of that moisture as the fibres of the base layer provide significantly more surface area than human skin.

    The other reason to wear a base layer is protection when you crash as the outer garment will take the brunt of the impact and friction from the road surface whilst the base layer will protect the skin.
  • Yorkshirecoal
    Yorkshirecoal Posts: 52
    MandM direct have some Adidas climacool base tops, long and short sleeve for around £14. I've got some and they are very good. Tight but cool. Oh and they do work.
    http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-adidas-Mens-Tech-Fit-ClimaCool-Long-Sleeve-Top-White_AD7422.htm
    *Insert something witty or profound here*
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I've always worn base layers - unless I'm in france and its >30 degrees or so. Always feels much nicer like that.
    How often in the uk can you wear just one thin layer ? May be ok for a short spin - but my weekend rides can be 6 hours and more and I'd rather have one layer too many than be cold.
    There is the crash protection too - you hit the road and the jerseys will slide on each other leaving you with more skin. I see steve cummings was singing his base layers praises after the crashes of the first few days of the giro.
  • Slimbods
    Slimbods Posts: 321
    Plus, they keep your belly tucked in!

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