Breathable tops for summer riding?

jonny_trousers

Inspired by the muggy evening ride in today.

I discovered a while ago that regular cotton T shirts suck for riding and moved over to the long sleeved base layers I already owned, but even they are starting to feel a little warm at the moment and I just thought I would pick your brains on what's the most comfortable top to wear for summer riding?

Cheers in advance!

pastryboy

Get a few cheap t-shirts for running - they're all wicking/breathable and cheaper than the cycling variants.

http://www.sportsshoes.com/products/mens/t-shirts/?

rf6

Shutt VR. End of story.

milan_ns

pastryboy wrote:

Get a few cheap t-shirts for running - they're all wicking/breathable and cheaper than the cycling variants.

http://www.sportsshoes.com/products/mens/t-shirts/?

Nice choice.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but running tops don't have rear pocket?

Proper cycling tops don't necessarily cost a lot more:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... =PRICE_ASC

iPete

I use two, a Shutt VR sportive, added merino bonus for less washing and less smell and a Gore Motion III, both have just been put through 30 degree cycling and worked great.

jonnyboy77

I bought a Fox Attach L/S jersey that's full of vents and has a little pocket too. Its baggy, so may not appeal to all but its well made and airy



Edit - there's a S/S version too, though I don't have this (yet) so can't comment on that, but I pull up the sleeves on the L/S when its warm and its great!

- Jon

Mark Elvin

I find the SPEG tops great value - http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Product ... conds.aspx

RufusA

I use the Ground Effect Median Strip:

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-d ... ED-SUM.htm

which is Merino wool based so isn't minging after a week's use, and not silly money (depending on exchange rates). Only downside is it will probably take a week to get here by which time summer will be all but over!

It has a nice but not too tight fit, pockets at the back, and a hidden patch for emergencies...

Rufus.

pastryboy

milan_ns wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but running tops don't have rear pocket?

I have some form lidl that have an MP3 player pocket, but generally no. For commuting I can't see pockes being of that much use.

too slow to go

If your after cheap n cheerful

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-cycling-long-sleeve-tee-636018?colcode=63601808

Does the job for just over a tenner.

jimmypippa

pastryboy wrote:

milan_ns wrote:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but running tops don't have rear pocket?

I have some form lidl that have an MP3 player pocket, but generally no. For commuting I can't see pockes being of that much use.

For commuting, I find a rear pocket quite useful, I can put my pass and my keys in it.

BTW: I bought a pair of Montane featherlite "pants" from sportshoes.com (mentioned earlier in the thread) and they were very quick.

jonny_trousers

too slow to go wrote:

If your after cheap n cheerful

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-cycling-long-sleeve-tee-636018?colcode=63601808

Does the job for just over a tenner.

Thanks, but the '100% polyester' tag gets me sweating just reading it.

Top tips above lads. Thanks!

jonny_trousers

RufusA wrote:

I use the Ground Effect Median Strip:

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-d ... ED-SUM.htm

which is Merino wool based so isn't minging after a week's use, and not silly money (depending on exchange rates). Only downside is it will probably take a week to get here by which time summer will be all but over!

It has a nice but not too tight fit, pockets at the back, and a hidden patch for emergencies...

Rufus.

Always liked Ground Effect and the price looks pretty good too. Am I right in thinking that you have to choose a size smaller (or is it larger?) than you would expect?

MonkeyMonster

at this time of year surely nothing stops you from producing a sweat?

jonny_trousers

Mark Elvin wrote:

I find the SPEG tops great value - http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Product ... conds.aspx

Looks good. The ones you link to are all out of stock, but I will search further. Thanks!

jonny_trousers

Right! To save me replying to each post I will just offer a big thank you and say that there are some excellent suggestions so far.

alfablue

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Mark Elvin wrote:

I find the SPEG tops great value - http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Product ... conds.aspx

Looks good. The ones you link to are all out of stock, but I will search further. Thanks!

They too are 100% Polyester, as are probably a majority of this type of clothing, and there's nothing wrong with it, its all to do with the weave of the fabric.

RufusA

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Always liked Ground Effect and the price looks pretty good too. Am I right in thinking that you have to choose a size smaller (or is it larger?) than you would expect?

I think their sizing is pretty spot on for me. I have their medium tops which stay close to the body, but more of a relaxed than racing fit! I have a 39" chest and the start of middle aged spread if that helps! If you like the top clamped to every curve, then by all means nudge down a size. They have a good returns policy, and tend to be very helpful if you contact them with pre-sales questions.

Rufus

carrotcruncher

Been using these http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/regatta-ashwell-t-p141560

Works ok imho - and they feel like cotton to the touch, not at all 'nylony'.

looks like a t shirt, feels like a t shirt, wicks and dries quickly

biondino

alfablue wrote:

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

Mark Elvin wrote:

I find the SPEG tops great value - http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Product ... conds.aspx

Looks good. The ones you link to are all out of stock, but I will search further. Thanks!

They too are 100% Polyester, as are probably a majority of this type of clothing, and there's nothing wrong with it, its all to do with the weave of the fabric.

+1. Polyester is a brilliant, light, breathable material for cycling tops. It wicks brilliantly and, washed regularly, doesn't need to smell.

g00se

These are good and cheap - change from £8. Get a handful as polyester will stink after one day - even the expensive ones. Only the Merino wool ones will last out the week but cost more that seven of these

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-basic-top-grey-69515408/

iPete

g00se wrote:

These are good and cheap - change from £8. Get a handful as polyester will stink after one day - even the expensive ones. Only the Merino wool ones will last out the week but cost more that seven of these

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-basic-top-grey-69515408/

Thats 6 less things to wash! & you don't have to stink the office out at the end of each day when you dress to go home unless you buy 10 for the week...

g00se

iPete wrote:

g00se wrote:

These are good and cheap - change from £8. Get a handful as polyester will stink after one day - even the expensive ones. Only the Merino wool ones will last out the week but cost more that seven of these

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-basic-top-grey-69515408/

Thats 6 less things to wash! & you don't have to stink the office out at the end of each day when you dress to go home unless you buy 10 for the week...

Ah, but we have a company cycle changing room that already stinks so that's ok!

rolf_f

Go for Shutt and you get one, non smelly top that is handmade in the UK. Get half a dozen cheapo Polyesters and they'll have been made in a sweatshop in China. Less washing, better for environment, better for our shonky economy, better for comfort, better for personal finances. Better all round

lastant

Rolf F wrote:

Go for Shutt and you get one, non smelly top that is handmade in the UK. Get half a dozen cheapo Polyesters and they'll have been made in a sweatshop in China. Less washing, better for environment, better for our shonky economy, better for comfort, better for personal finances. Better all round

+1

They look and feel quality too, and stay looking that way even after 'x' number of washes - I've got plenty of running tops that look well past their best after a few spins in the machine!

If you'd have asked me a few years ago would I spend what I have for a cycling top on my Shutt jerseys I'd have probably laughed...but I'd now say without hesitation that they are definitely worth the money and would recommend them to anybody.

Edit: Forgot to add...the customer service from them is superb too. E-mails answered even out of office hours and the communication between them and myself is easily the best I've EVER had from any company!