Base Layer - Lateral Thinking!
arlowood
Posts: 2,561
Been cycling for many years on a recreational basis and only recently started to treat it a bit more seriously. Bought a new Alu framed bike last Sept and have been trying to get some miles in over the winter with a view to tackling a sportive or two.
Previously my winter riding involved throwing on a T-shirt with a chunky jumper on top then my dayglo waterproofs to ward off the wind chill. This inevitably ended up with me gently steaming at the end of the run and that cold clammy feel of the sweaty T-shirt.
Had read that merino wool base layers were the way to go so did a bit of surfing on the cycle clobber sites. However some of the prices there were eye-wateringly high.
Looking further afield I found this product:-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helly-Hansen-Me ... 967&sr=1-2
Promoted more for the walkers, climbers, skiers etc - I reckoned it was the same technology but at a fraction of the price of some cycling brands. Took the plunge and bought one just after Christmas and I can confirm that it is the best £26 I'e spent in a long time.
This base layer does what it says on the tin - keeps me warm even on sub-zero rides, wicks away the sweat so that you don't fhave that clammy feeling after your ride. What's more it has a quality feel and great fit with good long sleeves to keep the wrists warm.
Just thought it might be worth passing on and before anyone suggests it - I don't have any connection with Helly Hansen
Previously my winter riding involved throwing on a T-shirt with a chunky jumper on top then my dayglo waterproofs to ward off the wind chill. This inevitably ended up with me gently steaming at the end of the run and that cold clammy feel of the sweaty T-shirt.
Had read that merino wool base layers were the way to go so did a bit of surfing on the cycle clobber sites. However some of the prices there were eye-wateringly high.
Looking further afield I found this product:-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helly-Hansen-Me ... 967&sr=1-2
Promoted more for the walkers, climbers, skiers etc - I reckoned it was the same technology but at a fraction of the price of some cycling brands. Took the plunge and bought one just after Christmas and I can confirm that it is the best £26 I'e spent in a long time.
This base layer does what it says on the tin - keeps me warm even on sub-zero rides, wicks away the sweat so that you don't fhave that clammy feeling after your ride. What's more it has a quality feel and great fit with good long sleeves to keep the wrists warm.
Just thought it might be worth passing on and before anyone suggests it - I don't have any connection with Helly Hansen
0
Comments
-
DHB Base layers are even cheaper still, been wearing one of those with just a tech T over the top and a softshell waterproof all through winter.0
-
I love my Canterbury and Under Armour base layers and prefer them to my merino (and much more expensive!) SmartWool/Icebreaker baselayers."Mummy Mummy, when will I grow up?"
"Don't be silly son, you're a bloke, you'll never grow up"0 -
You can get l/s merino tshirts from decathlon for about £120
-
I don't know much about base layers - and have been trying hard to come to terms with the need for lots of new pricy cycling stuff - but I got a lifa 'dry' rather than warm for cycling
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Helly-Hansen-Lifa-Stripe-Crew/dp/B001N2MLWO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297780888&sr=1-1
and I love it. I got the top and a pair of long drawers as a pack for £30 from Cotswold outdoors.
James0 -
danowat wrote:DHB Base layers are even cheaper still, been wearing one of those with just a tech T over the top and a softshell waterproof all through winter.
Agreed danowat - but the cheaper ones are polyester based. For a DHB merino wool base the prices are up around the £40 mark.0 -
Not quite the ones I go, which are branded "lued'ze" and are as good as my icebreaker 200 l/s. But http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/techwool-l-s-136157293/ for £200
-
I have one of the Helly Hansen Prowool tops and it's the "wiffiest" thing in my cycling wardrobe - it positively honks after a ride - not one to take on a social ride / cafe stop or you'll be on your own!Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
-
planet X are doing 2 for 50quid, or 3 for 60..."I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, how good is that"
--Jens Voight0 -
I managed to bag 4 HH Freeze 1/2 zips before Xmas for £12.50 each.My blog: http://www.roubaixcycling.cc (kit reviews and other musings)
https://twitter.com/roubaixcc
Facebook? No. Just say no.0 -
Cyclists have been wearing Helly Hansens as base layers for decades. I have two and they just keep on going. Impressive longevity.0
-
Monty Dog wrote:I have one of the Helly Hansen Prowool tops and it's the "wiffiest" thing in my cycling wardrobe - it positively honks after a ride - not one to take on a social ride / cafe stop or you'll be on your own!
They are known as "Smelly Hansen" for a reason! :oops:0 -
That Helly is a merino/synthetic mix.
If you want 100% superfine merino then check out
http://www.chocolatefishmerino.co.uk/to ... hirts.html
Ive been using them for several years and they last well with regular washing.
I wore one for about 2 weeks without washing on a very rainy tour.0 -
Why hasn't anyone mentioned Endura Baa Baa's yet? They're the same price as Lifa tops but they don't stink after five minutes.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/clothing-Endura-BaaBaa-Merino-S-S-Base-Layer/ENDUZUSS2200 -
My favourite base layer for Autumn/Spring for some time has been Helly Hansen One, either short or long sleeved. None of that annoying itchiness of old merino Helly Hansen (for those of us who suffer) and fabulous softness. They're £20+ though.
In winter, it's not worth spoiling the HH One and they have no chance of wicking properly when it's raining and you have to wear a rain jacket so for this I use Lidl £6 long sleeved tops which you will see in Lidl from time to time (sign up to their email newsletters). A bit thicker, all the technical blurb about how they work and unmissable at the price.0 -
BrianTrousers wrote:Why hasn't anyone mentioned Endura Baa Baa's yet? They're the same price as Lifa tops but they don't stink after five minutes.
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/clothing-Endura-BaaBaa-Merino-S-S-Base-Layer/ENDUZUSS220
Never used base layers before, just summer cycling tops underneath a Winter shell.
Got the Baa Baa and really impressed - warm and does not smell at all after a ride, when it should be truly honking.Summer - Dolan Tuono with Sram Force and Dura-Ace 7850 CL Carbon wheels
Winter - old faithful Ribble winter bike
SugarSync cloud storage referral link (better than DropBox atm imho) https://www.sugarsync.com/referral?rf=mzo2tcrhm5gn0 -
I brought a sleeveless base layer from Lidl for £5.99 and a long-sleeved snow boarders base layer for a mere £7.99 from Aldi a month ago and both appear to have made by the same supplier. Both are excellent and at a fraction of the price of other well known names.
0
