baselayer in hot weather?

brindlescoops
brindlescoops Posts: 465
edited July 2013 in Road general
Hmm,

What's your thoughts on this, base layers help wick moisture away from the body and therefore aid cooling, but it kind of goes against common sense to use a tight baselayer as well as a jersey (not to mention bib straps) in this weather - what gives the best advantage in the heat, baselayer or no baselayer???

P.S. I'm not talking about merino wool here - more the under armour type of thing.

Cheers.
My biggest fear is that should I crash, burn and die, my Wife would sell my stuff based upon what I told her I paid for it.
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Comments

  • jonomc4
    jonomc4 Posts: 891
    Castelli do a mesh thing as a base layer (see bike radar front page - for myself I find a good jersey wicks more than enough
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Yes. I use Castelli and Rapha and they keep me cooler than most.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Druidor
    Druidor Posts: 230
    nothing but your bibs and top imho, hot enough and the fabrics designed to wick.

    adding another layer is just going to make you feel sweaty longer.
    ---
    Sensa Trentino SL Custom 2013 - 105 Compact - Aksium Race
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    I often use a craft superlight mesh baselayer in hot weather, not because it keeps me any cooler, but it assists with keeping the moisture away from the skin, so it's less clammy for no additional temp.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    pkripper wrote:
    I often use a craft superlight mesh baselayer in hot weather, not because it keeps me any cooler, but it assists with keeping the moisture away from the skin, so it's less clammy for no additional temp.

    I use the same, its a comfort thing for me, its not nice having a sweaty jersey clinging to you!
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    It goes against logic but started using Craft mesh base layers this year, wouldn't go back to jersey only.
  • marcusjb
    marcusjb Posts: 2,412
    I've always used a base layer (thin merino) in summer - makes a great difference.

    I've been trying out a string vest Castelli base layer in the really hot weather - it's good, but I think I prefer the merino personally.
  • djhermer
    djhermer Posts: 328
    iPete wrote:
    It goes against logic but started using Craft mesh base layers this year, wouldn't go back to jersey only.

    Agreed. It seems illogical. I bought a Castelli mesh one about 3 weeks ago whilst killing time in my LBS (i blame the wife and kids for being over the road in another shop). I didn't wear it for 10 days as i just kept thinking 'it ain't right'.

    However, first wore it on a very warm day weekend before last and it does indeed work. Astounding. It does defy logic, but most definitely works.
  • Druidor wrote:

    adding another layer is just going to make you feel sweaty longer.

    Except it does the opposite.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Thanks Guys,

    I have been experimenting with and without in this weather and felt more "comfortable" with a base layer, but it just didnt seem logical, but it looks like its he way to go, so cheers for the input and I'll continue to double layer!

    :D
    My biggest fear is that should I crash, burn and die, my Wife would sell my stuff based upon what I told her I paid for it.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Pretty much always wear a base layer these days. Just feels better and do not feel I am any hotter.

    Would have thought wearing a dark jersey without base layer is way hotter than light coloured/white one with a base layer :wink:
  • awavey
    awavey Posts: 2,368
    pkripper wrote:
    I often use a craft superlight mesh baselayer in hot weather, not because it keeps me any cooler, but it assists with keeping the moisture away from the skin, so it's less clammy for no additional temp.

    yep bought one of these for this year when it started hotting up and its best bit of kit Ive bought for ages recommended even if the look is abit old man Steptoe, even for a girl :lol:
  • supermurph09
    supermurph09 Posts: 2,471
    +1 for craft mesh base layer. Can't imagine putting my jersey on without it.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,471
    There's a fairly in-depth article about exactly this subject in the current issue of Cyclist magazine. Conclusion seems to be that if your jersey is made out of the same material and has the same fit as a base layer, adding a base layer will not make you cooler. But most jerseys are a compromise, so a base layer might help because it is designed specifically to wick moisture.

    My theory is that it's the fit that is one of the biggest factors - base layers are stretchy and completely skin tight, while many people wear jerseys that are slightly looser fitting. To wick effectively, the material needs to be in contact with the skin. So the best option is probably a properly tight fitting jersey with no base layer, assuming it's made out of a decent wicking fabric. More aero too.
  • LegendLust
    LegendLust Posts: 1,022
    neeb wrote:
    There's a fairly in-depth article about exactly this subject in the current issue of Cyclist magazine. Conclusion seems to be that if your jersey is made out of the same material and has the same fit as a base layer, adding a base layer will not make you cooler. But most jerseys are a compromise, so a base layer might help because it is designed specifically to wick moisture.

    My theory is that it's the fit that is one of the biggest factors - base layers are stretchy and completely skin tight, while many people wear jerseys that are slightly looser fitting. To wick effectively, the material needs to be in contact with the skin. So the best option is probably a properly tight fitting jersey with no base layer, assuming it's made out of a decent wicking fabric. More aero too.


    ^ Wot he said
  • menthel
    menthel Posts: 2,484
    Just to give a +1 to the craft base layers. Wiggle had a good offer on a 2 pack and I wouldn't be without them now! Really help keep you dry and comfortable.
    RIP commute...
    Sometimes seen bimbling around on a purple Fratello Disc or black and red Aprire Vincenza.
  • Druidor
    Druidor Posts: 230
    Druidor wrote:

    adding another layer is just going to make you feel sweaty longer.

    Except it does the opposite.

    Well I be jiggered... may have to upset the missus and spend some more on bike stuff then..
    ---
    Sensa Trentino SL Custom 2013 - 105 Compact - Aksium Race
  • trek_dan
    trek_dan Posts: 1,366
    Agreed, the Rab C Nesbitt baselayer is a must on long rides in warm weather. If you get really sweaty on a climb stops you getting cold on the descent back down as your jersey doesnt get soaked through in sweat.
  • SpainSte
    SpainSte Posts: 181
    Another +1 for the mesh base layers.

    I've got a couple of the castelli ones and I wear them on every ride, so much more comfortable!
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    +1 from me to on mesh base layers, as has been stated they will wick better and keep you cooler unless you're wearing a tight-fitting aero jersey and secondly it feels better IMO not having a clammy, soaked-through jersey against your skin.
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    I have two. A Nike Combat hot weather "wifebeater" (no sleeves) and a UnderArmour HeatGear t-shirt. They are both brilliant. Excellent wicking makes exercise much, much cooler with them and, as mentioned above, they feel is so much better than a clammy jersey.(I use them for cycling, football, running). Would recommend both.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • MartinB2444
    MartinB2444 Posts: 266
    I have a couple of Craft mesh base layers but if I wear one under my jersey I get hotter.

    Manufacturers love coming up with stuff we never knew we needed.
  • Pross
    Pross Posts: 43,292
    Base layer also helps stop the bib of your shorts chaffing sweaty nipples!
  • drlodge
    drlodge Posts: 4,826
    edited July 2013
    I have a couple of Craft mesh base layers but if I wear one under my jersey I get hotter

    Ditto. I used to wear the craft mesh base layer but recently I tried without as it was extremely hot out and I prefer without.
    WyndyMilla Massive Attack | Rourke 953 | Condor Italia 531 Pro | Boardman CX Pro | DT Swiss RR440 Tubeless Wheels
    Find me on Strava
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    drlodge wrote:
    I have a couple of Craft mesh base layers but if I wear one under my jersey I get hotter./quote]

    Ditto. I used to wear the craft mesh base layer but recently I tried without as it was extremely hot out and I prefer without.

    I'm struggling to see how a mesh baselayer will do anything to be honest. It's hardly going to wick sweat through the holes is it?! So all you're doing is putting a string vest under a technical garment.

    As I said, I run two technical hot weather baselayers (not at the same time!) and they are both excellent and a demonstrably cooler than not bothering.
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    drlodge wrote:
    I have a couple of Craft mesh base layers but if I wear one under my jersey I get hotter./quote]

    Ditto. I used to wear the craft mesh base layer but recently I tried without as it was extremely hot out and I prefer without.

    I'm struggling to see how a mesh baselayer will do anything to be honest. It's hardly going to wick sweat through the holes is it?! So all you're doing is putting a string vest under a technical garment.

    As I said, I run two technical hot weather baselayers (not at the same time!) and they are both excellent and a demonstrably cooler than not bothering.


    But that's the point of the mesh - the moisture is channelled through the material, and the mesh remains pretty dry, so with most of the baselayer being mesh, there's a far larger dryer surface area.

    If it's a full on baselayer, arguably it can still wick effectively, but you'll have a far greater damp surface area against your skin.
  • lostboysaint
    lostboysaint Posts: 4,250
    You've not grasped how wicking works have you.......
    Trail fun - Transition Bandit
    Road - Wilier Izoard Centaur/Cube Agree C62 Disc
    Allround - Cotic Solaris
  • Circlip
    Circlip Posts: 16
    Plenty of suitable vest type base layers available that are suitable for hot Summer days. Persuaded myself & Mrs I needed a week cycling in Tuscany to find a suitable one a while back.

    Back in the old Skool days of wool jerseys at BCF races with only 3 panels permitted, it was common to always wear an undervest. View was that if unfortunate to crash, two materials slid over each other more easily than skin/1 layer on tarmac. I don't know if this is 'fact' but I've always worn 2 and having seen the pics of Tony Martin, will continue to do so.
  • alxce
    alxce Posts: 12
    I have two of the Craft superlight mesh vests and have been wearing them since May. I actually did a ride without one yesterday just to test the difference. Far less comfortable and bibs/jersey were much wetter as a result.
    So a big +1 from me for the Craft vests.
  • Caader
    Caader Posts: 5
    Can't fault my craft mesh base layer, always more comfortable with, than without.