baselayer in hot weather?

brindlescoops

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.

jonomc4

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

Yes. I use Castelli and Rapha and they keep me cooler than most.

Druidor

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.

pkripper

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

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

It goes against logic but started using Craft mesh base layers this year, wouldn't go back to jersey only.

marcusjb

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

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.

sloppyschleckonds

Druidor wrote:

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

Except it does the opposite.

brindlescoops

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!

Anonymous

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

awavey

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

supermurph09

+1 for craft mesh base layer. Can't imagine putting my jersey on without it.

neeb

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

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

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.

Druidor

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

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..

trek_dan

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

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

+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

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.

MartinB2444

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

Base layer also helps stop the bib of your shorts chaffing sweaty nipples!

drlodge

MartinB2444 wrote:

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.

lostboysaint

drlodge wrote:

MartinB2444 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.

pkripper

lostboysaint wrote:

drlodge wrote:

MartinB2444 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

You've not grasped how wicking works have you.......

Circlip

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

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

Can't fault my craft mesh base layer, always more comfortable with, than without.