Mesh base layers

Late Starter
Late Starter Posts: 48
edited May 2014 in Road buying advice
I was thinking about buying a couple of those mesh baselayers to go with my new Sportful jersey. Seen a couple on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Craft-Stay-Co ... 3f294064ce

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/D2D-Sleeveles ... 19ecbe73df


Are they worth it? Usually wear a tight fitting polyester t-shirt type thing under my jersey unless its super hot!

Comments

  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,669
    I've got the Craft Stay-Cool, i like it for warmer, more strenuous rides. It's perfect in medium, i take a large jersey.
  • popularname
    popularname Posts: 173
    +1 for the craft. Defo worth it with the UK summer...
    __________________________________________
    >> Domane Four Series > Ridgeback Voyage
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    Either look fine - I have the craft and its good - as Gethin says, you dont need to size up with that the way you do with lots of other cycling clothes - I wear an L under an XL Castelli jersey.

    Decathlon do a good one too - probably a bit cheaper. I also have a Castelli Mesh and its better than the Craft, but not by much.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    +1 Craft
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Late Starter
    Late Starter Posts: 48
    Thanks for the replies.

    Do people find that these base layers are any good when it is a bit nippy? You know, that in between temp when you want to go out in a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers, but its a bit cold on the body? As I said before, I usually stick a tight fitting polyester t-shirt underneath. Would these do the same job or better?
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    I use my Craft mesh all year around.

    I've recently gone for a gilet, now that is very useful in the conditions you describe.
  • gethinceri
    gethinceri Posts: 1,669
    +1 for gilet.
  • Late Starter
    Late Starter Posts: 48
    Hi!

    I take your point about a gilet, but for some reason I can't get on with them (for reasons I wont bore you with). I had a few, cheap and expensive. I ended up sticking them all on eBay!
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Late Starter wrote:
    Thanks for the replies.

    Do people find that these base layers are any good when it is a bit nippy? You know, that in between temp when you want to go out in a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers, but its a bit cold on the body? As I said before, I usually stick a tight fitting polyester t-shirt underneath. Would these do the same job or better?

    No, a merino base layer would be better than the mesh.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    SloppySchleckonds wrote:
    Late Starter wrote:
    Thanks for the replies.

    Do people find that these base layers are any good when it is a bit nippy? You know, that in between temp when you want to go out in a short sleeve jersey with arm warmers, but its a bit cold on the body? As I said before, I usually stick a tight fitting polyester t-shirt underneath. Would these do the same job or better?

    No, a merino base layer would be better than the mesh.

    +1
  • top_bhoy
    top_bhoy Posts: 1,424
    I've got several merino wool base layers, a mixture between Endura Baa Baa and Plant-X. While they do a decent job, I find that they all deteriorate quite quickly and a few have developed holes after not very much use. It may be happening during washing with other clothes but I can't be sure. Perhaps the softness of merino wool is a factor. Are these alternatives effective as a wicking baselayer but harder wearing? I use mine on the daily commute to work and my weekly session on the track.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Helly Hansen? Only thing is they reek after only 1 wear.

    Surprised your Baa baa has holes. I wear mine daily for commuting and wash once a week or so at 40 with all my other kit (including gloves with Velcro on them) and never had an issue with robustness
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Gilet is completely different to a mesh base layer ?

    I dont think you need mesh in the UK climate. Abroad - maybe.
  • gsk82
    gsk82 Posts: 3,615
    I had a santini mesh sleeveless bar layer delivered today. It feels quality and is really stretchy, ill see how it fairs in the rain tomorrow
    "Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
  • Late Starter
    Late Starter Posts: 48
    Decided to buy one of the mesh base layers as I went to the Alps last year and roasted in the heat and I'm going again this year. So, if it was no good for slightly cooler weather then it would at least get some use later in the year. Went for the D2D one from eBay as it was only £20, so not too expensive. I have to say that, in my opinion, they are wonderful. Wore it last night, and whilst my arms could feel the cold on the descents (later on when it got colder) my chest/torso was fine. So my body was warmer with the vest, than my arms with thermal arm warmers on. I was so impressed I'm thinking of buying another. May go for the Craft one to see if it's any better. But, after one ride I'm converted. If they work as well in the warm weather than that's an added bonus.

    Rab C Nesbit was onto something all along!!!

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