Cycling in Melbourne Australia
Base Layers
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Jay on -
I have a really nice Netti one that's stylish enough to wear over a jersey or under it. Full zip, silver/yellow and snug as a bug. Cuts the wind really well round the torso while keeping arms free to radiate excess heat as you work harder. They're all worth the money for this reason, arriving warm but not too sweaty.
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Permalink Reply by AlexZ on -
I wear a Kathmandu themal singlet under my long sleeved jersey, has been perfect thus far. When very cold, or wind chill a problem, I chuck a windproof/water resistant (Sugoi) lightweight jacket without the sleeves over the top.
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Permalink Reply by weg on -
A lot of people use wool (now known as Merino for some reason) vests/singlets - they keep you warm, wick well and don't chill if wet. Polypro is good too, but maybe not so warm. Some like the Kathmandu ($$$ so get them on sale) wool models but I find the Target ones good and a bit cheaper. +1 to a shell or similar to cut the wind.
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Permalink Reply by Josephine Cox on -
Merino is a specific type of wool from Merino sheep which live in alpine climates (like New Zealand): warm when needed, cool when needed, thin, breathable, soft, hypo-allergenic, odorless--the best type of wool to wear out there, especially for sport.
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Permalink Reply by Cory on -
Yup. Merino base layer. Kathmandu, or other adventure stores (when on sale) are good. Also, check out the women's underwear areas in dept chains (Target, Kmart etc) - they often have some good ones they don't look too lacy) ;)
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Permalink Reply by Neil S on -
I have a few - merino is good but expensive and i want something that dries a lot quicker. I have a DHB (from wiggle.co.uk) Earnley base layer (apparently 50% bamboo) and this is excellent, warm, wicking and excellent cost ($20) long sleeve with zip. I also have a couple of base layers from torpedo 7 from their route - 7 range, they are ok but the DHB is is better i find. No matter what you use if you have a windproof layer on the top its going to stop evaporation and you will get sweaty eventually.
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Permalink Reply by David Roche on
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Good advice here - my .02 (from selling most of the above to cyclists)
Polypropelene - warm, high wicking, low moisture retention - ranges from being very good to extremely good depending on the quality. Some are low enough on water retention to wear almost out of the spin cycle from the washing machine. Reasonably hard wearing. Better ones have anitbacterial (anti pong treatment permanently built in) higher wicking and warmer
Wool - definatley warmer, naturally thermo regulating i.e. adjusts heat levels with your temperature and disperses heat so you don't get hotspots. naturally anti bacterial - downside is high water retention and some require careful washing. The Merino - base is probably referring to "Merino Skins" which is a pure wool thermal from an Australian manufacturer who also sells around the world
Hybrids like helly hansen Warm range have both - and the polypropolene in this range is acutally hollow so you get extra warmth (like polar bears and possums p.s - great party question - what do polar bears and possums have that no other animal does?? - hollow fur) which also gives increased wicking
Other brands do other things Santini does its Lura Magic (from Dryarn - I supect an Italian polypropolene of good features) with differential weave and thickness to focus heat where a cyclist needs it most.
Netti - do a good wool synthetic mix (they call it wool but you can feel some synthetic in it) this means it would keep its shape better
Like most things try it an see what works for you!! - and no pair of thermals will go to waste!
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