Base Layers

Stovepipes · 2 Nov 2015 at 14:21

I wasn't sure if I was going to be riding this winter but it looks like I'll be giving up the car to keep the bike so I need to keep warm.

Are there any good deals on base layers or any recommendations and what socks are you chaps wearing?

Stovepipes · 2 Nov 2015 at 14:50

Kreeeee said:
Merino wool is the best material.

Hmm I've heard differently. I was reading you want synthetics if you're doing anything physical and as I might be at work I don't want to have to remove my undies if I get sweaty.

tom_e said:
If you want some really warm socks then Heat holders are the way forward, used to wear them when I worked on the doors 6 hours in -10 and my feet were still toasty.

My feet always get really cold on the bike even behind the protection offered by the scooter so the cheap thermal socks I bought from the supermarket aren't gong to cut it. I'll give heat holders a try.

Stovepipes · 2 Nov 2015 at 16:40

Kreeeee said:
Works fine for me when hiking and riding in the sub zero alps.

Well can't really say fairer than that, I'll give merino wool a go then.

wazza300 said:
thick jumper? don't need anything else

weise nrg trousers keep me warm

Don't really want the additional bulk and I'd rather not have to take off more clothing when I get to work, plus as I occasionally work outside base layers would be useful.

Stovepipes · 2 Nov 2015 at 20:19

So you're wearing them as underwear for 2-3 days?

Stovepipes · 3 Nov 2015 at 06:01

TallPaul_S said:
Not as underwear, base layers - so on top on a pair of boxers, but otherwise next to the skin.

And yeah you can wear them for a few days and they won't start to smell of stale sweat/BO.

See that's the one thing I don't think will work. I wear pretty loose boxers and these skin tight base layers don't look compatible. I googled it most seem to consider base layers to be thermal underwear, which makes sense to me, otherwise I also have to invest in tighter underwear.

Drangueos said:
I use this 2:
http://www.sportsdirect.com/campri-thermal-short-sleeve-top-mens-402354?colcode=40235403
http://www.sportsdirect.com/campri-thermal-pants-mens-402350?colcode=40235003

cheap and comfortable.

Yeah as I stupidly chose not to go for the Aldi deal, merino wool is looking a bit too expensive. I'll see how I fare with the cheap synthetics and if they don't do the job I'll invest in the expensive stuff, which will cost a fortune if I don't want to have just one set.

Stovepipes · 3 Nov 2015 at 10:37

tom_e said:
It should be fine as long as you don't go for the compression base layers, normal ones are form fitting but not tight.

To be fair since I got my new jacket and Hood jeans I've ditched my base layers it's still far too warm out there to need them.

I dunno my loose boxers will bunch up some under anything form fitting but yeah we're still a ways off needing thermals just yet.

Clov!s said:
You don't go commando under thermals

A lot of people seem to disagree with you there. This was the comical skiing thread I was reading Plus it doesn't make sense to wear my cotton undies when your base layers are supposed to be wicking away sweat and cotton is poor at that.

I was looking at motorcycle specific base layers and in this video they say nothing underneath it 1:16

Stovepipes · 19 Nov 2015 at 13:21

tom_e said:
If you want some really warm socks then Heat holders are the way forward, used to wear them when I worked on the doors 6 hours in -10 and my feet were still toasty.

Just got a pair of long heat holders socks, wow they're very nice. Any idea where they sell them cheaply as I think I overpaid for a long pair.