Base Layers (Rapha in particular)

[TonyHetherington]

I have an addiction to Rapha stuff.

There, I said it.

Anyway...I'm just buying some knee warmers from them and, as man maths will do this to you, considering that the £5 postage is better off being incorporated into something to get me to over £100 for free delivery. Man maths at it's best

I'm looking at the merino base layer - http://www.rapha.cc/merino-base-layers - and it says they can be used in both winter and summer, which confuses me. I'd have thought to wear one under my bib shorts and then a normal jersey (be it short or long sleeved) over the top. Is that correct?

Are they worth the money? I'm fully intending lots of winter riding this year so want to do it as comfortably as possible

Thanks!

[Rouleur]

I've got a S/S one and although it's very good IMO it's a) no better than a Helly Hansen or Endura one and b) a vast amount of money at £60! I got mine in the clearance at £35 but wouldn't want to pay more. Maybe get one of these instead http://www.rapha.cc/winter-collar to bump up to £100?

This is the Endura http://www.evanscycles.com/products/endura/baa-baa...

The HH tops lose their shape after a while and aren't so nice to wear but I find they wick better than the others http://www.evanscycles.com/products/helly-hansen/l...

My brother has one of these for the summer and rates it http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/core-...

[anonymous-user]

TonyHetherington said:

Are they worth the money?

Of course it's not worth the money, none of the Rapha stuff is. You want Rapha kit though so buy it or you'll feel you're wearing something not as good if you don't.

[Juffled]

they would have to be pretty spectacular to beat craft baselayers (approx £30) and if they are there is no way they are 3 or 4 times better, having said that i do like my rapha softshell and LS Jersey so it is possible they are better but very unlikely.

Also merino is merino generally, you can buy cheaper merino base layers that will behave exactly the same, for me there are plenty better things to spend money on from rapha, baselayers is not something they do better than everyone else imo.

edit: rapha is worth the money on a few items that do just last for ever and a day in perfect condition, i would say baselayers are not one of them

[TonyHetherington]

Thanks guys - you've convinced me that, in this instance, the Rapha one isn't worth the extra money so I'll look at one of the others!

I already have a collar thing which works really well (not Rapha, just from my local camping shop) so will probably just go with just the knee warmers on this occasion.

Thanks all

[TonyHetherington]

el stovey said:

Of course it's not worth the money, none of the Rapha stuff is. You want Rapha kit though so buy it or you'll feel you're wearing something not as good if you don't.

Dammit you're good

[Chicken Chaser]

I love a bit of Man Maths.

As much as the Rapha stuff is premium priced, I dont think i'd be bothered having matching base layers as no-one other than you and the people you dress with will see them!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

It's the best bit of kit that Rapha makes. I have loads of them. All the others I have tried just don't compare (although I don't have any Helly Hanson ones). I wear them year round, in all conditions. I had always thought they were over-hyped and over-priced. Having used them for the last 3 years I don't think either any more. JFDI.

[nofuse22]

I agree: I must have 6 or 7 rapha base layers - both long and short sleeved and they are fantastic. Great thing about merino for base layers is that they don't smell after a few hours...

I wear the short sleeves in both winter and summer. Seem to be a perfect weight.

Would definitely recommend.

[dontdobends]

Lusso do a silver base layer T for £20, I've used one throughout winter and summer and it's wicks and washs great..

[TonyHetherington]

oh you buggers, I've already ordered just the knees now.

and you know I'm going to have to order the base layer too. Double dammit!

[Rocksteadyeddie]

TonyHetherington said:

oh you buggers, I've already ordered just the knees now.

and you know I'm going to have to order the base layer too. Double dammit!

You know it makes sense.

[anonymous-user]

. . . because you're worth it!

[Jimbo.]

TonyHetherington said:

I have an addiction to Rapha stuff.

There, I said it.

Anyway...I'm just buying some knee warmers from them and, as man maths will do this to you, considering that the £5 postage is better off being incorporated into something to get me to over £100 for free delivery. Man maths at it's best

I'm looking at the merino base layer - http://www.rapha.cc/merino-base-layers - and it says they can be used in both winter and summer, which confuses me. I'd have thought to wear one under my bib shorts and then a normal jersey (be it short or long sleeved) over the top. Is that correct?

Are they worth the money? I'm fully intending lots of winter riding this year so want to do it as comfortably as possible

Thanks!

In order for a base layer to function as it should, it needs to be tight fitting and against your skin. Only then can it perform the "wicking" when you sweat. Wear it under the bib straps

You can wear them all year round: IME they (any baselayer, not just Raphas) make a massive difference, and the riding much, much more comfortable, even on the hottest days.

Worth it? Well, they (Rapha) are very nice: the fit, the quality, the material etc. are all top notch. I have one and use it a lot. But £50+ for one baselayer? I can get two Craft mesh tops for that, which work every bit as good - if not better - in the heat.

[Matt_N]

The only way to buy Rapha base layers is in the 3 pack bundle for £140, that way you save some money.

You can mix and match any size, colour or sleeve length too, so you could get a short sleeve, long sleeve and maybe split the last one with a mate or give it to someone as a present.

[TonyHetherington]

Hang on; I know man maths is good, but how have I now ended up at £140?!

£37 each does sound very good though.

Anyone want to go thirds?!

edit...oops...£47

Edited by TonyHetherington on Monday 1st October 08:51

[itsnotarace]

I'd take a long sleeve one in black for £47 plus whatever for postage

[TonyHetherington]

Jolly good

Anyone else? I'm happy to order/co-ordinate and post out (me to you won't cost anything - I'll cover that. Unless you live in China )

Just thinking it through; for the £55 sleeveless it's not much of a gain...for the £65 long sleeve it's certainly worth doing so, so nice one

Edited by TonyHetherington on Monday 1st October 09:20

[Matt_N]

TonyHetherington said:

Hang on; I know man maths is good, but how have I now ended up at £140?!

[TonyHetherington]

Anyone else interested in base layer number 3 of a 3 pack? (if not, I'll be having 2 of them I guess!)