Outlast base layers

[tom_e]

Anyone have any experience of using stuff made from Outlast materials? It seems Rukka do stand alone base layers but I see some places offer it for their custom made suits as well.

Is it as good as they would have you believe at helping keep you at a stable temperature be that cooling you down or warming you up?

[phil4]

I'm sure these are great if it's a little bit chilly, or a little bit warm.... but I can't imagine they'd work very well for very long if its really quite hot, or really quite cold.

For example if you had a bunch of ice-cubes stuffed in your clothing, initially it'd be great, but they'd have changed to water and dried up after a very short period in this heat. The stuff in these clothes isn't magic, once it's all turned to liquid, there's no more cooling it can do. And vice versa when keeping you warm.

They sounds like the sort of gear that would be useful in a autumn/spring ride, where the daily temps might be a bit nippy or a bit warm, but never quite right.

[black-k1]

In the "What are you wearing?" thread

black-k1 said:

I’m currently sweating like a rapist in my full 2 piece BKS leathers. As my commute is 75 miles each way, with town, motorway and country roads, I wouldn’t be happy doing it all in tee shirt and flip flops.

I have been very impressed with the new Outlast lining http://www.bksleather.co.uk/products/accessories/b... in my new suit as I didn’t get as hot as I expected and riding home yesterday afternoon when the thermometer was saying 35, was just about bearable.

[terry tibbs]

tom_e said:

Anyone have any experience of using stuff made from Outlast materials? It seems Rukka do stand alone base layers but I see some places offer it for their custom made suits as well.

Is it as good as they would have you believe at helping keep you at a stable temperature be that cooling you down or warming you up?

outlast was in the halvarrsons stuff i had and i purchased a separate jersey and pants which i wore for two years

overall, more marketing hype based on space suits as selling point then any benefit over merino wool or other materials - not that impressed got rid of H suit

showed my eldest who is doing a phd in space engineering and he just said it ought to be thicker to do a better job but then you couldn't move in it if it was

overall 5/10

[tom_e]

I had a feeling it was going to be swaying towards to too good to be true side, I'll stick with my trust Aldi Merino wool layers then

[bogie]

I think something like Helly Hansen lifa long or short sleeve shirt and long johns for winter do the same thing for a lot cheaper.

I wear them in winter for warmth and summer because they dont feel wet next to the skin if you sweat. With a mesh jacket on top they are very cool, even when ambient temps are 35C upwards

[George111]

My textiles have outlast liners and they do help a very little bit in the winter but you can't beat a proper set of additional thin layers. Not that I ride now in the winter.

In the summer EDZ base layers are brilliant, I use the pants and tops, very good. Never tried outlast in the summer.

With the outlast I have if you put your hands either side of the material you can feel that one side is certainly cooler than the other, maybe I ought to give them a go !

[cristom]

So this is one of those things where the marketing is hard to believe and the difference is subtle and therefore can be subjective.

I have used these baselayers for commuting (1 hour commute from cold countryside into London - all-year riding), plus extensive weekdn trips and multiple trips to EU and across the Alps.

I have a normal Rukka merino top (bought on a whim without looking at the price - ouch!) It's just a merino baselayer so I'd recommend cheaper alternatives. I also have have a Rukka Outlast top.

All I can say is they both work but are different. The Rukka Outlast is very comfortable material (where merino is slightly itchy). TBH it's a bit wierd. I find myself thinking I should be hot, or should be cold but just feel comfortable. It's not as warm as as the standard merino (as it is not as thick).

I find therefore that my go-to choice is the Outlast for comfort and comfort across a wider temperature range. I just like wearing it, so it must work! The standard merino I very quickly find I'm too hot when conditions change or if I'm moving inside and outside. The real test of this was the Alps in June last year - very cold on the tops and in the 30's (degrees C) in the valleys. I was amazed at how well it worked. I did overheat in standing traffic in the valleys (no surprise) but for the rest it coped admirably.

So I guess (and I'm surprised to say this) it does work. The real proof is I'm much more inclined to wear the Outlast than anything else.

[SVS]

My experience has been the same as Cristom’s. Outlast seems to work for me too.