Wool-free base layers

[Kermit power]

Morning all,

The slight chill in the air this morning got me thinking about what I'll want to wear for my commute come the winter months.

Every time I see a discussion about base layers, the general recommendation usually seems to end up at Merino wool. I've no doubt that this is great if you're not allergic to wool, but if you are, then even the softest Merino garment feels like it's made out of brillo pads knitted together with brambles.

Anyone got any recommendations for a good sheep- free winter base layer?

[Fume troll]

I find merino useless if I'm going to sweat. Nice for sitting around in though.

Anyway, some sort of synthetic base layer. I like Helly Hansen long sleeve lifa tops. Have a good rub of the fabric, some of them can catch on any wee thing and pull out loops of thread.

Cheers,

FT.

[itsnotarace]

I use a North Face thingy, "flight series" I think they call it

Nowhere near as good as my merino stuff though!

[sjg]

Bamboo ones are nice. Have similar non-smell properties to merino wool.

Polaris (amongst others) do them: http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/polaris-bamboo-tec-...

[okgo]

This morning?

It was fine... I rode in a t shirt today and no gloves.

[P-Jay]

I've had and old Endura Plastic base for years that's served me well, pretty cheap too! I actually find it a little warmer is the very cold months than my Howies Wool base, but doesn't wick nearly as well, seems to work like a wetsuit, you end up with a mirco layer of sweet or rain water next to your skin that when warmed keeps your warm.

[hullbilly]

okgo said:

This morning?

It was fine... I rode in a t shirt today and no gloves.

hard man.

In the winter i ended up using layers to keep warm. a cheap pearl izumi base layer which I have been using up until a few weeks ago, then I had a short sleeve jersey and arm warmers as well as a long sleeve jersey. That kept me going all winter.

Edited by hullbilly on Thursday 12th May 12:40

[Kermit power]

okgo said:

This morning?

It was fine... I rode in a t shirt today and no gloves.

As did I, but at 6am in the shade, it was just chilly enough to kick off the thought process.

This does, though, highlight the other side of the topic. Most of the time I'll go out all wrapped up, and within 5 miles or so, I'll be back down to a T shirt again, but cursing the fact that my feet, fingers and ears are falling off!

Maybe I asked the wrong question... Better might've been how I keep my ears warm under a helmet, and feet warm when most SPD shoes seem to be fairly aerated!

[itsnotarace]

Kermit power said:

This does, though, highlight the other side of the topic. Most of the time I'll go out all wrapped up, and within 5 miles or so, I'll be back down to a T shirt again, but cursing the fact that my feet, fingers and ears are falling off!

Maybe I asked the wrong question... Better might've been how I keep my ears warm under a helmet, and feet warm when most SPD shoes seem to be fairly aerated!

Arm warmers
Knee warmers
Hat
Overshoes

Job done

Edited by itsnotarace on Thursday 12th May 14:08

[Mr Will]

Kermit power said:

As did I, but at 6am in the shade, it was just chilly enough to kick off the thought process.

This does, though, highlight the other side of the topic. Most of the time I'll go out all wrapped up, and within 5 miles or so, I'll be back down to a T shirt again, but cursing the fact that my feet, fingers and ears are falling off!

Maybe I asked the wrong question... Better might've been how I keep my ears warm under a helmet, and feet warm when most SPD shoes seem to be fairly aerated!

Try setting off in less layers (long sleeve t-shirt perhaps).

I find that as long as I don't wrap up too much to begin with, my body heats up more uniformly and my extremities don't suffer as much.

(first mile or so is pretty chilly though!)

[HundredthIdiot]

Cover socks are great. I just wish I could find some that lasted more than a month.

I'm currently on Sockguy Cordura ones.

[ad551]

Another vote for Helly Hansen Lifa base layers. They seem to be almost indestructible and work really well.

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Kermit power said:

Maybe I asked the wrong question... Better might've been how I keep my ears warm under a helmet, and feet warm when most SPD shoes seem to be fairly aerated!

One of these is indispensible for winter riding and amazingly effective at keeping your ears (and head)warm on those icy January mornings.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?Mod...

[anonymous-user]

ad551 said:

Another vote for Helly Hansen Lifa base layers. They seem to be almost indestructible and work really well.

Another vote from me, they're always on sale somewhere too.

[shalmaneser]

ad551 said:

Another vote for Helly Hansen Lifa base layers. They seem to be almost indestructible and work really well.

yup. synthetic all the way!

[ad551]

Yep - in fact on the basis of this thread I went and had a look for a few more, grabbed one off Amazon for £15. Lots on sale there in all sizes and colours.

[a11y_m]

Am I the only one who's HH Lifa base layers absolutely stink? I've got a couple of LS tops that I still use occasionally, but luckily I've got no wool allergies and wear merino almost all the time. No comparison on the whiff front IME.

I've got a bamboo base layer and it's also pretty good. Not quite as good as merino for moisture transfer or not retaining smell, but still good and could be an option for the OP if it's wool-free. I got one of the tee-shirt style bamboo tops from spokeshirts.

[shalmaneser]

a11y_m said:

Am I the only one who's HH Lifa base layers absolutely stink? I've got a couple of LS tops that I still use occasionally, but luckily I've got no wool allergies and wear merino almost all the time. No comparison on the whiff front IME.

I've got a bamboo base layer and it's also pretty good. Not quite as good as merino for moisture transfer or not retaining smell, but still good and could be an option for the OP if it's wool-free. I got one of the tee-shirt style bamboo tops from spokeshirts.

Yeah but I wash them after ever wear anyway.

[Vladimir]

I find Merino great when it's cold BUT it doesn't last long and good sythetics breathe more.

This company is run by a mate of mine and does fantastic merino and synthetic base layers as well as other top notch technical wear. I have loads of their stuff. Extremely sustainably made too.

www.finisterreuk.com