Getting the right layers when out on the bike can mean the difference between a joyous ride and a miserable , cold , sweaty slog of a ride . A good base layer is essential to maintaining body temperature and will wick away moisture from the skin . Base layer can mean tops , leggings or all in one suits that go next to the skin .
How it should fit . Snug is the word people and we don ’ t mean snug like a gym instructor ’ s 4 sizes too small t-shirt that has the veins popping on the biceps but it should be next to the skin like an extra layer of skin . To this end you will find that top makers of layers will have male and female kit to help in the snug fit over the differing lumps and bumps of the genders .
Types of Base Layers Rather than the styles , as in short sleeve etc we are talking about the actual fabric of the layer next to your skin . Synthetics and Merino Wool are the most common used fabrics and for good reason that we will go into later .
COTTON is not used by top makers and I was told by an expert at Jofama that if you have a cotton shirt on under your jacket you may as well of bought a £ 50 jacket because all that technology just went out the window . Cotton holds moisture , plain and simple and no matter how little you sweat , there in your t-shirt is where it ’ s going to stay and sooner or later you get cold – end of . Yes , even your favourite cotton Fred Perry or Iron Maiden ( depending on your age and taste ) is going to become a soggy rag .
SYNTHETICS
These are mainly made with polyester and polyester blends . Some will have their own technology branded into the fabric . It is estimated that this blend keeps the rider warm down to about -8 when worn in conjunction with other bike gear ... if you just have on a base layer you will freeze no matter how cool you think you look ! This isn ’ t the Tour de France guys .
Polyester is quick drying and lightweight and so will very quickly wick moisture away from the skin , as long as that moisture has somewhere to go ! So using a good jacket with vents will help the whole system work ... getting the idea ? Good . They tend to be cheaper than the wool counterparts as they cost less to make ( smiple ) and they pack down to a very small size so you can take a couple with you . Why would you take a couple with you ?
They smell ! Rather they will smell and do so a lot quicker than wool as the sweat wicks away then the residue is left in the fabric and will start to stink by the end of the day . A week of riding in Northern Italy in polyester will ensure that you get your own table at any pizzeria in town , even if you eat al fresco ! But then there is always deodorant and they are very easy to wash as they are so quick to dry .
MERINO WOOL
This is more expensive but not so much that it ’ s going to break the bank and for me is not a factor when getting base layers . If another £ 10 means I get to spend all day warm , dry and with a silky hugging base layer then I ’ m happy to pay the extra . Brands will also add technology to the wool to aid further in your comfort . Halvarssons for example use Outlast in there wool and Coolmax is their synthetics with the tag “ If it works in Scandinavia ”.
Wool is reported to aid temperature as low down as -15 ... again , in conjunction with other quality motorcycle gear layers . For God ’ s sake DO NOT go riding in just a woollen base layer in -15 and then write in to complain that your bits had to be cut off and your ass crowbared from your seat !
The wool works by having tiny air pockets to help draw away heat but those same pockets hold heat if the temperature changes – how clever ! Wool has a natural UV resistance so can help with open jacket riding in the sun ... I ’ d still make sure I had sun block on my neck and face .
Natural anti-bacterial properties – meaning it will take a whole lot longer for you to start to stink in your Merino Wool layers than in polyester . Washing is more tricky as you may not be ablke to machine wash yours without risking your layers shrinking and leaving you looking like ‘ Brad ’ the personal trainer we spoke about before .