I’m thinking of buying some base layer shirts to use on the bike. i believe this type of stuff dries out quickly when washed. Tell me all I need to know about them and what to buy
ta.
ta.
Base layers
- Thread starter stever1
- Start date
Ice breaker Merino
The end
The end
Merino. Doesn't need washing daily (can last at least 5 days and still not pong....) More pricey than most manmade fabrics but well worth the 'investment'. Smartwool, Icebreaker etc (Aldi/Lidl sometimes do it and it is OK quality)
Mountain Warehouse Isocool (polyester) are what you are referring to. £8, rinse out and drip dry overnight.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/endurance-mens-t-shirt-p12580.aspx/navy-reflect/ - loads of colours
I take 3 for 10-14 days away. One to wear, one drying out and a spare.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/endurance-mens-t-shirt-p12580.aspx/navy-reflect/ - loads of colours
I take 3 for 10-14 days away. One to wear, one drying out and a spare.
Do they just hand wash
Yep,wash them as you wash yourself or wash them in a sink,squeeze them dry and leave them hanging overnight somewhere
or on top of your quilt if in a hotel..
or on top of your quilt if in a hotel..
Yes. I just wash them in the hotel squirty soap, rinse and wring out. Then hang up and gravity does the hard work as they drip dry.
Merino. Yes. It's lovely non-smelly stuff. You could buy something like Icebreaker, or you could go look at Alpkit.
We use Alpkit - it rocks
We use Alpkit - it rocks
Or just the beginning... I think Icebreaker was probably, quite rightly, considered the best in the days when it was owned, produced and marketed in New Zealand. However, it was then sold to a Chinese company. The previous owners started up again under the Chocolate Fish brand which was considered by the cognoscenti to have assumed the mantle of the premium Merino brand. As far as I can see, Chocolate Fish are now no more.
Merino is very good for motorcycling in a cool / temperate climate, but I don't think it's the best for high energy activities or even motorcycling in high temperature and high humidity. For those situations, the best I've come across and as an old hillwalker and canoeist I've got far too many base layers, is Patagonia Capilene Lightweight. That's what I wore, both top and long johns under my Belstaff / BMG Adventure Suit when I rode halfway across the USA and back in temperatures of 40 Deg C+ and humidity in the high 90's %, in 2011. I've still got the very same kit today. Patagonia is expensive but it's very good kit from an ethical company.
Wasn’t there a thread about base layers a week ago. Anyway have a look at Pro Skins. Controls body temp, don’t smell, drys quick and not all that expensive. Been wearing them for years. Not as good as merino in the winter. But good under a heated jacket
Maybe but I have some of Icebreaker very thin merino T shirts that are almost like silk and in the summer they are very good and I do prefer Merino over the synthetic stuff regardless of what the claims the man made stuff just isnt as good for repelling stink etc
The next best tings I have are some thin Rab merino and coconut blend but not sure if they still make it
Edit
Just looked at Pro Skins and at the moment it is very cheap ( £10 per top) so I have ordered a few to try
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Merino is excellent, but be aware that not many garments are pure merino, they tend to be blends (possibly for good reason, elasticity, durability etc). However, some cheaper offerings have lower merino content, so have a look at the make-up of the fabric before grabbing a bargain.
And as above, whether polyester or merino, wash in the evening and wear the next day. Packing for 4 days or 14 days, all the same.
And as above, whether polyester or merino, wash in the evening and wear the next day. Packing for 4 days or 14 days, all the same.
Ok. It’s starting to make sense now.
wessie, good link to isocool gear, I may try a long sleeved one.
is it worth paying more and getting the Merino ones ? Bearing in mind it’s just for on the bike.
wessie, good link to isocool gear, I may try a long sleeved one.
is it worth paying more and getting the Merino ones ? Bearing in mind it’s just for on the bike.
I wear merino bottoms all year. They work well and you do not need to wash them every day. There is one problem with merino that makes me stick with Isocool for tops. I find that merino really does not like Velcro and on the pure merino stuff you end up with holes on the knees that line up with the armour pocket Velcro. I have one set of leggings that are 15% polyester and they seem more robust to being unpicked by the Velcro. A few small holes on leggings don't matter but I don't want to wear a shirt to dinner that has a hole in the back from the Velcro on the back protector pocket.
With the polyester Isocool shirts, they rinse out so easily and dry quickly there is another advantage should you drip egg or soup down your front. Make a proper job of it the tomatina festival and you can bin a cheap shirt.
i think it is, yes.
Good quality Merino is not cheap (neither is the high end synthetics) but look after it and it should last for years. Much of mine, used regularly, is well over 10 years old. I keep it in a sealed plastic box as just one moth can - and will - decimate it.
I also wear it under a shirt in winter, if watching rugby from the barren touch line. It doesn’t need to be ‘Just for the bike’.
Good to know Wessie
I need some of these quick dry cool base layers for my next trip too.
also need a down jacket.... although i hope the weather is nice enough i don't need it!
The Mountain Warehouse IsoCool ones are great and cheap for summer "keep you cool" base layers.
I don't like Merino in hot temperatures myself - but use it a lot in the winter. That said, I bought some "Zerofit" base layers this winter and preferred them to the IceBreaker merino stuff I had already. They seemed warmer than the IceBreaker - maybe psychological as the fabric is thicker.
Klim also do a line of keep you cool technical base layers called "Aggressor Cool" that look to be very good. I am going to buy a set later this month as I am riding to Budapest in June and expect it to be hot. I'll take those and a couple of the IsoCool t-shirts and just wash in the hotel shower and dry overnight.
I don't like Merino in hot temperatures myself - but use it a lot in the winter. That said, I bought some "Zerofit" base layers this winter and preferred them to the IceBreaker merino stuff I had already. They seemed warmer than the IceBreaker - maybe psychological as the fabric is thicker.
Klim also do a line of keep you cool technical base layers called "Aggressor Cool" that look to be very good. I am going to buy a set later this month as I am riding to Budapest in June and expect it to be hot. I'll take those and a couple of the IsoCool t-shirts and just wash in the hotel shower and dry overnight.
Ok. Disappointed, I went to mountain warehouse today but they don’t have any icecool stuff in stock in any shops near me.
I've always done click & collect - the shops are tiny compared to the available stock online, like most retailers
Ok, I’ll have a look at that. Ta
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