Winter Base Layers-Ride Mag Test

[Arsey]

In this months Ride mag they’ve tested Winter base layers .
Good timing as I needed something a bit warmer than my Rukka merino base layers which are more all season than winter



I’m sure the winning Astars are great but I’m not mad on the cling fit so looked on Sportsbikeshop for the second place Halvarssons.
Then I saw they had some more expensive Halvarssons but with 25% off , making them cheaper.




No idea if they’re any warmer or better than the Comfort one but I went for the discounted ones and they arrived today .
Certainly VERY comfy.
Tried them on with new Keis heated kit on bike for 10 minutes and I was very toasty.They’re certainly much warmer than the Rukka ones I have .

Anyway, thought this test might be of interest , and if you just want a cheap base layer, I’m sure the Oxford ones will be just fine , as most of their kit outperforms its price point .

 

[Rasher]

I have the Heatrub Ultimate and the "Move", the Ultimate is extremely warm but I find a bit itchy - but I also cannot stand Merino Wool, which most folk find OK. It would suit people riding in very cold weather, but unless you spend a lot of time in very cold conditions I would look elsewhere. Having said that I do find the heatrub socks bearable and use them a bit.

The "Move" base layer is still pretty warm, if you put it on indoors you will start to overheat PDQ, but out and about it's good, went out for a while a few weeks ago with just this under my textiles on a cold day (4-5c) the textiles had the liners in, but I had nothing else, and could of got a thinish jumper underneath if I wanted to (I have an EDZ micro-fleece which is perfect as an extra removeable layer) and still not been too bulky.....

....And I think that is the point, any of these reviewed base layers would be fine, even the cheapest ones, and then a micro-fleece (so useful for tours) and you have a lot of warmth for not a lot of bulk.

 

[Wapping]

And I think that is the point, any of these reviewed base layers would be fine, even the cheapest ones

No doubt correct.

Even better is tapping into all motorcycles’ surplus of electrical power and heating an electric liner.

 

[Guru Gora]

Oxfords are available for about 18 quid on eBay

 

[TIJ650]

I find the Oxford ones just fine. I’m a bigger pimp for the heated vest though. If your core is warm it won’t steal blood from your extremities like fingers and toes.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/590806

 

[KMD]

Good to see Oxford getting a thumbs up. They’re a good company. I used to run a Wheels2Work scheme on behalf of a charity in North Yorkshire, and Oxford were relentless in their support in terms of products and favourable pricing. They really looked after us, and genuinely asked nothing in return, no marketing, no publicity, nothing.

 

[MartinK]

A left field option is Reed. Made for kayaking. Super warm and very quick drying

Thermals & Base Layers

Reed Chillcheater Transpire fleece base layers. Polar Bears Diving - Woolly Bear undersuits & thinsulate undersuits are the first choice for many professional divers.

www.chillcheater.com

Used my sea kayak base layer on the bike to great effect