Super base layers

I bought one Aldi base layer and liked it so much, I bought another 4. One for each day of the week. Undoubtedly my best cycling purchases ever, genuinely.

I wear an Aldi merino base layer under a Gabba jacket, 2 Aldi base layers when its less than 6 degrees.

It works for me, but I'll look out for a Rapha in the sales as I'm curious about how much better they really are.

I treated myself to a Rapha long sleeve base layer some time ago and it's my bestest bar none piece of cycling clothing.. I use it probaly from about 8 degrees downwards. Above 8 degrees and I usually stick with nanoflex arm warmers and a short sleeve jersey. Before this layer I tried a few other long sleeved non-merino ones and they were either all too hot, too cold, uncomfortable or just too stinky.

I have one of those string vesty things from castelli, it works by trapping the warm air in the 'holes' and works well across temps I'd guess at between 12 to 25degrees, however MrsD shrank it a while ago, it now resembles a crop top and involves a lot of pulling about to get it in position whenever I wear it. 

I have a merino short sleeve base layer from howies and it's a lighter weight than the rapha one, I wear this from 8 degrees upwards, but it's no good for high summer.

I've also discovered that short sleeve base layers annoy me around the shoulder, so I've asked santa for a sleeveless one from isadore

Hi Bob_C -

Re: "I like to use merino because I can use it quite a few times without it smelling - one of these mesh vests underneath could be just the ticket to stop the clammy feeling when I overheat a bit."

In short I think it would be a very practical combination - though possibly a bit too warm.

I generaly use my Bryjne string vest under my long sleve Gabba & I find that keeps me toasty down to about 4~5 degs above zero. It would probably be an o.k. soulution down to 0 degs but the feeling that I 'ought' to be wearing more see's me putting an Helly Hensen long sleave over the top of the Bryjne - This is toasty warm - and (to me) feels quite dry. However because of the slightly 'warm & wet' nature of the Gabba I think that I'd chill quite quickly if I spent too long stationary.

Before I got the Gabba I used the Bryjne in combination with an (ancient) Altura jacket made from a dense fleecy material, fronted with a wind stopping fabric - This was happy down to 0' degs by it's self. (and probably better if I were to find my self stationary)

I have tried the Bryjne by its self under thickish waterproof for a ride that took place on a cold & drizzely/foggy day & it worked very well. My waterproof has a enough zips to earn it's self a place in a fetish wear catalouge & hence it was easy to dump excess sweaty heat - whilst the string vest kept me warm.

• Note - I normaly like to ride around at 'sweaty' speeds - so possibly need less insulation than I would if I were going at a more 'touring' type of pace

Re: "Do they need washing every time you use them? The only polypropylene clothing I have is a Helly Hansen, and that definitely does...."

It may be my nose but strangely sometimes it does need a wash after each ride & other times it doesn't.

On the plus side they can happily take a near boil wash - and on the 'semi-plus' side if you don't mind being an anti-social smelly bugger they work just as well after a week of wearing as they do when freshly washed.

The one down side I encounter with the thing is that (unless you don't mind looking like an escapee from a Right Said Fred re-union) it can't be worn by it's self & if done so has just about no thermal properties. This can be a bit of a bugger if it starts out cold & then warms significantly enough to loose the wind stopping outer layer entirely (rather than just un-zipping it) - For this reason having the merino vest as well would be good!

I hope the above makes some sembalence of sense - I suffered a fair few interuptions whlist typing it.

I had dhb merino but found it didn't wash well after a while, kept shrinking even on a cold wash. 'Presently I mostly be wearing' a Craft long sleeve, was less than £20 but in its second season is starting to look thinner and not sure it will do a third.  

I recently weakened and bought a short sleeve merino base on special offer from the company whose name begins with R and frankly it's the dogs. Warm, washes well, no sign of shrinking, all you want really. A long sleeve one is on the Christmas list, we'll see if Santa is feeling flush. 

I also have have a Castelli string vest and they do work very well, both as a base layer and as a means of amusing my wife.

I have a couple of Helly Hansen and Craft base layers, but my current favourite is a long sleeve merino from dhb.  Got it in the sale for around £25 - cannot fault it at all!

<Please don't hate me>I bought a Rapha merino base layer at the beginning of this winter and it's been a revelation, I haven't had to wear with anything more than it and my Aldi 'Pro cycling jacket' all winter so far. I think it works by keeping sweat in a hot vapour zone next to your skin because it's never wet on the back when I take it off whereas when I wore t-shirts, before I bought it, the back of the whole t-shirt was soaking after a ride</Please don't hate me>.

I use Under Armour Coldgear base layers when it gets cold.  Toasty warm and really long in the body.

bender's done a review on HH stuff recently, hang on...

https://roubaixcycling.cc/2016/12/05/helly-hansen-warm-flow-base-layer/

I just rely on having merino next to my skin, and layer up after that. 

Never spent much money on higher-tech gear other than some HH tops and a Merrell one which I find feels yuck when damp. 

Haven't tried Castelli baselayer (though plenty of their other pieces) but my current fave is a long sleeve Advanced active extreme base layer by Craft.  Ribbed on the arms and torso, but open mesh over the shoulders and under the arms.   Best of both worlds and perfect for current conditions.  Best of all Wiggle had them for £18 when I got mine 

And whilst we are at it, you know those Castelli stringy vest things, how can they keep you cool when it is an extra layer? Well if it works for Thomas Voeckler...

Presumably by wicking away at least some of the perspiration on to the mesh and allowing it to evaporate faster from the enlarged surface area. Since it's a string vest, it's not really a layer at all - most of a string vest is holes...

These:  http://www.nordiclife.co.uk/collections/brynje/products/brynje-super-thermo-shirt

are very good (in my most 'umble opinion)