Not for me, you understand. I am a chap, and chaps wear vests. But the Babe believes that sweaty vests are not nice and wants something that preserves the fragrance she was born with (which bears an uncanny likeness to Jo Malone 154). So - I could do with some advice.
base layer for summer?
- Thread starter dellzeqq
- Start date
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Hugo15
Über Member
- Location
- Stockton-on-Tees
Merino wool one from Icebreaker. I got an Atlas 150 and have been very pleased with it.
http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html
http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
Merino wool all the way. Just got some from Chocolate Fish Merino and they are great.
jann71
Veteran
- Location
- West of Scotland
I have two favourites tops, one is a Canterbury and the other is a Skins. 
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
At the start of summer I went for a Giordana (Rab C type) string vest base layer it seems to work well.
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
I'm commuting, so not actually wearing a 'base' layer but need a top to cycle in. I tried my cotton t-shirts (which are absolutely great for normal wear) but I come out in a light 'glow' which means they get damp which is not great.
I then bought a synthetic thing (not cycling specific, but should have worked). Colours great, promises wicking etc, which it did - unfortunately it also made me a teeny bit smelly
(which I'm not normally, but wearing *some* synthetic clothes does make me smelly), which then got wicked all over the shirt. Net result, I could have used it as a biological weapon. The entire thing smelt.
After that I decided to try the merino thing after reading some glowing reviews. I am glad to report that I can wear the merino top all week (10 miles each way) and so far no smell problems. It's also been washed once in the machine - on a wool cycle but not using special wool detergent (but I normally use mild non-bio detergent anyway) and survived unharmed & unshrunk.
However, if you do get the 'base layer' or 'summer' merino styles, the weight of the fabric is similar to lightweight cotton jersey so the wind does cut right through it. Hence better as a base layer in the wind rather than an only layer....
I then bought a synthetic thing (not cycling specific, but should have worked). Colours great, promises wicking etc, which it did - unfortunately it also made me a teeny bit smelly
(which I'm not normally, but wearing *some* synthetic clothes does make me smelly), which then got wicked all over the shirt. Net result, I could have used it as a biological weapon. The entire thing smelt. After that I decided to try the merino thing after reading some glowing reviews. I am glad to report that I can wear the merino top all week (10 miles each way) and so far no smell problems. It's also been washed once in the machine - on a wool cycle but not using special wool detergent (but I normally use mild non-bio detergent anyway) and survived unharmed & unshrunk.
However, if you do get the 'base layer' or 'summer' merino styles, the weight of the fabric is similar to lightweight cotton jersey so the wind does cut right through it. Hence better as a base layer in the wind rather than an only layer....
Merino, merino, merino. I've got a couple of Icebreakers but I'm a more of a Howies woman (which is to say, a sucker for their fiendishly clever marketing). The NBL Light is the light base layer, but unfortunately it's sold out. I'd be surprised if it didn't return with the next season's collection, though, which should appear soon. The NBL is a must-have, but for the other three seasons. They've also got some things called Lacewing, which look fairly light, with a less sporty look and a scoop neckline, but the colours are uninspiring. http://www.howies.co.uk/section.php/31/0.
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
Why uncomfortable? Expecting it to be too thick or hot?
It's actually very fine. I'd say no thicker than a thin cotton t-shirt (the cotton t-shirts I like wearing are far thicker, but no good for cycling in unfortunately!).
It feels a teeny bit scratchier than cotton when you first put it on (or perhaps that's just my supersoft sensitive skin...!) but it doesn't actually bother me at all when I'm wearing it.
It's actually very fine. I'd say no thicker than a thin cotton t-shirt (the cotton t-shirts I like wearing are far thicker, but no good for cycling in unfortunately!).
It feels a teeny bit scratchier than cotton when you first put it on (or perhaps that's just my supersoft sensitive skin...!) but it doesn't actually bother me at all when I'm wearing it.
I am Spartacus
Über Member
- Location
- N Staffs
If anyone sees a thin base layer with a long zip.. note long zip ... let us know on here.
I know the Icebreaker do a 1/4 zip version. The lighter one is ideal for UK 'summer' into Autumn.
I know the Icebreaker do a 1/4 zip version. The lighter one is ideal for UK 'summer' into Autumn.
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
After one or many? Might be worth asking a smaller company if they can do it for you - there might be a minimum order run though...
