Is it ever too hot to wear a base layer?

[UphillSlowly]

I grew up in the Middle East and my dad always wore a vest under his shirt to work, even when it was 40 degrees. I put it in the same baffling category as drinking coffee in the hot weather.

Now that I cycle, i'm told that a base layer is a good idea. A string vest for wicking in hot weather. Should I ditch my best in the heat wave?

 

[ianrauk]

A base layer for me in all weathers. Vest for the summer & warmer months, long sleeve for the winter & colder months

 

[vickster]

I always wear a semi base layer being a woman but I don't wear anything else under a summer jersey. If it's hot enough for just a SS jersey, nothing else needed

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Unless it's to keep warm in cooler weather, I put base layers in the same category as specific kit for the turbo.

 

[fossyant]

Base layer always.

 

[numbnuts]

Not for the Naked Bike Ride

 

[ColinJ]

I normally DO wear a base layer but I cooked on a sunny ride (low 20s) a week or so back and had to take it off mid- ride.

My Glasson Dock ride on Saturday was in temperatures reaching close to 30C so I left the base layer off and wore a very lightweight jersey... I felt very comfortable!

I will not be wearing a base layer on hot days again!

 

[C R]

Above 12C or so I overheat quickly, so no base layer for me once I'm in short sleeves.

 

[presta]

If it's hot I wear the absolute minimum, which is: a white T shirt, Lycra shorts, socks, shoes, and Presta's patent sun hat. Nothing else.

 

[presta]

If it's hot I wear the absolute minimum, which is: a white T shirt, Lycra shorts, socks, shoes, and Presta's patent sun hat. Nothing else.

The best weather I ever had was touring Kent/Sussex/Surrey/Hants in 2010. I spent the whole 10 days wearing the above kit, and the warm clobber never came out of the pannier.

 

[matticus]

I think the pros wear them even on hot afternoon stages in the south of France, Spain etc. (there are a few exception, but cylists are awkward bu99ers ... )

I don't think I understand every aspect of the science, but maybe the sweat wicking talk is about right? In hot weather I now use the meshy types. my favourite ever thing was a snug 100-weigth merino t-shirt/base (from on-One, IIRC) which was lovely in hot and mild weathers.

 

[Sea of vapours]

In the mid thirties weather last year I tried wearing a very light jersey both with and without a mesh base layer (on the same day / on the same ride). I was distinctly drier and cooler with the mesh base layer on, as expected, so I won't be experimenting again.

 

[UphillSlowly]

In the mid thirties weather last year I tried wearing a very light jersey both with and without a mesh base layer (on the same day / on the same ride). I was distinctly drier and cooler with the mesh base layer on, as expected, so I won't be experimenting again.

Do you think it matters if it is humid or dry?

 

[Sterlo]

In the mid thirties weather last year I tried wearing a very light jersey both with and without a mesh base layer (on the same day / on the same ride). I was distinctly drier and cooler with the mesh base layer on, as expected, so I won't be experimenting again.

+1 for this. I feel the base layer wicks the sweat better than a jersey, feels a lot more comfy. Sleeveless for when it's warmer.

 

[Sea of vapours]

Do you think it matters if it is humid or dry?

I suspect that in very high humidity the base layer will wick less effectively, or fail to do so altogether, and thus won't help, but I don't know. It was pretty humid the day I tried this, but not 100% (about 80% iirc).