Base layers in the Humidity
 

SO, a well known poster here once advocated for never racing without a base layer; advice which I've considered and bought into some what. However, with regard to the base layer's actual purpose, keeping you cooler through evaporation: What are your thoughts with regard to this process in highly humid locations? I think that when the humidity's down, it works well, but after it reaches some point, the base layer just seems to hold heat to your skin more than anything, since it can't dry.

Is my speculation about right from your experience, and if so, about what humidity level do you think this tipping point is?

i always wear a base layer.

always.

I am torn on this one - some days I do (under armour heat gear) some days I don't, not sure what works better.

wise man saying wise things.

you can always unzip when it's that humid,

What about when it is like this? This was Sunday's ride:

Temperature
[TABLE="class: summaryTable temperature"]
[TR]
[TD="class: summaryTableLabel"]Avg Temperature:[/TD]
[TD]104.6 °F[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: summaryTableLabel"]Min Temperature:[/TD]
[TD]98.6 °F[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: summaryTableLabel"]Max Temperature:[/TD]
[TD]111.2 °F[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

If you don't notice a difference, it's probably not making much of a difference.

I remain unconvinced on base layers for hot weather. I'm not saying they don't have benefits, but it's a lot of money to plunk down on testing that claim, especially since there's no clear consensus on it from what I can tell.

i hate to sound pessimistic, but it also serves as another layer between you and the asphalt in the event of a crash

Agreed, when it gets hot enough I am going to do what all the other locals do around here, ride in a wife beater with a Budweiser

Correct - the tighter that better





















That's what she said...

i think a man would be saying tighter is better :)

Periodically you show your youth, this was one fine example...

i never wear a base layer.

never.

Well, ok, in cold weather, I'll layer.

I just don't see how a base layer is going to do any better at wicking than a tight jersey. You also have to transfer the sweat out to the jersey before it will evaporate. Seems counter productive.

True, but I live my life on the basis of everyday comfort and convenience, not on the small chance of crashing in a race. Which I've done this season, by the way - the parts of me under the skinsuit didn't get too scraped up.

Yep. I hasten to add that my team kit is super-tight Giordana Alta Gamma stuff, which is basically like a second skin. It's hard to see how a base layer offers improvement over that.

if your torso is like your legs, you already have a natural base layer.

Hey grolby you've seen how tight my skinsuits are - I should probably wear both underwear and a base layer - if you pop one of those seems the entire suit my disintegrate kind of like popping a balloon...

n i c e

Zing!

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/03/pics/03fzing.jpg

You're probably right though.

Unfortunately. ;)

Same thoughts. I haven't been on a hot ride and wished for more clothing .... but I don't have whatever is the "correct" base layer for summer, so I guess I don't really know.

yep


exactly

Man, I thought I saw Rod Serling and something about being in the 41 zone..

around here where it's humid, if it's more than about 75F, i just can't do it. i get too hot. the base layers i have are essentially just thin, short-sleeve under armour-type spandex. the wind on my skin cools me off much better than those do.

of course, i guess that might also mean i just don't have the right kind of base layer.

duh.

these are the ****, got 4 of them for a huge discount about a year ago!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/pr...95.2646.0.html