General Cycling Discussion - T-shirts & socks for riding (that "wicks" away sweat)

Hi,

I don't own any tops for riding. I rode a century 2 years ago on a cotton T-shirt (yeah, I know, that's a BIG NO NO! :mad: ). I haven't been riding since that century. However, this weekend I will be doing the NYC 5 Boro tour (40 miles) at a slow pace (approx. 30,000 riders). For this ride, I would like to purchase T-shirts that have fabrics that wicks away sweat to keep you dry.

I don't want to buy a jersey (I'm not a fast rider and don't want the attention). I currently ride with clipless pedals & a mtn bike short (with padding).

I really don't want to spend a whole lot of money for a top. I did some searching in the forums and a lot of people mentioned Walmart & Target as a good source for a cheap shirt that does the job.

Now the problem is, I went to Target and didn't really see anything (maybe I wasn't looking hard enough?). I know to avoid cotton.....but what type of material should I look for?

I would like to try Walmart, but there isn't one close by!

How about socks? Do you think Target will have socks that are appropriate for riding? What type of fabric should I look for?

For those who purchased shirts and/or socks from Target, I would really appreciate it if you can show me a link of the exact product you purchased.

Thanks very much.

I doubt you can find wicking socks at Target but they did carry a line from Champion that had wicking ability. I'm not sure what it was called exactly but they probably still carry it. Try Target.com maybe?

lightweight wool is more expensive, but very comfortable. Try http://www.ibexwear.com/ or Rivendell

Wal-Mart
Starter Dri-Star t-shirts for $7
Starter Dri-Star socks 2 pair for $4.
Both items are superb quality. I use them in 95 degree heat with great success.

Unfortunately, there isn't a Walmart around the NYC area :(

Anyone have experience from Target?

Anyone have experience from Target?

Target has Champion products, including shirts for slightly higher at $10-15 and socks for about the same. The Champion shirts function the same as the Starter Dri-Star.

When I checked Target last week, they didn't have any bright colored shirts, whereas Wal-Mart has yellow, red, orange and chartreuse. However, Target DID have some nice looking tapered shirts with black and white panels. Even at $15 the Target shirts are still a good deal compared to expensive jerseys.

There's no bling factor in the Wal-Mart or Target stuff...but so what? I prefer to spend the extra money on my bike.

Can't remember the exact but my local target has two different socks that are made of Coolmax - that's the label that you want to look for. The prices are reasonable (about 1/3 of the cost of "bike socks). I've also found similarly priced Coolmax sock,s branded as New Balance, at Kohl's.

The shirts at Target (Made by Champion) are called C9.

I wound up just buying a wicking shirt at Old Navy so they are an option as well. Comes in Black, white, and gray and was $14.50 I believe.

I like the Wal-Mart shirts best because of the bright colors. This better enables motorists to acquire me as a target.

Guys, I can't thank you enough for the amount of detail you provided. I have one more day before the ride and I will go to Target ASAP.

Also, thanks for the tip about Old Navy.

Granularus, regarding Coolmax, is it a brand or a type of fabric? How can I identify which New Balance product is really Coolmax?

Thanks again!

Under Armour is the way to go, can be purchased at just about any big spirting goods store, at least around chicago. That $h-t is amazing. Wicks like no other Wicking material.

If for some reason that I can't get any "Coolmax" material or "Under Armour", what material should I look for? Obviously, I know to avoid 100% cotton, but I don't know exactly what fabric to look for.

Obviously, I know to avoid 100% cotton, but I don't know exactly what fabric to look for.

Most of the performance fabrics are polyester/spandex blends in various percentages. The thing that makes them different from ordinary polyester is the architecture of the fabric that enables the wicking process.

It's quite amazing how well the performance fabrics work. If you ride for an hour on a hot day while wearing a cotton t-shirt, you'll get soaked and overheated. However, if you make the same ride in a Dri-Star shirt (for example), the shirt will hardly get damp... and you'll feel much better.

You really shouldn't have a problem finding the performance clothing and underclothing. Wal-Mart and Target are the least expensive sources, but they're fairly easy to find at sporting goods stores.

You'll pay more at sporting goods stores, but it's still nothing compared to what you'll pay at a bike shop for real cycling clothes.

Thought I should give you a heads up. Sierra Trading Post has some wicking shirts online for $7.95!

If for some reason that I can't get any "Coolmax" material or "Under Armour", what material should I look for? Obviously, I know to avoid 100% cotton, but I don't know exactly what fabric to look for.
Hmm...rode the entire length of the blue ridge parkway last year (close to 600 miles) with a fine selection of two sleeveless 100% cotton t-shirts and bib shorts...(of course nobody talked to me)

Suntreader, thanks for the explanation. I'll keep an eye out for the polyester/spandex clothings.

zebano, the "C9" shirt looks like it's 98% cotton and 2% lycra. Now I'm confused.....I thought cotton is a "no no". Here's the C9 shirt that I saw. Click on the "Description" tab and you'll see the fabric. http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_2/602-9355403-4655841?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0006HF3RM

Cadd, kind of strange. I was in Target this afternoon and since looking at this thread I decided to pick up one of the "C9" shirts. The ones I found were either 100% polyester or polyester/spandex. Now the ones I was looking at had an additional tag boasting of their moisture wicking properties, so maybe the C9 line includes multiple materials and styles. The C9s I saw came in both shortsleeve and sleeveless styles in the same non-cotton fabrics. At $11 or $12 it is well worth looking around.

I also went to Target today to check out the C9. It was 86%+ polyester & 14% Spandex. I got one. I guess their website shows incorrect info.

I also went to a sporting goods store and picked up an Under Armor shirt. I just washed both of them to see how fast they dry.

The UnderArmor shirt is almost fully dried while the C9 is still damp! But the thing is, the Under Armor isn't too comfortable. I feel itchy when I wear it. The C9 is very very comfortable. It's like a second layer of skin.

http://www.coolmaxclothing.com/

I just got a few shirts from there. Been ridding in cotton and I wanted to try something better. Havent had a change to test them on my commute yet.

I wanted a shirt that felt good to wear when I was not cycling too. all ply is kind of hot when your not moving so I found these http://www.cheapestees.com/andrirheavts.html
they feel fine when I am working or riding. I have not had a real hot day in them yet but so far I prefer them to a full poly shirt. my only complaint is they don't have bright colors. but then I don't want to wear bright colors in my shop.

I have used Duofold shirts under my jersys. They feel like a very used t shirt and wick like crazy. They feel better than underarmor. I shop for most of my workout gear at TJ Max or other discount stores. A few times I have found stuff tucked in the loungewear section because they don't know it's high tech , and just think it's underwear.Most of the soccer gear works also, and it's all over the place.

At the bike shop..They always sell seconds of name brand name socks...Why not try there...Besides, I love my socks with either bicycles or beer steins on them...Would not ride without..
as to jerseys..I have a couple T shirts made out of coolmax..But, as to jerseys...I would desperately miss the zipper, when I get all heated..OFten jerseys are on sale too.The plain jersey usually and can cost under $30....A drastic improvement over the flapping of t shirts caught in the wind..