Winter Cycling - Poll: Merino wool base or Power Dry or DeFeet Un D Shirt as base.

I have read many discussions about base layers and either Merino wool or Power Dry (Malden Mills Powertec fleece) seem to be the predominate base layers. I am currently using the DeFeet Un D Shirt.

Which is your favorite and why?

Any other favorites?

Powerdry for the base, wool for a midlayer.

Wool feels the best, and has the largest temperature range in which it keeps you comfortable, but it retains moisture more.

Powerdry for base, wool for mid layer.
Oh and don't get the fleece version of powerdry for a base. Heres a sample of what I use.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=HDCK2y7qvkT4LZJLBhMnZkzy8ZPVr6GtQ2Y0hGQ2Tvvb1n7tC1SK!159076855?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620704&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699185&bmUID=1191379498947

Wool feels the best, and has the largest temperature range in which it keeps you comfortable, but it retains moisture more.

Powerdry for base, wool for mid layer.
Oh and don't get the fleece version of powerdry for a base. Heres a sample of what I use.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=HDCK2y7qvkT4LZJLBhMnZkzy8ZPVr6GtQ2Y0hGQ2Tvvb1n7tC1SK!159076855?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620704&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699185&bmUID=1191379498947

I use this as well with this http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619481&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692363&bmUID=1191380640990
on top, very comfy between 10c-15c regardless of wind

Wool feels the best, and has the largest temperature range in which it keeps you comfortable, but it retains moisture more.

Powerdry for base, wool for mid layer.
Oh and don't get the fleece version of powerdry for a base. Heres a sample of what I use.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=HDCK2y7qvkT4LZJLBhMnZkzy8ZPVr6GtQ2Y0hGQ2Tvvb1n7tC1SK!159076855?PRODUCT %3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620704&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699185&bmUID=1191379498947

that's my choice also, but I usually save the zips for the midlayer, and use a crewneck next to skin, something like this.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620703&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699185&bmUID=1191422675748

but zippered midlayers are great, the zipper let's you regulate temps a bit if you get too warm.

But the silkweight is perfect for the baselayer. it's light, and wicks and passes sweat on to the next layer quickly, keeping you from feeling damp, cold and clammy, which was the problem with other stuff I was using as baselayers.

then I use something like this for the midlayer.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619382&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699205&bmUID=1191422466169

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442619608&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699205&bmUID=1191422466175

or something like a midweight Smartwool.

I use a pure merino T shirt as baselayer. It feels much cosier than any synthetic in all winter conditions and doesnt get smelly.

I ordered a Power Dry (Malden Mills) long sleeve mock turtleneck shirt from Foxwear and found a Nike long sleeve Italian wool (not Merino but felt nice and soft) sweater jersey (no rear pockets-just now realized that darnit) for $60. It is not a heavyweight wool and should give me versatility in layering, although I wish it had pockets so it could be worn alone or with a lightweight base layer.

My base layer is the cheapo department store moisture wicking shirt. My mid layer is a 300wt powerdry shirt, and my outer layer is an eVap jacket made of powershield and powerdry.
I usually don't put on the powerdry midlayer until temps get well below freezing, and in the colder of the fall I use the base layer as my outer layer.
I love options. :D

Sythetic base for me, cheap C9 stuff from Target fits close and works great. I have some nice REI Merino base layers that I'll use as a mid in really cold weather (20F or less), but they hold too much moisture as a base for cycling.

I'm hoping that I won't have to worry about base layers for a few more weeks at least, but I've become a great fan of wool. And if it's going to be a long ride with a break, I'll bring a change of clothes (base layer anyway) so I don't start again with a now-cold damp shirt.

I'm hoping that I won't have to worry about base layers for a few more weeks at least, but I've become a great fan of wool. And if it's going to be a long ride with a break, I'll bring a change of clothes (base layer anyway) so I don't start again with a now-cold damp shirt.

If your base layer is damp after a break, maybe its not doing its job too well. Just a thought.