Foo - Which long-sleeve base layer to buy?

I am having trouble finding the "right" long-sleeve base layer.

I'm confused by the range of long-sleeve polyster/lycra offerings, none of which sem targeted toward cycling. I ran into the same issue last year -- I tried several stores, including bike-only shops and the usual national retail chain stores I didn't see any of the leading cycling brands (e.g. Pear Izumi) offering a lycra base layer targeted toward cycling. I mostly found unknown brands, or base layers in non-bike departments (e.g. skiing). Some of them fit like casual shirts and hung loosely around my mid-section instead of being skin-tight.

What brands/styles should I look for? Should I just go to the ski section? Should I go to a general sporting goods store and buy a brand like Under Armour?


This is for Texas, where cold is 30s-40s.

Okay. Here's what you do:

Go to a ski shop or something similar and feel their under armour base layers. Then, go to Wal-mart or the cheep store of your choice and look for that same texture. I found some off-brand stuff for 1/4 of the price of under armour. $10 for a long sleeve shirt, $10 for tights, ect.

Under Armour is good. Any sort of tight, semi-thin synthetic does the job quite nicely

i have an old Louis Garneau long sleeve base that is great! i think it was $35.
I also have short sleeve and sleveless CRAFT stuff....the windblock stuff is great on the road, torchure in the woods (too hot!!).
I aslao picked up a few H/H base tops at a construction material supply house for $20 each....they even have the bottom cut low like cycling jerseys to keep the top of your butt warm. :D

I prefer a layer of light silk under the Under Armor layer. When I'm out in genuinely cold weather (in the 20's or lower), I plan on at least 4 layers, with the outer layer being something windproof and waterproof.

note - I prefer to go cheap too, but I haven't found an equivalent for the Under Armor "Cold" at the "cheap stores".

under armor heat gear for pure wicking comfort

patagonia capilene thermals for pure warmth

lowe alpine for functional wicking/thermal - not exactly the most comfortable stuff though

edit: patagonia capilene not wool as posted earlier

Base layer for those temps? I could almost cry. :cry:

i've been using craft (http://www.craft-usa.com/) pro zero long sleeve baselayer...works really well. considering getting the pro warm or the gore windstopper baselayer

i've been using craft (http://www.craft-usa.com/) pro zero long sleeve baselayer...works really well. considering getting the pro warm or the gore windstopper baselayer

even the CRAFT mesh under shirt takes the cake, eurotrash (see below) as it is

http://www.hln.be/static/FOTO/art/3/11/6/large_446465.jpg
:D:D:D

For such mild temperatures, one of the thinner SmartWool (microweight or lightweight) or Icebreaker (150 or 200) wool base layer shirts would be plenty.

I use Patagonia Capeline base layer most of the time, very warm, washes better than wool, and versatile for other sports. I also use and like very much base layers made by Sport-Hill, I use this mostly for skiing, it's super warm and comfy.

http://bergsskishop.com/patagonia/base-layer-p2659c2127.html

I don't ride in the cold, I just run. When I do, I add t shirts underneath a long sleeve shirt, which if it's really cold will have a sweatshirt on top. On the rare occasions that it goes below 0, I'll put a coat on. I've been doing that with no trouble for 2 winters.

If you want decent quality for around 1/3rd the price of Under Armour, the Champion C9 stuff at Target is a good choice. Form-fitting, and will keep you warm at the temps you're talking about.

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks. I tried 3 more stores tonite, the 1st of which was Sun n Ski (prices too high for anything that looked like it might work), Target (based on reply above -- the store I went to unfortunately did not have much selection in long-sleeve), and finally Sports Authority.

I ended up going with Under Armour after all. At Sports Authority the long-sleeve cold-weather compression-type layer was significantly less expensive than at Sun n Ski, and of the 10 or so brands I surveyed in the past several days the Under Armour was the clear winner in terms of both function and esthetics. Plus, their sizing actually made sense (the large fits me, and I didn't have to step down a size in order to get the necessary form-fit).

For such mild temperatures, one of the thinner SmartWool (microweight or lightweight) or Icebreaker (150 or 200) wool base layer shirts would be plenty.

I'd even suggest they'd be too much. My experience with Merino wool cycling garments is that they are always warmer than the equivalent (whatever that means) synthetic product.

Then again, since the OP considers 30-40° to be cold, that might be perfect.

Duofold

I see I'm too late, but Woolistic makes THE BEST base layers. The wool is soooooooooo soft and comfy. Oh, and I can attest to the 'comfortable and warm when wet" claim. I wore the Body Base two weeks ago on a rainy 80 miler. My upper body was cozy and warm the whole ride, even though the base layer was wet.


Woolistic 'Body Base' Wool LS

This 100% extra fine Merino wool base layer is the most effective base money can buy! Made specifically for cyclist, it offers a snug, elastic, lightweight fit that won't bunch up under another jersey. A few bike catalogs offer generic ''lumber jack' wool shirts that are a pain to wear under other clothes due to their non athletic cut. Woolistic base layers fit like a glove and regulate your core micro climate and keep you comfortable and warm even when wet. Works best in temps of 40 to 65 degrees.

Absorbs & manages vapor (synthetics can't)
Resists odor
Flat stitch sewing eliminates chaffing
Machine washable

http://www.vintagevelos.com/baseLS.html

Woolistic BODY BASE 'EXTREME'

This 100% extra fine Merino wool base layer is the unmatched for cold winter activities! Seamless body knit for added comfort. Made specifically for cyclist, it offers a snug, elastic, fit that won't bunch up under another jersey and regulates your core micro climate and keep you comfortable longer. No more chills/cold damp feeling like you get with synthetics! Works best in temps of 10 to 45 degrees. Body Base 'Extreme' is 40 grams heavier than the white 'BODYBASE' undershirts we offer.

Absorbs & manages vapor (synthetics can't)
Resists odor. Reduce washes!
Seamless knit body eliminate chaffing!
Machine Washable (cold)

http://www.vintagevelos.com/baseLS-extreme.html