Winter Cycling - Base layer question.

Hi, I preparing for the cold and got a nike base layer "nike pro" tight...im embarrassed to say but is this an "underwear" and shouldnt be worn alone? i honestly dont know and it really looks similar to underwear. you can wear a baselayer jersey by itself but is it same as tights? tights = base layer? OR base layer = underwear (like hanes or fruit of the loom?) again sorry for asking such a question...

basically i was going to run in these but have shorts over it..but if i dont want to have shorts later, can i just go running in that?

thank you!

cycling shorts?

Nothing comes between the cycling shorts (chamois) and skin
base layers go on next
tights, if they don't have chamois, goes on last.

if you're talking about jogging shorts...
base layer first, underwear optional
tights over base layer
jogging shorts final.


or basically padding first, wicking layer second, wind/water shell third, and any other loose clothing on top of those.

Sure works for me.. I suspect double layers give an extra layer of air. Anyway , my first layer is UnderArmour.. All I know I go out and feel comfortable at below freezing temperatures - when before I found excuses to not go out... The only time of year I go with underwear under my shorts is when my private parts would be shievering and gong numb. When it is near freezing wind just seems to cycle through the crotch of my shorts.. Nashbar makes a winter short with a two ply reinforced crotch area.. Sure seems to keep the bits from feeling frost bite. The rest of the year it's commando.

oh ok, i read online that the baselayer goes first...the one touching the skin ... but i am trying to get back into running while i wont have access to my bike for 1 week. so i thought if i get a base layer tight ( long ) and wear jogging shorts outside of it would be weird or a normal looking thing? its not going to be freezing in texas when im there...

thanks for ur replies!

Re. a base layer, there is only one choice for me. This is the "Military Expedition weight" polypro underwear (http://outersports.com/black-thick-fleece-polypropylene-underwear-p-2883.html) from outersports.com. Because I take tall or extra tall sizes, this is the only stuff that really fits me. The tops have a zip up collar which provides great neck protection.

My base layer bottoms are easy to distinguish from my tights since the base layers have a fly. But there's other clues as well. The base layers have a flat waistband that looks just like the waistband on a lot of my underwear.

I have a base layer Sugoi top however that I think looks too good to be underwear ;)

At least in my case and in the case of my wife, our base layers are all pretty thin, - thinner than any tights we have. Maybe that helps with the distinction.

As far as running with shorts over tights vs just tights alone, I see people of both sexes do it both ways. Usually it's the guys wearing the shorts though. Women seem to have less problem with the idea of tights as the only outer layer. That's in Minnesota. I'm not sure what they do in Texas.

It can be hard to tell the difference between base layers and tights, especially from a distance. If what you have is really a base layer and you're wearing shorts over it, I doubt anyone will notice.

Edit: You can also wear wind pants. That's typically what I wear for winter running

On the bottom:
1) Cycling shorts go on first
2) Tights go over cycling shorts
3) Sweat pants go over tights
4) Splash pants go over sweat pants

My base layer bottoms are easy to distinguish from my tights since the base layers have a fly. But there's other clues as well. The base layers have a flat waistband that looks just like the waistband on a lot of my underwear.

I have a base layer Sugoi top however that I think looks too good to be underwear ;)

At least in my case and in the case of my wife, our base layers are all pretty thin, - thinner than any tights we have. Maybe that helps with the distinction.

As far as running with shorts over tights vs just tights alone, I see people of both sexes do it both ways. Usually it's the guys wearing the shorts though. Women seem to have less problem with the idea of tights as the only outer layer. That's in Minnesota. I'm not sure what they do in Texas.

It can be hard to tell the difference between base layers and tights, especially from a distance. If what you have is really a base layer and you're wearing shorts over it, I doubt anyone will notice.

Edit: You can also wear wind pants. That's typically what I wear for winter running

oh ok, great. in my neighborhood we dont see many joggers (austin suburb) but it makes me feel better now that it has been seen and done before! if its in minnesota, it can be anywhere for me :)

For your top, polypro. If you can afford it, hollow-core polypro. Over that, wool or polyester. This is best combo for wicking sweat from your skin to a more-water-loving layer. Over that, more wool or polyester. For outer layer same, or "breathable" membrane-laminate shell, with as many bulk-air-flow features as you can find (top and bottom front zip, pitzips, openable cuffs, back vent, pockets that allow airflow when open...).

You may be able to wear a smooth low-friction tight under your pad layer. You have to try it out and decide for yourself.

If you want to save money for cold riding, cheap rain pants totally block wind, and this will boost your warmth a lot. Get an ankle band to keep the right pant leg off the front ring.

For winter riding, I wear boxer briefs, then I put my either my tights on or wool long underwear with my tights over that, then an old pair of cycling shorts.

I wear Patagonia long underwear as my base layer down below when it turns cool, and my bib shorts over that.

I know that conflicts with accepted dogma ... but it works great for me.

For really cold days, I may put on a pair of running tights over all of that.

I wear synthetic base layer bottoms. For base layer tops I always use wool or silk.

For me in order:
1) cycling shorts
2) base layer long underwear.
3) execise pants (optional until under 20F/-7C)
4) wind pants

Ok.. I have a question about base layer etc... I have two Patagonia tops , one is a thin synthetic that is marked "Capilene , the other is also Patagonia and marked Capilene, but is thicker and "fuzzy" on the inside...I have been wearing the thin one next to the skin and the other on top of it. then a wind proof fleece jacket over them...I stay warm , but anything over 44º or so and i get really sweaty and hot...., what am I doing wrong???? Any direction would be appreciated......
Bud

For me the order is:

When it's really cold (-10ºC or below) :
1. Base layer (Patagonia/Merino).
2. Tights (no liners)
3. Cycling shorts with thin padding.

Not too cold (0ºC to -9ºC):
1. Tights (with fleece liner).
2. Cycling shorts thin padding

Cool (above 0ºC to 10ºC):
1. Knee warmers
2. Regular Cycling shorts

Oldster - If you're too hot, take a layer off or open some vents. Either that or you'll have to start off under-dressed, feeling cold and hope you warm-up later.

Ok that sounds good. one question I still have, is the thin capilene top supposed to be next to skin or the thicker one with the fuzzy inside.???????the thin one gets soaked real fast next to the skin...