nrsmd

I am currently wearing a Target Duo-Dri tee shirt for biking ($12-13) but heat build up and retained sweating continues to keeps my rides shorter and exhausting. Is there a better wicking jersey that performs better? I don't want to blame the Duo-Dri, but I am willing to pay more for something better if there is better for summer biking in high humidity (the South). If these are all just nylon rather than cotton, then there may be no differences, but if there is a tangible difference I will move up in quality and price. Kind of desperate and discouraged that when the humidity is high I am wasted despite drinking plenty of water. When cooler outside with low humidity, there is no stopping me. When hot and humid, I have to stop to coll down frequently.

Looigi

Wear a tight fitting wicking jersey. Cooling is due to evaporation of sweat. If the wet fabric is in contact with the skin, it will cool more effectively than if it's loose and flapping and blocking the breeze from your skin. Get one with a long or full length zipper so you can open it and let the breeze evaporate the sweat directly off your skin. In high humidity, evaporation is much slower and less effective at cooling. It's not the sweat that's the problem but rather the fact that it's not evaporating that's the problem.

qtoffer

This.

I'll add that conditioning also plays a big role. As the summer wears on, you'll find that your tolerance for riding on humid days will increase.
Also, DO NOT use fabric softener when washing your tech gear. This will clog the fibers and rob them of their wicking properties. It takes several washings to restore fabric softened tech clothing back to normal function.

pdlamb

Conditioning is a key; the 90F day in June is terribly hot, but by August (if you keep riding) it'll only be moderately warm.

I haven't found much benefit to tightly fitting jerseys. Most of the air flow comes from the front, and that tends to push the jersey up against my torso. Sweat on my back seems to stay there, regardless of whether the jersey is tight or flapping.

RoadHolland

Great Tip on **NO FABRIC SOFTENER** -- wish everyone knew this!

JanMM

Duo Dri has some cotton in it; Target also sells 100% polyester wicking shirts. That should be an improvement - but you'll still be hot in the summer in the South.

seedsbelize 

When it's hot and muggy, as it is here in the summer, you (I) just have to stop more often no matter what you're wearing. We tend to do our longer rides between 5 and 9 in the evening, here in the land of no traffic outside of the city. In the winter I can ride all day; in the summer, 3 hours is about my limit. I wear Terramar long underwear shirts, and don't use fabric softener. Amazon.com: Terramar Helix Base Layer Men's Shirt: Sports & Outdoors