Cheap Under Armor
 

Well, it's getting cooler and I need to start getting more serious about my clothing if I plan on cycle commuting into the fall, and possibly through the winter. I remember there being a thread where a site selling Under Armor products for very cheap was posted. I think the only thing they sold was Under Armor.

Anybody have the link? I'd like to get 4-5 compression tees to where as a base layer.

I don't recall the link for Under Armor.

An alternative may be to try some of the Nike or Starter stuff. It's cheaper by a long shot, but I don't know if they offer the different climate specific choices of UA.

If you have an Academy Sports in your area, try them.

Wal-mart sells inexpensive compression shirts.

I don't shop at Wal-mart though.

Perhaps K-mart does then. I've never checked it out, though.

Got a military surplus store nearby? They may sell a product called ecwcs---good stuff. Probably would not be comfortable to wear the rest of the day at work though.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ECWCS

Duofold is good and much less expensive. Also Foxwear.net. I have not worn the UA so I do not know how much better, if any, that it is or whether the extra cost is worth it. A lot of the guys that I ride with during the winter swear by UA. I am too cheap to pay that much. Craft also makes very good stuff.

Try C9 by Champion, I think Wal-Mart (I know I read you don't shop there), Target and several other stores carry this label. I only have a couple of items from them but have been happy with it.

And if you watch for sales you can do alright. I hardly ever see UA on sale. I have some UA winter gear that is very warm, not sure if I will wear it while riding, this will be my first winter riding. The winter gear is great when I'm not active, but maybe too warm for riding YMMV.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...pL._AA262_.jpg

I agree with the C9 by champion. I've found that polyester shirts inevitably stink very badly but c9 seems to resist that.

Polyester clothing does get an odour all it's own after a while, some products add a few silver threads to the weave and that is enough to be toxic to the bacteria that cause the problem, but is far below the amount that would be toxic to a person. I have a couple of pair of long underwear that are made from the silver enhanced polyester and no problems.

Google?

There are six keys to keeping warm for low cost:

1) Avoid bicycle specific stuff where you can, yes you want at least one pair of bike shorts, but that is about all that needs to be bike specific. Jerseys, jackets, socks, tights, can all be purchased from stores that cater to runners and joggers, often for a lot less money. unpadded tights can be worn over bike shorts to provide the same warmth, for less cost. A side advantage is available on days like today, it was 8℃ at 9:00AM, it will be 18℃ by 1:00 PM, so on a 4 hour ride, when it starts to warm up, just remove the tights and wear just the shorts.

2) Buy only high quality items, a $100 jersey that lasts 3 years, is better then buying a $40 jersey that lasts 1. However that's high quality, not expensive brand, I've seen where you get a $100 item by a big name brand, and it's not as good quality as a less well known brand item for $50. For clothing, when buying look at the seams, are they smooth and even with tight threads, that are trimmed even at the ends, If the seams are uneven or rough or the threads are loose, then pass. Check zippers, are they even and run smoothly, if there are ripples in the zipper cloth, then it hasn't been installed properly, you want to pass on this item as well.

3) Avoid big name stores, I have an Adidas runners jersey I paid $20 for at Winners, on sale. Discount clothing stores will sometimes have runner and jogger stuff on sale.

4) Shop at the right time of year, spring is the best time for winter stuff, fall is the best time to buy summer stuff, stores don't want to keep stock in the off season, this is stock they have already paid for, so it's best to get rid of it, even if they lose money on it. Of course stores can always return stock to suppliers for credit, except suppliers don't want it back either, so they will often discount it to the store, to clear it. Of course knowing that you have 3 short sleeve jerseys in the closet for next summer, that you buy now for half price doesn't keep you warm, but the 2 long sleeve ones you bought last spring will.

5) Know how to layer. There are three layers typically, the inner layer, the insulating layer and the weather layer, so maybe you buy a bike specific water proof breathable jacket, that can be worn in summer over a jersey to keep rain off, can be worn in winter over two medium weight mid layers and a summer weight jersey, to keep you warm, even in very cold conditions. Yes the jacket was expensive, but is usable all year, where as needing multiple items that are only good for short periods often costs a lot more money.

6) Don't forget your head, on cold days in winter, you can often tell the people who have not seen winter before, their head is bare, and they are complaining of cold hands and feet. The body's temperature regulator will close down extremity blood flow, to keep the blood in the core warm, it can't shut down blood flow to the head, so you lose a tremendous amount of heat keeping your head warm, adding a watch cap or toque, to insulate your head, will reduce that heat loss, and allow the body to restore blood flow to the extremities, which were cold but well insulated. Sometimes you may need to block vents in a helmet or add a wind proof cover and an insulating cap underneath.

Without going into details, go to any of the sports stores and you will find compression clothing. You can also get different brands at Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Shopco, etc........

The best I have found is actual Under Armor for more insulation value, but the others are very good for a minimal base layer. I have some Nike, and blank-Mart brands that I have had for a few years and they get worn about three times a week. So they are holding up very well.

Dicks has Reebok cold gear stuff on sale right now. I picked up a long sleeve compression shirt last week. Did a direct comparison to UA while I was there, and seemed very little difference. Haven't used it yet, but I'm guessing it'll be fine.

Costco in VA has now some base layer sports clothing. Not sure of the brand, but Costco usually has at least OK stuff.

I live seven miles from an Under Armor outlet store - the Reading/Pottstown area in PA is filled with manufacturer outlets. Let me know what you want, and I might be able to get it for you. PM me and we could work out an arrangement. Just don't ask me to ride there - Bethel Church Road is beautiful but it's seven miles of hills and no shoulder!

I realized all my stuff had massive funk after a while. Half a cup of plain cheap vinegar with a run through the washer does the trick for me.

I have picked up several pieces of Under Armour at thrift stores, never pay over $1 per piece. Can also find a lot of generic running/whatever polyester jerseys for similar pricing.

I was born & raised in Schyukill Co. (20 min north of Reading airport) and get to PA to visit family. Where is the UA Outlet?

Off the Limerick/Linfield exit of Rt. 422, in Limerick.

Don't forget to utilize Chainlove ( www.chainlove.com ) and Steep and Cheap ( www.steepandcheap.com )

I'm just starting my first fall/winter commuting too. Building a riding wardrobe is tough. We don't have crap in the local stores, so I'm having to use what I can find online. Buy, try, return via mail service. rinse & repeat. It's kinda sucked thus far, but I've got a few good pieces. everything I've got from Chainlove, Steep and Cheap and GearTrade.com has worked very well for me.
(just picked up a bib on www.geartrade.com for $20 that freakin rocks.

Don't forget about Dick's Sporting Goods, either on line or in the stores. I just bought a Blaze Orange balaclava made with Neofleece for winter riding there for $14.97 in the hunting department. Thin, warm and fits under the helmet. Moisture wicking and routes the breath away from my glasses and a neoprene core for heat retention and wind barrier.

Good to - 70F.

They also carry under armor and Nike brand winter foundation layers.

Thank You !!!

Big 5 sells under armor

I get my stuff from Target. I don't patronize Wal-Mart myself so I'm always in the hunt. If you have a Ross or TJ Maxx they are worth looking into. I hit them with some regularity to be sure I don't miss the occasional good deal.

You've tested it yourself, Tom? :)