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Under Armour worth every penny

Old 03-07-13, 09:23 PM
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Under Armour worth every penny

It was 28 degrees on Monday and for the first time I wore an UA baselayer. I have worn Hot Chilis not bad and Polar tech again not bad but the UA out performs anything I have ever used even Merino wool whci I find too hot. Over the UA I wore a short sleeve cotton T shirt (not good practice) but I do it a lot and then my J+G waterproof breathable jacket. I wore my Novara Headwinds pants over padded liners on the bottom. When changed out of my clothes after I got to work my skin was not wet from sweating and the cotton T-shirt was slightly and I mean slightly damp in a couple of places. I always felt that the UA stuff was pretty hyped up and overpriced but when I found this one item on sale I bought it to try out. Needless to say I ordered two more of the same pieces. My other baselayers are going to the Goodwill. The UA rocks.
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Old 03-07-13, 09:29 PM
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My ua balaclava is a lifesaver
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Old 03-07-13, 09:51 PM
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Yup, UA Coldgear is the shiznit! One layer of UA Coldgear compression, a cycling jersey and my trusty PI Jacket is all I need down to 25F. Anything less than that and I don't ride.
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Old 03-07-13, 10:52 PM
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I should also mention that Monday afternoon it was over 50 degrees still a bit cool and I wore the same get up on the way home with similar results.
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Old 03-08-13, 06:59 AM
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I got my first two sets of merino wool long johns (or baselayer) this year, I am as happy with them as the OP is with his UA.
I have been wearing them constantly since I got them. Warm in the cold, not uncomfortable in the heat. I will be getting another couple of sets.
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Old 03-08-13, 07:10 AM
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personally, i think UA is junk compared to Assos clothing, which i find extremely nice

https://www.assos.com/

edit:

i just picked up one of these for when it gets warmer as the local Assos store had them on sale



review: https://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-n...7.html#slide-1
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Old 03-08-13, 09:42 AM
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I like the Patagonia base layers as well.
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Old 03-08-13, 09:52 AM
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I've tried it all and wool is still far and away my preference. I have a few different thicknesses and wearing the right fabric weight for the temp is key to comfort. The best part is wool never stinks. All the poly stuff get's a funk to it after a while and it never goes away. Wool is expensive but worth it.
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Old 03-08-13, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by xtrajack
I got my first two sets of merino wool long johns (or baselayer) this year, I am as happy with them as the OP is with his UA.
I have been wearing them constantly since I got them. Warm in the cold, not uncomfortable in the heat. I will be getting another couple of sets.
+1
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Old 03-08-13, 11:03 AM
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I threw away my UA stuff after trying some Icebreaker wool under layers. No comparison in my opinion.
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Old 03-08-13, 11:14 AM
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I wear one every day it's under 50F. Under 30F and I throw a sweatshirt on top.
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Old 03-08-13, 11:30 AM
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I like the Layer 8 Quick Dry shirts as base layers. I use 2 of the under a cycling jacket down to -10F and generally just one layer under the jacket. If it ever warms up it will be back to just Jerseys.
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Old 03-08-13, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by stringbreaker
It was 28 degrees on Monday and for the first time I wore an UA baselayer. I have worn Hot Chilis not bad and Polar tech again not bad but the UA out performs anything I have ever used even Merino wool whci I find too hot. Over the UA I wore a short sleeve cotton T shirt (not good practice) but I do it a lot and then my J+G waterproof breathable jacket. I wore my Novara Headwinds pants over padded liners on the bottom. When changed out of my clothes after I got to work my skin was not wet from sweating and the cotton T-shirt was slightly and I mean slightly damp in a couple of places. I always felt that the UA stuff was pretty hyped up and overpriced but when I found this one item on sale I bought it to try out. Needless to say I ordered two more of the same pieces. My other baselayers are going to the Goodwill. The UA rocks.
What part of WA are you in? I might offer you something for your wool baselayers if you're really getting rid of them. (I want them for motorcycle riding, which is colder than the bicycle.)
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Old 03-08-13, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7


personally, i think UA is junk compared to Assos clothing, which i find extremely nice

https://www.assos.com/

edit:

i just picked up one of these for when it gets warmer as the local Assos store had them on sale



review: https://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-n...7.html#slide-1
I'm not without some fiscal restraint. I'll stick with the UA
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Old 03-08-13, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7


personally, i think UA is junk compared to Assos clothing, which i find extremely nice

https://www.assos.com/

edit:

i just picked up one of these for when it gets warmer as the local Assos store had them on sale



review: https://roadcyclinguk.com/news/gear-n...7.html#slide-1
So apparently y'all have decent bikes for cheap over there, cheap dyno hubs and all that stuff, but then really expensive apparel? Unless this Assos stuff is much cheaper in Europe than it is in USA. $150 for a base layer? That's kind of ridiculous.

Originally Posted by modernjess
I've tried it all and wool is still far and away my preference. I have a few different thicknesses and wearing the right fabric weight for the temp is key to comfort. The best part is wool never stinks. All the poly stuff get's a funk to it after a while and it never goes away. Wool is expensive but worth it.
Where do you find wool in various thicknesses? I'd be interested in some thin stuff for summer if it really works that well at combating odor.
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Old 03-08-13, 02:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Leebo
I like the Patagonia base layers as well.
+1
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Old 03-08-13, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by PatrickGSR94
Where do you find wool in various thicknesses? I'd be interested in some thin stuff for summer if it really works that well at combating odor.
Smartwool offers three weights of merino base layer. https://www.smartwool.com/mens/baselayer.html

i use the UA Coldgear compression base down to about 20F under a breathable paneled softshell. below that, and down to -10F thus far this year, i use the heavy Smartwool under the same shell.
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Old 03-08-13, 02:51 PM
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I've got some Under Armor microfleece that is my warmest base layer, so I only wear it on the coldest days -- eg, when my morning commute is about 25 F and colder. On most winter days I wear Craft base layer, their mid-level warmth version. I've got some cheapo wool blend base layer that I got at Target that is actually very warm and great value at $20 for long-sleeve shirt. It's comfortable in temps ranging from mid to low 20s to mid-50s -- about the same as my Craft base gear.
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Old 03-08-13, 04:16 PM
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this place used to be all Champion all the time, but I see no Champion love in here at all. They are apparently making some pretty decent cycling clothes now too.
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Old 03-08-13, 04:23 PM
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Took me a while to realize what Under Armour refers to. I thought it's a body armour that saved you from potentially fatal accidents.
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Old 03-08-13, 04:53 PM
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Originally Posted by unterhausen
this place used to be all Champion all the time, but I see no Champion love in here at all. They are apparently making some pretty decent cycling clothes now too.
I think Champion is now a Walmart brand.
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Old 03-08-13, 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted by vol
Took me a while to realize what Under Armour refers to. I thought it's a body armour that saved you from potentially fatal accidents.
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Old 03-08-13, 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by RGNY
Smartwool offers three weights of merino base layer. https://www.smartwool.com/mens/baselayer.html

i use the UA Coldgear compression base down to about 20F under a breathable paneled softshell. below that, and down to -10F thus far this year, i use the heavy Smartwool under the same shell.
Sorry dude but 20 degrees F is my absolute minimum
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Old 03-09-13, 03:44 AM
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Originally Posted by acidfast7
personally, i think UA is junk
Concur, unless you were a jock in high school, in which case it is then all about the "my baselayer and ball cap are worth more than your entire outfit" factor.
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Old 03-09-13, 04:10 AM
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Originally Posted by stringbreaker
I'm not without some fiscal restraint. I'll stick with the UA
On sale, which is when I buy Assos (usually at 50% off last year's summer line this time of year) is the same price as new UA and the Assos stuff is engineered much better. In addition, the headquarters and the majority of the production/assembly occurs in the EU, which has super high labor costs (at least 2x the US), rather than Bangladesh or Thailand.

If I could have two UA garments made in who knows where or a single garment made mostly in the EU (regardless that the tech is better on the EU-made one), I'd choose the later every time.
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