Under Armour worth every penny
#1
Thread Starter
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
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.
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#4
Thread Starter
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
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.
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#5
xtrajack
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,058
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)
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.
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.
#6
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS

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
Last edited by acidfast7; 03-08-13 at 07:23 AM.
#8
ride for a change
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,221
Likes: 2
From: Minneapolis, MN
Bikes: Surly Cross-check & Moonlander, Pivot Mach 429, Ted Wojcik Sof-Trac, Ridley Orion. Santa Cruz Stigmata
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.
#9
GATC

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,839
Likes: 184
From: south Puget Sound
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.
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.
#12
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
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.
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 703
From: Layton, UT
Bikes: 2011 Bent TW Elegance 2014 Carbon Strada Velomobile
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.
#14
Thread Starter
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)

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
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)

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'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.
#17
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.
#18
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 8,896
Likes: 7
From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: Waterford RST-22, Bob Jackson World Tour, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Soma Saga, De Bernardi SL, Specialized Sequoia
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.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7,391
Likes: 13
From: Memphis TN area
Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85 (road/commuter), 2006 Marin Pine Mountain (utility/commuter E-bike), 1995 KHS Alite 1000 (gravel grinder)
#22
Thread Starter
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)


__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#23
Thread Starter
stringbreaker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,463
Likes: 2
From: wa. State
Bikes: specialized crossroads hybrid 2006 Raleigh Cadent 2 1971 Schwinn Varsity, 1972 Schwinn Continental, 1977 Schwinn Volare (frame)
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.
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.
__________________
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
(Life is too short to play crappy guitars) 2006 Raleigh Cadent 3.0, 1977 Schwinn Volare, 2010 Windsor tourist. ( I didn't fall , I attacked the floor)
#24
#25
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,543
Likes: 41
From: England / CPH
Bikes: 2010 Cube Acid / 2013 Mango FGSS
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.
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.





