Keeping the sweat out of the workplace
#1
Keeping the sweat out of the workplace
What are you wearing when you commute to work? I'm going to start commuting to work (approx 10 miles). My job is pretty casual so I'm thinking of buying the 511 commuter jeans and just wearing UA/Nike dry t shirts. It's either that or dressing in full bike gear and changing at work. Which would be a pain for me.
Anyways... How are you keeping the sweat out of the workplace?
Anyways... How are you keeping the sweat out of the workplace?
#2
My commute is about six miles each way. Up to 70-degrees or so I just wear my normal work clothes. For me that might mean chinos and turtlenecks or skirts/dresses with button up tops under cardigans or blazers. When it's cold, I add a scarf, coat, and gloves. If it is on the warmer end, sweaters or blazers go in the pannier. When it is warmer than 70ish, I wear a sweat wicking top and change into a work shirt at the office.
I also don't ride very fast, about 12 mph. The slow pace allows me to enjoy the view and avoid working up a sweat.
I also don't ride very fast, about 12 mph. The slow pace allows me to enjoy the view and avoid working up a sweat.
Last edited by Giant Doofus; 03-02-14 at 05:27 PM.
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: WKY
Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip LTD, 2013 Raleigh Misceo
I wear jeans and the dri fit shirts for the ride. When I arrive at work I get in front of a fan while I chug about 20-24 oz of ice water. After I cool down, a couple of the moist fragrance free wipes to clean up. Then, I put on a clean shirt. I keep the wipes, a stick of deoderant and some cologne at work.
#4
115 degrees with 99% humidity in a steam molding manufacturing plant. You guys don't know what sweating is lol. I am sweating for 10 sraight hours at work, I sure wouldn't worry about the ride to work. I sweat just standing and punching the time clock, haha.
The -32 weather was nice a few weeks ago. Cooled the plant down to about 85. Didn't sweat just standing there and was able to even move a slight little bit before sweating.
The -32 weather was nice a few weeks ago. Cooled the plant down to about 85. Didn't sweat just standing there and was able to even move a slight little bit before sweating.
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 756
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From: Southeast
Bikes: cyclotank
Full battle gear for me - I do 30 mi RT in Central Florida. Shower in the morning before take-off and thorough sponge bath in the bathroom upon arrival. We have powder room style bathrooms at work.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,082
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From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium
Full MAMiL regalia, change in the rest room. Sweat not an issue since the morning ride is taken slow in cool weather. I save the hard ride for after work.
#8
Plays in traffic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,971
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
I sweat profusely, even during a "polar vortex". I have no choice. I have to wear cycling gear for cycling and work gear for work. I get to work a little early, have a quick birdbath in the staff men's room sink, and change.
If you're going to try wicking t-shirts, keep in mind that wicking wear manufactures stink. You'll at least want a clean shirt (read: non-stink-producing) for work.
If you're going to try wicking t-shirts, keep in mind that wicking wear manufactures stink. You'll at least want a clean shirt (read: non-stink-producing) for work.
#10
Senior Member


Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,787
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From: Hampton Roads VA
Bikes: '07 Trek 520, '09 Gary Fisher Triton, '04 Trek 8000, '85 Trek 500, '84 Trek 610, '85 Trek 510, '88 Trek 660, '92 Trek 930, Trek Multitrack 700
Light weight wool shirts are available. They have a reputation for wicking well and not stinking.
https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/at13.htm
https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/at13.htm
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,448
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From: Central PA (USA)
Bikes: 2014 Carbon Quest XS (Velomobile), 2014 Catrike Road (Trike), 2013 Easy Motion Max 700+ PCS (E-bike), 2011 Lynskey R340 (Road), 2011 Surly Moonlander (Fatty), 2010 Santa Cruise Tallboy (Full Suspension)
I have a 12.5 mile commute one way (soon be my first complete year of bike commuting). I shower before I leave for work and wear whatever bike clothes it takes to suit the temp. I carry my work clothes rolled up inside my pannier with me and change when I get to work. I then let my wet clothes dry by my work spot. I use as much merino wool as I can as it really leaves little to no odor. I change back into my bike clothes I wore in (that are now dry) for the ride home.
#12
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,201
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From: Vancouver, BC
I commute in normal cycling clothes and carry clean pants and shirt in a backpack. If it's not raining I try and wear minimal clothes so I'm usually cold for the first 30 min but don't sweat too much. I'll have a coffee, catch up on email and then have a shower after an hour or so.
#13
Senior Member




Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Spokane/Tri-Cities WA
Bikes: mountain bike, road bike
I have a 12.5 mile commute one way (soon be my first complete year of bike commuting). I shower before I leave for work and wear whatever bike clothes it takes to suit the temp. I carry my work clothes rolled up inside my pannier with me and change when I get to work. I then let my wet clothes dry by my work spot. I use as much merino wool as I can as it really leaves little to no odor. I change back into my bike clothes I wore in (that are now dry) for the ride home.
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"I've been dropped a lot of times, but it's never been because of my bike." DXchulo
"I've been dropped a lot of times, but it's never been because of my bike." DXchulo
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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I have found that generally, if the temperature is below 70F, I don't need to worry about sweating too much in work clothes. As the temperature gets closer to 70 and above, wearing a backpack/bag is will allow sweat to build up under your shirt. Above 80 F, even without a bag over your shoulder, you will start to significant sweat buildup.
Luckily, it rarely ever gets above 70F where I live, in the morning, and the 100F commute home isn't a problem as I can change and shower easily once home. As such, I don't bother with cycling clothes, but I only have 5 mile commute.
Luckily, it rarely ever gets above 70F where I live, in the morning, and the 100F commute home isn't a problem as I can change and shower easily once home. As such, I don't bother with cycling clothes, but I only have 5 mile commute.
#16
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 36
From: Hammonton, NJ
Bikes: Dawes Lightning sport, Trek 1220, Trek 7100
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 36
From: Hammonton, NJ
Bikes: Dawes Lightning sport, Trek 1220, Trek 7100
well in the cool temperatures, you can get by wearing normal work clothes for pants, however you should use a wicking shirt. when you get to the office, quick bird bath, some wipes and change into work shirt.
when it gets warmer (guess around 70 degrees and depending on length of commute) I would go with biking gear and do the bird bath, change into work clothes...
when it gets warmer (guess around 70 degrees and depending on length of commute) I would go with biking gear and do the bird bath, change into work clothes...
#20
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Sacramento, California, USA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
For 10 miles in LA, I would ride in proper cycling clothes and change at work. Shower before leaving, bring baby wipes and deodorant.
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Bikes: 2012 Trek Allant, 2016 Bianchi Volpe Disc
My commute is 7 miles each way, so I wear gym clothes. In the winter, this is a base layer topped with a t-shirt and running pants with tights underneath. In the summer, it's gym shorts and a light-weight and/or sweat-wicking t-shirt.
When I get to work, I cool down for about 15 minutes and then change into my work clothes (business casual). Except on the hotter summer days, smell isn't an issue. On those days, I bring along an unscented wipe in a plastic bag and wipe down the more stinky body parts. A change of underwear helps, too.
When I get to work, I cool down for about 15 minutes and then change into my work clothes (business casual). Except on the hotter summer days, smell isn't an issue. On those days, I bring along an unscented wipe in a plastic bag and wipe down the more stinky body parts. A change of underwear helps, too.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium
#23
Do you mean you avoid riding in anything other than kit, or other non-cycling specific attire? I ride in my work clothes. For me, they are cycling attire. The more use my bike for transportation the fewer items I have in my closet that aren't appropriate for the bike. I also have some only-on-the-bike clothes, but that doesn't make everything else I own "non-cycling attire."
Edit: On a quick re-read, I realize this sounds a little snippy. Sorry about that. I didn't mean it to be. You make a valid point. I'm just hoping we can refine some of our language so that sports clothing doesn't define what it means to be attired in a way appropriate for riding.
Edit: On a quick re-read, I realize this sounds a little snippy. Sorry about that. I didn't mean it to be. You make a valid point. I'm just hoping we can refine some of our language so that sports clothing doesn't define what it means to be attired in a way appropriate for riding.
#24
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,082
Likes: 24
From: Southern CaliFORNIA.
Bikes: KHS Alite 500, Trek 7.2 FX , Masi Partenza, Masi Fixed Special, Masi Cran Criterium
Do you mean you avoid riding in anything other than kit, or other non-cycling specific attire? I ride in my work clothes. For me, they are cycling attire. The more use my bike for transportation the fewer items I have in my closet that aren't appropriate for the bike. I also have some only-on-the-bike clothes, but that doesn't make everything else I own "non-cycling attire."
Edit: On a quick re-read, I realize this sounds a little snippy. Sorry about that. I didn't mean it to be. You make a valid point. I'm just hoping we can refine some of our language so that sports clothing doesn't define what it means to be attired in a way appropriate for riding.
Edit: On a quick re-read, I realize this sounds a little snippy. Sorry about that. I didn't mean it to be. You make a valid point. I'm just hoping we can refine some of our language so that sports clothing doesn't define what it means to be attired in a way appropriate for riding.
#25
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Wearing as much wool as possible helps, as it seems to wick away sweat before it starts to smell. Then when I'm done exerting myself, it smells less than anything else after saturating it with sweat, and I mean it beats both cotton and synthetics.
Not all of us can wear wool as the bottom layer, at least not all the time. Often, I'm OK with being sweaty. I sit still and have ice water and cool down, and my clothes eventually get dry. If it's a lost cause, I change into the spare set of clothes I keep at work. I don't have to do it often, which means I don't have to carry clothes there or back often. The spare set goes a long time without use. And by the way, the spare set is complete: jacket, shirt, pants, underwear, socks and shoes. You never know.
Not all of us can wear wool as the bottom layer, at least not all the time. Often, I'm OK with being sweaty. I sit still and have ice water and cool down, and my clothes eventually get dry. If it's a lost cause, I change into the spare set of clothes I keep at work. I don't have to do it often, which means I don't have to carry clothes there or back often. The spare set goes a long time without use. And by the way, the spare set is complete: jacket, shirt, pants, underwear, socks and shoes. You never know.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.





