Summer base-layer?
 

I have an allergy (or some sort of skin reaction) to polyester, so I have been using thin light cotton T-shirts as a summer base-layer between me and my jersey. Cotton, even in my low-humidity climate, isn't a great option, but it is better than a nasty polyester rash.

Are there other options I could consider?

Wool



for your convenience: http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=124


Consider just getting Wool Jerseys, like BITD. Marino..




...

Have you tried silk?

There are tshirts made from bamboo and hemp.

Other options are actual cycling baselayers. The summer ones are mesh. Any place that sells cycling clothing has them.

Check out anything with Merino wool. I use it in all my summer socks. Draws moisture and contrary to wool being warm it is quite cool.

Yeah, but they mentioned reacting to non-natural fibers, so...

Maybe this:

https://www.brynjeusa.com/product/unisex-t-shirt-inlay/

Contains polyamide, which is better known as Nylon. (Polyamides occur naturally in wool as well, so probably not a big deal)

But the mesh is so thin, I don't see how you could have a skin reaction. But I don't have that issue so who knows. I have the Castelli, and it's so thin you feel like you'll tear it when you put it on.

https://photos.cdn-outlet.com/photos...-1A-zoomin.jpg

Check out Smartwool and Patagonia for starters.

I wear the Castelli as well, great shirt, never ride without it.

But your attitude towards allergies needs a little tweaking...

Some people are very very allergic to some compounds and you can't just say "oh, but it is so thin!" and think it is ok.

We have to assume they have thought about this and know their own sensitivity level to what substances.

I would look for wool or silk.

Let me type it once again: But I don't have that issue so who knows.

In other words I'm saying that yes, I could be wrong.

Terramar Thermasilk. They are very thin, great for summer. Almost as thin as nylon stockings.

There's a bunch of decent polypropylene base layers available.

Danny Shane's jersey are made from roughly 60% bamboo white ash.. whatever that is, but mixed with recycled polyester.. always thought they had some distinctive designs, but never sprung for one.
https://dannyshane.com/collections/performance-jerseys

what is wrong with cotton for summer? i understand why it's not best for cold.

An allergy to good quality polyester should be extremely rare, and might actually be caused by other factors.

But allergies are a tricky thing to pinpoint. Diagnostic tests like skin tine tests aren't necessarily reliable. Sometimes eliminating the suspected irritant is a good method, but it can yield false positives/negatives. You'd need to repeat the tests over time -- for example, trying another material for awhile, then coming back to polyester or synthetic fabrics later to try again.

Also consider your laundry products and washing machines or methods. For example I like how Tide and Gain gel flings get things clean with less effort, but the low water volume washers used by our nearby laundromat tends to leave behind more perfume odors than I like. I don't have any reaction to them. I just prefer a neutral odor. When I sweat in my cycling clothes I reek like Spring Fling! or Mountain Air! It's a bit much. My own handwashing method minimizes this. But for the low water volume laundromat I'll need to try another detergent.

@canklecat : I'm not sure it is an allergy or a sensitivity or a tendency to develop a superficial skin infection or what, but I just want to avoid it.
@Everyone : Thanks for all the advice

Here are some shirt options that are either 70% bamboo/30% cotton or 55% hemp/45% cotton

https://www.amazon.com/Onno-heM1-3-O.../dp/B00GYIV7L8

https://www.amazon.com/ONNO-Mens-Org.../dp/B00HATM78C