Our winter has been particularly difficult. So maybe this is a matter of anticipating the spring. But the other day I bought a Nike cold weather undergear shirt. I wanted something for riding during the early part of the Spring when the temperature is 50-60 or so. I find that a long sleeve t-shirt gets wet and makes me cold. Previously, I bought a warm weather long sleeve mock. I found that whenever I wore this I froze to death when I was riding. I thought that this cold weather mock would take care of things. I decided to wear it to work because my office is cold. Again, the shirt made me colder. What's up? Shouldn't this shirt make me warmer? Or does it do this only when you are actually exercising and sweating? I was frustrated, thinking that maybe I just threw money away. Or shouldn't I reach this conclusion until I am actually riding my bike? Is it a matter of shelling out the money that Underarmor costs? Or does Underarmor do the same thing?

in my experience the heat gear is excellent and prevents the cotton shirt sweat patch, i.e., all sweat is wicked away and spreads evenly over the shirt. I've not used their cold gear but, from other BF posts, understand that it's warm, comfortable and still has the wicking properties of the heat gear.

Bill,
Not sure what the clothing you are wearing is made out of...however from my experience layers with NO COTTON is the way to go. I quite often wear a silk base layer, light wool sweater/shirt and a wind breaker. It is good for me from around 35f to the low 50's range. FWIW I am a low energy rider I ride to get where I am going with the minimal amount of effort, not to set land speed records YMMV

This is my concept of cycling...not me BTW.

Aaron

base layer is exactly that- the base level of clothing. It is designed to wick moisture away from your skin and out to the next layer of clothing that you wear on top of it. My cold weather gear would usually consist of a base layer, then a long sleeve cycling jersey, then a jacket- something to stop the wind, at least in front. On the bottom, I have a pair of windstopper tights. As the weather gets warmer, I dump the long sleeve jersey and tights in favor of a short sleeve jersey and shorts with arm and leg warmers, so I can remove layers more easily if the day gets warmer than I expect. I also have sleeveless base layers for the same reason.

Exactly what I wear as well (jacket is nice - gore-tex wind/rain proof) - except on the bottom are regular winter tights (expensive but worth it) and if it's rainy - I have have a pair of wind/rain proof pants I through over the tights. 30F and lower I have a pair of sugoi firewall gloves that are superb - have ridden in (with wind chill) -20F with 25-35 constant wind and my hands were toasty. Pair of assos lycra booties too. It also has taken me a couple years to put this together. But well worth it.

I use an under-armor cold gear long sleeve shirt 30-50F. It does work, but I find wool to work even better and has a wider comfort range of 25-60F.

I wear neither when it is over 50-55F at ride start (depending on humidity and if the sun is out or not) as they are too warm.

Al

I've been wearing UnderArmor cold gear long sleeve, under a long sleeve jersey, under a windbreaker. I also wear below the knee mountain shorts with ankle high boots. I've been riding in mid 30 to mid 40 weather. It keeps me toasty, but I come back from a 24 mile ride with the base layer and jersey sweat soaked. It's doing the job though.

Still the question for me is shouldn't I be able to wear this just around the house or in my office and it should serve to warm me. Or is this thing only designed to provide warmth when you are sweating?

I share your problem, Bill. Snug fitting synthetics have always felt cold in the winter. My thought is that when the moisture is wicked away from your skin, it evaporates and causes cooling. Everyone but you and I swears by the stuff. My best shot at a base layer seems to be the sleeveless garment they call a muscle shirt, and it works best for my if it is a cotton/poly blend.

Everyone else's milage varies, of course.

Hey Bill, I too have cold/wet then who knows, well my kids got me a Bicycling Jacket for Christmas, it is a Nashbar, I think $40 bucks or so, but I love it, I find if I wear no shirt and just the jacket, or a very light shirt, bot the thing keeps the rain off, and at my option vents me as needed and the only wet I get is sweat, so if that happens I just un zip.

Anyhow wish you the best in you search for a solutiuon.