Garneau products are good too. Use to have the sleeveless version.

Louis Garneau SF-2 Plastron Base Layer - Long-Sleeve - Men's | Competitive Cyclist
Louis Garneau SF-2 Plastron Base Layer - Sleeseless - Men's | Competitive Cyclist

This is great. Here is the latest list...Again, some of these come in non-wind block versions so be careful that you are ordering the right one.


-Tim-

I've ordered the Craft Active Extreme 2.0. It is $57.14 at Merlin.

They all look like great garments. I'd like to see the Castelli in person if only for the sake of curiosity. There is a shop here in Atlanta which carries a decent selection of Castelli and I'll probably give them a call.

Price aside, what tipped the scale in favor of the Craft garment relative to the others however, is the raised collar and the extra coverage around the shoulders and front of the arm pits. I own other Craft products and am comfortable with their quality and workmanship. Time will tell and I'll provide an update when the product is in hand and in service.

Really appreciate everyone who replied - all of you - whether you are for or against. This is a great thread and I'm hoping to ride some winter metrics with the help of this base layer.


-Tim-

I see you only quoted part of my post...

As TimothyH pointed out, Craft offers a non-Wind Stopper version of the short sleeve base layer shirt (and long sleeve for that matter). I've owned the non-Wind Stopper version since, oh, maybe 2004 when I originally bought it for skiing. It has a short collar which I've always found very comfortable, non-restrictive (as longer collars can be), but long enough to keep the wind out, and a long tail which keeps things tucked in nicely. I wore this for years cycling and it is perfect for adding a little extra warmth under a long sleeve jersey (for me, I'd add it somewhere in the 45-55°F range).

When things got colder, I always struggled with balancing enough core warmth with enough ventilation and not too much restriction. I tried a lot of combinations over the years. What I finally realized was that at certain temperatures (30-45°F or so), I didn't want bulk on me (like my Pearl Izumi fleece vest which I often used), nor did I want my forearms heavily shielded (like wearing a wind-proof jacket would do). But, I did need wind-proofing on my torso. The wind-stopper base-layer fits that bill perfectly.

What's great about wearing a garment like that, too, is that when you need some extra cooling on your torso, you simply unzip your jersey a bit and let the wind hit the base layer directly. Instead of an icy chest that you can't wait to cover up again, you get a nice 'cool pak' feeling that is easy to regulate.

So, to answer your question (finally), no I don't wear a wind-stopping outer layer in combination with the wind-stopper base layer. I have a Craft Wind-Stopper jersey (similar to this: https://shop.craftsports.us/storm-jersey-m.html) which I'll wear with a non-wind-stopping base layer (short or long sleeve depending on just how cold) when the normal long sleeve and wind-stopper base layer no longer cut it. I take a hit on bulkiness and temperature regulation is a little tougher but we're talking real cold at this point so I'm willing to suffer a bit more anyway.

Nope, way too hot and clammy in my experience, at least for the temps I wear the wind-stopper base layer at. As much as I love merino wool (I wear it practically every day on my feet) synthetics have come a long way and are far more durable. I can live with the stink (a little soak in some diluted vinegar resolves that nicely) and if I'm soaked in sweat, I'm going to catch a chill no matter which fabric I am wearing.

Which begs the question, does anyone make a merino wool base layer with a wind-stopper torso? THAT would be the (insert your favorite term).

In my experience, it works the other way around: keep your core warm and your extremities stay warm, too. Circulating cold blood into your hands and feet isn't going to warm them up regardless of how well shielded they are. I've had frozen hands and toes riding in 40°F temps because of a cold core but been toasty warm 25° colder thanks to being properly dressed.

Merino is a very cool wool. I have, however, stopped using it as a base layer for biking because the long climbs here make me sweat a bit more than usual. For mtn biking, I wear a pack and merino does not wick as well so my bak feels cool and damp. For road biking, it works better but on long climbs, I still get the same effect, though I sweat less than most. For example, I NEVER drip sweat and my helmet never gets soaked or anything.

I use merino for less strenuous activity like hiking easy flat rides in cold weather. I'll use it as a base layer for easy runs in cold weather too. It insulates well and keeps me warm. I also use it as a second or third layer...I have tops in several thicknesses. In general I love merino but not as much for cycling.

This forum has a double your money back guarantee. If it's too much work to ask other people to google something for you, I don't know what to say.

How about a half-zip Merino blend by SmartWool? Thumb holes are interesting.

Smartwool® Men's PhD® Wind Zip T | Merino Wool

it is not cycling specific but I'm going to add this to the list anyway.


-Tim-

Here is the latest list...

Smartwool has been added although it is not cycling specific and has a half zip.Again, some of these come in non-wind block versions so be careful that you are ordering the right one.


-Tim-

The front panel is 100 % poly and 0 % wool so you're giving up a lot of the wooly benefit you're paying through the nose for... The reason you go for merino is mostly it's sweat management and people sweat a lot in the front.

But monkey thumbs can be really handy when you're going to have additional layers on and off.

So you suggest that since it's free we should intentionally make it as hostile and snarky as possible. Nice.

Nice strawman, bro.

For you, I suggest working on your reading and thinking skills. For everybody else, I recommend benefiting from what's available.

Says he who claimed I asked anyone to google something for me. Classic.

Looks interesting, but I have to agree with Seattle that if I am paying that much, I want at least a little wool up front. I like thumb holes for running (but I hate running). For cycling, the added fabric under my palms does me no good. I am a big kid and can remember to grab my sleeve when pulling on a tight fitting outer layer

$89.99 at REI right now.

$8.99 dividend for members too.

By the way, post 55 was a perfect explanation. Thank you for that.

Try an Arc'teryx Accelero. Great jacket, I have two. I've worn it as an only layer before. It breathes well and blocks most wind, and you could wear other stuff over it.

Craft sells ones that has windstopper that has worked well for me in the past.

Thanks. We have discussed this before - you thought you left one on the trail and purchased another? I have a Arc'teryx Darter. Very similar to yours. It is one of my go-to garments.

Neither are really a base layer and so I'm going to leave them off the list. That doesn't take away from the jacket at all. It is a fantastic product.

Arc'teryx was the first place I looked for a wind blocking base layer. They have some Gore Windstopper tights but I couldn't find any windstopper products which were truly base layers.


-Tim-

I agree and I wouldn't normally recommend one as a base layer. It's probably not ideal for you either, but since you already have a very similar jacket it might be worth riding a few miles near home to test it out.

This thread has been very helpful. Thanks TimothyH!

+1!!

We need to give him Poster of the Week or something!

One more vote for the craft product. I was skeptical for the reasons cited but I found it worked extremely well for me and resulted in less use of more bulky clothing. I mostly MTB in the winter and I can wear a pair of Sugoi mid-weight bib tights, the craft windstopper base, a regular jersey, and mid-weight Gore gloves down to about 32F. Add my "winter weight" old team jacket, lobster claws, and a cap/bootie combo and I'm down to low 20s, at which point I prefer the trainer.