I'm sure the Craft guy will take comfort in knowing that I agree with his take

Sure, but I assume we're sweating, which is our body's contribution to the whole evap cooling thing.

I appreciate the monsoon season for the interesting weather, but the accompanying increase in humidity really sucks.

NW Phoenix doesn't get many of the storms, unless they come from the north, but we get plenty of the humidity.

That's what I'm saying.

I'll ride without a base layer today, and see if I notice a difference. It might be hard to tell any difference, because it'll only be 95-103 when I'm riding.

I don't know.

It is fine to have an academic discussion about humidity and its effect on evaporative cooling but "it doesn't work so well where it's humid" is not consistent with my experience with summer base layers here in the deep south.


-Tim-

Do many people use swamp coolers in the deep south? They are pretty common in the SW, and they work great until Monsoon season.

I'm just thinking that it wouldn't be necessary to wear a base layer(to stay moist) in the high humidity of the deep south.

I always use a baselayer. The only time I found a summer baselayer NOT to work, was when I visited Hawaii, and it was extremely high humidity.
But I also don't own any of those really light-weight, mesh summer jerseys. I find them too flimsy. So flimsy I don't even like putting stuff in the pockets.

I just ordered a couple of these, less than half the price of the craft mesh. We'll see how the fit and quality is https://www.merlincycles.com/funkier...18-112969.html

^^ very interested to hear how you like the product and how it works for you.

I just found out that I inadvertently selected 5-10 day economy shipping instead of the free two day shipping. Now I'm stuck with old, baggy, Georgia red clay stained base layers for another week. Guess I'll offer it up as penance.


-Tim-

Hmmm, I used to live in Sierra Vista and ran twice everyday. Evening runs were very hot an dry yet somehow I survived with a baselayer or on a lot of day, any layer. And wet clothes running or cycling mean chafing to me. I'll stick to my jerseys that wick well, breathe well, and stay relatively dry no matter how hot it is.

Just please don't wear the sleeveless mesh by itself.

whatever you believe.

whatever you experienced.... there, I fixed it for you.

Some misconceptions about perspiration and evaporative cooling in this thread.

Being wet in and of itself does not cool but evaporation. Maximum cooling takes place when you reach maximum evaporation. The goal of a summer base layer is to increase evaporation.

We always perspire, even in our sleep. Most of the time we don't sense perspiration because it evaporates into the environment as fast as we make it. When 100% of perspiration evaporates as fast as we can make it it is said to be insensible - we can't sense it. It is gone as soon as we make it.

When we perspire more than can evaporate into the environment it is called sensible perspiration - we can sense it. We make more than can evaporate. We "break a sweat."

Maximum evaporation takes place at the transition point between insensible and sensible perspiration, when no more sweat can evaporate. This is right before we break a sweat. More sweat makes you wet, not cool. If your jersey is dry then it only means that 100% of your perspiration is evaporating as fast as you can make it. All of your perspiration is insensible.

Conditions such as ambient temperature, humidity, wind and surface area can increase or decrease the amount of perspiration which can evaporate.

The goal of a summer base layer is to increase the amount of perspiration which can evaporate above that which would take place without the garment - increase the amount of insensible perspiration. Summer base layers achieve their goal by increasing surface area. Whether it is humid or not, windy or not, a summer base layer increases surface area, thereby increasing the amount of perspiration which can evaporate, thereby increasing evaporative cooling above that which would take place without the garment.

That's all a summer base layer does - increase surface area so that there is more evaporation. High humidity may lower the rate of evaporation but there will always be more water turning to vapor with the garment than without it. That's how they work.

None of this is made up. Sensible and insensible heat/moisture are basic concepts in the HVAC industry and how temperature and humidity are controlled in buildings, especially computer datacenters.


-Tim-

if you are chafing while wearing cycling clothing, it's probably too loose.

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/a...NhdDEwMDE4MQ==

Assos. I love their kit.

Nope, not a problem cycling since I don't use a base layer to keep wet clothes against my skin.

Oh FFS.

If it feels good, do it. If not, take a pass.

Don't hassle people that don't agree with you.

Like saddles, clothing is the most personal of choices. Do what works for you.

I think folks are being pretty civilized, and just trying to figure out how it all works.

And sure, clothing is a personal choice, but the fundamental processes that govern how the universe operates are not!

+1

we disagree, but is that not allowed here?

chafing isn't an issue when your kit fits properly.

I totally agree. And not wearing a base layer isn't an issue either when your kit breathes properly.


LOL, I can do this all day.

Seriously though, if it works for you fine. I"m glad for you. I don't have the need. Now find me some magical garment that negates wind and we will all be all over it!

Same here. Over 25C, I wear a sleeveless jersey in late afternoon ride. Base layer is foe below 15C only.