Cycling Base Layer Alternatives
 

I have an unused H&M gift card on my desk and I want to use it to wear something under my cycling jersey. I don't own a base layer, so I thought maybe a polyester running tank top or sleeveless shirt will do. I know I don't want any cotton, so my options are composed of pure 100% polyester or a blend of polyester and nylon (30-40%) or polyester and a bit of spandex (10-13%). I'm thinking of going for a full polyester tank top. Does anyone have any suggestions? I don't think H&M has any polypro fabric options. Polyester is probably the best as I can get for wicking sweat off my body to the jersey. You're welcome to advise on my decision. Thank you.

Make sure it is stretchy and relatively tight fitting.

Avoid Lycra (elastane) as it absorbs and holds onto water.


-Tim-

Thanks, Tim!

You've saved me from the mistake of buying one of the short sleeve sports shirts I was looking at. It had 13% elastane. Now, my search is narrowed down thanks to you.

That's odd. Underarmour heat gear is my daily base layer.

It's 10% elastane and feels great in temps up to 100.

(Over 100, I switch to craft mesh.)

H&M might carry underarmour?

I'm sorry. [MENTION=123146]f4rrest[/MENTION] is right. My bad. I shot from the hip and should have been clearer.

Elastane is sometimes necessary for stretch.

I should have been clearer and recommended avoiding high lycra content textiles although this might be a semantic argument about the meaning of the word high. In the world of cycling gear, 10% lycra is not really a high lycta content textile. Many jerseys are more than 25% lycra including some very big name brand summer weight jerseys and these will be sodden on a hot day. .

I have and use several Under Armor base layers, mostly cold gear, and they work extremely well. Under Armor would be a great choice.


-Tim-

I'd be cautious about wearing something not designed to be a base layer... otherwise you're just, well, layering.

I like the underarmour heat gear too and if you're patient you can find them on sale for about $16 at UA

probably nothing at H&M qualifies as a base layer. Get some skinny jeans instead.

What's the reasoning for wanting a baselayer under a cycling jersey in warm weather?

Not being snarky, I'm genuinely curious. I live in a place with a billion percent humidity* and we just sweat, and shower afterwards.

*possibly not a precise number

i wear a base layer regardless of temp (under armour heat gear) to prevent the straps of my bib shorts from rubbing sensitive parts of my torso.

Wish I'd seen this two weeks ago. Ross Lake Resort changed to UA for their shirts. I thought UA clothing was terrible, so I refused to buy any. But I lost my RLR tee shirt and need another one.

I'm surprised that people find UA HeatGear usable as a cycling baselayer. It doesn't even get that hot here and I notice a huge difference in how much more soaked and uncomfortable my HeatGear compression T's get compared to my Pearl Izumi Transfer baselayers, even when I'm not pushing terribly hard. I've found my UA HG SuperVent to be slightly better than the regular HG, but they are both way too thick for cycling and only better than my old cotton Champion moisture-wicking T's in that they dry quicker after shedding them.

Maybe it depends on the humidity.

It's fine in southern California. No way I'd wear it in Hawaii.

a well-designed base layer helps, even in hot+humid because anything that helps get sweat away from the skin to evaporate is a good thing.

as an example: https://www.competitivecyclist.com/a...mmer_evo7-mens

I've ordered a 100% polyester running top and a polyamide 68%-polyester 32% sports tank top. These two shirts are advertised as fast-drying and breathable, and I went for a tight snug fit for sizing. Hopefully, these will feel better than wearing regular cotton undershirts in my sweaty road sessions. Although an actual base layer would've outperformed anything H&M has, I agree with you there. But the gift card I had lying around had to go. And, I don't need any jean or any other clothes from H&M. I do appreciate the suggestion.

Edit: Canceled my order. Going for two 90% Polyester & 10% Elastane instead. Polyamide (nylon) won't feel comfortable under hot weather.