Why silk base layers?
01-17-11 | 10:46 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Raleigh, NC
Bikes: 2007 Trek 1600
01-17-11 | 10:47 PM
#27
Beer >> Sanity
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,449
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From: Colorado
Bikes: 2014 Evo DA2, 2010 Caad9-4, 2011 Synapse-4, 2013 CaadX-disc
I have a silk base layer that I use when riding in below freezing weather. It's thin so I don't notice the extra layer and has held up fine. I think I would use wool if it was much colder but sadly I don't have any yet.
01-17-11 | 11:02 PM
#28
pan y agua
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,812
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From: Jacksonville
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
IMHO,
Silk is not a good base layer for high intensity activites. You sweat through it too fast. Synthetics these days do a better job in managing moisture.
Silk is not a good base layer for high intensity activites. You sweat through it too fast. Synthetics these days do a better job in managing moisture.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-18-11 | 12:07 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16,767
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Thanks for the info, everyone. Sounds like these are worth a try this time of year.
I asked one of the skiers, but he said he doesn't sweat all that much taking a lift up, then sliding down the hill. He said it's a little bit of work navigating down the slope, but that he's lazy. This thread has been a lot more helpful.
I asked one of the skiers, but he said he doesn't sweat all that much taking a lift up, then sliding down the hill. He said it's a little bit of work navigating down the slope, but that he's lazy. This thread has been a lot more helpful.
I haven't used silk as a base layer, but the silk shirts I have worn, then sweated through were not at all comfortable... clammy and clingy. I've seen silk blends available at outdoor equipment retailers, but figure polypro and wool, along with various jersey fabrics have served me well without the expense.
01-18-11 | 06:46 AM
#30
Fred-ish
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
+1. That's been my experience. Great stuff if you don't sweat, acts like cotton if you do. I understand that some of the new high dollar stuff has coatings that help with moisture management, but regular silk - no thanks.
01-18-11 | 11:00 AM
#32
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Seattle, WA
It's mediocre...
After reading some replies that said silk isn't as bad as I thought for this, I gave one of these shirts a try last night. I dressed a little warm to make sure I'd sweat, and did hill repeats and descents in my neighborhood. Then I got a flat, so I had some time to stand around not working very hard ... good test.
Yup. That's exactly what it feels like. Wet and clammy, and it sticks to you. But it's not cold like cotton is, when it's wet, at least while you're working. And it dries a lot more quickly than I expected it to. I had worked pretty hard going up an 18 % hill, and was almost dry by the time I got home. It seems to block the wind better than wool, on the bright side.
I'm gonna stick with cashmere and merino.
I'm gonna stick with cashmere and merino.
