Sweaty and Cold - Apparel Advice
 

Hello,

I always wear undershirts, be it cotton in my everyday life, actually I can't go out without an undershirt. So when I started cycling last year, I got myself some running sleeveless undershirts. They are comfortable and all, but I often find myself cold (even in hotter temps) because of the sweat and wet shirt. Has anybody experienced this? Any solutions? Which type of baselayers would be best?

Thanks in advance

Any kind of moisture "wicking" fabric will do the job. I've always gone with Under Armour compression gear for (relative) affordability and versatility.

Cotton is awful for any kind of activewear...it does not dry well, it soaks up sweat, when you are hot it creates a "heat tent" for you to roast in, when the weather is cold and the cotton is wet it has zero insulative properties. If you're just riding down to the store on a nice day cotton is fine, but for any real activity stay away from it.

Any kind of synthetic baselayer, even the inexpensive ones from REI which you can get for less than $20, makes a decent baselayer. For cold weather I like Craft, but this past winter I got a bontrager hoodie baselayer that is awesome, but not quite as warm as the craft. If you want to keep it simple and inexpensive get any kind of synthetic shirts from REI.

Cotton kills. As mentioned above, get a base layer made of a "technical" fabric.

Or quit wearing base layers in the heat.

If you must wear a base layer, here are some choices: Performance

Honestly, I wear wool for all but the hottest months. Best temperature management by far. I have Castelli & Craft baselayers for summer-time, but hate how I have to shower with them after every ride or else they stink.

The sense I get is that the OP is relatively new to cycling and is eschewing "professional" cycling jerseys in favor of something more "normal". This is common with new cyclists, and once they figure out that what they really want is a non-baggy shirt made with technical fabric that doesn't soak up sweat and provides evaporative cooling with some pockets in back (so they don't get in the way), what they arrive at is: a bike jersey.

I got some Nike sleeveless base layers on sale at an outlet. They work great. I wear them all summer, and they help keep me cooler.

You're sweating because your over dressed or your clothes aren't allowing proper ventalation. If you're dressing in layers when you start to sweat take a layer off. If you're starting in the morning and it's cool and you're finishing up in warmer weather arm/leg warmers are a great addition to your clothing lineup.

I was sweating in a jacket I was wearing for winter duty and once I bought a winter specific jacket it changed my life. I was never hot/sweaty and remained comfortable all ride. Best part was I could unzip and vent on climbs and rezip for the downhill.

"The sense I get is that the OP is relatively new to cycling and is eschewing "professional" cycling jerseys in favor of something more "normal". This is common with new cyclists, and once they figure out that what they really want is a non-baggy shirt made with technical fabric that doesn't soak up sweat and provides evaporative cooling with some pockets in back (so they don't get in the way), what they arrive at is: a bike jersey."

Indeed! I definitely went through this process in the beginning until a racer friend gave me a few jerseys/shorts from an old team. Though, I got yet another freebie the other day, a nice skinsuit. It just looks so badass that I had to ride it the last few days, but the chamois definitely isn't made for long rides. :P

A lot of times I sweat because I am exercising and it is hot outside. Might just be me though. :D

Just to be clear, I do wear cycling jersey, with pockets in the back and I am not wearing cotton undershirts to cycle. I mentioned the cotton undershirts so that it was clear that I can't cycle without something underneath my jersey. I bought what is supposed to be a runner’s sleeveless jersey (Nike DRI-FIT POLY SHIRT) and in principle should wick away the sweat, but I still get very cold, the wind makes me very cold. How are the Craft/Underarmour/Performance compared to a regular Nike dry fit?

If anything it sounds like the sweat is wicking/evaporating away TOO fast, making you cold.

I can't verify this...it's always hot in central FL. :P

It is possible that you are getting soggy and cold because you have too many layers. Have you tried cycling without a baselayer? In cool springtime temps, I will often use the jersey as a baselayer and put on a light breathable jacket or vest that I can unzip if I start getting wet from sweat. Sweat needs airflow to evaporate. I'll also second the wool suggestion. Layering wool is absolutely the best option I know of, but good wool is not often cheap.

Without knowing where the OP is from I assumed (and I know what that means) he was cycling in colder climates. He mentioned he was cold, when was the last time you rode in heat and were cold from the sweat?

The last time I bonked. :(

This time of year I almost always have a merino wool baselayer. Warm and wicks very well - really like the Kucharik jerseys...

That's a fair point. But for the OP's sake I hope he's not bonking every time he rides.

I like wool as well. When it gets really cold, I'll add silk long underwear below the wool.

had an awesome ride the other nite and I was psyched that I had the layers right
38 degrees
26 miles so I was out in the cold for about 2 hours

feet
thick cotton work sock
chemical toe warmers

hands
thin glove liner
cheap walmart full finger cycling gloves

head
knit hat, tight weave (need something better from REI, it's on the list)
helmet

legs
trishorts
novara headwind pants

torsoe (and this is was the big score)
longsleeve zipneck poly base layer
snug fleece shirt
cycling specific rain jacket (the moisture worked it's way out to the rain jacket and I had to hang it inside out when I got home)
I regulated my temperature by unzipping the neck when needed, but mostly everything was perfect

Man that would suck.

It's amazing how different people are when it comes to temperatures. For a 38 degree day I would wear the following:

Feet - thin wool socks, shoe covers
Legs - Pair of bibs (shorts), embrocation cream, tights
Core - long sleeve jersey, medium jacket
Hands - Medium insulated gloves
Head - start off with helmet liner, get rid of it on the first climb. Just helmet after that.

Once the temps hits mid to upper 40's I go to the following:
Feet - thin wool socks, toe cover
Legs - pair of bibs (shorts), embrocation cream
Core - long sleeve jersey, light vest
Hands - light full finger gloves
Head - helmet

This is what you want:
http://www.realcyclist.com/craft-act...rt-sleeve-mens

Thanks all who posted.
I just got a merino wool jersey from Torm.cc, be honest how stupid would it be to try that as a base layer under one of my cycling jerseys?

I get my base layers from a company called Wickers. Plus there stuff is made in U.S.A.