All this talk about sweating in cold weather riding, I think comes down to a "suitability issue". First, the rider who may be a very sweaty person or less sweaty. Then the ride itself, high intensity followed by stopping to cool down and then starting up again. Then its the combination of the different type of layers.

Heck, what's next? The gloves?

Not really. If you ride in cold weather you will sweat, hell if you ride you will sweat. Just a little more due to the various wind/rain resistant tops over the layers. I come back from 20 degree winter rides soaked in sweat, the key is that I do not feel wet nor do I feel cold. This is the beauty of well designed clothing layered properly. I love wool but I also recognize that some do not or can't afford the higher cost. I also know there are excellent substitutes out there.

Oh, and about the gloves......

Disagree.

I ride to work, 10 miles in 20F-30F temps. Dri-fit or equivalent, Sugoi arm warmers, cotton thermal long sleeves (Sears), long sleeved jersey. Since the core is typically warmer, I concern myself with the extremities. Polypro glove liners and minimum 80g Thinsulate gloves, sometimes Bar Mitts. Two pair of thermal socks and neoprene Gators over the shoes.

As for the original topic, Under Armour is overpriced for our Fredly endeavors.

Agree with your disagreeing. Nothing worse than being too cold and being unable to generate sufficient heat to compensate, feeling that hypothermic state creep down onto you. No fun at all.

Google "Cotton Kills". It is a very common expression in the hiking / outdoors community as well as the military. While it is generally accepted that merino woll and poly propylene make good base layers it is more or less univerally accepted that cotton is an terrible material for any outdoor activity where you might sweat or p[ossibly get wet. It gets wet, stays wet and is a awful insulator when wet (unlike wool).

Or being too hot and soaking everything with sweat.

Both of these situations aren't good ... especially on a long ride in cold temps.

I hate granite counter tops.

Heh - I hate soapstone counter tops. I mean, you have to wipe it down with oil every once in a while - horrible!!!

Those who have cycled in -40C/F, like I have, are also few and far between. :)

I've done a lot of cycling in sub-freezing temperatures.
I own a lot of wool clothing - merino and other.
I've done a lot of experimenting in sub-freezing temperatures to fine out what works.

I've done many rides in sub-freezing temperatures, trying to justify merino as a base layer, and it just simply left me cold every single time, no matter what I wore over it. I switched to a synthetic base layer, and wore the merino as a second layer ... and I had a winning combination. :)



(I also use a leather saddle, Brooks, of course, and like granite countertops. :D)

That you're an outlier in terms of usage doesn't change the fact that you're an outlier in terms of opinion.

+1 craft base layer.

Do you actually use merino wool as a base layer in sub-freezing temps?

Really?

I'm with Matchka. Been wearing polypro winter undershirt and tights since 1997 or so. Tried other stuff but nothing compares.

I have, and I happen to agree with you. I sweat a lot, and if I am going to be hitting it hard below freezing I prefer a close fitting, thin synthetic wicking layer as a base. I currently have a couple of EMS and Mountain Hardware shirts that are my first choice.

I do like wool, but for me it doesn't seem to work as well as a base if I have a wind proof layer over it. It seems to need more air circulation.

But I think Garfield is correct that it is individual for both the person and conditions. I wouldn't tell anyone not to try a merino base, and as others have said they are not itchy and caring for them is not that hard.

Absolutely ... you've got to actually try the merino and find our for yourself. If you haven't tried it, you don't know how it will be.

BTW - merino wool tops also make good office wear in a reasonably warm office. In a chilly office, you'll want to wear a suit jacket over the merino wool top.

Craft Pro Zero Extreme is my preferred base layer down to 30 degrees F. Under Armour stuff is not designed for cyclists. It gets too hot and it holds on to moisture.

Oh, that musta been what laserfj was talking about!

That's the kind I use, and I love it.

I'm also going to try one of their "standard" base layers (on order currently) to see how it compares. Very happy with what I'm currently using, just curious to see what the difference is.

Yes, exclusively, it is great. With it I am never too hot nor too cold. It is the ideal baselayer, the ideal cover to a baselayer and it never stinks to boot.

I do. Coldest on the bike was 19F. Core was fine, toes got cold but I didn't have shoe covers. When I got home, my wool base was quite wet with sweat but throughout the ride I never noticed. That's the beauty of wool. Put it on wet and it "feels" warm and dry.

I also wear it snowshoeing and coldest so far was 9F. Again, worked beautifully.

AGreed. Beetween 30-50 degrees I stick to just a base layer shirt and longsleeve jersey, and bike pants/bibs under UA coldgear pants. The same ones I wear under a softshell thin layer for skiing down to about 0 deg F.

+1. While doing the AT on off season we hit temperatures of well below 30's f while hiking mid day under the sun. A cotton T-shirt as a base layer or cotton socks instead of wool ones, could mean you go home with hypothermia. I stop often on the trail in cold days to ensure I am not over exerting myself and I try to check my feet often, since even wool can keep sewat.

fify