Some of us espouse the benefits of a wool baselayer for warmth, even when wet, but I haven't heard anyone talk about mid layers. What do people think of a wool mid layer? Or is synthetic fine as a mid layer?

Actually, I've found synthetic to be a good base layer. Wore Carhart shirts last winter.

I wear wool briefs under my shorts and they're super comfortable. I have a wool hand-me-down sweater I often wear in the winter. It keeps me warm. Other than that I just wear cotton t-shirts. No need to overthink it.

One can buy wool long-sleeve jerseys & tights to use as a mid-layer or use dress wool or synthetic sweaters. I suppose one would hear more about wool mid-layer except that wool's anti-stink properties aren't as important as with a base layer. Bought an Arcteryx Atom synthetic mid-layer jacket which is super-comfy & light & includes vents/pockets. A bit pricey but more versatile than a wool l/s jersey or sweater.

In chilly conditions, this is what works for me:

-- sleeveless jersey next to me
-- long-sleeved jersey
-- long-sleeved polypro
-- long-sleeved merino wool
-- jacket

I don't like wool next to my skin. It holds the moisture there and even the softest merino makes me itchy.

I do, however, like wool as my top layer because it sucks the moisture out there and dries off.

I like silk next to my skin, then wool. Synthetics are warm, but I can only wear them about four hours before they stink, and have to be washed. Cotton kills.

Excuse my ignorance, but what constitutes a "mid layer."

The layer between your base layer and top layer.

Personally I wear 4 or 5 layers so I've got a lot of mid-layers.

Holy crud I don't wear that much even when it's -20c. Three layers is usually the max I need with the wool as base layer.

Where do y'all go that you need so much stinkin' clothes?? Here's my setup:

70+: short-sleeve running shirt
60-70: long-sleeve hiking shirt (Patagonia Capilene 3)
50-60: short-sleeve shirt with waterproof jacket
40-50: long-sleeve shirt with waterproof jacket
30-40: all three
Below Freezing: Why would I ever voluntarily go anywhere that gets that cold? And if it's that cold where I live, I'm not going for a ride today.

I wear all that for long rides with temps between about 0C and 10C. None of the layers is thick. They all work well together. It's comfortable.

Thanks. The answer occurred to me sometime after my post.


I have a mid layer made of adipose tissue. Keeps me quite warm.

I wear (from inner to outer):

long sleeve poly
short sleeve poly
micro fleece or wool mid layer or vest
jacket

I like wool but also find it itchy so it goes on top of a long sleeve base.

I don't have a whole lot of that anymore, so ... layers.

I can't wear more than 3 layers. Feels like a straightjacket to me. That said, I have no problem with wool next to my skin so I usually don't need to worry about my layer order.

My spring/fall/winter uniform consists of a wool baselayer, a wool or fleece midlayer, and a wind jacket. If it's really cold, I throw a synthetic puffy vest in there. Wool works great as a midlayer, but it's heavier than fleece for its warmth. Fleece is lighter and warmer and goes great with a wool baselayer.

Patagonia Capilene.. Treated for wicking.. & Fleece , dry fast because its suface moist, not absorbed..

+ no larvae have evolved to eat Polyester, they Have for wool.

I have flung my wet fleece over a Railing, shaken out excess moisture then put it back on, drier.

Except for socks, I gave up on both wool and cotton about 30 years ago. Craft makes excellent base layers. Ordinary synthetic bike jersey over that. Sun sleeves if warm, arm warmers if chilly, wind vest or wind jacket over the top if cold or raining. That works down to about 45° and raining. If you're cold, pedal harder. Don't stand around outdoors if it's cold or raining.

Here in the Boston, MA area I use 3 layers for cold rides. Base layer, thin or medium weight wool, wool sweater and then a wind or waterproof layer as needed.

Saw a show about cold water hypothermia, US Navy tests showed that people who were most resistant were fit but with a good helping of body fat.

I have two Icebreaker tops scheduled for delivery today in fact: an Aero Long Sleeve Crewe and an Aero Short Sleeve Crewe. My intention is to use these as my spring/autumn/early summer riding tops so I guess the equivalent of a mid-layer without a base layer.

I am posting this only because I think there are other options out there that may be more appropriate...

I have tried really, really hard to like wool for cycling. for 15 years in fact. But I just cannot get it to do what polypro can... and that is, wick sweat away from my skin so that I don't (a) have to heat it and keep it heated to keep me warm and (b) I don't have great wet patches close to my body. The trouble with retaining the water in the fabric is that when I stop riding, even with good outer layers, I get chilled... just as I would with cotton (awful to say that to the wool fans, but it's a fact for me).

I have had lightweight jerseys made for Netti in Australia -- nice for warm weather, but even then, they retained the water. I have got thickers ones that I really like by and Italian maker, De Marchi; same issue. I have thin base layers from a reasonable quality department store. Same. I have worn thick woollen pullovers to ride bikes as an outer layer or one under a waterproof, and have been happy with them. And for activities that don't involve moderate physical activity and above, I will pick wool.

But the water retention issue was brought home to me last weekend when I did a 400km randonnee. I wore a base of polypro, an intermediate of polyester (actually, the jersey commemorating the Boston-Montreal-Boston 1200), and an outer of a Ground Effect Storm Trooper jacket from New Zealand, but also during the coldest part of the night, a light polar-fleece jacket bought at Decathlon in France.

The layer against my skin felt remarkably dry throughout the whole 24 hours of the event. I did not feel chilled even when stopped. However, when I took the polar-fleece off at the end, one area was quite wet. This is what I expected, and I first came across polar-fleece's ability to draw water to the outside on an overnight ride when I discovered frost forming on the jacket (my water bottles also froze solid that morning).

Yes, yes, I know that polypro and other synthetics are supposed to stink much more than wool will. I agree, but that is not unmanageable and especially if you have access to borax powder to include the wash.


As an aside, the one wool that I am enthused about is cashmere. I have several beautiful socks that I bought cheap in Canada* and I have taken to wearing them as the skin base layer on my feet, with pure wool socks over the top, then my waterproof Gaerne MTB boots. The cashmere seems to do what ordinary merino and other wool cannot do.

* I seem to collect clothing on our travel. It's one of the real pleasures of fun bits of touring for me to call into LBS and non-LBS retailers to see what they offer that we don't have here in Australia.

And just in case you think I just anti-wool, I spent today working in an old woolshed which is being dismantled by the property's new owner who hates sheep. But the property has a long history of running wool sheep, the last flock being agisted Merinos. I also love the smell of good-quality wool, and I love browsing a shop at Ross, in central Tasmania, that has only woollen products.

Modern merino fabrics (and blends) are well worth considering for outdoor activities in my experience, however one needs to be smart and choose the right product type for the intended use. I have wool jumpers but I wouldn't go riding my bike in them but I do have new replacement Icebreaker tops which were purchased for riding and running and even day to day wear. I expect them to perform as well as my last pair of Icebreaker summer merino tops did when touring and running. I just hope the more the recent blends are more durable.

Anyway Ground Effect in New Zealand do winter cycling jerseys in merino which may be worth considering. They seem to have a good reputation as does most if not all Ground Effect gear.

Another option is something like the Terramar Thermawool Half-Zip which seems to be popular with the folks at Massdrop and is subject to a drop at the moment.

Personally I have a WoolPRO Scout or Agena Merino merino baselayer and I don't feel it rates against my Icebreaker so will be sticking to Icebreaker going forward (at a possible premium mind you) but the Terramar Thermawool Half-Zip may provide a relatively low cost way to get an idea of whether merino is for you.

Was always amazed how polypro would dry near instantly after washing besides being super-soft. My polypro never got smelly. Only major stink problem on a tour was experimenting riding without socks. After 2 hot days it got pretty offensive.

being probably one of the more skinny folks here, I use all kinds of layers depending on the conditions, but I particularly fond of my merino wool long sleeved top with a high neck. Thin wool top that gets used probably more than any of my various layers, all through cold to cool weather riding and cool to cold, so march to may, and sept/oct to dec.

I just happen to like how it works and feels, but use various fleece and polypro stuff on top and in conjunction with.
I guess I just happen to be in the group that finds that if doesnt smell as much as my polypro stuff after days of commuting, so prefer to use it as a base layer (plus it is so tight fitting anyway it really is a base layer only, I just put the other synthetic stuff over it)