Winter base layer
 

Which base layers do you wear in winter?

• Is it always the same type?
• Sleeveless? Or, short / long sleeves?

E.g. You may wear a tank top as a base layer (and add a LS shirt, perhaps). Others may prefer a LS base layer.

I wear a tight fitting wicking t shirt with short sleeves or sleeveless and a long sleeve base layer over that.

Long sleeve merino wool base layer with high collar: wiggle.com | dhb Merino Long Sleeve Zip Neck Base Layer (M_200) | Base Layers
Sometimes together with another short sleeve or sleeveless base layer below it (depends on the weather and what is going on top of the base layer this day).

Under Armor Cold Gear compression mock turtleneck.

I sometimes find them for $10 at the second hand store.

The ones designed for Golf seem to be made of a little softer material.


-Tim-

Same here, lightweight merino wool is the magic material, good in summer or winter: keeps you cool, keeps you warm, does not lose its properties when wet, dries quickly, and not least of all it has anti-skank properties compared to synthetics.

Craft SS or LS, depending.

Good remark. I believe skin contact is important when choosing your master base layer: the right size, a tight fitting (not to loose).

I was wondering how you size your primary and secondary base layer. E.g. Medium and Large, or M and M?

I have 3 types of cold weather baser layers. They're primarily for skiing but I've successfully repurposed them for cycling.

Icebreaker Long sleeve merino
I have 3 of these in 200 weight, one 260 weight (gonna get another soon). As one poster said, this is the magic material. It breathes a bit too well so one needs some wind block.

Under Armor Cold Gear compression mock turtleneck.
Plastic base layers block wind a bit better.

Nike Combat Pro mock turtleneck.
I prefer this to the UA - only slightly though.

Windy days I lean to the plastic (UA or Nike) else I prefer the Icebreaker merino. I'm an Icebreaker fan boy - have a pair of Smartwool long johns and they're fine but not as good as the Icebreaker underwear. If it's close to freezing, I use a Nike or UA ls summer base layer under my Icebreaker 320 weight hoodie (mid layer) and my jacket/gabba goes over that rig.

My all time favorite is the Ibex Woolies 1- sad that they're no longer in business.

My Icebreaker 200g merino top is also okay, as is my Woolx 160g top. The Icebreaker gets a bit of use when it's a bit cooler, but not cool enough for multiple layers of wool. It also gets a bit more use with a mid-layer when it gets very cold, like 0F.

My "mid-layers" for cold weather consist of various merino sweaters that have started to get holes or stains or are otherwise out of the work wear rotation.

My long trips were tours.. 2-97~11-97..

at the base layer a wicking singlet
I had sewn a tunnel pocket on the lower back , to support my money belt..

without tightening the belt,

And Patagonia long sleeve wicking treated poly..
polar fleece, ...

some like wool , I got a Scottish Wool Sweater on that Trip..



...

I choose from one of several depending on the temperature. I like 1/4 to 1/2 zip base shirts with a high neck.
* HH Lifa Active for the fall and winter days warmer than -10C
* UA Base 2.0 1/4 zip for -10 to -20C
* UA Base 4.0 for colder (unfortunately no 1/4 zip option)

I tried a UA Coldgear shirt and absolutely hated it. A 2 layer sponge that saturates and left me freezing. Literally had ice forming on it.

I'm not a fan of merino as an upper body base layer. Certain weaves hold onto a lot of moisture, while others have a clammy greasy feeling.

Love anything Merino

wicking long sleeve t-shirt, a running jacket that is water resistant, polar fleece, wind breaker in the "Victory yellow" color

long sleeve base layer - thermal most likely - tshirt onop of that then maybe even a hoodie.
skull cap under my helmet to protect my bald head :)

REI just had a sale on merino base layers, so I took advantage. Maybe the sale is still on. I got long johns plus a long sleeve t-shirt. The t-shirt is fantastic, though I had to take it off today, as my office is overheated.

Synthetics are plenty comfortable for me but need washing after one to three wearings. With merino, I can wash an item every week or two, without any odor. This makes merino a better value for me.

for tonight's ride I prepped
a poly base w long sleeves & zip up neck. next layer will be a simple long sleeve fleece shirt. outer layer will be a new-to-me Marmott wind stopper jacket
down below will be thin lined trishorts, very thin runners' tights, under Novara headwind pants
feet will have sock liner, hand warmer style chem packs taped over the toes, then thick winter sock inside Columbia winter boots
head plans to have a simple balaclava with open face, Basecamp helmet w clear face shield
gonna try my new PI fingered winter gloves under the barmitts
I'll carry (lighter/thinner) options for hands & head
anyway, that's the plan for 16 miles at 26F, off road thru the woods, but not remote
I wash undergarments that touch my skin after every use: sock liner, trishorts, & long sleeve poly shirt

Chain Reaction wool long sleeve or MEC merino wool heavy weight.

Pearl Izumi Transfer sleeveless, in their Minerale fabric. Discontinued, unfortunately. Best I've worn.

Champion Vapor, long and short sleeves. Pretty much the same fabric used by every decent brand, including my Skora long sleeve hoodie.

And if it's cold enough on a casual ride I still have a soft wool union suit, red, natch. Had it for 30 years, still comfy.

Probably not as fancy as some of the suggestions above—but I got the “warmest” baselayer from Champion (“9” active wear line I think) on sale at Target in the mens’ underwear section. So far, they’ve been great. Compression, moisture wicking, odor resistant, and so far they’re holding up after 15-20 washings. There are 3 tiers, warm, warmer, warmest. I got warmest, long sleeve compression shirt and long compression underwear. I wear with Baleaf cycling pants (!~$30 on Amazon) and a sweatshirt under a wind/waterproof jacket and I’m pretty comfy for 1-2 hrs in 15-30 degrees. The Champion baselayer pieces range from 16.99 - 20.99 USD at Target. :thumb:

Oh — forgot to mention, weird but also, “Tesla” (search Amazon for baselayers, no idea if this is actually a division of the car company or something totally different from another country) has a thermal baselayer shirt and pants too, which is pretty good (I’d say almost as good as Champion) but is thinner, and I don’t think as warm. But they’re half the price, so maybe worth it if “winter” where you are ranges from 25-40 degrees F. They’re 9.99 USD each I think, or around there.

I own probably a dozen winter base layers, mostly of different designs/materials.
(Though I do have three identical Ibex 150 merino wool base layers and two identical Early Winters Furnace Shirts.)
The only thing that's the "same" about all of them is that they're long sleeve.

...which doesn't mean that I don't sometimes wear a short sleeve base layer in winter. But that's rare.

I've been layering multiple thin or medium base layers. I get synthetic ones from REI. I'll often have two base layers with a short sleeve jersey on top.

My PI convertible jacket, with zip off sleeves, is very breathable and has a huge vent across the back -- so if I unzip part way, I get lots of ventilation on climbs. This is workable down to almost 30F, but I don't like riding when it's that cold. It's perfect for mid to upper 40s.

The short sleeve jersey and two base layers without the jacket is great for warmer days in the 50s. Each base doesn't block wind, but the layering makes the set work quite well. This is warm and very breathable, and I like the flexibility of multiple layers.

plus 100 for Merino wool being a majick material. Collared mens merino shirts can be had for a couple bucks at your local thrift store. They look very handsome/dress down nicely-- unlike a lot of synthetic stuff. They don't stink (again, unlike synthetic), have superb wicking properties, and stay warm even when they're soaked (not that your base layer would be soaked...).

Something about being covered head to toe in plastic is kinda disconcerting to me. Wool or bust.

I got a merino wool mesh baselayer this morning, and wore it on a rode this afternoon.

this one: https://us-nordiclife.glopalstore.com/collections/mens-base-layers/products/brynje-super-thermo-shirt-with-inlay

I am happy to report that it works as advertised.

https://sectionhiker.com/brynje-wool-thermo-base-layers-review/

https://www.bikeradar.com/us/gear/category/clothing/undershirts-and-base-layers/product/brynje-super-thermo-baselayer-review-51910/

Port company essential mock turtleneck - pc61m

I use it as a base layer, quite comfortable it cost me $11.62 from bell streetwear.

Absolutely. I love my merino! I am gradually switching all of my socks, summer and winter, to Smartwool or similar; no blisters! Synthetic or cotton blend socks make my feet very unhappy. And for body garments, merino is the best because it's warm, comfy, and does not get stinky.