base layer tops

[Andy Wiggans]

Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
she stops.

Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
for about a tenner.

andy

 

[Dave]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.
>
> andy
>
>
TK Max always have good cheap 'labelled' stuff. My current base layer is Adidas 'Climalite' short
sleeved football tops, work great, cost a tenner hope that helps, Dave.

 

[Graham]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.
>
> andy
>
>

Not cheap really but probably good quality and better in the long run !

http://www.prendas.co.uk/detailstype.asp?typ_ID=22

Graham

 

[Steve Palincsar]

On Mon, 27 Jan 2003 13:30:42 -0500, andy wiggans wrote:

> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.

I've had immense success this year with polypro base layers (not cheap at about $30 US each, but
definitely worth the money) with lightweight wool long-sleeve Ts on top. You may be able to find the
light wool Ts at a discount: I bought two from Sierra Trading Post, allegedly seconds, but if there
are flaws they're beyond my ability to find them, for $9.95 each. They're Canadian. So are the ones
Rivendell sells - perhaps they all come from Canada.

I realize these are US prices and US suppliers, and I apologize for the lack of direct help. But I
can hardly stop raving about how great those lightweight wool longsleeve Ts are. On cold days I've
used two of them, and have been prepared to wear the 3rd as well, but haven't needed them.

Cotton should be totally out of the question. If it gets cold enough, cotton could be downright
lethal. It doesn't take long for hypothermia to bring a person down. I've seen it first hand on a
bicycle ride. We got soaked due to a sudden downpour as the temps dropped from the mid 40s down to
the mid 30s - 2 miles from the ferry dock. One woman was so far gone in hypothermia by the time
she got to the ferry she was no longer able to speak coherently, did not recognize her husband,
and violently fought off all attempts to help her. Wool and polypro both can keep you warm when
they're wet.

 

[Just Zis Guy]

On Mon, 27 Jan 2003 18:30:42 -0000, "andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops?

Plan A is to buy last year's team colours from the clearance bin; plan B is to go for plain vanilla
stuff - I have a Sub Zero brand Tactel long-sleeve undershirt in plain blue which is exceptional, it
cost I think about £15 (my wife bought it for me) but that was also in a sale.

Guy
===
** WARNING ** This posting may contain traces of irony. http://www.chapmancentral.com (BT ADSL and
dynamic DNS permitting)
NOTE: BT Openworld have now blocked port 25 (without notice), so old mail addresses may no longer
work. Apologies.

 

[Phil Bixby]

I've been using Gill baselayer tops and they wick like nobody's business - Wiggle are doing them
for £15.99.

Phil Bixby York, UK

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.
>
> andy

 

[The Baker-Beall]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.
>
> andy
>
I 've got various thermals, HH, Rohan, Polaris, sub-4 and also a Regatta
one. I wouldn't say the Regatta is the best (HH or Rohan... can't decide)
but it's miles better than cotton, is a ladies fit , a reasonable colour and
looks ok worn on its own. IMHO It does a good job for a reasonable price

Julia

 

[Dave]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.
>
> andy

Helly Hansen 'Lifa' vests. Dunno if they still sell them, mine are years old and still going
strong

Dave.

 

[James Annan]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.

For us, value = price/use and by that metric the Lowe Alpine thermal layers come out top. Polypro is
cheaper but is a bit less comfortable and much smellier in our experience (I think the `smelly
helly' effect is well known although it reacts to different people in different ways). Some of our
LA tops must be approaching 10 years old and they get worn just about every day.

James

 

[James Annan]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.

For us, value = price/use and by that metric the Lowe Alpine thermal layers come out top. Polypro is
cheaper but is a bit less comfortable and much smellier in our experience (I think the `smelly
helly' effect is well known although it reacts to different people in different ways). Some of our
LA tops must be approaching 10 years old and they get worn just about every day.

James

 

[Myra Vaninwegen]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.

If you want cheap, head into your nearest outdoor shop and get North Cape Coolmax tops.

But this is really not what I would recommend. While these North Cape tops are OK when new, pretty
rapidly they start to pill and then you're stuck with something that can *only* be used as a base
layer cos they look so awful. Instead, I recommend Lowe Alpine DryFlo tops. They are very nice
looking when new, as they have a nice textured look to the cloth that I really like. And more
importantly they stay nice looking, so you're willing to wear them just as plain T-shirts, while
walking and such. They also make excellent travelwear, because they are so light, take up so little
space in your bag, and don't crease. They are also available in a woman's cut, but I buy the men's
version because I find women's tops tend to be a bit short in a arm and torso. However your lady may
prefer the women's cut!

So my advice is to spend a bit more for the Mrs and get her something she'll appreciate in lots of
situations for many years to come.

-Myra

 

[Myra Vaninwegen]

"andy wiggans" <[email protected]> wrote
> Anyone have any tips for dead cheap 'wicking' t-shirts and long sleeved tops? I've got loads from
> running and climbing, but Mrs Andy is still cycling in cotton - and suffering chilly-fits when
> she stops.
>
> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
> for about a tenner.

If you want cheap, head into your nearest outdoor shop and get North Cape Coolmax tops.

But this is really not what I would recommend. While these North Cape tops are OK when new, pretty
rapidly they start to pill and then you're stuck with something that can *only* be used as a base
layer cos they look so awful. Instead, I recommend Lowe Alpine DryFlo tops. They are very nice
looking when new, as they have a nice textured look to the cloth that I really like. And more
importantly they stay nice looking, so you're willing to wear them just as plain T-shirts, while
walking and such. They also make excellent travelwear, because they are so light, take up so little
space in your bag, and don't crease. They are also available in a woman's cut, but I buy the men's
version because I find women's tops tend to be a bit short in a arm and torso. However your lady may
prefer the women's cut!

So my advice is to spend a bit more for the Mrs and get her something she'll appreciate in lots of
situations for many years to come.

-Myra

 

[Terry]

> I realize these are US prices and US suppliers, and I apologize for the lack of direct help. But I
> can hardly stop raving about how great those lightweight wool longsleeve Ts are.

I live near the smedley shop in derbyshire and got some thin soft wool LS T's some years ago.I
absolutely agree they are the best.Problem is they don't wear owell and need careful washing and if
you pay full price they must be expensive. mine were tests and rejects from a bargain bin and some
are now more hole than shirt. TerryJ

 

[Terry]

> I realize these are US prices and US suppliers, and I apologize for the lack of direct help. But I
> can hardly stop raving about how great those lightweight wool longsleeve Ts are.

I live near the smedley shop in derbyshire and got some thin soft wool LS T's some years ago.I
absolutely agree they are the best.Problem is they don't wear owell and need careful washing and if
you pay full price they must be expensive. mine were tests and rejects from a bargain bin and some
are now more hole than shirt. TerryJ

 

[Arthur Clune]

andy wiggans <[email protected]> wrote:

: Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
: for about a tenner.

M&S own brand termals. About 7 quid for a short-sleeve top. Excellent.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune http://www.clune.org Power is delightful. Absolute power is absolutely delightful -
Lord Lester

 

[Peter Clinch]

Myra VanInwegen wrote:

> But this is really not what I would recommend. While these North Cape tops are OK when new, pretty
> rapidly they start to pill and then you're stuck with something that can *only* be used as a base
> layer cos they look so awful. Instead, I recommend Lowe Alpine DryFlo tops.

<snip>

I like those too. But I also own (and use) various others which are just as smart, functional and
comfy. So have a look at, for example, the various offerings from Sub Zero, Berghaus, Mountain
Equipment, Patagonia, Paramo etc. and try them on for comfort against your skin and comfort from
shape: they're all a little different in both respects (yesterday's ride I was in a Paramo
reversible shirt, which I think is wondrous, someone else I know found a test sample rather itchy
and sent it back: everyone gets on differently with different stuff).

One thing to look carefully at is back length: I find, for example, on my back and on an upright
bike with a crouching riding position, that my Lowe top could do with being a bit longer (my Sub
Zero one works better there). My back may be longer relative to my size for Lowe than a notional
other wearer, of course, but this is a good reason to try stuff on rather than choosing from a
picture in a catalogue.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email protected]
http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

 

[Ambrose Nankive]

Arthur Clune wrote:
> andy wiggans <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Any good/cheap deals? I've seen regatta tops (which aren't the best, but I'm sure they'll 'work')
>> for about a tenner.
>
> M&S own brand termals. About 7 quid for a short-sleeve top. Excellent.

Don't suppose you could have a peep on the label and see where they're made, could you? I need
something non-cotton, and would much rather it came from somewhere where reasonable working
conditions can be assumed. M&S are normally pretty good at this, but they have got worse recently.

A

 

[Pete Biggs]

Peter Clinch wrote:
> One thing to look carefully at is back length: I find, for example, on my back and on an upright
> bike with a crouching riding position, that my Lowe top could do with being a bit longer (my Sub
> Zero one works better there). My back may be longer relative to my size for Lowe than a notional
> other wearer, of course, but this is a good reason to try stuff on rather than choosing from a
> picture in a catalogue.

...Also a good reason to opt for clothing specifically designed for cycling as it tends to be cut
longer at the back, eg............

I recommend Parrot base layers. Thin "Aquaduct" polyester material - dries very quicklly, and won't
cause overheating like some thicker and tighter garments can. If need more warmth, best to keep
adding layers on top rather than using a warmer base layer. Long-sleeve versions have exceptionally
long sleeves - which I like (to keep wrists covered), but may be too long for some.
http://www.parrot-online.com/ - not cheap but last years. Can be returned for a refund/replacement
if don't like.

I'm also very pleased with the Briko undervest I bought. Can't remember what it's called exactly,
but it's a traditional sleeveless string vest design but made from Coolmax. Great for spring and
autumn (and summer nights) when it's too warm for a normal base layer but still cool enough to want
something under a jersey.

~PB

 

[Andy]

"Pete Biggs" <pLime{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I recommend Parrot base layers. Thin "Aquaduct" polyester material - dries very quicklly, and
> won't cause overheating like some thicker and tighter garments can. If need more warmth, best to
> keep adding layers on top rather than using a warmer base layer. Long-sleeve versions have
> exceptionally long sleeves - which I like (to keep wrists covered), but may be too long for some.
> http://www.parrot-online.com/ - not cheap but last years. Can be returned for a refund/replacement
> if don't like.
>
> I'm also very pleased with the Briko undervest I bought. Can't remember what it's called exactly,
> but it's a traditional sleeveless string vest design but made from Coolmax. Great for spring and
> autumn (and summer nights) when it's too warm for a normal base layer but still cool enough to
> want something under a jersey.
>
> ~PB
>
Personally I found Parrot's aquaduct base layers uncomfortable, particularly prone to odours after
just one outing and generally **** compared to stuff from the various "outdoorsy" manufacturers that
I wear for hillwalking & backpacking which I can happily wear (& sleep in) daily for a week.

However, I tried (unsuccessfully) to find one in a more noticeable, high visibility yellow for road
biking the other day. I didn't expect to find a Lowe Alpine or Berghaus one but I was surprised not
to find any in the bike shops. Anyone know of any? Perhaps running shops do them.

What's Parrot's transpire fabric like compared to aquaduct?

 

[Chris French]

In message <[email protected]>, Pete Biggs
<pLime{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> writes
>Andy wrote:
>
>> and generally **** compared to stuff from the various "outdoorsy" manufacturers that I wear for
>> hillwalking & backpacking which I can happily wear (& sleep
>> in) daily for a week.
>
>Are they as thin and slim, and long enough at the back & sleeves?
>

Mostly the ones I have are yes, I think they are wise to the fact that people sue them for various
activities. Though I do have an old (>10 years) Berghaus top that has rather short arms.

>> However, I tried (unsuccessfully) to find one in a more noticeable, high visibility yellow for
>> road biking the other day. I didn't expect to find a Lowe Alpine or Berghaus one but I was
>> surprised not to find any in the bike shops. Anyone know of any? Perhaps running shops do them.
>
>I think that's because bike shops expect you to wear more than just a base layer for cycling - like
>a jersey (on it's own or on top of base layer).
>
I don't generally use cycling jerseys - I have one short sleeved one. I don't normally use the rear
pockets and find no other benefits for me in using them compared to plain base layers. I normally
have at least a windproof over the top in cool weather anyway, though in warmer weather I use a base
layer T shirt as my normal cycling wear
--
Chris French, Leeds