I have many normal base layers that I wear all the time, but I want something warmer but still skin tight so I can wear it in its own under my Endura FS260 in cold ish weather and still just have 2 layers on.
Suggestions?
Assos Deep Winter 4/4. Don’t pay full price.
Budget? I like Patagonia capeline thermal weight.
quite like the look of the 7mesh gryphon as well.
Spatz, very warm
Budget = as little as possible. My favourite of the normal base layers that I've used (and I've used many) are the Mountain Warehouse ones that I got for £6 on sale.
Not Assos then. Sorry
My favourite winter ones are a Craft Warm Intensity and the Helly Hansen Lifa Merino ones.
This - https://www.wiggle.co.uk/fohn-merino-long-sleeve-zip-baselayer-250
Even on the coldest winter day it's all I need under my Castelli Alpha Ros2
I just wear two baselayers.
Craft Extreme are the absolute business. They're so warm. Not mega dear either and the ones with the windproof front are excellent for mtbing with just a jersey over it in early spring.
I don’t generally like thicker base layers, they don’t wick as well as having two thinner ones (I tend to do short sleeve over long sleeve).
However when it’s cold and dark and people aren’t likely to see it I do wear one of those brilliant but fetishwear Brynje tops - blows all other base layers away whilst making a cycling mankini look sensible.
Thick baselayers are warmer than thin ones, but they also hold onto more moisture. You really want your baselayer wicking sweat away from you.
Although some of the more specialist baselayers can be grid type structures that have less material against your skin
Best winter baselayer is a Brynje super thermo. Looks bad, works good
I use Canterbury cold baselayers, can often be found cheap on sportpursuit/Google
Seriously, Decathlon ski base layers. Snug enough, warm enough, cheap enough.
I use a Brynje artic shirt, polypropylene mesh with a wool bonded to the top of it.
quite like the look of the 7mesh gryphon as well.
the gryphon is good and warm. i wore mine yesterday in 0°-2° under a light jersey with a wind proof front and it was near perfect.
I have a Fohn as mentioned above and a DHB merino. Both a bit thicker than normal baselayers but go OK under a Gabba or Perfetto.
One base layer, just change the top layer to suit.
Gone are the days where I'd wear 4 tops to keep warm. Thank god for technical layer.
The Under Armour Cold Gear compression base layers are amazingly warm.
They can be had for 30-40 quid online.
I'm really interested again about these two layers only / thicker softshell & windproof front approach to cycling.
I find that it I go the fewer layers, I just can't adjust between uphill and down. Sure it's fine for undulating roads, but we've some longer climbs locally and I just roast. This of course with windproof winter bibs and baselayer(s) as needed.
I nearly bought an FS260 Jetstream, but I'm nervous of this issue so chickened out.
so I can wear it in its own under my Endura FS260 in cold ish weather
I've got one of those (might have recommended to you in a thread last year).
When it's cold, I wear my Rapha deep winter merino baselayer underneath. That's good for as cold as I want to go on a road bike TBH - any colder and the roads could be icy.
They are a bit pricey (mine was 50% off in the sale obvs), but other merino baselayers would do a similar job, I just like the turtleneck on the Rapha one.
I don't often wear merino on the bike, but it seems to go well with that jersey. Possibly because it vents very well.
Although some of the more specialist baselayers can be grid type structures that have less material against your skin
This is what I've gravitated towards. Down to about 5°C I use normal baselayers either Merino or the various flavours of silver/no silver non smelly plus a Gabba or Sportful Fiandre if it's a wet ride.
Below ~5°C I use gridded. Polartec started this (IIRC) with their Powergrid. I've a couple of tops in Powergrid and a couple of Rab's equivalent in their fabric. They're much cheaper and I can't tell the difference. The fabric is very soft but not very windproof so you'll need a Gabba or Pertex windproof.
Don't be put off by them being described as 'lightweight fleeces'. They're not, more 'heavyweight baselayers'.
+1 for Underarmour cold gear base layers, they tend to whiff a bit after a while but for working hard in very cold weather they're great.
For less intense or 'all day' use the Howies Merino long sleeve jobbies are excellent.
Another vote for the Brynje here with another thin base layer on top if it's cold. It never feels like you have anything damp against your skin. The only slight downside to it I've found is the cheese grater effect while sliding down an icy road into a drainage ditch. 🙂
Brynje mesh with a thinner baselayer tee layered over the top when it's really cold. I find merino comfortable at low intensity but soggy when sweaty. Merino/polyester mixes are an okay compromise. I have some thicker Arc'teryx baselayers I use for winter mountaineering, but on the bike the Brynje mesh stuff works better. If it's really, really cold, I've used a Polartec Alpha gilet as an additional midlayer.
Budget = as little as possible. My favourite of the normal base layers that I’ve used (and I’ve used many) are the Mountain Warehouse ones that I got for £6 on sale.
In that case, either layer two together, maybe tee over long sleeve to reduce arm bulk, or go to your fave budget outdoor retailer and buy one of their budget heavier-weight tops.
I also use a Canterbury thermal base layer. I only use it when there is frost about because it is very warm and I don't have problems with lack of sweat wicking.
Brynje with a baselayer over it works well for me; seems to keep me warm but not overheat if I'm working hard.
But it doesn't meet the budget price criterion.
I have a Montane Allez top which I use as a light mid layer but it would work well as a warm baselayer. Uses the grid type material mentioned above.
