[Closed] Sweat.. Clothes, I think I need to start thinking about buying some proper gear.

IME it's an impossible mission, gave up years ago, I just accept that I sweat and there is no material in the world that will make a jacket breathable enough for riding in the West of Scotland - 15 degrees and pissing wet. A good, tight baselayer and a softshell jacket sees me through most days weather.

Cotton-T + not very breathable jacket = horrible sweaty mess, there's no way around it.

perhaps look to change my T shirts to some cycling specific gear that “wicks” better, and a better jacket that’s more breathable.

This is the (only) way to solve it. Wicking t-shirts can be had v.cheaply, you don't need anything that cycling specific unless you want the pockets on the back etc. Even so, no need to spend loads of money, the ones in Lidl and Aldi are great when they have them, or Halfords, Decathlon, Go Outdoors. Mountain Warehouse etc all have cheap, decent, stuff.

A decent breathable jacket is going to cost a bit though, you're probably looking at around £100 (rrp, you may find stuff reduced). This is wear I would look for something more cycling-specific, as they tend to be cut different to suit a cycling position (shorter front, longer back, longer arms)

It's worth saying that you won't be dry as a bone, you'll be 'comfortably warm and humid'.

Any kind of wicking t-shirt / jersey will help, cotton is an absolute bugger for hanging on to moisture. You need to spend an absolute fortune to get a jacket that's breathable and waterproof (the two don't really go well together) so tbh I wouldn't bother - I find on most rides a non-lined softshell (or a gilet) is plenty once you've warmed up. If it's pissing down then you may have to go with the dull waterproof.

Remember, you want to start your ride feeling cold - if you start off warm you're only gonna get hotter!

The most important thing is a synthetic base layer that wicks. Some are better than others, the best I’ve found are the hilarious looking Brynje mesh ones but you can’t wear them without something else on top.

Avoid wearing waterproofs unless it’s raining hard. Either be cold when you start or drop a layer once you’ve warmed up. Minimise sweat and wear a base layer that moves it from the skin and doesn’t soak it up and cause chilling when you stop and all will be a thousand times better than biking in cotton T-shirts.

cotton is notoriously awful for getting wet and staying wet - get an undershirt made from proper technical fabric. Doesn't have to be expensive though - Mountain Warehouse always have a sale on, Decathlon make technical fabric t-shirts at a good price point, even Sports Direct. Certainly less than a tenner will be way better than a cotton T

Once you have something that won't hold the wet close to your skin, you'll instantly feel more comfortable.  I'd then maybe look at a showerproof technical outer - I've used this recently after a recommendation on here* and it's been great for under £30

https://www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk/Windshear-Windproof-Road-Cycling-Jacket-p/pol01-6146-p.htm

* I had the Endura equivalent before but it got too big for me so sold on and got the Polaris, and i can't really tell the difference. Windproof front helps to keep cold chills off, fabric is showerproof, will do you for most of Autumn / Winter / Spring and then get either a second (warmer) undershirt for very cold or keep your waterproof for over the top as another layer.

Go to decathlon. They do a proper cycling jersey with pockets for £5.99.

In a  nutshell:

Baselayers

Cotton is rubbish, it absorbs water and wont let it go, it's then heavy and cold and rubs and generally horrible to be in.

Lycra absorbs water but allows it to evaporate, this is what's meant by wicking. These are marketed as summer base layers, and it's what cycling kit is usually made from.

Polypropylene (and similar materials) tends to not absorb water (hydrophobic) so they don't wick, but unlike lycra don't get wet with sweat either.  The sweat sits on your skin and evaporate as normal, breathing through the layers. These are marketed as winter base layers.

Merino is nice and soft, but sits somewhere between cotton, lycra and polypropylene, it;s fine upto a point when sweating, but will eventually become wet at which point it is not doing much to keep you warm (its reputation is based o being better than cotton IME, not better than anything else).

Mid layers

Kinda less important, they usually just need to add insulation as required, so either cycling jerseys or more base layers, or a fleece if its really cold.  Windproof ones work really well as a 'dry but cold' option for spring/autumn.

Outer

A thin/breathable showerproof outer shell is brilliant at this time of year, it keeps 99% of the rain out, they breath fantastically, weigh nothing and prevent windchill.  Most of my off road riding at the moment is usually a winter base layer, short sleeve jersey on top and a thin jacket.  The best bit is they're also really cheap. More expensive 'waterproof' jackets are generally less breathable (but are also waterproof if you're heading out for a full day of riding in the rain). I've got both but the 'waterproof' only comes out when it's properly miserable or cold.

Waterproof shorts are brilliant (altura attack, and maddison do some good value ones too).

Extremities

Keep your hands and feet warm and dry, if your hands and feet are cold then no amount of layers will make you happy.  Keep your forearms and shins warm, if the blood supply to your extremities is getting cold before it gets there you will get cold hands and feet regardless of your gloves/shoes. £150 on winter shoes is a lot of £££, but it's by far the best value kit you'll ever buy if you actually want to ride all year round.

Put a buff round your neck and/or over your head.  The statistic that 90% of heat loss is through your head is mostly because people don't wear a hat.  And if your head is cold your body will act like it's cold and start restricting blood to the extremities (see point above), if you want warm feet, wear a hat.

And don'f forget it's supposed to be fun, if riding in the rain for 3 hours will kill your riding mojo for the next 3 weeks then sack it off and go out tomorrow.

Just don't wear a waterproof as much as possible.

I have cheap Tog24 running windproof with removable arms and mesh panel down sides. Brilliant kit unless properly raining, arms off as soon as I can.

Running baselayers are as good as posh cycling kit at wicking. I prefer long sleeve and zip if I can.

thisisnotaspoon - 'Polypropylene (and similar materials) tends to not absorb water (hydrophobic) so they don’t wick, but unlike lycra don’t get wet with sweat either.  The sweat sits on your skin and evaporate as normal, breathing through the layers. These are marketed as winter base layers'.

The above statement is not quite right. Polypropylene, polyester and nylon are naturally hydrophobic (repel water) as opposed to cotton which is hydrophilic (absorbs water). What you don't seem to be explaining though is the difference between 'absorbing' sweat and 'wicking' sweat.

As cotton is hydrophilic it will absorb sweat and hold onto it. That then stops any 'breathabilty' in your layering system. Which means you'll be uncomfortable while riding and become freezing cold when you stop as the water draws away body heat.

A well made synthetic baselayer will be woven in a way so that the weave next to the skin is tighter than the weave on the outside. The sweat will be forced through capillary action from the tight weave next to the skin to the more open weave on the outside thus spreading your sweat on the surface of the baselayer and inhibiting it going backwards towards the skin.

Basically what TINAS said...

Decathlon kit FTW in terms of VFM and sensible fit, in winter/Autumn/Early spring I use their Ski base layers for cycling they're a comfy, close fit with long enough sleeves to actually cover your whole arms and able to carry moisture away from your body.

Also look for other bits to supplement layers; Gilets if you need to keep the wind/light rain off your torso without overheating, arm/knee/leg warmers if you want to keep your limbs warm but suspect the weather might improve later in your ride, jackets with pit-zips or removable arms, Buffs for your noggin. All stuff that can be removed if necessary and is compact and light enough to stuff in a jersey pocket.

I will say this, I find most of the ALDI/LIDL special buy stuff is cheap, over insulated sweat inducing kit, that seems to be a very specific "Bavarian cut" if you are 6' 7", partial to a Bratwurst or three and wash each meal down with two litres of Pilsner, it probably fits like a glove. Otherwise Decathlon/DHB cycling kit seems to fit the standard British MAMIL and weekend trail warrior much better IME.

I do  like their winter gloves (in winter, too Sweaty above 0*C) and the odd pair of their cycling socks but I gave up on most ALDI kit a while back, although I still use one of their hi-vis water proof jackets with the sleeves hacked off as a sort of waterproof gilet.

Best bet is to read the forecast and plan ahead a little with adaptable layers.

What you don’t seem to be explaining though is the difference between ‘absorbing’ sweat and ‘wicking’ sweat

I tried explaining this the other day and he didn't listen 🙂

Anyway re the OP - as above - get a base layer, my favourite ones are from Mountain Warehouse £10 or sometimes £6 on sale.  As for waterproofs - avoid unless it's properly raining hard.  Just go with windproof.

The above statement is not quite right. Polypropylene, polyester and nylon are naturally hydrophobic (repel water) as opposed to cotton which is hydrophilic (absorbs water). What you don’t seem to be explaining though is the difference between ‘absorbing’ sweat and ‘wicking’ sweat.

Wicking (sweat) is a hydrophilic property. You sweat, the material absorbs it, and the sweat evaporates, keeping you cool.

Hydrophobic fabrics don't wick. Which is great in winter when you sweat less, and don't want them to be wet when you stop. If you wear a lycra top in winter it will actually cool you down.

Simple test, throw all your kit in the washing machines for a wash and spin cycle.  A good winter base layer will come almost wearable dry, lycra tops come out damp, cotton t-shirts come out soaking wet.

For the sake of clarity I'd use absorb synonymous with wicking when talking about base layers. A wicking fabric absorbs sweat off your skin and increases your surface area to help it evaporate (via all the millions of little bits of thread covered in moisture). That's why lycra, cotton and merino feel cold when you stop.

[edit to cover your point about the tighter/looser weave] I agree, but fundamentally it's the properties of the material that get the whole process started. You can make a lycra top wick even better, and you can make a polypropylene top wick a bit more than another one but the fundamentals are the same, one is intended to absorb moisture and let it evaporate to cool you down, the other is intended to keep you warm and shed any water.

I tried explaining this the other day and he didn’t listen

I did, I just don't agree with you.

Have a look on www.polaris-bikewear.co.uk they usually have a bunch of cycling specific stuff in clearance, lots of sizes.

The most important thing is a synthetic base layer that wicks. Some are better than others, the best I’ve found are the hilarious looking Brynje mesh ones but you can’t wear them without something else on top.

I don't know I think in the right club with the black  version you'd fit right in 🙂

They are really good and you can wear another base layer over the top to good effect when it's very cold. I did find I needed to size up to get the fit across the shoulders but I'd recommend doing that for cycling anyway as they are not as long in the body as cycling specific base layers.

Another vote for Mountain Warehouse tops. I have a drawer full of various materials and variants .

I do prefer a mid layer with a zip and loose sleeves so i  can adjust the coverage and warmth.

I seldom wear more than a base and a mid layer as I run (cycle) warm.

Thanks for the feedback.  I'll check out your suggestions and let you know how I get on ☺️

Back in my student days (And a few years after) I found that a tech T and a 100 weight half zip fleece would keep me warm and dryish on pretty much anything short of proper rain. The fleece also helped in isolating the splash off the back wheel a bit. If I got a bit warm I just pushed the sleeves up and dropped the zip.