[Closed] Toasty base layers what's favourite?

Decathlon. As good as anything I've used.

I've had a Berghaus Argentium base layer ..short sleeve for at least 10 years..not bike specific ..but silky smooth against my gorilla like body ..couldnt tell you if they still make them though ..
Edit ..it would appear that they do ..and sensibly priced
http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/Berghaus_Mens_Tech_Tee_SS_Crew_Neck_Top/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR&currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=181133&SelectedItem=657685&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnOzSBRDGARIsAL-mUB2GENC32XM77Rej2ryhyws16Q6lSNcmJnvnCM22Q3j9sAfJfwZnhuUaAtJwEALw_wcB

BAM tops/base layers.
Bamboo based fabric, very soft and comfortable, wick well, and after 2 winters use are yet to get that ingrained sweaty smell.

icebreaker here. i get proper cold nowadays.

used to be helly hanson.

My favourite is the Helly Hansen I've had for about 10 years 😆

[url= http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/helly_hansen_stripe_crew/?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=directory&utm_content=GBR&currency=GBP&country=GBR&SelectedBundle=132812&SelectedItem=539761&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnOzSBRDGARIsAL-mUB1MjB8byhuDw7H8QSKAujO8ztS3REDSvljxhjrx9KNF-3IuXVtcfVAaAoWEEALw_wcB ]Helly Hansen base layer[/url]

Decathlon merino long arm base layer from mountaineering section.

downhillfast - Member

My favourite is the Helly Hansen I've had for about 10 years

Helly Hansen base layer

my absolute favs remain my 3 truly ancient Howies merino jobbies but if you must avoid wool then under armour Coldgear baselayers are very toasty and wick well.

Helly Hansen Warm hybrid merino/synthetic for best warmth balance.

I bought a Craft Active Extreme 2.0 for cold days (<5’C). To be honest, it’s not quite warm enough. So have moved back to a cheap merino one from TK Max.

I really like the endura ba ba merino tops for 0-10 degrees. Also have a helly Hansen merino mix that is too hot for me above 2or3degrees !

Odlo. Fabulous when it’s cold.

Mountain Warehouse have synthetic base layers for £10. Bit warmer than a Helly Hansen Dry anyway.
https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/mens/base-layers/mens-thermal-tops/talus-ls-zip-neck-top-p13066.aspx/unboxed%20black/

HH hum to high heaven. Really really bad.
Merino is what you want, DHB or (spits) On One.

I've got some Odlo ones from a few years ago that are ace. By far the best I've used and I've got a lot of base layers.

Merino is what you want

Did you and all the other recommending merino not read the op? "I don't get on with Merino so that's out"

Merino is fine until you start to sweat or get wet.

There’s differing quality of merino though? Scratchy stuff at the cheaper end possibly?

Why don't you 'get on' with Merino?

I've tried the expensive ones and the cheap ones and they're all the same with regards to managing sweat. They just soak it up and take forever to dry. If you're a sweaty bugger or use it in wet conditions then I think synthetic is much better.

I have an Endura BaaBaa which is about 5 years old, it's been a great bit of kit.

I'm still using a Nike pro combat long sleeve compression base layer that I've had about 10 years - just keeps going / washes ok / warm enough without being too warm.

Around November sort of time I got an under armour compression base layer that's a little bit thicker than the nike one. It's not quite as fitted but I still like that one too.

Both wick ok and dry quickly.

I reckon the problem with non-merino base layers is that they don’t have the same thickness (hence insulation). That’s my theory based on the handful of base layers in my drawer.

Does a merino mix give the best of both worlds?

I'm the same with Merino, only use it for nice snuggliness in cold camps/bothies, just don't find it good enough for highly active work.

My favourite baselayers are old Patagonia Capilene tops and bottoms which I was lucky enough to buy as ex-samples at bugger all price. Ten years later and they're still wicking well, keeping the heat when needed, and non-smelly. Sadly they don't use the same fabric now, but I would imagine they're still really really good. But expensive!

My next favourites are Alpkit Laika. Nice and warm, and very hardwearing, though they don't wick quite as quickly as the Patagucci, and take a bit longer to dry. Cut and fit is excellent, especially the arms.

I have numerous Decathlon wicking T's, all excellent value, and one long sleeve one which is good for really active stuff but not as warm as the others.

I had an Odlo top, don't know where its gone, but it was good.

Super Natural t shirts for me.

Blend of merino an polyester which makes it a tad more hard wearing than merino
but still doesn’t smell.

I have an Endura Ba Ba..which I've worn a few times only ..cant stand it as it's too " itchy" ...maybe something to do with too much body hair..?

Spin - Member
I've tried the expensive ones and the cheap ones and they're all the same with regards to managing sweat. They just soak it up and take forever to dry. If you're a sweaty bugger or use it in wet conditions then I think synthetic is much better.

Listen to us, we know what we are talking about. Your synthetics will do exactly the same but stink. You'll be able to use your Merino day after day without washing so the environment wins. It's a no brainer! Come on in, the water is lovely and warm. And it doesn't smell.

I also find Merino simply doesn't last, it ends up with holes in it, is it just me and a moth infested flat or something (never seen moths and they don't eat my other wool stuff!). My synthetics last for many years. They don't stink if you buy the stuff with some sort of pong inhibitor in it (silver, bamboo etc).

The [url= https://www.nordiclife.co.uk/collections/brynje ]Brynje of Norway[/url] mesh stuff is brilliant - okay, it looks and works like an old school string vest, but it's deceptively warm in use, wicks and dries super fast and, if you need to vent, to lose heat, it dumps warmth really quickly. It has the downside that you can't really strip down in the pub or caff without looking like a Right Said Fred wannabe, but functionally it's brilliant.

Personally I find merino just gets soggy. Rab's polyester/merino mix is a decent compromise and the Arc'teryx synthetic ones perform really well but do end up gradually losing their odour resistance ime.

If I want extra warmth under a shell these days, I just use a very light fleece mid-layer. Haglofs did a LIM one that weighs nowt, but adds enough insulation for me when it gets really cold. Packs super small too.

Wore super cheap Aldi one on Saturday which was fine but I'm pretty hot!

Merino is useless once it's damp. It holds on to moisture too much and also takes ages to dry. If you exercise with it then stop for a while in chilly conditions you will freeze. I'm happy with merino Tees for casual wear, not for sports.

Some of the merino/synthetic mixes are good. I still have a Ground Effect Submerino in use that must be 10 years old.

Those suggesting all synthetic tops get smelly must be living in the 90s. And trust me - merino wearers can stink just as badly 🙂

How very dare you!

Patagonia capilene . Too expensive at list but is often available in sales although often in weird colours. It's the one baselayer that doesn't give me soggy back syndrome.
It does last- I have a long sleeve Cap 2 that is fifteen years old and is still fine despite being worn 2-3 times a week for about six months of the year

Rab Powerstretch for sub zero conditions. I've got a ton of base layers, and this one is my favourite for proper winter conditions.

Merino sucks for high energy or wet stuff. It's rotten, terrible, ineffective. I've got / had all manner from the cheap Aldi to expensive icebreaker stuff. It's nice for stuff that's not very sweaty or wet.

Merino sucks for high energy or wet stuff. It's rotten, terrible, ineffective. I've got / had all manner from the cheap Aldi to expensive icebreaker stuff. It's nice for stuff that's not very sweaty or wet.

+1

Craft synthetic here. Beats merino in every way involving exercise.

The Brynje of Norway mesh stuff is brilliant - okay, it looks and works like an old school string vest, but it's deceptively warm in use, wicks and dries super fast and, if you need to vent, to lose heat, it dumps warmth really quickly. It has the downside that you can't really strip down in the pub or caff without looking like a Right Said Fred wannabe, but functionally it's brilliant.

Personally I find merino just gets soggy.

For anyone who finds that merino does not work well for them, I would suggest wearing a Brynje synthetic mesh baselayer underneath the merino top. Because the mesh is synthetic and holds the merino away from the skin, you shouldn't get the unpleasant and chilling feel of heavily sweat saturated wool against the skin, but you do get the benefit of wool's superior insulation performance. Brynje themselves make combined mesh and merino double layer baselayers to exploit the different properties of the two fabrics.

Even some synthetic baselayers can feel clammy when saturated with sweat, and a mesh baselayer underneath them should similarly improve their performance, i.e both feeling drier because only the synthetic mesh is in contact with the skin and warmer because air is trapped in the mesh gaps between the skin and outer baselayer.

Surely, if you wear mesh under it, it's no longer a base layer.....

I'm another one who thinks merino is pish for an active baselayer. Holds onto moisture and you get a chill. Forever stitching up the holes in the bloody things as well. Synthetic baselayers FTW!

Smelly Hellies aren't as smelly as they used to be either. Wash them in Halo sports wash and they are fine.

I have a thick synthetic poly /elastine LS top from Lidl or Aldi. Its my 'go to ' top when its really cold. Its way thicker than all my other base layers but still wicks very well and retains alot of heat
Had for 3 years now and its not changed shape or gone smelly afaik
The only fail with it is the neckline, its abit too open so you need a jersey or jacket with high collar , or buff/snood to cover the gap

I have several base layers with turtle necks and shitty zippers ,but these are approx 1/4 of the thickness of me Aldi one.

Merino clearly doesn't work, unless you are being carried in a sedan chair in sub zero temps :D.

Merino - the ideal base layer for the discerning ebiker?

Surely, if you wear mesh under it, it's no longer a base layer.....

In my experience two thin close fitting baselayers is the way to go when it gets very cold.

Moreover, in my experience none of the modern, supposedly high wicking, synthetic baselayers offered by the likes of Helly Hansen, Craft, Castelli, Howies etc. are as good as the version of Helly Hansen Lifa sold 30 years ago. The older version of Lifa looked scruffy and was responsible for the 'Smelly Helly' nickname, but was very effective. The newer version might look better, but does not perform as well (in the same way that fleece supplanted fibre pile, despite fibre pile's superior performance on every count except looks/fashion). I think the reason for the superior performance of old Lifa was its rib knit and the 'bobbly' surface of the fabric, which gave it its scruffy appearance but also helped the wicking and insulation performance, unlike the very smooth surface finish of modern Lifa tops and similar products from other manufacturers like Craft etc.

The combination of Brynje mesh with an outer baselayer (merino or whatever), is the only product I have found so far to compare with wearing two old Lifa baselayers.

The Odlo base layers are similar to the old helly hansen. Loose woven with heavy pile on the inside. They look terrible but are excellent. They do a version for "cold" and "very cold" and where they're from I guess they should know the difference. Anyway, their very good and worth a look if you're missing the old Hellys.

https://odlo.com/uk/en-gb/shirt-l-s-turtle-neck-1-2-zip-originals-warm-14.html

Nike Pro or an Old UnderArmour winter job. Neither were over expensive and have lasted years.
I like merino for skiing but just don’t like it for anything involving sweating.

I switched to merino and loved it at first. But when I went back to synthetic one day I really noticed how much better it handled sweat and dampness.

I really like Paramo Grid base layers.

it's too " itchy" ...maybe something to do with too much body hair..?

X-Bionic, tested by me down to -27 in the arctic over 5 days. Expensive yes, but worth the expense where getting cold and damp is not a good idea - but you also need good mid and outer layers too.

Hmm.. i find synthetic stuff just gets cold so is useless for anything over half an hour (i sweat alot). Merino does get very soaked but not cold like the nike base layers.

Trouble is my on one merino vests are getting tatty and cant find suitable replacement.

Plenty of suggestions thanks folks , and for me personally Merino as quite a few have said makes me itch like buggery , gives me chills and gets holy in next to no time . Got a Mountain Warehouse shops nearby might check out that Talus but haven't had a lot of luck with MW lately they seem more casual than serious ?

Been a long term HH fan esp original LIFA. Never had the smelly jelly issue either despite being a sweaty b....

However recently bought a couple in white and the material is very different and IME not as good

I also have one of the dry tops. Awesome warmth but only for really cold ski days and other mountain trips. Collar a bit off.

For simple sports eg running tennis and cycling I have found under armour, Canterbury and nike pro all work well so I just look for the sales

I use Keela [url= http://www.keela.co.uk/ads-long-sleeve-top.html ]ADS long sleeved top[/url], they certainly wick the sweat away and I sweat a lot.
I can finish a winter ride and my baselayer will be dry.

I'm actually wearing my Helly while typing this, they are that good, CBA to take it off after getting in, funnily enough the other half has left the room?

Toasty base layers you say? How about toast? Perfect for beans, eggs, etc.

Alpkit stuff is very good.

Rivelo merino here - found on Sports Pursuit - really good for me and Im a sweaty bugger!

Another recommendation for Mountain Warehouse Talus here, had HH Lifa, Patagonia Capilene, and Endura BaaBaa, but the Talus is alawys the one I choose.

I'll tell you what I don't understand. Most of these folks that say merino doesn't work wear merino socks, or at least it would seem that way when people ask for sock advice. Now I don't know about them but I find my feet are quite often very sweaty things but rarely cold in my merino socks. Must be witchcraft.

I don't get sweaty feet. Not compared with my torso. (I do wear merino socks sometimes).

A good combo is a synthetic short sleeved top with merino arm warmers. Long 100k plus ride yesterday with Alpkit Koulin top (£14 in a sale and my On One merino arm warmers £3.00) under a windproof top (Alpkit Arro £32.00) with a merino buff and all good.

I quite like the ones from sports direct which are 2 for £7, they feel warmer and nicer than my cold weather canterbury one and have a slightly more relaxed fit too which is easier to get into and out of!