i have a very very thin North Face base layer, that is about 20 years old. it is by far my comfiest, most worn, better than any merino fancy stuff.
sadly North Face do not seem to make a base layer like it any more. so i am trying to source a similar one.
it is like a very thin old type smelly helly. but thinner. it holds no moisture at all when sweating, yet remains warm and nice feeling. unlike damp horrible merino.
it almost feels silk like, yet it is not.
any idea's anyone ? or any recommendations ??
Altura Thermocool maybe. Very effective and suprisingly warm for how thin or how little actual material it is. Packs small. I've had the LS for 10+ years now and once used it for the majority of a 2 week+ ride, worn either all day or just at night. It wasn't that bad by the end either, having just been rinsed out a few times.
I have a couple of (now) old RAB tops that are just as you describe. In fact I have two long sleeve and two t shirt. I've looked again recently but can't find anything quite as thin.
Difficult thing to buy online too, so I'd wander round a few outdoors shops and handle their wares.
I have a similar sounding white Pearl Izumi, of a similar vintage. Maybe they still do 'em?
I've got an old Patagonia Capilene top that also sounds very similar but again they don't seem to do exactly the same thing now. The closest is probably the 'Capilene Cool' range rather than the Capilene thermal or mid-weight.
Patagonia does a very thin baselayer designed for hot conditions, It's super light, wicks and dries really fast. Is probably expensive, because Patagucci. It's called.... hang on.... Capilene Cool Lightweight I'm not sure they still make that particular version of it, there were three weights when they first launched it and that was the ultralight version.
This thing: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/mens-capilene-cool-lightweight-shirt/45760.html
You might find it cheaper from a retailer, on sale etc, particularly at this time of year.
Edit: Snap! Cool Lightweight is the lightest version as above.
Sounds like the Argentium silver based stuff they were doing a few years ago before it was banned due to Polar Bear defloration...
I've a Boghouse flavour one that is donkey's old and it'll be a sad day when it drops to bits..
Doesn't help you Ton. Sorry.
https://www.morvelo.com/morvelo-mens-echo-baselayer-olive/13862489.html
The older versions of this Morvelo Echo I have fit like a second skin. Indecently thin so I wouldn’t want to wear mine without something on top. But a fantastic wicking layer
Would the American fishing shirts do the job. Built for non chafing, wicking and SPF. I've got one from BassProShops while on a trip but you could get other brands from Amazon. The Columbia ones look to available in your sort of size too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Columbia-Terminal-Tackle-T-Shirt-Atlantic/dp/B0B1PFS2MT/?th=1
Edit in case the link isn't working at your end.
"https://www.amazon.co.uk/Columbia-Terminal-Tackle-T-Shirt-Atlantic/dp/B0B1PFS2MT/?th=1"
Tony i quite like the DHB and Castelli mesh baselayers. They seem to punch way above their weight, but for me its not a good look if i take my top off.....think Berlin sex club etc. Sobthey are great, but have to stay hidden under another jersey. YMMV
Ian
My RAB tops are the Aeon. Looks to have been long discontinued but looking up the specs might help guide you to an equivalent.
7Mesh do one called the Elevate.
It's designed as just a regular top I think, but it's made of v thin lyocell, so it's very light and silky feeling. I wear mine exclusively as a base-layer, and honestly its so nice, you'd have to prise it from my cold dead hands etc etc
Under armour do some pretty lightweight long sleeve tops. Not used the long sleeve but my gym stuff from them wick really well.
I have Gribgrab base layers they are very thin, not cheap but do the job
As above I would also look at Under Armour
I recently bought a Rab Forge Long Sleeve Top.
It's very thin, lightweight etc
Craft mesh vest or sleeved? I have a vest for summer wicking, but surprisingly warm under a long sleeve mid layer and windproof
Yeah craft dona super thin one.
Under Armour heatgear long sleeve
I recently bought a Rab Forge Long Sleeve Top.
I've had the Force a year now. This is the full synthetic one, the ForGe is synthetic-merino blend, and I have some older ones like that from when they were called MeCo.
Since getting the Force long sleeve, I haven't worn a t shirt for doing sport in summer. Cool and dries quick, no sun exposure, no insects landing on you. Stinks after 2-3 days of use though unlike my MeCo ones, but those have the problem of staying wet once sweated so then you get cold quickly when you stop, quite an issue in cold conditions.
I use Uniqlo heat tech t-shirts which are very thin.
madison isoler is pretty thin - and mighty cheap as I recall
Even if you bought the same one you have now, it wont be as thin. These things get thinner every wash.
Rapha base layers are exceptionally thin with mesh. They work well and are occasionally on sale.
The cap cool stuff is pretty thin, but the Patagonia merino mix stuff is even thinner, tho' a bit fancy
My sleepy eyes thought this said "Very thin bass players" so thought of maybe Flea or Geddy Lee.
I wonder if " Bass Players in Base Layers" would make a popular calendar..
Rab Sonic LS Zip was the closest I could get to my decade old MeCo top last year, when the latter became so thin I was putting my thumbs through it while dressing. I'm wearing the Sonic now. Berghaus are still making Argentium stuff, which I also like.
I have one of the very very thin north face base layer, it's wonderful and by far my most used base layer of the collection. But it's holey and old. I still use it, but to lessen the burden I did some searching and as mentioned further up, the DHB LS mesh
is a good alternative. it's mesh, but not a holey mesh, we're not talking late 90's goth mesh, but from a distance....
being an old goth, I don't mind and don't really care.
Very pleased with my albion mesh https://www.albioncycling.com/products/short-sleeve-mesh-base-layer-mineral-blue?Size=M
It is incredibly delicate though. I wash it in a mesh bag thing.
I have a 7Mesh Sight long sleeve top i got secondhand for a bargian price and its a lovely bit of kit, nice and thin and very soft against the skin. Would have another one but at £70 new not sure i could justify it but lovely bit of kit.
Just hope it last me for many more years
i've got a similar top from years ago.. it's a nike pro thingy. they don't make it any more, but it's lovely.
Thin, stretchy, warm, cool...
The newer ones are much thicker..
I know this isn't helping, but it's a nostalgia boost!
DrP
thanks for all the idea's everyone.
sadly every cycling recommendation is no use. the sizing for cycling tops is pretty shyte. since when was a xxxl 46'' ?
You need one of these from Pearson cycles. Very thin, my favourite base layers regardless of season, and CHEAP in the sale right now
Got a wicked baselayer from rapha...its got like polystyrene balls mixed in the fabric...really thin and very warm
Stating the obvious but knowing what the main material/combination of materials are will get you as close as is possible. Most garments have a percentage value of the materials used on the label or in the sales particulars/description. Some brands do go to great lengths to hide these details!
The majority of synthetic base layers are some kind of polyester mix, often with polyamide. Some are polypropylene, rayon/bamboo and other fibres.
Nothing wrong with base layers for skiing, football, running, sailing, mountaineering, whatever if it fits and is your material and thickness of choice!
I have some very light Rab base layers bought for the TMB, I vaguely recall I got them from here, which list products by weight (which isn't necessarily an indication of thickness).
More for ultralight hiking and a bit of a rabbit hole but may be of some use..
