Tell me about string vests

* Awaits Rab C Nesbit Gif *

Wrong place - you want singletrackworld.

I have no personal experience but I understand that it helps if you wear wellies with them, although I don't know why.

Generally you appear to pay more for less material

I wear sleeveless mesh vests in the summer, they do work well. Nothing expensive, the decathlon ones and planet X ones I have are decent.

I have a couple for the Brynje ones, which I was given, and they work really well for me. They're particularly good worn with some sort venting jacket as when you open up the vents, you get cool air pretty much directly on your skin, so cool effectively. I have no idea on cheaper / alternative versions, the ones I have - I think - are Polypropylene, which means they dry really fast and can be washed at 60˚C.

I guess the big plus is that you get the same warmth as you would from a thick-ish conventional baselayer top, but without the propensity to absorb moisture and get soggy.

Otherwise: Right Said Fred.

Wrong place – you want singletrackworld.

*applause*

I bought one of those Norwegian jobs a few years ago, for riding it is my absolutely favourite go to base layer. Hugely effective and getting steam away from the body, provides great insulation etc etc. Fab.

I find it stops me getting cold when effort decreases and the usual dampness chills set it. It doesn’t stop it completely as the moisture is generally still trapped somewhere, but it keeps it away from the skin.

After, what, 5 yrs of use it looks absolutely rancid though! The only one i could get was a white one, which is now a lovely ‘off brown’ colour, and as a fat man the Right Said Fred aesthetic is ****ing horrendous 🙂

A bit like having an ugly bike - you can’t see it when you are riding!

There used to be combination sets of vest and pants together, might not have to fight the ladies off you

Freeman's catalogue from the early seventies will give you an idea

lot of hype on the usual social media channels

what used to be called ‘advertising’ I believe. Seems marketing really does work.

IDK, aside from the appearance and the ‘heritage’ they’re probably an OK undergarment. Though unless you have a well-honed physique they’re probably best left for the younger generation to pick back up. I imagine the typical STW forumite might fit the preceding string best demographic and thereby appear a bit dated rather than ‘retro’.

I’d stick with a merino T-shirt

They also have a less savory name https://www.snopes.com/articles/465371/wife-beater-tank-top-origin-of-phrase/

I can't get on with them...too itchy.

Castelli do a "pro mesh" that isn't as "stringy"... I find those to be excellent.

Used to be used a base layer by RAF crash crews, presumably for the insulation but the story was also that if you got burned it wouldn't be as bad as some parts would be more protected than others

Wrong place – you want singletrackworld

Took me a while, but yes - chapeau 🙂

Though unless you have a well-honed physique they’re probably best left for the younger generation to pick back up. I imagine the typical STW forumite might fit the preceding string best demographic and thereby appear a bit dated rather than ‘retro

Until Harry Potter invisibility cloaks go on general sale there isn’t an underwear solution that looks better than appalling on me 🙁

I also have a couple for the Brynje ones and think they are brilliant, never get the clammy or cold feeling when working hard ( to compare, I usually wear HH Lifa ). Not a great look so have to remember to keep the next layer zipped up!

I have some of the Le Col string Lycra base layers (in my defence it was one of the ridiculous discounts they do - full price would have been steep).
The long sleeved one is pretty good in autumn/winter/spring - haven’t worn it in summer.  I tend to wear it under a standard MTB or roadie top depending on what I’m doing. I don’t notice it sweat-wise and I do feel quite a bit warmer.

But my wife does laugh if she sees me in it without something else over the top.

There used to be combination sets of vest and pants together

Still available.

I also came for the Rab C content. Can't be bothered myself.

I do recall a youthclub trip to the RAF Leuchars crash team where one of the girls asked why the women weren't wearing string vests ?

Got one from Rapha - it was a present a good few years ago now. It don't wear it often - because it is too hot - not in a swooning way.... just too warm even under one layer. So it only gets an outing when its really cold. Still wears well though.

Well, if nobody else can be bothered.

I have two of them for summer tours, they are great as easy to vent, but keep you warm into early morning + easy to wash and dry quickly.

Will use as an additional layer under a Helly Hansen in deep winter.

Wrong place – you want singletrackworld

Wikihowto the rescue, simply make your own.

https://www.ehow.co.uk/how_8569063_make-string-vest.html

Also, if it tickles your fancy, there are instructions for a DIY g-string thong.

Took me a while, but yes – chapeau

Gilet, I think you’ll find.

Also, if it tickles your fancy, there are instructions for a DIY g-string thong.

Tickling it is one thing but what if it ends up tied in knots?

Wrong place – you want singletrackworld.

[img] [/img]

I’ve got a riding top from Sombrio, it’s sleeveless olive green material on the front and a black mesh on the back, and it’s great in the summer, had it for a few years but sadly they don’t make them anymore. I either wear Uniqlo ribbed cotton tank tops, or sleeveless tee shirts, just as regular tops in warm weather or a base layer in winter, but if I’m likely to get sweaty then a Helly.
I might try a ‘string vest’ mesh base layer if I can find a black or dark gray, just to see if they have any significant advantages.

Wrong place – you want singletrackworld.

Someone please put me out of my misery. Is this some sort of quantum string theory reference I evidently don't get, or something else?

Singlet
noun
1.
British
a sleeveless garment worn under or instead of a shirt; a vest.

Oh, that is clever.

The Brynje ones are very good at what they're meant to do tho they obviously look hideous.  Not much more to say really

When I was a schoolboy i always wore a vest under my shirt.  I believe that at one stage it may have been a Rab C Nesbit style cotton string vest.  I can't remember anything about its heating, coolng or wicking properties however.  Brendan Foster used to run 10,000m races in one, so they must be good.

I’ve used the decathlon one that’s sort of like a seamless string vest, don’t think there was much between it and any other technical layer,I’m a bit sceptical of any extra layer providing cooling TBH and tend to use it on cooler days.

I have a couple of the GripGrab ultra light mesh baselayers, seemed odd paying so much for little material but they are nice in really warm temps. Wife thinks I look like an old man in a string vest in it though.

Castelli string base layer has been my staple for years. Works well in really hot weather. Would prefer a lighter fabric. But it works well.

I've been using them in various versions for about 25 years, used to get them from one of the CX mail order places BITD. Really good as a single base layer under any race top in various weathers. Even good in very hot weather.

Still have a load of long, short and sleeveless tops in the kit drawer.

I still always wear a baselayer though, helps with the slide if you do come off!