Who Makes the Best Clothing for Base and Mid Layers?

[2008 Nytro RTX]

I already have my jacket/bibs for this upcoming season but I am looking for feedback on the base and mid layers. Who makes the best gear for this? Does this make you feel like your fat and can't move if you have all 3 layers on?

Before you ask, my question is about the base and mid layer, not the outer layer.

 

[r0tax]

a t-shirt, might try under armor (or w/e its called) and some jogging pants.

i try not to wear jeans, too restrictive and when they get wet, they stay wet.

 

[jedwards89]

Listen, You do not need to go out and buy $1000.00 worth of gear when you already have good bibs and jacket. If you ride as hard as you say you do, what you have is fine. The jacket has a removable liner correct? Put on a T-shirt a pair of shorts or wind pants and ride. I agree that Jeans suck. They do not allow the movement that riders would like. Under armour has great stuff as the rest of the athletic apparrel companies. (Nike, Addidas etc). There are alos pants on Shade Tree and Dennis Kirk. Find some wicking material and go. Since this will be your first year riding on the hill I will be curious to your impressions of how hard you ride after a day of torn up trails. If you ride as hard as you say you do you will not need the liner in your jacket and I would bet that your bibs are going to be too heavy as well unless it is 15 degree or less out. If you are smooth trails bundle up because the only thing that will slow you down is the cold, the trails surley will not!

 

[sd5500]

http://www.hotchillys.com/cm/Home.html

GO CRAZY!!

 

[2008 Nytro RTX]

Thanks for the link!

 

[jedwards89]

Nytro, You looking into this way too much. I would say if you are out on the trail for 200 miles and in the middle of no where the top gear should be bought and staying warm should be your top concern. But... you are riding in Central Newy York or on the Hill. The most mileage you would have to do with out a stop may be 50 miles and that is really pushing it. Wear what you wear now. If you are up on the Hill at 7 AM and it is under 15-20 degrees and the trails are smooth then I would be a little concerned about staying warm. Four years ago I was up ther on my Viper with alot more wind protection and I got Frost Bit on my face Motocross helmet, but that was the best possible conditions to ride in (as flat as a paved road). You really have nothing to worry about with your gear. It is good, put a tee shirt and a good pair of pants on and go

 

[2008 Nytro RTX]

Yes,I might be. I never road at the Hill so this will be my 1st year. Just wanting not to be cold because I am going with a bunch of guys I don't know and one that I just met.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

I've edited the title of your thread so that your question is more clear. I've also cleaned out the posts that don't pertain to your question.

Regardless of what jacket/bibs you wear, you must stay away from cotton material between your skin and your jacket/bibs. Cotton absorbs moisture so it will become wet and then you will get cold.

For the base layer, I wear stuff from Patagonia like their Capilene line of products. These items are geared towards active outdoor activities and are designed to whisk away moisture keeping you dry and warm. I tend to wear both their long underwear and the top. Another company that makes base layer products is R U Outside. You can find cheaper gear for the base layer but make sure it is designed to whisk away moisture.

For days colder than -15 C, I will also wear a second layer between my base layer and my jacket/bibs. I always wear fleece products for this layer for both the pants and the top. You don't have to spend a fortune on this layer. Just find products that are fleece. I happen to have Klim and like their fleece line of products.

The beauty of this setup is that I rarely ever get cold or hot. The materials are thin so I never feel movement constrained. My outer layer is from FXR but I wore the same base and mid layers when I had Reima outer wear and the results were the same.

I never wear jeans as these are made from cotton and will trap in the moisture. Hope that helps.

 

[skyboz]

R.U. Outside is the shizo!!!!

 

[yamadoo]

Guy's this is truly interesting topic where Marketing and Truth but heads.


My point is the synthetic underwear technically does not 'wick' water it is 'hydrophobic' - not absorb or wick- but is weaved to drip the water to the next layer. So technically the goal of getting the moisture away from skin is met. Here is wear I wonder as to best option and am beginning to think old school!

The middle layers are to trap air, and 'insulate'. I am a heavy sweater so I know the moisture that 'drips rather than wicks' through my under armor is going to be there. Here is a fact that bears consideration. New synthetic garments -'fleece'- are also hydrophobic so they do not absorb nor are they weaved to 'drip' or wick moisture away. They also lose a significant amount of their insulation ability when wet - ie all my sweat that will be there after an aggressive part of the trail.

An old school fabric that insulates great, and does so even when moist or wet is Wool! So this year I am going to try to layer this way:

Skin => Under armor=> Wool => Jacket (windproof / breathable / waterproof / zippered vents)

Any thoughts?


Yamadoo

 

[skyboz]

This is my set-up: Skin -> R.U. Outside -> Castle Razor Jacket

I've ridden in some pretty chilly temps this way. You don't sweat and you don't get cold, it's just right. For the frigid temps I'll put on the R.U. Outside fleece, but I have never had to add anything else extra under my bibs to keep my legs warm.

 

[ApexRtxGuy]

all i wear is a t-shirt tek vest long underware with athletic shorts yamaha team coat and bibs

 

[lucky_7]

If you are concerned about staying warm, you could also look into getting a tek-vest, which will also add protection. Three of the guys that I ride with have them and they swear by the warmth.

 

[ApexRtxGuy]

If you are concerned about staying warm, you could also look into getting a tek-vest, which will also add protection. Three of the guys that I ride with have them and they swear by the warmth.

this is very true i definatly keeps you very warm they are tight to your skin and the added protection is a nice plus

 

[Snowman07]

Yes,I might be. I never road at the Hill so this will be my 1st year. Just wanting not to be cold because I am going with a bunch of guys I don't know and one that I just met.

Take it from me, because I ride the Hill all the time. You want to dress in layers. When you start off in the morning on the Hill, you'll be riding in cold temps and smooth trails. So your gonna want to be dressed warm for the morning run. By mid-day the temps will climb and you're starting to sweat alittle. Trails at this point are starting to break down and your more then likely getting warmer riding the moguls. By late day, your sweating your #*$&@ off, and unless you can start shedding layers of clothing your going to over heat.

When I ride up there, I wear fleece long-johns a long-sleeved shirt and my Castle jacket. For my lower body I will wear my fleece bottoma and my Castle pants (not bibs). I might be alittle coldin the morning, but by the afternoon I'm comfortable, providing the temps don't climb to high. Once they get over 25 degrees I sweat to much and become water logged.

This year Im switching to Klim pull over and pants. I like the concept of being light and comfortable. Klim doesn't insulate their jackets and pants, so you can wear what you want underneith.

First time going to the Hill huh??? Your more then welcome to ride with us when we head up there. We start around 7:30-8:00 and finish around 5:00 with 180-200 miles. No bar stopping til lunch, then we grab lunch and get back out on the trails. We ride pretty hard, but never faster then the slowest guy. Don't want someone crashing because they are trying to ride beyond their comfort level. You could always try riding in Western New York. We don't get alot of snow like Tug Hill, but our trails are nicer because we don't get the sled traffic. You can map quest LeRoy, New York. Thats where I live and you can ride with us from there.