whats the BB consensus on the go to base layer? any good ones that i should be looking at that won't break the bank?

Cheers, T

I've been abusing Endura BaaBaa s/s for a few years now. It's holding up strong. For colder times, Innov8 150 l/s merino.

Greetz

S.

Anything except merino. It holds too much moisture and doesn't dry quick enough.

In summer I like the Gore sleeveless baselayer, but RAB do some very thin short and long sleeved Aeon baselayers that I like too.

cheers Scott, i'll have a look :)

Personally, I like Merino especially in winter. However, a couple of years ago I discovered bamboo. Similar to Merino in that it's anti-bacterial but it feels nicer next to my ever so delicate skin, is usually cheaper and wears / washes better.

Maybe have a look here: https://bambooclothing.co.uk/category/m ... aselayers/

Not just for cycling but for many sports, ive owned Rab, UnderArmour, helikon, nike and helly hanson.

Hands down favourite is Nike Dryfit, underarmour i found has poor seems and not great value, though they are hard wearing.
Rab and helikon fell apart and hellys stink like hell after one wear.

Nike was the cheapest, usually bought from general sports and football shops and just seems to work best, dries so fast im happy to wear it wet straight out the wash. Starts to smell after a few days but not bad for synthetic. Also packs down tiny, more of a hot weather second skin.

thanks Colin, im deffo after something with long sleeves

thanks Haywire, do you have any links to the Nike dri fit that you have mate?

Bamboo Stu

april the first was weeks ago Lol

Altura Thermacool is worth a look. Packs small, weights little. Very comfy. (w/o intent to add to the 'merino or not' debate) I like merino but not for bikepacking unless I need the warmth - OK merino doesn't smell after a few days but for me it stays wet too long to be used as a LS base layer. The Thermacool is so thin and light it for its warmth, holds very little moisture and can be rinsed out and dried really quickly. I've lived in one for a week+ and it didn't smell too bad (honest). I tend to take the Thermacool plus a merino vest for added insulation, the vest works well under a base layer T or LS, the polyester over layer seems to draw the damp off the merino well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00R5K ... th=1&psc=1

You can find cheaper if you hunt around, this is the one i use the most now.
Theyre from the "Combat Pro" range if thats any help. I own 2 SS and 2 LS in both crew neck and high neck, if you wear packs alot then the high collar helps with chaffing.

My oldest is 7 years old and still going strong, where its main use was reenactment and military simulations. Sometimes Sports Direct have them around a tenner or less if you're lucky

I also avoid Merino unless doing lower output activities. Takes ages to dry if soaked

For colder weather I like powerdry or the brynje mesh stuff

For warmer weather I still rate helly hansen stuff, it works very well and isn't particularly pricey. Paramo Cambia stuff is also excellent

The main problem is finding stuff with sleeves that are genuinely long

yea, i have stupidly long arms Ben, lol

Definitely with Stu - bamboo's the thing, none of that itchy merino stuff. Or any of that plastic smellyness.

eg.

http://www.military1st.co.uk/bl105-bk-h ... black.html - out of stock at mo, but only £20.

Then when you've worn it out all you have to do is feed it to your BB panda! The ultimate in recycling.

R

Helly Lifa. Been using the same set since mid eighties.
Either the smell goes away or I don't notice as much now.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Personally, I like Merino especially in winter. However, a couple of years ago I discovered bamboo. Similar to Merino in that it's anti-bacterial but it feels nicer next to my ever so delicate skin, is usually cheaper and wears / washes better.

Maybe have a look here: https://bambooclothing.co.uk/category/m ... aselayers/

Is that why there is a frequent reappearance of the Panda?

I got some Devold merino/synthetic mix tops from sports pursuit a couple of years ago which have lasted really well. They dry/wick much better than full merino and never get too stinky. Think they were about 20 quid each.

thanks for all the good advice people ive gone with a rab flux as the weather is looking a bit dodgy for the WRT and the extra warmth will come in handy
and im gonna get one of the bamboo jobbies next month when its 'Hopefully' a bit warmer