Base layer recommendation

Hard to beat Merino Wool for warmth, soft comfort (it's not itchy) and for not going smelly if you don't get chance to wash it whilst touring. I got mine from Alpkit.
 
Sometimes in life we buy cheap shit! I know I do. It's easy to walk into mountain warehouse or Blacks or any of these outdoor shops and get suckered into the sale rail and get base layers for £6.99.

Buy quality and it'll last for years and it'll do its job properly. £30 odd seems a lot, but the £6.99 jobs just sit in my wardrobe and I never wear them. Merino is the way to go ...
 
Same as above, I got my merino wool long johns, short sleeve and long sleeve top from Mountain Warehouse,.
 
Some say use merino wool and I have tried some from EDZ. They were comfy and worked well but I found the wool snagged on velcro so ended up with little holes that looked like moth holes on the knees where the armour pockets were located. Returned, replaced and then binned after a couple of months.
I really like the EDZ all climate stuff, made from polyester. I have a set of leggings which are about to be retired as they are finally wearing out after a decade of use. I like it that I can rinse them out when they are removed after riding for a day, then they are dry to wear the next day. I use a couple of long sleeved shirts also made from polyester - one is branded Climacool which is an Adidas trademark, the other is Millets own brand. 2 piece sets are better than an all in one as you can wear the shirts in the evening. EDZ are not cheap but not the most expensive. Leggings are £25.
I have recently bought some Uvex branded ones from Millets in a sale - hopefully they will be okay as a replacement for the EDZ.
Lidl/Aldi do cheap ones for about £7. They work but the material is thicker and more elasticated so they give more compression than the EDZ that cling but do not compress. The Lidl ones also have seams that leave an impression in your leg. EDZ have flat seams.
 
Merino is the way to go,I agree you get what you pay for but don't rule out Mountain Warehouse base layers, 90% merino, have had them for 5 years, yep a couple of bobbles but warm and cool and no holes and best of all can be picked up for about £25 for each item bottoms and tops in their sale about this time of year.
 
I bought Knox Merino and it's ok so far - I've taken the Outlast layer out of my Rukka and have been using the Knox with the Rukka straight on top - I'm comfortable, but it's not exactly cold now or hot yet.
 
Roadcraft-Rider said:
Merino is the way to go,I agree you get what you pay for but don't rule out Mountain Warehouse base layers, 90% merino, have had them for 5 years, yep a couple of bobbles but warm and cool and no holes and best of all can be picked up for about £25 for each item bottoms and tops in their sale about this time of year.
Click to expand...

yup, exactly what he said ;) :thumb
 
Icebreaker Merino layers. Mine has lasted well, is very stink free and dries very quickly. Has massively reduced my packing
 
Icebreaker. I wear the 150gm cool lite tops when its hot and layer up with the 200gms+ when its cold. As mentioned great for touring as doesn't stink.
 
southernpete said:
Icebreaker. I wear the 150gm cool lite tops when its hot and layer up with the 200gms+ when its cold. As mentioned great for touring as doesn't stink.
Click to expand...

I've got one or two Icebreaker garments, some of them bought ridiculously cheaply in a sale in the Icebreaker shop in Portland, Oregon too many years ago and still going strong. However, I understand that it's now manufactured in China rather than New Zealand and Chocolate Fish used to be the best but it's no longer on the market. What's an underwear snob to do these days....? :blast
 
Anything wool will do a great job. You don't always have to go for specialist 'Base Layers' with brands.
My warmest combo ever has been Marks and Spencers Ladies Wooly long johns (Lambs Wool I think), you know the white ones with cable knit patterning, followed by a pair of fleece trousers and a water and wind proof layer. The fleece leggings were from Decathlon I think, great for cheep fleece with lots of various thicknesses.
I've also picked up thin marino and cashmere jumpers on sale (Often strong colours they can't shift) These work well next to the skin as base layers, they are a bit looser which can be better than wrapping up too tight. Think the jumpers were £20 each, lasted years.
I've acquired HH Super-dooper thermal base layers made with marino and something from outer space, an obscene amount of money and my M&S woollies are warmer.
M&S also do 100% Lambs Wool socks which are the warmest base layer sock I have ever found.
 
I use a lycra base layer when its cold, long sleeved (from any sports shop) with a thin t shirt and if needed thin fleece.

Wicks away moisture and retains body heat also use them when skiing.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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