Choosing the best cycling base layers
While it’s entirely possible (and indeed commonplace) to ride bikes in a simple cotton t-shirt (er, and some trousers, obviously), it’s not such a great idea. Under certain circumstances (gently trundling to the pub on a warm day) tees are fine, but as soon as you start to exert yourself, their limitations rapidly become apparent. That’s why you need good cycling base layers.
The thing is, unless you’re a cyborg or something when you put in a reasonable degree of physical effort you’ll start to sweat. This is a good thing – it’s how the body cools itself down. Without sweating, you wouldn’t be able to ride hard for very long. But the sweating mechanism doesn’t take account of clothes.
A conventional t-shirt will quite happily soak up substantial quantities of perspiration. The problem is that by soaking it up it holds onto it. And pretty quickly you’re riding around in a sopping wet garment that’s chafing all over the place. Worse, stop riding and you’ll get cold very quickly. Which is where base layers come in…
Have a click through the gallery below to see examples of the base layers that are available.
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