Base layer recommendations « Singletrack Forum

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Base layer recommendations

33 posts & 28 voices | Started 6 months ago by bruneep | Latest reply from bruneep

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bruneep - Member

Having ripped my old fathful Pearl Izumi zip neck base layer last night on a branch it's time for a new BL.

Needs to be long sleeve with zip neck.

Pearl Izumi still do one, any others that I should look at?

Posted 6 months ago #
neninja - Member

I stick to Icebreaker Merino zip necks as base layers. Comfy and seem to regulate my temperature well. They don't wick as well as some man made materials but stay warm even when wet.

Posted 6 months ago #
amphibian - Member

Groundeffect submerino. Works superbly and lasts forever.

Posted 6 months ago #
FuzzyWuzzy - Member

Craft Zero Extreme turtleneck would get my vote although Wiggle seem to have stopped selling them, like this though http://www.timarco.co.uk/product.aspx?prod=cc676c74-9c94-4321-9627-804cbefdff2d
I ditched all my merino stuff a couple of winters ago as it was always slightly itchy, the Craft stuff feels nice, keeps me as warm as merino ever did and wicks a lot better to. That said if you don't find merino itchy it's hard to argue against.

Posted 6 months ago #
doug_basqueMTB.com - Member

I LOVE my icebreaker stuff. It's a pity that it lives in a drawer for 8 months of the year but when winter rolls around I'm always very happy to dig it out.

Posted 6 months ago #
16stonepig - Member

You want one of these:

Posted 6 months ago #
willyboy - Member

i've got a Polaris BL zip and its been pretty good, so much so i bought a second one.

Posted 6 months ago #
doof_doof - Member

Craft Zero Extreme all the way, never use my Icebreaker stuff riding any more (way over rated IMO).

Posted 6 months ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

FieldAndTrek have an online sale page with lots of bases layers on, although it has ben running for a while so getting depleted.

Some Ice breaker, HH Lifa crews for £16, etc.

Posted 6 months ago #
singletrackhor - Member

If that fluffy pink number is out of stock, id recommend dhb ones from wiggle.

Posted 6 months ago #
nickswolves - Member

Or try one of these http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/CLOOMBL190Z/on_one_100_merino_half_zip_base_layer_190gm

Posted 6 months ago #
CaptainFlashheart - Member

Odlo. Awesome stuff. Amazingly good at regulating temperature. A little kinky in the fit, though!
Helly Warm - Excellent in cooler climes
Endura BaaBaa. I like.
Patagucci Merino - The best merino I own.

Posted 6 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

Icebreaker stuff is fantastic although expensive.
Haev a look here, great when they have sales on http://www.embersmerino.com
Or take a look at the base layers that on one sell, they had zip merino wool ones for £20 the other week.

Posted 6 months ago #
Pieface - Member

HH Lifa is hard to beat, but not sure if they come with zips.

Posted 6 months ago #
loum - Member

cotswoldoutdoors has a sale on too

Posted 6 months ago #
TurnerGuy - Member

HH do - I have one. And their 3/4 length lifa trousers are good for skiing.

Posted 6 months ago #
Pieface - Member

3/4 length Lifa leggings? They may be just what I'm after

Posted 6 months ago #
Raymond - Member

Patagonia capiliene 3 is the best I've found. It really goes move the sweat from the inside surface out. Zip neck tops are £23 on snow and rock web site at the moment:

Capiliene

Posted 6 months ago #
jedi - Member

i got the new mavic baselayers with kinda cells in it to trap heat

Posted 6 months ago #
wm4wm4 - Member

Swrve Merino are brilliant if you can fork out 40 squids...

Posted 6 months ago #
fontmoss - Member

Heard good things about castelli mesh vest but haven't bought one yet as they're almost 30 quid

Posted 6 months ago #
mlpinto - Member

Raymond - thanks for the heads up. Just ordered a patagonia top to replace my ageing howies merino...

Posted 6 months ago #
fontmoss - Member

oh and it doesn't fit your remit, sorry

Posted 6 months ago #
mattstreet - Member

Really like and recommend Icebreaker stuff myself.

And as a bit of a PSA: http://www.natureshop.co.uk/icebreaker has 15% off Icebreaker until midnight Sunday.

Posted 6 months ago #
skinnysteel - Member

+ 1 for GE Submerino. Or what about the Rab Meco tops as per last months ST review. Only worn mine a handful of times so far, under a windproof, but quite impressed tho' only time will tell re durability. Avoid Howies NBLs. Rubbish.

Posted 6 months ago #
chakaping - Member

Ooh, Submerino is an excellent name.

Posted 6 months ago #
MoreCashThanDash - Member

I'm a big Icebreaker fan but I've been very impressed by a "bamboo" base layer my wife got me from Bamboo Clothing - maybe not quite as warm as merino, but dries quicker, wicks better, and doesn't smell of wet sheep when damp

Posted 6 months ago #
matt_outandabout - Member

Patagucci Merino for winter, Capeline for summer.

Or, best thermal baselayer I have ever owned is a Helly Hansen 'warm' merino/manmade combo - warm, wicking, snug fit, long arms and body. Ace.

Posted 6 months ago #
iainc - Member

I am a big fan of Icebreaker stuff and have 4 different weight base layers. They wear and wash well and the oldest is still going strong after about 3 yrs.

However
Avoid Howies NBLs. Rubbish.
my Howies nbl is outlasting the Icebreaker stuff, it simply keeps on going and even though it is older and has been worn and washed more, it is in better nick than all of the Icebreaker stuff

Posted 6 months ago #
matt_outandabout - Member

^ my old NBL refuses to die as well

Posted 6 months ago #
oddjob - Member

Sorry to say it but I think the Rapha ones are great

Posted 6 months ago #
notlocal - Member

We sell HH warm and ODLO, both fantastic, but the ODLO wins on no smell after a ride.

Posted 6 months ago #
bruneep - Member

So that clears that up.........

Thanks for the replies, will have a look at all of the BL mentioned.

B

Posted 6 months ago #