Dry fit/under armor

[patrickg450]

Ok so another process in my master plan (canada trip) is too acquire some dry fit gear. I have 1 set of long under wear type for sleeping and under the pants for cold cold days. I also have a matching long sleeve shirt for the same.....

I saw some clothing/shirts that is a little looser and I could carry with me for easy washing but it was fairly expensive. So where do you folks get yours? Is there ever a clearance type sale? I guess I would like to get 3 or so shirts, long or short sleeve but do NOT want them skin tight. Saw a pull over with a small zipper that went down 6 or 8 inches from the neck line, loose comfy shirts in place of a reg T-shirt.

Thanks in advance.


PG

 

[bloodline]

I could write a book on this. I'll try to be brief and stick to motorcycle travel, although this is pretty much the case with any outdoor activity.

Any base layer, socks and underwear included, should be a performance fabric. The best stuff is expensive and likely contains a lot of natural ANIMAL fibers. The least expensive likely contains polypro or other 100% synthetic fibers. Air space between a base layer and your skin is BAD. Under armor and some other brands take this too far, IMO. For example, if it's tight, but poor fitting, there will be large areas, particularly on your back, with air space between your skin and the fabric.

The merino wool stuff ($$$$) does not develop the horrible odor that the synthetic stuff does.

Both dry rapidly. You can easily do laundry in the shower of a hotel and have dry clothes for the next day.

Be aware that the cheap stuff and some expensive options are abrasive to the touch. After a few days, that will translate to bloody knees and other unexplained soreness.

Perhaps what you are after is a technical tshirt. That can be worn as a base layer when it's warm, street clothing when off the bike, or over a technical base layer to help hide your man boobs. I bought a few from Klim at around $20 each.

Also, keep in mind that with a good base layer, you can generally get away with something poor on top of it.

Nothing is going to feel like cotton, but you get used it.

 

[NittanyXT]

+ 1 to bloodline, merino base layers are awesome but not inexpensive. The LDComfort line of stuff is pretty good,too. Short story,don't skimp and you get what you pay for!

 

[patrickg450]

Ok, technical T shirt, new term for me!!!! Yea did a quick search and found some Kilm products, short sleeve are 29 and long are 39.

So are these they same as the under armor gear? At my local sporting Goods all the under armor gear was pretty high in price. Thays why i was wondering if they ever went on sale or clearance.


NOT looking for that spandex look, but rather a regular look when I take off my riding jacket

 

[Mike91]

Keep an eye on steepandcheap.com for merino wool shirts. I have paid about $35 for Icebreaker wool long sleeve shirts. Spending more than that on synthetic is a waste of money. Wool is well worth it at that price.

 

[johnpitts01]

IMO nothing beats the tight fitting UnderArmour.
Specifically the "Cold Gear Compression" line of UnderArmour.

In addition to motorcycling I ride bicycles (road and mountain) and do some running when the weather is cold.
For all of these activities UnderArmour is my go to base layer. Wear it against the skin (no underwear between you and the UnderArmour).
The big advantage for me of the UnderArmour compression gear is the compression feature greatly reduces muscle fatigue and allow for quicker recovery.

I also have smartwool base layers. I like the smartwool as a base layer under a Warm n Safe heated jacket. I use the lightest weight smartwool.
Smartwool is often my favorite for running.

IMO loose fitting UnderArmour defeats the purpose of the product and you are better off with wool.
Cant speak for the Klim and other technical undergarments. I am so pleased with UnderArmour and SmartWool I don't need to try anything else.

 

[talonboy]

I refuse to pay big bucks for clothes. I have found stuff that works well at Walmart or Kmart, or Military surplus stores. I recently bought a set of heat-out shorts and t-shirt at CycleGear, for $9 each. I like them very well. Basically look for the same material as the high dollar stuff, but in off brands.

 

[bloodline]

I understand talon. I just crossed the country wearing 20 year old, cough, Patagonia.

 

[Tippo]

I ski about 150 days a year, sometimes in very cold conditions. I climb and camp at high altitude in the summer and of course ride my motorcycle in the spring, summer, and fall at high altitude here in Colorado. I've been using the Patagonia Capiline base layer stuff for years. It is easy to care for and does not pick up a smell like the old polypro stuff. It is expensive but it lasts 20 years or more. Also Patagonia will repair of replace free of charge any of their gear that goes bad regardless of age. I use Smart Wool socks and I have a few of their helmet liners. I own some Under Armor boxer-briefs and like them as well.

The bottom line is you pay for quality gear and it performs well and lasts.

Jeff

 

[creggur]

I refuse to pay big bucks for clothes. I have found stuff that works well at Walmart or Kmart, or Military surplus stores. I recently bought a set of heat-out shorts and t-shirt at CycleGear, for $9 each. I like them very well. Basically look for the same material as the high dollar stuff, but in off brands.

I too have the Heat-Out stuff from Cycle Gear for summer and have been quite pleased with it - thought about giving their cold-weather base layers a try to see if it performed as well. I thing the Heat-Out stuff is a great value...

 

[escapefjrtist]

LD Comfort. Buy it once, easy care at night, warm in the winter and cool in the summer!

http://www.ldcomfort.com/

--G

 

[Magilla]

::026:: on LD Comfort stuff. I like it because it wicks persperation away which keeps me dry and because I can wash it out in the hotel sink at night and it is dry by morning. It allows me to carry 3 shorts and 3 shirts and just rotate them. Saves me a ton of room too. No monkey butt with this stuff! ::008:: They occationally go on sale but even at retail they are a value as they last for years. If you are a memeber of the Motorcycle Tourers Forum on Delphi and sign up for their TA list... sorry not Tits and Ass It is just a list of people who are willing to help other riders if they have an issue on the road. Anywhoo...if you sign up you get 20% off LD Comfort gear as well as other deals from other companies. The TA program may be a good idea for you anyways if you are traveling and have a problem.

Good luck with whatever you decide is best for you! ::008::

 

[patrickg450]

good info and stewing on it all.........

I found a Kilm Tech Tshirt for 25 bucks and purchased it last night. Will see how I like it after she arrives. I get the get what you pay for and hate to sound cheep but I am adding it all up and wondering if it is worth it.

So far I have under armor long undies and a matching long sleeve shirt. Tech Tshirt in the mail. Wondering how much stuff I will pack and take, then how much of that I will use!!!!

TBC.....

 

[spacemanspiff]

I usually bring two pairs of base layers and rotate every day.

I have not been a fan of the underarmor shorts that I have because the seams are in the wrong place and I wind up sitting on them.

 

[patrickg450]

I usually bring two pairs of base layers and rotate every day.

I have not been a fan of the underarmor shorts that I have because the seams are in the wrong place and I wind up sitting on them.

Ok going to start packing up my bike next week, (may need to buy additional dry bag). So long trip will have to do laundry.....

carry:
3 underwear
3 base layers (long sleeve dryfit)
3 cotton shirts
3 socks
1 pair of denim pants for under my protective riding pants


good start? add sleep shorts/swim trunks, flip flops, or relaxing clothes?

 

[spacemanspiff]

Ok going to start packing up my bike next week, (may need to buy additional dry bag). So long trip will have to do laundry.....
carry:
3 underwear
3 base layers (long sleeve dryfit)
3 cotton shirts
3 socks
1 pair of denim pants for under my protective riding pants

good start? add sleep shorts/swim trunks, flip flops, or relaxing clothes?

I try to keep my cotton items to a minimum. they are very bulky, suck at wicking, and take forever to dry.
Generally, the only cotton I bring is one t-shirt that I wet if it is blazingly hot out.

I bring hiking pants with zip-off legs. ==>pants, shorts, and swim trunks (and they pack small)
the ex-officio or REI undies dry super quick and are not stinky. Wear one pair, wash the other pair at night. Dry by morning.

I do bring one pair of footwear that is comfortable (apres-ride and hiking). Chacos, tennies....

HTH

 

[Salty]

Hi. Just weighing in. Other replies in this post are very correct in pointing out that expense is proportional to comfort or lack of, not to mention convenience. In my own search for comfort, durability and ease of maintenance. I found and would suggest you look into silk products for base layer or as an alternative the base layers for cooling / retaining heat as produced by the Force Field company. Both products are source able in California . I am leaning towards silk. Ordinary jeans and shirts can be easily worn over these, even the Force-field soft amour if desired.
This combined with the Yamaha Outlook jacket and pants would be a very suitable combination.

Salty

 

[patrickg450]

got my Kilm tech Tshirt in the mail today, 19 plus the shipping and handling. Wore it around the house for about 3 hours, could have done MED, got the Large. Good start and I am planning on adding a few more then moving on to another item.

Thanks for the input.