All about that base
For winter rides – and even for summer – a base layer is a must. Here’s why
Dressing for winter rides can be a balancing act. Wrap up too warm and you’ll be overheating at the mere mention of a climb; fail to layer sufficiently and you risk shivering of exposure at every cafe stop. Neither scenario is particularly conducive to an enjoyable day in the saddle, which is why getting your base layer right is so important.
‘ A good base layer will elevate the way the rest of your kit performs and plays an important role in regulating body temperature,’ says Sergio Jensen, product manager at Rapha.
‘As your ride gets more or less intense, it will balance your temperature and prevent you from overheating when you’re going hard, but also from getting too cold when you stop.’
Another important function is moisture management. Getting sweaty on a winter ride is a recipe for becoming too cold, which is why base layers are designed to wick moisture away from the skin. By this we mean sweat is encouraged to move through the narrow gaps between the yarns, with the fabric drawing it to the outside where it can evaporate.
This characteristic means base layers have applications outside of winter use too. It might seem counterintuitive, but wearing a suitable base layer in the summer will actually help to keep you cool. In fact, Jensen goes as far as to say that cyclists should be wearing base layers at all times, and not just in winter.
So, are there any circumstances under which a base layer shouldn’t be worn? According to Luca Zanasca, senior manager of development at Assos, emerging technologies elsewhere in cycling apparel could create an exception. ‘For example, in 2022 we will be launching a new jersey that’s super-light, quick-drying and uses a very soft textile that’s comfortable in contact with the skin. In this case a base layer shouldn’t be necessary.’
Come rain or shine
The rest of the time, weather and general riding conditions will dictate what sort of base layer should be worn. In hot weather, shortsleeve base layers made from synthetic mesh are best suited for keeping you cool. There’s also a Uv-protection benefit, which is another reason to layer up for hot conditions.
In colder weather, long-sleeve merinowool base layers are hard to beat. This natural material is excellent at managing temperature, keeping you warm while preventing you from overheating. It’s quick-drying and comfortable too, making it a solid three-season option.
‘Merino is great,’ says Jensen. ‘But it does have a tendency to wet out if the fabric is too heavy. That’s why we don’t do a really heavy merino base layer. Instead, for high- intensity riding in winter, we have our synthetic Pro Team Thermal Base Layer that’s made from Polartec fabric. It’s thick and warm, but also lightweight, breathable and quick-drying.’
‘The main difference between types of base layer is the weight of the yarn,’ adds Zanasca. ‘The composition can vary too. In summer base layers, for example, we might use some polypropylene because it’s more comfortable in contact with the skin, whereas in winter we mix in some wool to increase the weight and insulation while keeping the garment as comfortable and dry as possible.’
Body mapping is another technology that’s gaining traction. This involves different fabrics being strategically placed at different parts of the body
Fabric-blending is one technology that has helped base layers advance in recent years. Materials such as Polartec’s Power Wool take the best parts of synthetic fibres and natural merino, fusing them to create a whole greater than the sum of its parts. Sadly, this improved performance does come at an environmental cost, as blended fabrics are not currently recyclable.
Mixing it up
Elsewhere, brands have been experimenting with more surprising materials. ‘We used a really nice fabric for one of our previous base layers,’ says Jensen. ‘It had silver-coated yarn, which inhibits the growth of bacteria to keep you smelling fresh. Synthetic fibres don’t have the natural odour control of wool, so you have to look at special technologies and fabric finishes when you start blending materials.’
Some manufacturers, including Assos, even use carbon particles to achieve this. The Swiss brand’s Skin Layer range uses a small percentage of carbon fibre, which is claimed to make the garments antistatic, antibacterial, and also helps with thermoregulation.
Body mapping is another technology that’s gaining traction. This involves different fabrics being strategically placed at different parts of the body – think windblock panels on the chest and mesh on the back. The idea is that each area of the body has specific thermal comfort needs. By using this zonal placement, garment performance can be increased.
Where’s left to go in terms of base layer tech? Rapha’s Jensen believes the next big step will come not from the garments themselves, but in how we recycle them.
‘In terms of sustainability, I hope to see better recyclable fabrics. These materials are great from a usage point of view but at the moment they can’t be recycled. It’s something we need to think about. I’d like to see sustainability becoming more prominent in base layers, and all cycling kit for that matter.’