Bicycling base layers
Foundation garments for the road
by Raymond J. Parker with additional notes from Scott Gater
"Any good system designed for cross-country skiing, for instance, will function well for cycling."
MEC undies shoot, circa 1983
Polypropylene underwear was a great boon when it made its debut, back in the late 70s, thanks to Italian chemist
Professor Guilio Natta. It soon caught on with active outdoor athletes and adventurers, especially mountaineers,
to whom avoidance of hypothermia is a life and death
consideration.
A shivering, befuddled cyclist is also at great risk and should choose underwear accordingly. Let's face it, moisture against skin on a cold day is no fun!
The premier polypro base layer manufacturer was, of course, Helly Hansen (or "Smelly Hansen", as we used to call them, due to the original product's affinity for BO). They still make the flagship LIFA® undies. A well-stocked marine store is a good place to get your hands on — or your body in — a set of LIFA.
There are many new "second skins” on the market —
VarithermT, VaporWickT, PolySENTRIC®, Capilene®,
etc. — by companies that specialize in activewear — North
Face, Odlo, Patagonia, Duofold — most of whom seem to
have switched to polyester fabrics, boasting various
"wicking" technologies.
Polypro and -ester are naturally hydrophobic or water repellent, however it is preferable to chemically alter fibres to make them hydrophilic, so they absorb perspiration, where body heat forces them to a second layer. This is accomplished by “roughing up” the fibres.
A variety of new polyester fabrics are endorsed by outdoor
athletes and are likely to work well for the all-weather
cyclist. Any good system designed for cross-country skiing, for instance, will function as well for cycling.
Regardless of any “old school” perception, wool is still an
excellent choice, especially the new superfine wool produced by companies like Icebreaker and Ground
Effect of New Zealand.
Ground Effect is a maker of cycling-specific clothing.
Their line includes base layers as well as mid layers that work well on cold/dry days. Icebreaker uses straight Merino wool (the non itchy kind) while Ground Effect uses a mix of Merino wool and nylon for their tops.
Janus, one of the original Norwegian manufacturers of
fine Merino wool and wool/acrylic blend underwear is
still in business and the label guarantees high-quality,
long-lasting traditional wear. Again, these garments will
not torture your skin like a hair shirt; so you can concentrate on the pleasures of riding your 600k brevet.
Original published in British Columbia Randonneur, Feb. 2006 (PDF)