joejack951

An actual cycling jersey can be worn as a mid-layer OR an outer layer. I reckon I'm saving money by not purchasing superfluous 'mid-layer' garments

Having said that, I'll double up on a baselayer sometimes, too. Usually my Craft short sleeve baselayer plus a Craft long sleeve zip neck baselayer then a thermal jersey. I recently added an Icebreaker merino wool tank (Sierra Trading Post purchase, like much of my cycling clothing) which should work nicely with another long sleeve baselayer on top, too, when I'm feeling like I don't want the longer neck of the Craft s/s.

WhyFi

Man, as a Minnesotan, I'd be boiling in all of that at 32°.

This is what I like about non-cycling-specific merino shirts - can wear them under a jacket while riding in the winter, but I also wear them daily fall-through-spring.

joejack951

Anything I'm wearing on the bike is typically way too tight for me to wear it off the bike. My jerseys and baselayers are also extra long which helps keep me tucked in but would look quite odd with a pair of jeans, even though a few of my baselayers are otherwise just t-shirt shaped.

indyfabz

Rapha makes some nice stuff.

WhyFi

Ah. My jacket certainly has room for a fitted, but not skin tight, base layer. I always give myself some extra stuffing room with winter gear.

Seattle Forrest

I just use hiking and climbing clothes on the bike. I have so many merino base layers in all kinds of weights, a bunch of wind breakers, soft shells, goretex, down, synthetic, everything but fleece. Stuff is extremely versatile, it's comfy, and I already have it.

It's Fredly, but anyone who spends enough time on the bike has a little bit of Fred in him.

TimothyH

Yeah, but it's a dry heat.

TimothyH

Thanks for all the suggestions and links.

I had been considering the three jerseys below but just now ordered the 7Mesh.

• 7Mesh Callaghan
• Icebreaker Descender
• Castelli Alpha Wind Jersey

I like the high neck on all three.

The Icebreaker is interesting but a bit of an unknown. The Castelli looks like a super nice garment but has many of the attributes of a jacket for my needs right now.

The 7Mesh looks like a very versatile jersey - an outer layer in milder conditions and a mid-layer in very cold weather. The fact that the founder was a former president of Arc'teryx gives me hope that this is at that level. I called 7Mesh in Squamish, BC this morning and spoke with Ian who was very helpful and straightforward about fit, how much the fabric stretches, etc.

So I'll follow up when it arrives.


-Tim-

kbarch

This just reminded me: with a cycling specific jacket, the pockets and trim fit should be under control, so the slightly looser fit of a sweater beneath should not be an issue. It gets flattened. I've actually relegated a cheap scarf to cycling duty. It works to keep the front warm as well as a neck warmer without adding bulk around arms.

benetga

I just got this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Quality is good and looks to be a great mid-layer shirt. The collar comes up nicely around my neck when zipped up. It was a little pricey but it is exactly what I was looking for.

Carbonfiberboy 

I've just ordered a pair of these for myself and my wife: Voler: Caliber Men's Thermal Jersey

I like orange. They haven't come yet, so no report, but I've liked everything Voler I have. I normally don't wear a shell unless it's raining because I get soaked. Note that this jersey is race fit. And not $175.

exmechanic89

Not sure if anyone has used these before but if you wanna stay warm for super cheap I recommend the poly pro tops and bottoms they sell at Army surplus stores. They're OD in color, very light, very inexpensive, and really work well IME. You can find them on eBay too, which is where I bought mine. Spend $20-30 and you're good to go. I wear them underneath my jerseys on really cold days.

I also wear long johns - that is the top. Light, cheap, and pretty warm as well.

caloso

Word.

a1penguin

I have bought Under Armor Cold Gear and heavy Nike Dri-fit at Marshalls/TJMaxx, etc for $20 a pop. If you want wool, my hiking buddy says the Minus33 is relatively inexpensive, but nice wool. Looks like it's on sale at Amazon today. Check out the price history with camelcamelcamel.com.

WolfRyder

Yeah Merino Wool Base layers all the way for me. The fabric can't be beat IMO, It feels nice right next to skin, is dry wicking, has excellent air permeability. You got to hand wash the stuff, but not that big a deal, and I am AMAZED how long I can wear this stuff without it smelling that bad. Hard to go back to synthetic after wearing the Natural fabric MW. I have all different weights, styles, pull overs, no collar long tees, 1/2/,1/4, full zips. I don't need a real heavy weight one where I am and I like to layer my clothing anyway.( I have couple that are heavier that are full zip stand alone jackets pretty much) Like the light weight MW long johns also. The styling and color combos are smart too.(It works fine for cycling, but you can wear it anywhere) Look for last years styles also for deals.

TimothyH

This thread isn't about base layers.

Y'all can discuss base layers if you want but that wasn't what my question was about.


-Tim-

WhyFi

Merino makes a good base or mid-layer, so I don't see why it's not applicable.

ptempel

+1

I wouldn't over think it like @nycphotography said. Any long sleeve jersey or long sleeve marino wool shirt could do the job. The Icebreaker one looks great, but waaaaay to pricey for me. I almost fell off my chair looking at the price. I've always wanted to try a long sleeve 100% silk tee shirt. That's what a cop told me he uses to layer with on cold days. Just can't find an online source for one yet. Personally, I use either an old long sleeve jersey or a loose white baselayer on top of a Craft long sleeve baselayer.

Edit: I like and have a Campmor near me. They have this wool shirt with a collar for $45 https://www.campmor.com/c/terramar-t...e-1-2-zip-mens

Seattle Forrest

The only time I've ever hand washed any of my merino stuff was in the middle of a week-long backpacking trip across the North Cascades. There was no washing machine, but there was a river near my camp. Otherwise, cold water and gentle cycle, Eucalan detergent, and I get years out of them. Don't put them in the dryer though.

WolfRyder

Alright how about waterproof shells? I am real happy with this one by Outdoor Research.


https://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/m...ii-jacket.html

doctor j

I bought a mid-weight under layer with thumb holes in the sleeves from LL Bean. I came equipped with long arms so that most of the long sleeve offerings left an opening around the wrist region. Someone here on BF suggested the thumb-hole long sleeve, and I tried one in a tall size.

Although it's not a cycling-specific item, it worked really well. With some long-finger gloves, a long sleeve jersey and a wind jacket, the thumb-hole under layer provided a good "air seal" in the wrist region.

This might be worth a look for you.

Cyril 

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5034-3...-Winter-Jersey

I got one of these in blue for Christmas last year.
I use it as a mid layer in the dead of winter and with a base layer or stand alone
during the shoulder seasons.
Works well.

fits nicely under my Gore windstopper softshell.

WolfRyder

Minus 33 is comparable to SmartWool and Icebreaker but at lower price point. Maybe SmartWool and Ice breaker are tied at top Ibex is good, Minus 33 is third maybe but still nice. Farther drop in quality is with Terramar stuff.

Price looks pretty good to me as is, and you might even be able to find a discount code.


Minus33 Merino Wool Mid Weight 1/4 Length Zip for Men

Heathpack 

Lol, this is bike forums, changing the subject completely is how any good reply is done.

I was confused by this thread, I'd never really heard the term mid-layer. What? It goes like this: base layer, jersey, and jacket or wind vest if needed. Why would you get something special (a 'mid layer') when you presumably already have several jerseys? Don't we all already have several cycling jerseys?

Speaking of mid-layers, have I told you how much I love that Rapha rain jacket I got? I know it's not a mid-layer or a base-layer. But I like the jacket, so I think that's what we should all talk about.

Drew Eckhardt 

My thermal jerseys are mostly XS race-fit Voler, a pair of Louis Garneau pro-fits in XXS and XS, and one XS aero Verge Sport. Below 40-45 degrees or too early in the morning I use them as a mid-layer or beneath a thermal jacket. Much beyond that I wear a wind jacket on top until it gets to about 55 at which point I stow it in a pocket and don't roast into the low 60s because they're insulating, not wind-blocking. I never start riding with a thermal jersey as an only layer - without wind protection the insulation does little good and a regular summer jersey plus wind shell works better.

I recommend the Volers due to consistent fit and being able to buy them, but am not thrilled about pocket size. Club fit is right out for me, and most companies don't make small enough jerseys or don't sell them to the general public.

I'm a typical climber type - 33" chest, 26-27" waist, 5'9.5", about 140 pounds with winter fat.

The Volers are snug enough they don't flap, but loose enough the pockets are stuffable when you buy according to the size charts. Sizes go down to XS (33-35" chest, 26-29" waist) produced-on-demand or custom; small off-the-shelf. The pockets are smaller than I'd like.

Louis Garneau thermal jersey fabric is heavier than Voler's. Their pockets are ample. Unfortunately they're sized inconsistently. My custom program XXS pro-fit is closer to racer fit (where pro fit is snugger than some brands race fit) or XXXS pro-fit which means the things you want to fill your pockets with as the temperature increases (shell, leg warmers, gloves...) become problematic. My XS off-the-shelf Quebecor jersey is bigger than one of their same-fit XS short sleeve jerseys (acceptable albeit a bit loose) so I tend to reserve it for longer rides lasting into warmer hours over a short sleeve jersey with full pockets and under a jacket. Off-the rack you can't get smaller than XS (35-37" chest, 29-31" waist) although they offer XXS through their custom program (33-35", 27-29" waist) and supposedly have no minimum order.

The Verge Sport Strike Zima is made from fabric that's lighter and stretchier than the other two, fits great, has a functional waist gripper, and has good sized pockets. XS is the smallest they offer (32-34" chest, 28-29.5" waist but it works well with less). Their non-custom offerings are spotty and it's vanished from their web site.