Long Underwear
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 136 Times
in
82 Posts
Long Underwear
Today, it was in the 40s when I left for work. (It was 65F the other day). What type of long underwear to you recommend for commuting?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
I guess I sweat too much to need long underwear.
I always wear wicking clothing. Poly pro works good, but stinks when sweaty
My best bet is to use wool - especially close to the skin. Knee high thick wool socks are my winter goto. Everything else is layer-able.
My best purchase though is going to salvation army and getting a light wool sweater for $5. They are great in the winter. Get merino wool if you can, cashmere is even better.
Sure, I have $100 custom wool bike jerseys, but the $5 stuff works just as good* and I don't have to worry about it getting trashed.
If I need more on my legs, any light weight poly pro long underwear works. Bike shorts with shamy are good to keep the butt warmer than the bike seat.
* (ok the $5 stuff doesn't have a back pocket over my butt.)
I always wear wicking clothing. Poly pro works good, but stinks when sweaty
My best bet is to use wool - especially close to the skin. Knee high thick wool socks are my winter goto. Everything else is layer-able.
My best purchase though is going to salvation army and getting a light wool sweater for $5. They are great in the winter. Get merino wool if you can, cashmere is even better.
Sure, I have $100 custom wool bike jerseys, but the $5 stuff works just as good* and I don't have to worry about it getting trashed.
If I need more on my legs, any light weight poly pro long underwear works. Bike shorts with shamy are good to keep the butt warmer than the bike seat.
* (ok the $5 stuff doesn't have a back pocket over my butt.)
#3
Full Member
For average commuting purposes, it can be fun to wear shorts (be it a stretch jeans or something else) with long sweatpants on top. Especially in the fall when it starts to get cool in the morning but warms up during the day, and is warmer on the way back. If you want to, "extend" your shorts using leg warmers (or socks up to knee height). On windy or wet days, you could add inexpensive lightweight rain pants. — Another trick is to use zip pants with leg warmers underneath.
Of course, once winter really arrives this method won't be so much fun anymore.
Of course, once winter really arrives this method won't be so much fun anymore.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,904
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,933 Times
in
1,213 Posts
If you're wearing long pants, I doubt you'll need long underwear. Down to 40F, one (thin) layer on my legs is enough. Though I usually go with polypro tights over bike shorts.
Likes For pdlamb:
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 5,973
Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Nishiki Blazer, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V
Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 1,677 Times
in
827 Posts
I wear shorts down to 38F, then I wear semi-breathable "jogging pants". Below 18F I wear another, loose pair over that along with wool socks. But everyone is different.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 872
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 358 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 136 Times
in
82 Posts
What is a good place to buy long underwear? My local military surplus has nothing in stock. Any ideals of where is the best military surplus place to buy from?
#7
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,470 Times
in
1,435 Posts
I got some great wool long underwear at REI.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Likes For noglider:
#8
human being
When temperature dips below 40F, I use a base layer (similar to something that skiers use) that breathes but also provides thermal protection, my cycling jersey and a wind breaker. Depending on how I feel when I walk out the door, sometimes I'll add knee warmers.
I will say that I don't commute when it drops below 30F -- luckily not too many of those days here in HOU area.
I will say that I don't commute when it drops below 30F -- luckily not too many of those days here in HOU area.
#9
Junior Member
I use quick drying thermal underwear. I don't stick to particular model, still trying. The last one I've bought is made by Wonderful Life. The main thing it should be able to keep sweat away from your body fast.
I do sweat so this is really important. Thankfully my job requires me to change my clothes before work.
I do sweat so this is really important. Thankfully my job requires me to change my clothes before work.
#13
multimodal commuter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: NJ, NYC, LI
Posts: 19,808
Bikes: 1940s Fothergill, 1959 Allegro Special, 1963? Claud Butler Olympic Sprint, Lambert 'Clubman', 1974 Fuji "the Ace", 1976 Holdsworth 650b conversion rando bike, 1983 Trek 720 tourer, 1984 Counterpoint Opus II, 1993 Basso Gap, 2010 Downtube 8h, and...
Mentioned: 584 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1908 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times
in
339 Posts
My legs don't get cold on the bike. Hands and feet, yes, but not legs. Whatever thin long pants I'm wearing to work that day, they'll be fine on the bike.
__________________
www.rhmsaddles.com.
www.rhmsaddles.com.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,528
Bikes: 2018 Roubaix Expert Di2, 2016 Diverge Expert X1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times
in
105 Posts
Merino wool or Underarmor if you need it. My legs never get as cold as the rest of me either so sometimes just something to block the wind.
#15
Im a little Surly
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Near the district
Posts: 2,422
Bikes: Two Cross Checks, a Karate Monkey, a Disc Trucker, and a VO Randonneur
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 699 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
647 Posts
This is the only time of the year I wear cycling gear. Good insulated tights are a god send in the winter
#16
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Fairhaven Ma.
Posts: 132
Bikes: Trek Multitrac 750. Scott Addict . Motobacane La Champion Trek Crossrip, Scott Scale 925 mountain Bike Centry
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Liked 52 Times
in
35 Posts
I use UnderArmor base layer when the temp. drops to the 40s.
#17
Full Member
No thermals for me until below zero.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,905
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4806 Post(s)
Liked 3,928 Times
in
2,553 Posts
I'm a big fan of Patagonia Capilene. I have all three weights and ridden with al of them. (I also buy the REI brand equivalents. They work also but are not as nice or long lasting as the Patagonia ones. I wear either old shorts or UnderArmour undies under and tights over.