Test4Eric

So I've been commuting for the last 3 months & have had a blast doing it. However, lately the heat has been past 80F, and I'm starting to sweat like a used mule. I carry a backpack w/ my work gear, and I'm thinking about switching to a non-bike specific messenger bag, and i know that makes a huge difference.

However, I'm wondering about what type of shirt I should be wearing. I'll be ordering the 2009 Fat Cyclist jersey to reward myself for a healthier & cheaper lifestyle, but that won't come in til Nov.

In the meantime, what type of shirt would be best for making me not stanky after my commute? Would something like UnderArmor work? Is there a generic WalMart (yeah, yeah, big blue satan) equivalent? I have time to change clothes at work, but can't shower or anything, and I'd like to not have a soaking back at work.

Any suggestions on cheap biking shirt/jersey?

DataJunkie

Target has cheap champion polyester exercise shirts. Walmart, sears, kohls, etc also have an equivalent.

Also, a messenger bag helps more with the comfort level of having gear on your back but not with sweating IMHO. To fix that issue you would need to either get panniers or a rack trunk. Possibly a backpack with a contoured raised back that does not sit entirely on your back would also help.

sdastroguy

I'm not sure how much cost comes into play, but since you mentioned Walmart I assume you are price sensitive. A local store here, Scheels, has Champion and UnderArmor (among others) branded shirts designed for wicking away moisture. Best of all they are not covered in logos and look like something you would wear places other than biking. The shirts are $13 and so are the matching shorts. For the $50+ I'd have had to have paid for a jersey in the bike department I walked away with 2 shirts and 2 shorts. They are comfortable for temps into the 90's at least. I can't vouch for more as it hasn't been warmer than that here yet.

rdubbz

I get mine at Target.

drhrosa

I use the STARTER TRAINING TEE and the ATHLETIC WORKS PERFORMANCE TEE (compression t-shirt) from Walmart. I love the heck out of them. They both use sweat wicking tech, and are inexpensive. The prices actually went up 2-3 dollars since I bought them 6 months ago. https://www.walmart.com/catalog/catal...atNavId=133197

philski

Yes, any synthetic wicking T-shirt will work. Nothing wrong with getting the basics from WalMart.

If you want something that **looks** like a bike jersey, Nashbar has generic bike jerseys with from $14. Have to factor in shipping, of course, but if you need another accessory or something it's not bad.

good luck! I bought my first bike jersey this week (Dicks Sporting Goods had a sale locally, got a jersey for half off sticker price) and I can't believe I let myself wear heavy cotton T shirts in hot, humid AL for so long!

Test4Eric

Is there any type of fabric that works best? Are all athletic shirts essentially the same?

DataJunkie

It is pretty much all polyester with maybe another fabric thrown in like lycra. I try to get whatever has no cotton.

That being said I prefer cycling jerseys and leave my old champion stuff at home for the gym.

jrafael

you can also check local closed-out stores like TJ-max, bells outlet, Marshall's, ross... etc they often carry brand name clothes ( under armour, nike, adidas..etc ) at very reasonable prices, usually 50% off or more, and if they have some type of cosmetic imperfections (logo was stitched back wards, etc) they will have greater discount.
Thats how I get my compression shorts (ross, Marshall's) for cheap, underarmor for $9.99 instead retail $24.99+

I use basketball short from target and k-mart, and shirts too. (make sure their tags say something about wicking technology, duo-dry, sports-dry, etc)

JeffS

If you can find a cheap merino wool shirt, you'll be glad.

I frequently go at least a week in the same shirt. And no, you probably won't find one at a big box store.

ShadowGray

Yeah, Walmart has their brand of athletic clothing... Dri-Star or Dri-Fit, and $8 for a ****, they work pretty well.

DataJunkie

I found an adidas base layer at kohls for $10. They usually go for $30 or more.

anthegreat1

i wear something very similar to this:
https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/pr...ductId=2795313

it's mesh but is a t-shirt. i have a yellow one

AndrewP

Also look for athletic socks in Walmart with 0% cotton

jrafael

+1

lil brown bat

No, they're not. The better ones have an antimicrobial treatment that will help prevent development of toxic stench -- the cheaper ones are not as likely to have that treatment.

LittleChainring

I wear one of these. https://alertshirt.com/motsh.html

Besides being made of high-visibility moisture-wicking polyester, it has the added advantage of coming in sizes up to 3X.

frymaster

of course there's a solid chance that the clothes sold in walmart were manufactured by slave or child labour. if that makes you queasy, there's always this jersey



... made in canada with 50% recycled polyester for the fairly reasonable price of $28 cdn. comes in four okay colours.

deez

any suggestions where to look? I've been hunting for Merino Wool T-Shirts today and found some at www.sierratradingpost.com and at REI for around 35 bux a shirt. is that decent?

IMHO wool is the best thing you can wear. Wicks moisture, doesn't stink, keeps you cool (or warm)....I replaced all my socks with merino wool a number of years ago, and i'm currently on a tear of replacing old grubby T-shirts and I think wool would make a lot of sense.

capolover

ha.
80 degrees.

I'd kill for 80 degrees.

no motor?

Vinegar in the laundry helps kill that stench, and the Champion C9 stuff from Target works great. Some of it even has reflective piping on it if you don't want to go the alert shirt route.

BA Commuter

What's up with all of the WalMart questions?

There are plenty of retailers like Cabelas that have wicking tees for $10 or so. They work well and look good enough to wear as casual office attire. Just buy em a size smaller so they're not flapping in the breeze. OR, you can also find plain bike jerseys at Performance and Nashbar to name a few.

I prefer to not look like a super hero even though I can scale hills with the best of the polka dotters!

ConstantRider

$35 for a lightweight short-sleeved 100% Merino tshirt is a pretty good price. Do you have specific links?

At Campmor, they've got long-sleeve wool t-shirts for $20 that are definitely a good deal.

I have also found lightweight Merino wool sweaters from Target and long-sleeved Merino wool polo shirts at Macys.com for $10 - $15. (You have to wait for the fall/winter for that though...)

But cheap short-sleeved wool tshirts -- i.e., what you'd want to wear for summer riding -- seem fairly elusive. Most seem to start at around $50...

crhilton

Under armor, football players often wear it. It's like a cheap version of a cycling jersey. No pockets, wicking material, super skin tight. Comes in black or white. I recommend white, and you might go a size bigger than what you really wear.

Silverexpress

Athletic Work's Dri-More polyester shirts from Walmarts - on sale for $6 (reg $7.96). I got a bunch of them. Excellent for hot weather. I think a few people have mentioned them already. I've seen them in two shades of blue (my favorites), black, white, orange, and yellow. Nice fit too.-