rumrunn6

what is your "go-to" thermal layer? not your base & not your top layer. what is your old reliable middle, thermal layer?

mine is a henley styled fleece shirt. have two actually. they're not bulky, provide a real boost in core body temp. protection, wick moisture & are durable. they were not cheap 10 years ago, when I bought them. but they've held up. actually my Dad bought the first one & I got the second as soon as I confirmed how useful it would be

apologies if this is a redundant thread to another recent one I didn't see

fooferdoggie 

I am a woodworker and it does not get super cold in my shop but I wear a base layer then a poly/cotton sweatshirt over that then my goretex rain jacket. that did me down a bit below 32 degrees on my ebike as long as I got my heart rate up. then I would just take the jacket off and I am ready to work. my jeans are fine down to about 32. but if I am just a joyride then I use thremal bibs.

rumrunn6

yeah, it's surprising sometimes how versatile a hoodie can be

MNBikeCommuter

For 0-60F, I mix and match my base and mid layers, which consist of four polypro shirts: short sleeve, and light-, mid-, heavy-weight long sleeves. Over the top is a hooded double layer wind breaker from 0-30F, and a "cycling specific" lighter, non-hooded wind breaker from 30-60F.

Going below 0F, I have an old freebie (thanks, Microsoft! ) XL cotton t-shirt I throw over the polypro.

The light- and mid-weight shirts were acquired back in '89 for a Cascades backpacking adventure with my brother. I imagine they aren't as heavy as they once were, but they still work. The washing machine is harder on them than my bike rides.

Riveting

If I'm wearing my Gore Phantom jacket with windstopper tech, it's so good at blocking the heat-removing wind that I rarely wear a base layer (from 40 - 55 F). Below that (25 - 40 F) just a thin tight fitting poly base layer. And below that (5 - 25 F), another of the same thin poly base layer, slightly looser, and/or slightly thicker if insulation is needed because I won't be hammering and generating tons of heat.

gecho

My shells aren't big enough for a middle layer, though I have a wide scarf I wrap around my stomach. Last year I had the scarf shortened and added velcro so I don't need to knot it anymore. An extra stomach layer makes a huge difference, its the one part of the body that doesn't generate heat.

rumrunn6

had our local tailor replace the zipper on a modest Lands End fleece vest. so versatile

NoWhammies

A 260 weight Icebreaker base layer does a good job of keeping me warm. Plus it never stinks! Gotta love merino wool. Expensive as all get out though. Look for sales if you can.