Under gear?

[cambridgedan]

Hey i was just wondering what you ppl wear under your leathers through the winter to keep warm, im thinking thermal shirt etc, any recommendations ?

[vifferman]

I wear something shecksie; the naughty thoughts keep me all hot'n'bothered.

[MyGSXF]

Icebreaker stuff is very good

http://www.bivouac.co.nz/Icebreaker.htm

Oxford Chill Out is also very good

http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/shopn/spi//TBIKE_1_EXC_6945

:niceone:

[PrincessBandit]

Polyprop thermals (bought from dogmandu) as my leathers are so tight I'd never fit anything else under them.

[Hitcher]

In wintertime wear Icebreaker or equivalent merino items. A great way of adding layers without adding bulk.

At all other times, wear red latex.

[Ragingrob]

Yeh always a bit hard if you've only got ya leathers to wear and it's chilly. Top and bottom thermals for me along with balaclava... The big thing for me is not having proper winter gloves or bar warmers.

[cambridgedan]

hey thanks for that, im gna go have a look at them down town afta lunch, cheers:niceone:

[Grahameeboy]

Just a tee shirt and boxers

[entro]

polyprop bottoms and my usual jacket but with the inner zipped in does the trick

[Quasi]

layers of merino always keep me toasty, but need to get some decent winter gloves.

[vifferman]

layers of merino always keep me toasty, but need to get some decent winter gloves.
Like those winter ones you're going to make with the insulation only in the back of the hands and tips of the fingers? :confused:

[Quasi]

ah - i think you mean the evil one. Not me.

[Winston001]

Being in the fragrant climes of Tauranga polyprops should serve you well enough. I use Kathmandu thermal-plus which is a heavier and warmer type. Even so two layers are required for any distance at this time of year.

Having said that, merino wool thermals are the best. They do cost more but they wear well, are toasty, and the modern weave is soft and comfortable. Also they don't become smelly which can happen with artificial fibres.

Gareth and Jo Morgan have tried various thermal underwear on their many journeys and concluded that merino is the best.

Icebreaker and Glowing Skies are two reputable NZ businesses.

[retro asian]

I think ThermalPlus are the ones I bought...
They are good now, but didn't really do the job well enough last week in the freak minus weather! ...More layers seems to be the answer to that.

[Metalor]

When I am wearing my leather jacket in the cold I wear a long woolen singlet underneath a tshirt... does an AWESOME job keep me toasty.


Gonna have to invest in some thermal socks soon though... feet get numb!

[Metalor]

Just had a quick squiz a that Icebreaker stuff and it's HELL expensive.

My have to start working the streets if i want any of that gear.

[wysper]

Oxford Chill Out is also very good



:niceone:

Is that Oxford stuff windproof then? Cos if it is - that is exactly what I am after!

[MyGSXF]

Is that Oxford stuff windproof then? Cos if it is - that is exactly what I am after!

Tis sposed to be.. :niceone: I don't have any myself.. but have heard it is very good!

PS: If you do get some.. be sure to give a report back on how it goes!! :rolleyes:

[cambridgedan]

yea that katmandu stuff is expencive, i think ill get a marino shirt as it looks like it will do the job :D

[gwigs]

Hard bikers use pink batts:rofl::rofl:

[sil3nt]

katmandu often have huge sales where you can pick up good quality items extremely cheap.

[Winston001]

katmandu often have huge sales where you can pick up good quality items extremely cheap.

True but not usually merino stuff. They don't have trouble selling it. However the recession = sales......


Hard bikers use pink batts:rofl::rofl:

LOL. Seriously - put a newspaper under your jacket. Simple. Toasty.


Is that Oxford stuff windproof then? Cos if it is - that is exactly what I am after!

Yes. I have a top, works well and windproofing is a vital part of keeping warm.

Its worth understanding warmth. A healthy human creates enough warmth to keep a constant body temperature. The reason we wear clothes is to keep a layer of warm air close to our body. However we also exude sweat which evaporates and filters away through our clothing. If it stays around our skin becomes wet and sticky.

When riding, the wind pressure buffeting against the gear pumps air through the layers and we lose the warmth. So the right bike clothing for a particular day seals enough warm air close to your skin while at the same time allowing the damp sweat to move away. Windproofing is critical

[Cheshire Cat]

Man Pants :blip:

[wysper]

PS: If you do get some.. be sure to give a report back on how it goes!! :rolleyes:
Will do, hopefully in the next week or two.
I also should do a write up on my quasi leather.



Yes. I have a top, works well and windproofing is a vital part of keeping warm.

If it stays around our skin becomes wet and sticky.

Windproofing is critical

So this type of top stops the wind but lets the stickiness out?

[Blackbird]

Just had a quick squiz a that Icebreaker stuff and it's HELL expensive.

My have to start working the streets if i want any of that gear.

There's an Icebreaker outlet near Auckland airport where you can save a shedload of dosh by buying their end of line specials/seconds. Another one at Silverdale I think. They come in a range of different weights so look at the tags.

I used to wear polyprops but you stink after a day in the saddle. That doesn't happen with merino. Icebreaker claim 15 days of continuous wear without smelling. I did 8 on the Southern Cross ride including getting to and from the ride and my riding partners (Jantar and Mangell6) were still speaking to me :clap:

[MyGSXF]

put a newspaper under your jacket. Simple. Toasty.

Most definitely!!! :niceone: my dad told me bout this one several years ago.. & I've done it plenty of times.. tis enough to keep the wind & cold from getting to your chest area.. thus helping to keep your core temp up.. can really make a huge difference !!!! :first:

[cowpatz]

So is it commando in the summer time? :banana:

[BMWST?]

in welly the outlet store in tawa (dressmart) has a gordons sports shop.Ii got an icebreaker top from there.i just wear layers.My jacket has 2 zip positions so in winter i can wear more layers and still have a good fit.In summer i use the inside position.

[Winston001]

Will do, hopefully in the next week or two.
I also should do a write up on my quasi leather.

Good idea, look forward to it. Just bought Turismo pants from Quasi and he did a great deal. They certainly look and feel well-made, fit well, and I'm looking forward to getting out on the bike.


So this type of top stops the wind but lets the stickiness out?

Yes. The front of the jacket (more like a sweatshirt) and arms is made of a material which blocks the wind. The rear is normal thin fleece material and breathes. Works very well. There is a cheaper brand, White which is pretty much a copy and does the job.

You could achieve a similar effect by putting on a thin nylon rain-top except no warmth whereas the Oxford stuff is warm too.

Incidentally the Warehouse has Everest brand merino thermals. Keep an eye out for sales, particularly after July, bound to be available. Apart from that, merino long johns etc have been around for decades and can be found in Salvation Army shops etc.

[Winston001]

Most definitely!!! :niceone: my dad told me bout this one several years ago.. & I've done it plenty of times.. tis enough to keep the wind & cold from getting to your chest area.. thus helping to keep your core temp up.. can really make a huge difference !!!! :first:

I usually resort to a newspaper when on a trip and find it colder than expected, or for early in the morning. Just toss it once the day warms up. Simple and effective.

You've touched on the important point about riding - maintaining your core body temperature. If that drops your brain starts to stutter without you realising and riding becomes dangerous. It makes sense to keep your extremities warm too - heated grips and wool socks.

Some useful stuff on this thread http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=99455

[slofox]

Farmers carry a brand of merino thermals that is way cheaper than Icebreaker - just not as heavy weight. But they do the job and you can double up on layers if you want. Brand is "Finespun".
Me, I use an under layer of Finespun with an Icebreaker over that. An' I still get fuckin' cold...eventually.

[pritch]

I usually resort to a newspaper when on a trip and find it colder than expected,

Even better if the newspaper happens to be wrapped around some hot chips. :whistle:

These days though there are lots of cheap hand warmers available. One of which, if stuffed into a shirt pocket, can help the comfort level on a cold ride.

[CookMySock]

Thick beater singlet, polo neck long-sleeve polypropylene top, heated vest, bike jacket or leathers over top, heated grips. Thats it. Go anywhere, anytime, day or night, without care or regard for temperature. End of problem.

Steve

[cambridgedan]

i found some at the hunting and fishing shop and my uncle manages it so im gna get a good deal :D

[LaytonNZ]

I don't have to wear anything under my jacket, i have a Rev'It jacket and i don't feel any of the cold at all.

but i do wear one of those things that goes over ur nose and covers your neck i found rideing in winter my jaw freeze's and i got a headake!

and sometimes i wear a set of "kiwifruit" gloves under my rideing gloves just keeps my hands warm

[cambridgedan]

this is the gear i have http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs094.snc1/4685_85573216533_710436533_2311956_1268316_n.jpg

[jono035]

You can get some pretty cheap thermal gear from some of the army surplus stores around. Thats how I got my polyprop stuff, won't be using it with my textile gear though, it's pretty toasty...

[OLD MAN BJ]

Well, for what its worth, I recently bought some new Polyprops from the dogmandu outlet shop in Manukau. They were OK, but Im too long in the tooth to put up with OK. So I went to the Icebreaker outlet shop and got some 200 weight Marino. Do yourself a favour, get the Marino. I'm sorry now I wasted my money on the props, as the real thing wasn't that more expensive. Feels nicer on the skin to me too.

[oldrider]

"UNDER ARMOUR" [ www.underarmour.co.nz ]

Have not tried it yet myself but am investigating their product at "Wilson's Sports" Oamaru! :shifty:

It looks like good stuff, that just might be suitable for us too. :ride:

I will keep you posted if I get some. :mellow:

[Winston001]

"UNDER ARMOUR" [ www.underarmour.co.nz ]


Read a review on Webikeworld which was favourable but rated the Knox windchill stuff as better. Similar to Oxford windstopper I guess.

Here is a review of base layers just for interest http://www.google.co.nz/search?q=+%22American+wave%22+icebreaker&btnG=Search&hl=en&sa=2

What caught my attention is the American Wave suit http://www.americanwave.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=79301 which is made by a wetsuit manufacturer and designed for snowboarders. The reviewer found it didn't breath enough for active sports but for something like motorcycling.....:2thumbsup:

[wysper]

"UNDER ARMOUR" [ www.underarmour.co.nz ]

Have not tried it yet myself but am investigating their product

I have some under armour leggings that I used during summer to help keep cool, and make the leathers easier to take off at the end of the ride. I found them really good. In the cold however, not so good, but that is no surprise, the ones I bought were designed to keep you cool. I would recommend them. They are good. For summer anyway. I don't know about their winter stuff.


Read a review on Webikeworld which was favourable but rated the Knox windchill stuff as better. Similar to Oxford windstopper I guess.



I am going to order the oxford ones this week. Looks like they don't have my size in, I will let you know how the went when I get some.

I looked at some REV IT ones but the were only windproof on the chest, not the arms. And with vented leathers, that wasn't good enough.

[crazyhorse]

Good quality thermal long sleeve top and long johns - real sexy..... not!!!! Thank god no one sees them LOL.

And when its really really cold - suff a newspaper down your jacket - really does work and keep the cold wind off the chest - and cheaper too! Not to mention using bread bags over your socks - you guys can laugh - but my feet have been warm and dry, and I've been in some bad weather at times. You should try it :laugh:

[cambridgedan]

hey thats a good idea, :first:

[Zuki lover]

Anything that can keep you warm is generally the idea mate. Most people invest in thermals

[HenryDorsetCase]

merino next to skin because polypropylene and man made materials absolutely reek after a day (and after a while the smell does not go away) whereas wool can be worn for an amazing amount of time without becoming unduly smelly.

[HenryDorsetCase]

and sometimes i wear a set of "kiwifruit" gloves under my rideing gloves just keeps my hands warm

does the brown fuzz on the skin work as insulation? and what about the green juice on your hands and switchblocks?

[cowpatz]

Body hair....left to matt naturally......kind of like a hairy pink batt.