Discussion
TheInternet said:
Planet X / On One merino ones for me. Stock levels / prices can be a bit hit or miss though.
If you do decide to go that route, make sure you buy just one first to make sure you're not allergic to the horrid, horrid stuff!As soon as I even begin to exert myself whilst wearing any sort of wool, I might as well swap it for a shirt of brillo pads and white hot razor blades...

missing the VR6 said:
I've got a couple of Nike one's I got for £5 each from Sports Direct or some such, seem to work just fine.
You sure they aren't just a stretchy lyra sports top. At £5, I can't imagine they are a proper/decent base layer.I have two Helly Hanson base layer tops and one DHB. Helly Hanson is a bit better. You can usually pick them up in shops for a decent price in the sales. Wiggle sell them both, but Millets and COtswold Outdoors do the HH stuff at a similar price.
Need to get a short sleeve one for the summer.
I did try a DHB Merino one, but I just couldn't get on with it at all. Found it very uncomfortable

bakerstreet said:
You sure they aren't just a stretchy lyra sports top. At £5, I can't imagine they are a proper/decent base layer.
I have two Helly Hanson base layer tops and one DHB. Helly Hanson is a bit better. You can usually pick them up in shops for a decent price in the sales. Wiggle sell them both, but Millets and COtswold Outdoors do the HH stuff at a similar price.
Need to get a short sleeve one for the summer.
I did try a DHB Merino one, but I just couldn't get on with it at all. Found it very uncomfortable
They retail for more normally but from Sports direct they're always cheap. They say Pro Combat on them, thought they were base layers. Could be wrong.I have two Helly Hanson base layer tops and one DHB. Helly Hanson is a bit better. You can usually pick them up in shops for a decent price in the sales. Wiggle sell them both, but Millets and COtswold Outdoors do the HH stuff at a similar price.
Need to get a short sleeve one for the summer.
I did try a DHB Merino one, but I just couldn't get on with it at all. Found it very uncomfortable

missing the VR6 said:
bakerstreet said:
missing the VR6 said:
I've got a couple of Nike one's I got for £5 each from Sports Direct or some such, seem to work just fine.
You sure they aren't just a stretchy lyra sports top. At £5, I can't imagine they are a proper/decent base layer......I did try a DHB Merino one, but I just couldn't get on with it at all. Found it very uncomfortable

I bought mine at the running shop in Farnham between East Street Cycles and Hoops Velo. I seem to recall £22 for the first one, then I bought a second (larger sized) one in a Sports Direct for about £15. I've had both for an age, now, and the hem stitching at the bottom is wearing out, but they've been great on the bike, especially in winter (both are long sleeve). I'm happy enough with them that I'll not look too hard for an alternative when the time comes to replace them. I won't bother with Merino either, because I've a long history of not "getting along" with any form of wool next to my skin.
yellowjack said:
missing the VR6 said:
bakerstreet said:
missing the VR6 said:
I've got a couple of Nike one's I got for £5 each from Sports Direct or some such, seem to work just fine.
You sure they aren't just a stretchy lyra sports top. At £5, I can't imagine they are a proper/decent base layer......I did try a DHB Merino one, but I just couldn't get on with it at all. Found it very uncomfortable

I bought mine at the running shop in Farnham between East Street Cycles and Hoops Velo. I seem to recall £22 for the first one, then I bought a second (larger sized) one in a Sports Direct for about £15. I've had both for an age, now, and the hem stitching at the bottom is wearing out, but they've been great on the bike, especially in winter (both are long sleeve). I'm happy enough with them that I'll not look too hard for an alternative when the time comes to replace them. I won't bother with Merino either, because I've a long history of not "getting along" with any form of wool next to my skin.

One useful tip for those who want Merino's ability to not build up a level of background sweat smell over time but don't want its ability to exfoliate them to the bone within 20 minutes of putting it on is to put a few glugs of white vinegar (the sort of stuff you can buy in 5 litre containers on Amazon & Ebay for a few quid) in the fabric conditioner drawer of your washing machine.
Obviously this does require that you don't use a separate conditioner (I assume?), but man-made-fabric base layers really do come out smelling like new!
Obviously this does require that you don't use a separate conditioner (I assume?), but man-made-fabric base layers really do come out smelling like new!

yellowjack said:
I use 'em too. Nike Pro Combat Dri-Fit compression top, is what it's labelled as.
I bought mine at the running shop in Farnham between East Street Cycles and Hoops Velo. I seem to recall £22 for the first one, then I bought a second (larger sized) one in a Sports Direct for about £15. I've had both for an age, now, and the hem stitching at the bottom is wearing out, but they've been great on the bike, especially in winter (both are long sleeve). I'm happy enough with them that I'll not look too hard for an alternative when the time comes to replace them. I won't bother with Merino either, because I've a long history of not "getting along" with any form of wool next to my skin.
I'm glad you cleared that up, I was starting to wonder what I'd bought. Either way they certainly do the job.I bought mine at the running shop in Farnham between East Street Cycles and Hoops Velo. I seem to recall £22 for the first one, then I bought a second (larger sized) one in a Sports Direct for about £15. I've had both for an age, now, and the hem stitching at the bottom is wearing out, but they've been great on the bike, especially in winter (both are long sleeve). I'm happy enough with them that I'll not look too hard for an alternative when the time comes to replace them. I won't bother with Merino either, because I've a long history of not "getting along" with any form of wool next to my skin.
richardxjr said:
Helly Hansen Dry. The best imo, about £20.
This. Whether it's rowing, fellrunning or cycling I've always used HH baselayers (whether the 'dry' or 'warm' variety), and I don't think I'd bother using anything else, I must have about 20 now! They are a bit pricier than some but they are properly well made. I do believe I've still got the very first one I ever bought over ten years ago and while I wouldn't want to wear it in polite company it still does the job it's supposed to. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


