Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

With winter coming I need to add to my kit, so I've decided to get another compression top but I wonder if there is much difference from these 3: Under Armor, Skins a200 & Skins a400 all are long sleeve

My experience with compression wear (Skins tights) is they give very little thermal protection. If you want something to keep warm a baselayer made of wool or polypropylene is what you need.

close knit fabrics do help

of the above in general under armour are cheaper!

i also had skins rub skin raw at the seams

James, those products do if anything the opposite of what you want ... they're very cool, since they wick sweat away rapidly ....

that's not true

They do wick the sweat away and also help stop air flowing through the material onto your chest or body (the close weave prevents the air flowing through). Wicking sweat away from you is actually beneficial in keeping you warm - fabrics, such as cotton or bad jerseys, hold the moisture close to your skin and contribute to the evaporative effect, the wicking effect of the material ensures that it is wicking from the side away from your skin.

I have a Moa jersey (FDJ) which is rubbish for wicking and can actually chill me in the period after dark.

The compression gear will not take the place of a decent gillet (or even newspapers ) but they are better than just a plain jersey.

I have found the compression tops not great in winter. They tend to get moist from sweat and with the cold air across the chest increase the risk of catching a cold. IMO, a looser fitting base layer is a better option or better still a gilet which can be removed if it gets a little too hot.

I would be looking for a wool base layer and perhaps a neoprene style jacket.
Cannot say I have ever thought of compression gear for winter.

jamesn184 wrote:With winter coming I need to add to my kit

Just move to Qld and you'll be right

moving to QLD will be ok for the first winter, but once you've climatised to the heat/humidity.. anything less than 20degrees is chilly up here

Not sure why a cyclist would wear compression for the upper body? A good quality thermal top from Paddy Pallin, Kathmandu, Mountain Designs etc would be a much better idea imo.

For the legs I've found the long leg tights with fleece on cellbikes.com to be awesome!!

I've since decided to grab 2 pairs of endura baba l/s base layers

jamesn184 wrote:I've since decided to grab 2 pairs of endura baba l/s base layers

Excellent decision.
I have one and along with my Endura jacket and neoprene booties, these were my go to items last winter

jamesn184 wrote:I've since decided to grab 2 pairs of endura baba l/s base layers

Hi jamesn184

Where did you get the Endura Baa Baa gear from as I'm in the market for some?

Thanks

I have a pair of Ground Effect Daddy Long Legs tights, I find them very warm.

They also have a slightly cheaper version called Jungle Jims.

Mike

wardie wrote:

jamesn184 wrote:I've since decided to grab 2 pairs of endura baba l/s base layers

Hi jamesn184

Where did you get the Endura Baa Baa gear from as I'm in the market for some?

Thanks

Probikekit.com

Chevck out Ribble before you go to PBK.
They are often far cheaper even with their shipping costs included.

I've got a selection (100 & 200 thread) of Merino baselayers I bought at local outdoor stores during summer on special. I got to try them on and size them.

They're from NZ and I can't see the point in buying from Europe when such good stuff is local.

Well I ended up grabbing 3xLS Thermals from kathmandu, not to bad for 3 for $74
So far so good, I was on the saddle for just over 3hrs yesterday with 14-15degree weather and I was fine.

Thermals at 15C - HTFU

antipodean wrote:Thermals at 15C - HTFU

Yup 15C is full summer kit. Arm warmers get worn at about 12C or below; full length gloves, knee warmers and shoe warmers below 8C. I wear longs about twice per year, below about 4C. I shove newspaper down my front in cold weather, and don't bother with a gillet.

joisus - i don't dig out thermals till its about -2 in the mornings.... 15 degrees? i'd melt into a puddle like the wicked witch of the west.

get a thermal!!!!!!!!!!

Try this for a locally made producthttp://www.smittenmerino.com/, their tops look sweet but i am yet to shell out for one, it hasnt hit single digits for my riding much lately so ill hold out.

i get the katmando 3 pack of termals....so cheap

I ended up getting some Castelli Rosso Corsa long bib-tights. They are amazing (as they should be for the cost), very comfortable, great chamois.

Got a Castelli long sleeve jersey as well - but it's not cold enough to use that, it's incredibly warm.