Hot weather riding: cotton T vs. UnderArmor?

Spookymonster · Post by **Spookymonster** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:00 am

I've ridden with a cotton T-shirt and a mesh jacket, and that's usually good enough until it hits the high 90s. I've heard other people recommend a long-sleeve cotton shirt so you can soak it pre-ride and the evaporation keeps you cooler (in les humid weather, at least). Lastly, I've heard synthetic UnderArmor shirts help cool by evaporation by wicking moisture away. What's the general concensus on how well each of these work?

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:05 pm

UnderArmour or other CoolMax-type clothings are so nice for year-round wear. The microweave polyester does a credible job ov wicking the sweat away from your skin so that they can be dried off by vented air.

Not to mention that even when you stop and get sweaty from the sun, you won't feel as yucky as with a cotton shirt. But then UA long sleeve costs like $40-50 a piece and I can find a cotton shirt for less than $10 a piece.

I wear UA undies almost exclusively under textile and leather suits.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 2:16 pm

I like synthetic stuff much, much better than cotton for riding. It is better in both hot and cold weather. UnderArmor is very overpriced IMO. You can find lots of good brands for less at any camping store. Even Target has some wicking shirts -- T-shirts, long sleeve, etc. -- by Champion for very low prices. I got a wicking T-shirt and long sleeve shirt for $10 each recently.

Also Sierra Trading Post has great deals on wicking underwear.

The one and only bad thing about sythetic stuff is that you have to be more careful washing and drying it. However, when you are traveling, you can easily wash it and hang to dry, and it is dry in no time.

MIXR · Post by **MIXR** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:54 pm

I purchased my 'Polytech' liners from a good adventure store. Bit thicker than your average T-shirt or long-johns, but fantastic in summer or winter. They wick away sweat in summer, don't seem to absorb body odour, and are warm in winter due to the thickness. They wash and dry quickly as the material won't hold water very well. It's pretty much all I wear under my armoured gear (apart from a pair of trunk undies with no bum seams).

They are very rugged and can be treated harshly (like washing in a creek or in a hand-basin during a stop). I wear one set, and have a second as spare. If I need to wash on the road, then the damp ones go into one of those mesh washing bags and get strapped to the pillion seat or luggage. Dry by first stop of the day.

They were expensive, but worth every cent. About AUD$80 each for long sleeve shirt with a short polo-neck zip top and long pants. Material would be as thick as flannel, but stretchy, and can be used as an outer if you need to. Spend the money.

Post by **wncbmw** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:54 pm

UA works much better than cotton but is severely overpriced. There are cheaper alternatives out there. I have some Russel shirts from a sporting goods place that are runners shirts and outdoor stores carry various other brands, including Mountain Hardwear.

I use it under layers in winter and under the jacket alone in summer. Drys and evaporates quick, can be washed out and drys overnight for trips. Same for the undies too!

I don't like Cool Max as much. I think it 'stinks' after a while. Some of the other brands advertise anti-bacterilogical fabric which resists smelling if you wear it too long.

Post by **Biff's R** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 10:10 pm

Go commando

ddriggs · Post by **ddriggs** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:38 am

Check out Wickers.com. I like their shirts because you can get them in different weights for different riding temperatures. Their stuff is reasonably priced and they always seem to be running a special.