'Wonder' fabrics - Coolmax etc
 

Hello,
What are people's opinions on the various base layers for hot weather? There is Coolmax, the Lifa stuff, Outlast etc.
Which do you find to be best for 30'C plus?
Also, this summer, I'm riding down to Italy in leather jeans and would like a base layer suitable to keep me (slightly) cooler.
Cheers,
Charles

I suppose everyone has to find their own compromise between comfort and safety, but I would not want to wear leathers in a Mediteranean summer. I've taken to wearing Kevlar jeans for summer riding. I have a medium weight pair of Draggin' jeans and a heavier pair from Hein Gerrick for when it's not so hot. I've not had to crash test them yet, but they are definately more comfortable than leathers in warm weather while still giving me some feeleing of protection if I slide down the road.

Draggin' Jeans
 

Harley
I was thinking of trying the Draggin' Jeans. Do you know a shop with a wide range to look at: sizes (& styles)? Anywhere near Ripley, for example, you being a local.
Thanks, Stephan

We got ours from Eddys in Leeds. I'm not sure if the Harley dealer in Chesterfield stocks them, but Eddys definitely had a good selection of sizes and both styles. I think there are only 2 styles, normal and wide fit.
Paul

Best Baselayers....
 

They are all ok but the best T shirts ive found are North Face Vapourwick, if its cool they keep you warm, if its hot they keep you cool, they dry out in minutes and dont look like you are out running - like Lifa/Coolmax tops can.
However if its cooler I use a Helly Hansen Prowool - great bit of kit.
Cheers
Grif

coolmax 100%
 

hi,
I've bought loads of different types of "super-fabrics" to wear under leather and under protector jackets and the like for MX or enduro.

One stands out from all the rest: 100% coolmax longsleeved shirts & long underpants.
At the moment I've got several sets of Rukka coolmax, unbeatable when hot and liters of sweat need to be evaporated fast, yet they're easy to wash and dry overnight. My oldest set, used a zillion times, still looks new.

When other materials get mixed in the coolmax fabric, they tend to become sticky, and thus very uncomfortable. Although they cost less, they're a waste of money.
Therefore, if you go for it, get the real thing, you won't be dissappointed.

still reckon that these high tech materials are trying to match the stuff nature has always used I tend therefore to use silk as a base layer hot or cold weather it works really well - for warmth add a wool / silk mix long sleeved t shirt and wool jumper!. you will also find that these fabrics breath very well and they do not carry BO like man made fibres as the bacteria does not seem to survive so well on the fabric (Its the bacteria that makes gear smell).
If I wear fleece garments for one day at work -I do very hard physical work in all weather the gear is sweaty and smelly. If I wear natural fibres this simply does not get whiffy at all my wool jumper can be worn for a long time before needing washing then its the dirt from work not the smell that dictates the wash frequency I also feel warmer in wool than man made gear. Silk is similar in hot conditions.

Look at LD Comfort
 

My wife and I have three sets each and its all the company says it is. The material just sucks up the sweat and gets rid of it in the outer layer. I was worried that the black would retain the heat but not so. The wicking action of the fabric has a cooling effect, or so it seems. I have ridden in cotton, silk and other fabrics but LDC is best so far.