Winter sweat - what's a girl to do?

[sassyc]

Wool is absolutely the way to go. Smartwool is less expensive, but Ibex is the creme de la creme of wool clothing. They have several different thicknesses, but I LOVE riding with the wooly sleeveless top under the wooly 1/4 zip (for ventilation) and then a light wind layer on top. WOOL!!!

Plus? It doesn't stink like synthetics do

[lph]

I was thinking on my ride in on why I don't wear wool much while riding. I sure have enough of it! I love wearing wool - thin silk/wool underwear at work, mid-layer when skiing, on campfire trips I'll be wearing 3 layers of it, and camping in the mountains it's de rigeur and can actually save your life. But most of my biking in winter is short and fast, and I get really sweaty, and I don't feel that wool wicks as well as synthetics do. So with wool I end up feeling damper (but still warm, though) and the "wet heat" makes even the best quality wool feel a little irritating. This is probably highly individual.

But if I'm moving a bit slower i.e. not sweating as much, wool seems to "keep up" and absorb moisture as I go, I don't get that "prickly feeling", and there's nothing like it to keep you warm if you have to slow down or stop.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good point.
I'm not a fast rider at all, but I'll be out there for 3-4 hours on my bike in 25-40 degrees and windy weather. For me, wool is the True Path.

[SAMbike]

Anyone with recommendations for sports bras? I've got patagonia capeline lightweight bras and they still get wet and that's what makes me cold once I stop pedalling. The sweat wicks off of the jersey no problem, but this wet layer stuck to my chest makes my core cold at a rest stop. Someone told me to try mesh sports bras - anyone know who makes these?

[DebW]

Anyone with recommendations for sports bras? I've got patagonia capeline lightweight bras and they still get wet and that's what makes me cold once I stop pedalling. The sweat wicks off of the jersey no problem, but this wet layer stuck to my chest makes my core cold at a rest stop. Someone told me to try mesh sports bras - anyone know who makes these?

My recommendation is to do without. Haven't met a sports bra that really wicks well or dries quickly. I've been convinced of this on 2 week backpacking trips. Once the bra gets wet, it takes 2-3 days to dry. And putting it on wet in the morning is the worst kind of misery. So I learned to do without, and I'm much happier that way. Guess it depends on what you can get away with, your own comfort, and how obvious it would be (are all your jerseys loose-fitting?). A windproof jacket or vest would certainly hide the evidence.

[Bklynmom]

Thanks - so much helpful info here! It sounds like I am overdressing for sure.

Wool sounds great, but it does make me itchy - I can't tolerate a cashmere sweater next to my skin - will the smartwool or ibex be itchy at all? I am OK with the smartwool sox.

Any of you sensitive to wool that wear the wool base layer?

Otherwise Craft synthetic sounds best - any specifics on Craft base layers?

Thanks so much!

[lph]

I finally found a mesh sport bra that does dry fairly well, but it's a swedish brand I think, Swegmark. (? or something like that, ripped the label off first thing). I don't wear bras hiking though, except maybe just a single layer microfiber top. The perks of having a AA-bust...

I like Craft, I wear Bavac which is very similar. I prefer very thin turtlenecks with a zipper, cover a lot but still versatile.

[KathiCville]

Bklynmom.....I thought I'd find wool too itchy, too. Could never wear wool sweaters next to my skin. But SmartWool and Ibex both feel just fine to me. Check out the woolweenies thread here on TE to find out about how to wash wool to make it even more comfortable to wear. Dr. Bronner's soap seems to have a lot of fans. I've been using it to wash all my wool stuff and haven't itched once.....