What to Wear on a Humid Ride?

[OakLeaf]

Definitely no cotton. Once it gets wet (which will take about 45 seconds in humid weather), it might as well be vinyl for all it will breathe.

As loose a knit synthetic as you own. Tighter against your skin is only a problem if the fabric doesn't breathe (e.g. the cooling base layers that are meant to be just as snug as a warm base layer) - it's the distance between fibers in the fabric that you really need to be loose.

And besides the water, be sure to replace electrolytes. You will definitely need to replenish sodium, calcium and magnesium if you'll be out all day in the humidity.

[limewave]

Tech! For sure!

I have a mesh cycling jersey. It is THE BEST for humid weather. I love that thing.

[Owlie]

Technical fabric, definitely.

[Velocivixen]

@limewave, mesh sounds nice. Can you see through it?

Thanks everyone. I do use Nuun electrolyte replacement in my water. We're wingin' it regarding distance and will depend on what we decide. At this moment it's only 64 degrees with 96% humidity and supposed to be humid w/ mostly sun and a few clouds. I think predicted humidity is 87%. We just aren't a humid place in the summer. Our heat is typically "dry".

Okay...Castelli it is. Man I don't like jersey sizing. I wear a small/extra small in everything else on top and I wear a Large in this jersey and you can see literally every bump and bulge! :0

[limewave]

@limewave, mesh sounds nice. Can you see through it?

Not as bad as I thought. There's a pretty design on it, so even though you can "see through it" you really don't see through it. It's noticeable when I wear a black sports bra underneath, but otherwise it hasn't been an issue.

[Owlie]

@limewave, mesh sounds nice. Can you see through it?

Thanks everyone. I do use Nuun electrolyte replacement in my water. We're wingin' it regarding distance and will depend on what we decide. At this moment it's only 64 degrees with 96% humidity and supposed to be humid w/ mostly sun and a few clouds. I think predicted humidity is 87%. We just aren't a humid place in the summer. Our heat is typically "dry".

Okay...Castelli it is. Man I don't like jersey sizing. I wear a small/extra small in everything else on top and I wear a Large in this jersey and you can see literally every bump and bulge! :0

Yeah, Castelli jerseys seem to be very form-fitting. I wore mine yesterday and was mistaken for a guy by a bunch of twelve-year-olds. I don't know how, considering...

[Norse]

Tech absolutely. Although it may seem counterintuitive, I also wear a sleeveless wicking base layer and it actually does help keep me cooler.

[Velocivixen]

@Owlie, sorry, but that's funny! lol Are you big busted? (don't mean to be personal). I'll say it though...I'd never be mistaken for a guy, especially from the front. I've been cursed with big b00bs.

Happy riding everyone.

[Owlie]

@Owlie, sorry, but that's funny! lol Are you big busted? (don't mean to be personal). I'll say it though...I'd never be mistaken for a guy, especially from the front. I've been cursed with big b00bs.

Happy riding everyone.

I'm not particularly busty, but there's enough there that makes me wonder how they made that mistake. The jersey is mostly black, which may have something to do with it. Apparently in the mind of these twelve-year-old boys, a road bike with a rider in black and red means that the rider must be male.
/threadjack

Norsegoddess--I have a short-sleeve wicking layer, and it does almost nothing for me once the humidity levels go above a certain point. Interesting.

[marni]

Tech absolutely. Although it may seem counterintuitive, I also wear a sleeveless wicking base layer and it actually does help keep me cooler.

I have a sleeveless Craft wicking underlayer that I absolute will not ride without in the spring summer and fall here in hot and humid Houston. Even when I am not sweating, it provides a layer between me and the slimy feeling jersey fabric. In this case, two layers are definitely better than one. I also have arm coolers that not only keep me cool by wicking away the sweat, but also protect my arms from sun heat.

In the late fall, winter and early spring, I will wear either the craft as an underlayer or if its a bit colder, I have a wool underlayer that I love.

marni

[Velocivixen]

Thanks for the input. I did feel icky wearing my jersey and I'm not sure why. I am going on that same ride again tomorrow under similar conditions and I am wearing my Lucy training tank, which is my all around go the the gym, go running sleeveless tee shirt in a tech fabric, but it doesn't look "shiny" like the Castelli. Of course it doesn't have pockets, but I have other places to keep things.

[Norse]

I have a sleeveless Craft wicking underlayer that I absolute will not ride without in the spring summer and fall here in hot and humid Houston. Even when I am not sweating, it provides a layer between me and the slimy feeling jersey fabric. In this case, two layers are definitely better than one. I also have arm coolers that not only keep me cool by wicking away the sweat, but also protect my arms from sun heat.

In the late fall, winter and early spring, I will wear either the craft as an underlayer or if its a bit colder, I have a wool underlayer that I love.

marni

I totally agree about the anti-slime factor that a wicking base layer helps to provide. I have not tried the arm coolers but did get a pair for DP for her birthday as she commutes to work by bike and doesn't always like to coat on the suntan lotion - she absolutely loves them and sings their praises.