Undershirts

[Huw]

For no good reason, I was looking at the STEAM Sports page (I think because I wanted to see what they were doing in terms of safety after a number of accidents in their bunches over the last few months), when I followed a link to the only slightly annoying homepage of their ride leader, Daniele Vanolini.

Getting to the point, Vanolini expresses strong views on the neccessity of wearing an undershirt on all rides, in all weathers (on his homepage, click "News" at left).

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COMING DOWN WITH COLDS & FLU
WEAR AN UNDERSHIRT ON EVERYRIDE

Many of you have heard me talk a lot about the importance of the correct riding gear. One accessory which should be worn at all times even in summer is the undershirt.
Proper developed undershirts should soak up sweat & allow good air flow, also in the case of an accident it adds another layer there for safety .Undershirts also prevent riders coming down with colds & flu .Previously the best ones where only found in Europe but over the past 5 months I’ve been assisting Leonard who most of you know, in designing an undershirt that is light to wear & has all the benefits of the fabric found in Europe & at a cheaper price. From next week they be available for sale. I have tested it in very hot & cold conditions & have found it does it well & fits that comfy that you don’t even know you’re wearing it. Cost will be $59.95 & STEAM members will get a $10.00 discount.

I'm always on the lookout for ways to part with my hard-earned money - should I have some undershirts on order? Are they really as important as Vanolini claims?

[jimmy]

I have one for Winter, but the idea of them stopping colds and flus sounds like crap to me.

The only advantage I can see of wearing one in summer, is that it can stop the shoulder straps of bib nicks from rubbing too much.

James

[weiyun]

Great for the cooler months only. That write up sounded like a Torpedo 7 marketing spill.

[Simon Llewellyn]

Just buy the newspaper in winter Huw, it's cheaper and gives you something to do when you run out of tubes and have to wait for the train...

[Toff]

I always wear an undershirt, mainly for protection. Lycra/nylon will tear much more skin off if you go skidding down the road, whereas cotton will tear the fabric first, rather than me.

Most of my undershirts are t-shirts that I was wearing when I was in school. They are at least 20 years old, and have holes in them, but the holes are from the crashes, not from age. If I put one one, you can see how the holes in the shirt line up precisely with the scars on my torso.

$59 is insane for an undershirt. What a joke. You can buy a cotton t-shirt for around $15 in Target. Just go down a size to ensure it is body hugging. The difference can be invested in better rubber to prevent hitting the bitumen in the first place...

[christian]

I don't bother in summer, jerseys are usually made out of a fabric that wicks the sweat away so putting something in between the jersey and you will stop it working as well. The whole cold/flu thing can't be right since they are both caused by viruses.

[weiyun]

The whole cold/flu thing can't be right since they are both caused by viruses.

But it may be easier to "catch a cold" if your body is in a certain state. Some say that you need to stay covered after sweating from exercises.

[mikesbytes]

No, however if it is seriously cold, I'll wear a normal cotton singlet like the ones I'd wear to the gym. I tend to look for more warmth for the arms legs and most importantly the feet.

Never had the gravel rash problem on the torso, as its pretty much protected by my shoulders. Problem is, what's protecting my shoulders?

[weiyun]

Problem is, what's protecting my shoulders?

Get a rugby jersey!

[lindsay]

I'm singlet guy. One thing the old boys always worry about is getting a "chill". I don't know what a chill is but it sounds like one thing I don't want.

[Toff]

I'm singlet guy. One thing the old boys always worry about is getting a "chill". I don't know what a chill is but it sounds like one thing I don't want.

You look like a fustanella and knee-high sock kinda guy.

[micklan]

Yes winter rides to work I wear a Katmandu thermal undershirt, or something - Katmandu have sales and you can get them for $10 each (min of 3), some long sleeve some short sleeve, they work very well, warm for rides on a winter morning, no overheating, breath and don't collect gallons of sweat

[T-Bone]

Just buy the newspaper in winter Huw, it's cheaper and gives you something to do when you run out of tubes and have to wait for the train...

You need something between the newspaper and your skin otherwise it's not too comfortable. A singlet usually does the job.

I only really use undershirts of various forms on colder days, as i don't like overheating too much. I've used singlets, and short sleeve t-shirts (bonds or similar), and they both work pretty well. Long sleeve shirts reduce the need for arm warmers. Recently i bought one of these http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/BSBYSN72S and it seems fairly comfortable, though i need to wait until they're on sale again (12.99 on sale), and have to wait for the mens sizes to be in stock again.

[williamd]

Hey mike L

Where do you get them.

A fairing protects you from the wind.

[micklan]

Katmandu shops - http://www.kathmandu.com.au/10.html

actually they've an easter sale on now

[Huw]

I'm surprised --- by how many people wear cotton! I thought it was important to get wicking fibres which tend to retain warmth when wet. As for hot conditions, I figured that once your skin is covered from the sun, less is more.

On a slightly different tack, does anyone have any old mesh undershirts? I remember seeing them and wondering whether, aside from starring in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, they'd be useful:

Maybe they're just really old skool - the coolest design for the fabrics of yesterday. Anyway, I haven't seen them around any shops for a long time.

I voted "no", because I'm bare-chested underneath my jersey in summer. But of course, I use undershirts in winter. A cheap polypropylene one and an expensive fine merino woolen one. They both feel the same and give the same warmth. The expensive one is tailored to make a flabby body look more muscular.

[Toff]

Kathmandu sale is currently 3 thermal items for $60. Probably not worth it at that price.

[mikesbytes]

Huw, I think you should stick to lycra

[othy]

I got 2 thermal tank tops from Kathmandu today for $14 each. Look much better then cotton t-shirts in the sweat wicking department.

[williamd]

Mike

Which store did you get them from for $14.

A fairing keeps the wind and rain out.

[williamd]

Do they have the tank tops in black to match my fairing.

I don't want the style police to be upset.

[othy]

There were available in black, white and some very uncool stripes.

[williamd]

I will go on saturday to buy some.

[timyone]

i said noo, but i might once it gets cold enough

[micklan]

There were available in black, white and some very uncool stripes.

yeah but no but - no-one sees the stripes - its an under shirt

[williamd]

Yeah you have a point there Mick.

But you never know when you may get caught with you pants down.

[Stuart]

I said no as I've only worn them in winter and agree that the blurb sounded like an advert for his new product. I've tried cotton singlets and didn't like the results as they just absorb sweat and when u stop for any time you get cold.

After consultation with my cross country skiing friends who have an interest in staying warm but not wet I have decided that Merino Wool ones are the go (as opposed to polypropylene or "thermal" types) and indeed they are on special at Katmandoo as we speak. Must get down to actually buy one!

You could always just buy a winter weight cycling top ...