thermal top/fleece/layer

[formula400]

right currently I am wearing a Dainese summer jacket, the inner jacket is rubbish. over the top I am wearing a rain jacket that's keeping me dry, but I want/need a thermal layer to get me warmer.

I can't be arsed with heated stuff, yes I could buy a warmer jacket but my current set up works (dry bit does) I just want nice fleece or so to go under.


what's good and warm???

[weeksy]

Decathlon... Walking section, just pick what you like

[formula400]

Decathlon... Walking section, just pick what you like

are they all the same warmth???? not got that close, but might take a trip if I can't get it on line

[gremlin]

I swear by active base layers (used to be called 'thermal underwear' back in the day). Lidl usually do tops and bottoms for c. £15 each,which I've found more than acceptable over the years.

[Bigyin]

I wear the same retro Italia tracksuit top i have had for probably 25 years. Nice and thin, zips up to the neck and a perfect base layer under my Dainese textile or Alpinestars leather kit. I dont like to wear a fleece as i find them too bulky.

I remember a pic from a VD rideout in Superbike magazine in about 2004 in Comfort Cafe car park off the A11 and i have it on then

Go outdoors will have plenty of thin base layers to pick from

[Rockburner]

Any thin top will help, bike-specific stuff will be over-priced and no better than any half-deent walking/running top (which in turn may be somewhat pricier than a thin cheap fleece from a high-street tat bazaar).

[Trinity765]

EDZ do some good stuff. They used to do a Yeti Fleece that kept me warm on the coldest days but I have just noticed that it's been discontinued They seem to do mostly merino wool mid layers now - still good.

[gremlin]

I wear the same retro Italia tracksuit top i have had for probably 25 years.

Same. Adidas Climawarm thin fleece with the neck zip long since gone. Must be older than the Gremlinette, but still good.

Tight? Me?

[Supermofo]

I wear a compression top I used to play football in as it's super thin but provides a decent level of warmth and over that a Lidl windstopper my Dad got me years ago cos he saw it and it was cheap. Together they add little bulk but two extra layers. I've got this compression top but they are everywhere.

[gremlin]

That ^ is very similar to the Lidl gear. For the money, it's a no brainer. Adds no bulk and really works. Add the delightfully sexy bottoms and you're good through the winter.

[Skub]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

[Rockburner]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

They're surprisingly bulky (I have one).

The 'Warm-n-safe' heated base layers are better, they need less energy because you wear them closer to your body, and they're far less bulky. (Obviously they're about as attractive as any other bike-specific gear!)

[Skub]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

They're surprisingly bulky (I have one).

The 'Warm-n-safe' heated base layers are better, they need less energy because you wear them closer to your body, and they're far less bulky. (Obviously they're about as attractive as any other bike-specific gear!)

I have one too,I never really thought of it as bulky. I know you need to go a couple of sizes down from usual to get a close fit,as the make them on the large side.

I haven't tried the warm n safe jobbies,but good to know they work.

[Hot_Air]

I've ridden through numerous winters, never bothered with heated gear and recommend the following:

1. A thin, wicking base layer (top and long johns alike) next to the skin. Cotton is rubbish, so synthetic material's what you need. Numerous synthetic base layers are available at affordable prices (e.g., Mountain Warehouse sale items, Lidl). But if you can afford it, Outlast gear is ideal across a broad temperature range. However, I've found that merino base layers are warmest in freezing temperatures. And merino socks made a big difference, too.

2. A warm mid-layer: Outlast (if you can afford it) for flexibility across a wide range of temps. Merino for cold weather or synthetic down for freezing temperatures. Sale items from mountaineering shops are your wallet's friend!

3. I seal out every possible draft — a windproof buff for my neck, ensure a tight jacket seal over my gloves, etc. The rain jacket should do the trick if your Dainese summer jacket isn't windproof.

[Dodgy69]

One of those thermal gilet things, so it ain't too tight in the arms.

[Noggin]

I think I was a weirdo and never really did those sort of layers. But then, if it was really cold or wet, I generally wore one of those flo yellow motorway jackets over my leathers/textiles - warm and pretty dry

Even wore it on track one day - but it was a monsoon at Cadwell

[Horse]

Outlast gear is ideal across a broad temperature range.

For those who aren't aware, it's a 'phase change' material.

Microencapsulated natural wax can be applied to almost any textile material thanks to various procedures developed by Outlast. These capsules can capture and store body heat, so forming a natural heat buffer.

If the body temperature falls again, for example due to reduced physical activity, the natural wax releases the stored heat again. Despite fluctuating external temperatures, the user can thus always enjoy a wonderfully balanced climate.

Simply, your body heat transfers to the wax. As you cool down, the heat transfers back.

So, the limitation: on a continuously cold day, if you don't heat up again that will only happen once.

[Skub]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

They're surprisingly bulky (I have one).

The 'Warm-n-safe' heated base layers are better, they need less energy because you wear them closer to your body, and they're far less bulky. (Obviously they're about as attractive as any other bike-specific gear!)

Since you have them both RB, are they interchangeable as far as the jack sockets are concerned? For example could I run either from the Keis Jack on my bike?

[Rockburner]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

They're surprisingly bulky (I have one).

The 'Warm-n-safe' heated base layers are better, they need less energy because you wear them closer to your body, and they're far less bulky. (Obviously they're about as attractive as any other bike-specific gear!)

Since you have them both RB, are they interchangeable as far as the jack sockets are concerned? For example could I run either from the Keis Jack on my bike?

Errr, i think so yes. Not used either for a while, but yes, i think they were the same connector.

Not hard to find adaptors for the 2 or 3 most used connector types.

I'm using the Keis wiring with the WnS top iirc

[Beancounter]

Keis.

A few quid off atm too.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorc ... rod/469707

They're surprisingly bulky (I have one).

Indeed, bulky to the point of being a proper jacket even without the heating elements. My Blaze Wear jacket is much less bulky, feels like it has a higher heat temp but is definitely not as well made.

My Klan heated gilet is in the loft somewhere and no doubt still functioning.

@formula400 assuming you're still at the same place on Piccadilly, there is a Cotswold Outdoor down at the Piccadilly Circus end, north side of the street. They've have a decent selection of fleeces and under layers to view.