Clothes for commuting (non-lycra)

[Shaun]

I used to commute in my full lycra gear, but I've gained a few stone over the past couple of years and just don't look very good in lycra at the moment. (Imagine a spud riding a bike who's testing the limits of lycra panel seam stitching!!)

Can anyone suggest alternative commuting gear that will last through winter and ... this is important ... dry quickly (maybe even overnight) on a radiator in the house?

Not too bothered about looking particularly stylish, and would rather take comfort and weather proofing over style.

Cheers,
Shaun

PS. Maybe I could wear something over the lycra, but I'd rather just have one set of commuting gear to take off/on.

 

[Panter]

I've had this problem

If it's mild, I just use a cheapo base layer T-shirt (Decathlon do some excellent hiking t-shirts) which are artificial materials so they wick well and dry very quickly.

When it's colder, I use my Aldi long sleeve jersey which is synthetic but not lycra.
If it's really cold I wear a long sleeve jogging top from Kalenj (Decathlon again) underneath.
It all dries overnight on the radiator.

Sorry, not much help I know but basically, Decathlon have lots of good gear which is excellent for cycling in the hiking section and isn't lycra.

 

[bikingtom]

Sorry to be boring about sheep again - but I commute every day and thats what started me on the merino stuff. It doesn't get smelly and sweaty and the gear I buy looks good enough to wear to work as well. I just nip into the gents for a quick wash and wipe. I've been wearing merino tops for years, but I now wear merino boxers as well for total comfort. Synthetics are no good for me as they look too tatty for work and carrying a complete change of gear into work with me everyday is too much like hard work. I could keep the stuff at work, but then I'd have to go up to my office and trail back down to the gents to change - I never manage to get there with that much time to spare! Granted I don't need to wear a tie tho. I can get away with my good quality merino ts under a jacket.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

... but I think you're not supposed to dry the wool over a radiator though. (not that I don't think it'd dry overnight, it probably will, but just to keep in mind!)

I have some thin base layer merinos, we'll see how well they hold up this winter...

 

[Jonathan M]

Altura Boulder trousers tick the box for legwear for me. The belt is a bit naff, and there is odd sizing (XXL too big for me, XL too small) but for the price they are great.

I got mine from http://www.bikesyoulike.co.uk/product/3621/Altura_Boulder_Trousers_2009 which is the online arm of my LBS, Thatto Cycles. Ordered on a friday night, delivered on wednesday morning.

 

[Shaun]

Altura Boulder trousers tick the box for legwear for me.

Thanks for that.

How quickly do they dry when wet? For example, if I get soaked on my way in to work, can I expect them to dry-out by the time I'm going home?

Cheers,
Shaun

 

[ufkacbln]

TKMaxx is your friend!

I picked up a couple of pairs of Craghoppers "Bear Grylls" trousers in there for £10 each, ideal cycling trousers for a commute and fast drying.

You can also get them in a smarter version if you want.

Also have a couple of Nike base layers and a lightweight fleece for about £50 total!

 

[Velorum]

I have used Kiwi Craghoppers for the past few years and really rate them. Comfi, hardwearing and dry quickly. Good for the money I think when you take into account how long they last.

http://www.craghoppers.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product2_13552_-1_25753_38351_11051_25287

 

[summerdays]

I hang up merino tops on coat hangers on doorways in the house (if its too wet for outside drying and the rest is in the tumble drier) and they always dry overnight.

Mr Summerdays has a pair of eVent trousers which he swears by for winter time - waterproof and breathable. Not cheap though I think they were around the £100 mark.

 

[snorri]

http://www.tweed.cc/

 

[BalkanExpress]

http://www.tweed.cc/

I was nearly drawn in....but with no reference to the glories of the Norfolk jacket it is clearly not for real

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Can also vouch for Craghopper Kiwis, very hard-wearing and quick drying.

 

[MrRidley]

Endura Humvee trousers and/or shorts, North Face J5 Ripstop shorts, all rapid drying and last for ages.

 

[HelenD123]

Shaun, if you're thinking about the Craghoppers get yourself to the factory outlet at Hornsea. They sometimes have them at ridiculously cheap prices.

I commuted in a pair of Prana walking trousers all last winter but they're for ladies. I found they soon dried out if they were draped over a radiator. You have to be careful with non-cycling specific clothing as the seam can be in the wrong place and uncomfortable. It's a matter of trial and error.

 

[womblechops]

Thanks for the tweed link! This season I are mostly going to be cycling in tweed breeks (possibly scotchguarded to save the drying) on the basis that if it's good enough for lying on a grouse moor it should hold up on the Old Kent Road.