Winter tops?

[RufusA]

My commute is a mixture of brisk cycling, commuting by train, and a brisk mile walk in London afterwards.

Last winter I mostly wore a Ground Effects Baked Alaska on my top half, occasionally supplimented with a Thermos singlet for frigging cold days.

Sadly due to rubbing from carrying my pannier my Baked Alaska is threadbare on the sides (and getting a bit stinky TBH) so needs replacing.

Any recommendations for something to replace it with.

Whilst I liked the Baked Alaska I did find the arms got too cold in hard winter, and I'd like something that's a little more hard wearing. Also the mixture of merino and man-made fibres appears not as immune for odour as merino alone.

I'm thinking a light weight long sleeved Merino mid layer with a zip that doesn't look like long johns or too "cycle team", and I can wear on it's own for mild autumn days.

Then something hard wearing I can put over the top to keep the wind at bay, on colder / damper days and protect the merino from rubbing / snagging when carrying my pannier.

Any recommendations for either. Is this a good approach, or should I be looking at a merino t-shirt and something jackety?

I want something that is understated, that you can wear in a pub and doesn't scream out "cyclist" in dayglo, and I can easily remove / unzip in a baking hot train without baring my chest to all!

TIA - Rufus.

 

[Mr Phoebus]

If you haven't yet discovered the joy of a Merino top, then I'm pretty sure that when you do, you won't be disappointed.
I was sick and tired of wearing close fitting lycra tops, and then sweating and then having the cold clammy top clinging to me, chilling me into the process.
Now with Merino, I'm much warmer, and seem much less sweaty.

I've just added another top from HERE.
OK, it's "red" and I'm not a huge fan of red, but at that £££ it was a must have.
Sorry, I can't add any advice for a jacket.

 

[Soltydog]

Damm, all this talk of Merino tops & that price i've gotta try one
Mind you, by ordering one i've just saved £33 & saving is good according to Mrs Soltydog

 

[yello]

Surprised to hear the Baked Alaska is on it's way out, they get such good reviews. How long have you had it RufusA?

I'm a fan of merino too. It works for me. I have a couple of IceBreaker base layers as well as that Descente top Mr Phoebus linked to.

Jacket wise, I can't really recommend anything. My Rapha soft shell is the closest I've got to something that works but even that gets warm. I have a Prorace jacket too but it has to be bloody cold for that, so it rarely gets warn!

To be honest, I tend to wear layers over a merino base; a short sleeve shirt over that and then a full zip long sleeve. That way, I have the option of removing a layer if things gets too warm.

 

[RufusA]

Surprised to hear the Baked Alaska is on it's way out, they get such good reviews. How long have you had it RufusA?

I've had it just under a year (bought mid Oct 2007 and it took a week or so to arrive). Wore in Nov, half Dec (then accident forced me off bike for over a month), Feb, March and the cold bit of April! So probably 4 - 5 months wearing it.

Don't get me wrong, the quality of the top is fantastic, I think the problem is more my bag than the top. Having an Altura pannier slung over the shoulder for a couple of miles walking each day isn't good for any clothes. Before I had proper cycle tops I managed to wear the hips/pocket area of my trousers thin! It's the sticky-out R&K clips covered by thin rough nylon and cr*p zip that does it.

Perhaps I need to stop wasting money on tops and buy a nice slippy sided ortleib pannier without any rough bits to sandpaper away clothes!

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, I have a 100% merino summer short sleeve which I love, so I think my Credit card will have to take a battering this month. I thought cycling was supposed to save you money

Rufus

 

[Chuffy]

Hi Rufus. Most of my winter kit is Ground Effect stuff (I've got two Baked Alaskas, the oldest is over two years old and has had a hard life. The only problem is a build up of that 'orrid grey armpit crust, but that might just be me). If you find the arms too cold then I can recommend their Frosty Boy fleece top. Very comfy, warm and not too bikey.

Failing that, how about a Thermos vest and some armwarmers? It's a good look, I'm sure you'll agree.