Riding - Apparel - Under Layers

The clothing you wear underneath your suit is crucial to staying warm while you’re riding. On cold days, layers can provide a barrier from the cold, wind chill and frostbite. If you have too many layers on, you can always remove them during your journey, but if you don’t have enough on before you start, you can’t add any later. (You can always carry extra clothing but taking off layers and losing heat while re-dressing should be avoided if possible.)

The first layer should be long underwear that allows your body to breathe. This layer should be lightweight, and not tight or restrictive. A couple of light layers add much better protection than one heavy layer. Cotton should never be worn as the first layer or as any layer since it does not wick moisture created by perspiration away from the body, does not dry and stays wet and/or freezes once it is wet. Polyester blends, silk or other synthetic blends are recommended because they dry quicker and wick moisture away from the skin. Fleece, wool or polyester tops and bottoms are the best choices. Cotton sweatshirts, t-shirts and jeans, cotton long underwear, and cotton socks should never be worn.