on 12/8/09 9:45 AM, shawn at calamari6...@gmail.com wrote: > It seems based on the thread thus far, wool is ideal. One thing I am > not clear on is, if a wool base layer is worn with cotton over it, > will the base layer still wick away the sweat, or will the cotton soak > it up? Or is wearing multiple layers of wool the only option to stay > warm and dry? > Coming from a cost perspective, it seems if one can afford just one > wool base layer and then wear regular clothes (i.e.-cotton) over it > then it might be a little easier to "swallow" the cost of the wool.
Now, the _last_ person I'd take cold weather advice from is someone who lives in California, but... Cotton ain't the thing in cold weather. Generally, it will absorb moisture faster than it can ever evaporate it. The evaporative cooling is a great thing during the hot months, but what you want to do is stay dry. The reason wool (and the better synthetics) work is that they get the moisture away from your skin. In the case of using a cotton outer layer, you basically are wearing a thin sponge which will hold moisture. This may freeze which actually will help you stay warm, but the evaporative process will generally drop your temp faster than another wool (or wool blend, or even synthetic). If you are trying to minimize expense, I'd recommend finding a smooth, comfy 100% merino layer for next-to-skin (and you won't have to wash it that often, so you can get away with one), then look for blends or less-comfy (i.e cheaper) 100% wool pieces for additional insulation. The "scratchy" (shorter) fibers of the cheaper wool isn't as noticeable on an outer layer. hope that helps, - Jim -- Jim Edgar cyclofi...@earthlink.net Cyclofiend Bicycle Photo Galleries - http://www.cyclofiend.com Current Classics - Cross Bikes Singlespeed - Working Bikes Send In Your Photos! - Here's how: http://www.cyclofiend.com/guidelines "I had to ride slow because I was taking my guerrilla route, the one I follow when I assume that everyone in a car is out to get me." -- Neal Stephenson, "Zodiac" -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
