‘Sun’s out, bikes out!’ – We’re sure you’ve heard or even said this yourself before.
But what happens when the sun’s out? It gets warm – which is when most of us go for a ride. But guess what, as a nation, the UK is the worst for moaning about the weather. When it’s hot, it’s too hot. When it’s cold, it’s too cold. When it’s raining – it’s too wet.
Fortunately, bikers have great access to products that are usually pretty good at helping us cope with the UK’s variety of seasons. As autumn is coming, and the days are getting shorter, we wanted to focus on something that will keep that cold chill away.
So we have been reviewing a set of ‘under-layers’ or ‘base-layers’ that are currently available to the motorcycling ladies and gentlemen of the UK.
Dainese D-CORE THERMO – TEE
Dainese D-CORE THERMO - PANT
Dainese D-CORE THERMO - PANT
Dainese product spec
GENERAL FEATURES
Cold climate usage
Press structure to optimize muscle compression
Bacteriostatic, hypoallergenic and anti-odor
Abrasion resistant, tear resistant and anti-pilling
ERGONOMICS
Seamless build for superior comfort
Armour pad for added comfort on contact areas
MAIN MATERIALS
85% Dryarn
10% Polyamide
5% Elastane
Environmentally-friendly fiber and 100% recyclable
We ran two tests:
Test 1
9:00PM Thursday night, 20 miles were covered on a variety of roads including country side, A roads, B roads and residential areas WITHOUT the base layers on under our Hein Gericke textiles. The temp was approx. 11C - it was a tad chilly at the national speed limit but the temperature was bearable because we knew the journey was going to be short.
We reached our destination, opened the box of the base layers and our immediate thoughts were that the items were designed for children because of the physical size of them. The good news is that they are elasticated and very flexible.
By the time we got the under layers on and geared up with the rest of our kit, things were getting warm very quickly. We were worried about feeling slightly 'strangled' by the under layers but this was not the case at all, they were actually very comfortable. As we stepped outside and jumped on the bike, we didn't notice an immediate temperature difference.
15 minutes into the ride, the only cool air we could feel was through the vents and open visor of our HJC helmet. If anything, it was starting to get too warm under the textiles at 11C.
Test 2
6:30 AM Saturday morning approx. 8 degrees, misty and foggy. You know, those mornings you really do think about taking the car instead. About a 30 minute commute down the motorway wearing RST Adventure 2 jacket and RST Slice leather bottoms with the trusty Bshirt underneath. 10 minutes in, it's pretty cold and there is a big regret for not adding more layers. Knowing there is warm brew waiting at work was the only saving grace.
7:00AM Sunday morning, very similar conditions to the day before and the same commute. Same jacket and leather bottoms but this time the Bshirt is left at home and it's replaced by the D-Core top and bottoms, the bike hasn't been wheeled out of the garage and it's already a noticeable difference in body temperature. WARM!. 10 minutes in it's still warm. 20 minutes in it's still warm...you can see where this is going. The great thing about the D-Core products was it wasn't a sweaty warm, more like wrapped up in bed on a Sunday morning warm - perfect!
There was something very re-assuring about knowing that we weren't going to get cold on the ride - it was like we were able to focus that little bit extra on the road and on enjoying the ride because there wasn't that worry in the back of our minds, that we might get cold.
The packaging suggests that thermal under layers will keep a rider warm anything down to -20 degrees. This gave us confidence during the tests but at the same time, we wouldn't like to attempt riding in those temperatures!
The packaging suggests that thermal under layers will keep a rider warm anything down to -20 degrees. This gave us confidence during the tests but at the same time, we wouldn't like to attempt riding in those temperatures!
The only trouble we had was getting the under layers off! We haven't quite mastered that bit yet...
We'd like to thank BikeStop in Stevenage for supporting us.
The Dainese DCORE thermal under layers are currently available to purchase here.
Please share this if you enjoyed reading it!
All the best
BirotarUK
All the best
BirotarUK
I currently use thermal base layers that work supply for me and at best they are ok. Similar design to the dainese stuff but by the sound of it not half as effective
ReplyDelete