Using multiple, thinner, cheaper clothing layers rather than a couple of big ticket items is the core strength of our Polaris Bikewear range. Not only is it better value it’s also far more versatile, effective and efficient when it comes to staying comfortable in a wide range of riding conditions. But why is ‘more of less’ better than ‘less of more’ when it comes to choosing your biking gear?
What do we mean by a layering system?
If you know damn well what we mean by layers you can skip this bit, but just to be sure we’re on the same page here’s the low down. Layering systems are the fancy name for using multiple thinner pieces of clothing - layers - rather than one or two thicker pieces. Basically, like your mum telling you to wear a vest but with a bit more science. Well unless your mum already told you about the joys of trapped air, wicking fabrics, and shell garments.
Why do multiple layers work better?
Multiple layers work really well for several reasons. The most obvious win is being able to add or remove them as conditions change. That’s a lot more effective than just opening / closing zips on a thicker layer as that only changes the thermal properties in a specific area.
Using several layers also traps air between each one, adding extra insulation like a down / puffa jacket but without the bulk, sweat, and several hundred quid price tag. Thinner layers also tend to be stretchier and fit better than a single thicker one. So no more tight restrictive feel or flappy / baggy excess fabric which can happen with a single layer. It also means the layers wick sweat and trap air better which again increases their combined effect.
You can also put different fabrics in the right order from skin to outermost layer so they work most efficiently to keep you warm and dry. Or if the weather continues to be weirdly warm like it is now, cool and dry.
You don’t even have to be wearing the gear to win either. Because each layer is thin they’re easy to carry just in case the weather gets worse, or start with them on and then stuff them in a pocket when you or the weather warm up.
A pick and mix handful of cheaper core items is also much better value. That’s because they combine into a really versatile overall performance ‘system’. In contrast a couple of high price items will only work well in specific conditions and leave you compromised the rest of the time. That’s particularly true now that the performance of the latest ‘waterproof’ coats has tanked due to the use of PFC free fabrics and coatings. Finally, if you put a hole in a £50 top it’s annoying but if a crash or thorn bush shreds your £300 coat you’re going to be gutted.
What layers work best?
Hopefully we’ve converted you to the concept of smart layering now but what pieces of clothing should you include and how should you use them?
Beware the T-shirt
For a start get rid of any cotton or cotton mix clothing. Cotton sucks up sweat and / or rain and holds onto it for hours. While it’s wet it transfers heat really quickly too, so you’ll lose body heat really fast. At best this means you’ll feel cold, clammy and shivery as soon as your work rate drops, at worst it’s a real accelerator for hypothermia and exposure.
Baselayer
Start your layering system with a fast wicking synthetic base layer. This will be a thin synthetic with a tapered fibre arrangement that sucks sweat off your skin and shifts it to the outer face. The tighter the fit, the more surface area it contacts to Hoover sweat off so the drier and more comfortable you’ll be. This isn’t just a win in terms of staying warm either, as wicking is basically the clothing version of the whole ‘sweat to stay cool’ body function. So, in hot conditions shifting sweat will take the excess heat with it so you’ll cool faster. This is why you see pro roadies wearing ‘string vests’ under shirts even on the hottest Alpine climbs in summer.
Alternatively for slower, longer rides or times when you know you’ll be damp from rain / sweat for a good chunk of it, then wool or wool mix base layers work well too. That’s because while wool soaks up water like cotton it still insulates effectively when wet, so you’ll be damp but warm. Unlike cotton or particular synthetics, merino doesn’t stink after you’ve sweated in it because it naturally fights bacteria build up. This is great for multi day bike packing / riding weekend adventures or if you’re just lazy with your laundry.
Mid layer
If I had to start a pride week for an underappreciated clothing category it would definitely be mid layers. People go crazy for fancy base layers and let’s not even start on the hype and hyper pricing of some shell jackets. Yet for nearly all the riding year, mid layers are what should be doing the majority of work to keep you comfortable whatever the weather.
We’ve certainly put a ton of time into designing the perfect mid layer jersey that will work on its own as well as under a shell. What we’re aiming for is something light and low bulk, that can still be scrunched into a hip pack or big back pocket when it’s not needed, and stretchy so it doesn’t affect mobility. It needs to shift sweat from base layer to outside air as fast as possible so it stays dry and warm not cold and clammy. It also needs a face that can blunt the attack of wind and wet enough to slow them down and warm them up before they get to the skin. The more air it can trap inside the more protection you’ll get from that weather without adding weight or bulk too.
And we’ve found nothing that does this better than a gridded fleece with a tight woven face and open blocks of fast wicking, air trapping, free insulation fleece backer. Interestingly while our first heavyweight samples were super warm right from setting off, we’ve progressively gone thinner over time. Because a bit of bravery, and maybe even a shiver at the start, nearly always proves to be the perfect balance for the rest of the day once warmed up. It also makes a single top work in a much wider range of conditions on its own or over a base / under a shell. Or just as a great mid ride stop, campsite, or car park beer throw on what you can take with you without even noticing. Add a smart pocket system and a full length zip for venting or whipping on / off quickly and you’ve got a super versatile piece of kit that you’ll use all year round.
Outer shell layer
Now here’s where our opinion and therefore the current Polaris Bikewear collection gets controversial. Because while most ranges will lead with not just one but several ‘waterproof’ rain coats or shells we haven’t got a single one. That’s because despite trying a ton of different options we’ve yet to find a fabric that delivers the performance we’re after. As we mentioned before, the situation is getting worse rather than better as PFC waterproofs are rightly outlawed to protect the environment. So yes, you can get a few minutes of ‘breathable’ protection before rain starts seeping through the face fabric, but at that point the breathability chokes as the membrane floods. That backs up the sweat coming off your body and suddenly you’re wet inside even though the rain hasn’t actually come through the fabric. Wetter means colder too, especially when you crest a climb and start heading down. Plus, most shells are various combinations of expensive, noisy, and not stretchy enough to get a good active fit with.
We’ve come to a similar conclusion about lightweight windproof jackets too. Because as soon as they start protecting you as well as a midlayer with a water repellent coating, they’re a lot sweatier so the overall effect is colder and wetter. What we are mad for at Polaris are gilets, sleeveless vests, body warmers or whatever you want to call them and we’ve got two absolutely awesome ones we could go into a proper deep dive about. We’ve already gone way overboard on words for this feature though, so we’ll get invested in vests in a separate blog soon.
