A newcomer to the world of commuter cycling was recently overheard chatting to a keen cyclist pal: “Er, so it’s called a ‘baselayer’. That’s what cyclists – and you say, runners as well – wear to keep them warm but to prevent sweating? I never knew such a thing existed. But do I really need one?”

While the keen cyclist nodded vehemently, saying: “I can’t imagine living without my baselayers”, we would suggest that it really depends on the type of cycling – or sport – that you plan to do.

For example, a recent Tweed Cycle Ride in Glasgow saw a hundred riders don full-on Harris Tweed outfits, including hunting jackets, plus-fours and even kilts, to take part in a 10-mile charity ride around the city streets. The Tweed cycles have become a cult annual event in America, Australia and London, and now Glasgow has launched its own charity Tweed cycle ride.

While Harris Tweed is a great fabric for certain sports, such as hunting and fishing, it’s not the first fabric that we would recommend for cycling!

When a cyclist might need a base layer

Jumping on your bike to reach the local shops, a kilometre of so away, is unlikely to cause you to sweat too much. If you then ride back with a bike laden with food then you might feel a little perspiration trickling off your brow and some more down your back.

But still, you’ll probably remain quite comfortable in your ordinary cotton t-shirt, so long as you change out of it when you get back home. Cotton soaks up sweat but leaves you feeling a little wet and cold when you stop exercising.

If the shops are further away, or involve a route over hills, or you’re actually planning to cycle for more than an hour and into the countryside, then a baselayer is going to be very useful indeed.

Baselayers are made of a clever, modern fabric that is lightweight and also lets your skin breathe.

There is a wide spectrum of different and effective baselayer materials, but they essentially all do the same. We really like the Helly Hansen base range.

Because your skin can breathe through the baselayer fabric it’s less likely to become sweaty. The fabrics also wick away the sweat from your skin, to the outside air, through the fabric. We told you it was clever fabric!

But baselayers are ideal for keeping you warm, too.

By wearing a close-fitting long or short-sleeved top, the warm air created by your body is trapped beneath the baselayer top and maintains a comfortable core body temperature.

Many cyclists – and walkers, runners  and skiers – swear by their baselayers and will wear them on hot summer’s days as a standalone clothing item, or on cold winter’s days, beneath several other layers, such as another baselayer, a fleece and a waterproof jacket.

Layering is the key

If you want to keep out the chill and sweat during winter activities, but still maintain a comfortable level of heat, the concept of layering is for you.

As you would imagine in today’s fabulous world of outdoor clothing, baselayers come in a huge range of sizes, special fits for men, women and children, lots of different colours and also in a range of thicknesses to suit all seasons.

Some baselayers now come in a spectrum of glorious designs. We love the Helly Hansen base for women in two beautiful flowery designs.  

Yet more attractions of the baselayer

Other baselayers also include protection against the sun.

As well as a baselayer tops, there are leggings (ideal for walking, running and skiing) and underwear.

In fact, it could be that there will be very few situations when a baselayer will not suit your activity. If you work in a chilly office, you might even be tempted to wear one to work!