Riding underwear
- Thread starter ADV
- Start date
Bit delayed in posting this...so kicking it off now.
All items purchased off Lazada or Shoppee
I'll review balaclavas, riding undershirts and riding long underpants. All base layers.
This first post will cover balaclavas, some of which are complete bollocks under a helmet and only one design really good.
I wear an Arai Qantic size L 59cm
'Working Wicking'
Strange design. Multiple very thick seams across the temple and forehead causing uncomfortable pressure points.
Rather tight for Caucasian head and too much pressure when worn over nose.
Very thick material is too hot to wear other than with open face helmet or cold mountain riding.
Neck length is long enough to remain under riding jacket collar.
Fail.
'Rockbros'
Strange design. Way to short to cover fully neck.
Very very small for Caucasian head.
Seams flat and thin enough not to cause pressure points. Material surface coating on the inside of forehead opening stops material slipping when putting on helmet.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV
Fail.
'Rockbros'
Strange design. Very loose, almost flaps and drops out of position when worn on nose, or directly below nose on top lip. Flaps enough to come out from under jacket collar, exposing skin.
Thick eye opening seam can cause pressure points and requires multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV.
Fail.
'Dr Jones Summer V2'
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Eye opening seam is a too thick and restricts nose breathing when with directly under nose on top lip. This seam in particular really let's the product down. The other seams are not noticeable and very flat.
Wide eye opening increases potential UV exposure.
Can require multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing the thick eye opening seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass (just, with reservations).
'Dr Jones Eyes Wide'
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Really nice flat seams on side of head with no seams across forehead to cause any pressure points. Rarely requires balaclava re-adjusting when placing helmet on.
Excellent eye opening design with flat seam.
Can be worn over nose (though a little tight, perhaps will loosen up). Easily worn directly below nose on top lip without interference with nose breathing.
Eye opening 'slit style' design gives excellent sun blocking coverage.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass. The winner by a long way.
Note: Ive also got the same Dr Jones Eyes Wide style in plain colours and the material is slightly thicker with an almost brush finish. Still the same great design and thin seam construction.
drjoneswear.wixsite.com
All items purchased off Lazada or Shoppee
I'll review balaclavas, riding undershirts and riding long underpants. All base layers.
This first post will cover balaclavas, some of which are complete bollocks under a helmet and only one design really good.
I wear an Arai Qantic size L 59cm
'Working Wicking'
Strange design. Multiple very thick seams across the temple and forehead causing uncomfortable pressure points.
Rather tight for Caucasian head and too much pressure when worn over nose.
Very thick material is too hot to wear other than with open face helmet or cold mountain riding.
Neck length is long enough to remain under riding jacket collar.
Fail.
'Rockbros'
Strange design. Way to short to cover fully neck.
Very very small for Caucasian head.
Seams flat and thin enough not to cause pressure points. Material surface coating on the inside of forehead opening stops material slipping when putting on helmet.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV
Fail.
'Rockbros'
Strange design. Very loose, almost flaps and drops out of position when worn on nose, or directly below nose on top lip. Flaps enough to come out from under jacket collar, exposing skin.
Thick eye opening seam can cause pressure points and requires multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV.
Fail.
'Dr Jones Summer V2'
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Eye opening seam is a too thick and restricts nose breathing when with directly under nose on top lip. This seam in particular really let's the product down. The other seams are not noticeable and very flat.
Wide eye opening increases potential UV exposure.
Can require multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing the thick eye opening seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass (just, with reservations).
'Dr Jones Eyes Wide'
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Really nice flat seams on side of head with no seams across forehead to cause any pressure points. Rarely requires balaclava re-adjusting when placing helmet on.
Excellent eye opening design with flat seam.
Can be worn over nose (though a little tight, perhaps will loosen up). Easily worn directly below nose on top lip without interference with nose breathing.
Eye opening 'slit style' design gives excellent sun blocking coverage.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass. The winner by a long way.
Note: Ive also got the same Dr Jones Eyes Wide style in plain colours and the material is slightly thicker with an almost brush finish. Still the same great design and thin seam construction.
Full face and open face balaclava, Fast Dry, Soft and UV protection
Eyewide Balaclava make you life easier with wide open view.
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Interesting. I use these cheap charlie balaclavas off Lazada or purchased fromHelmet2home shop in Chiang Mai.
www.lazada.co.th
Then for 20 baht apiece, I get a the local seamstress to cut a nice mouth slit for sucking on a hydration straw.
A winner for me, but the material stretches easily and after several months I need new one, so buy bulk.
BTW I cant ride without a balaclava, they are so cool in the heat.
However in heavy rain my specs fog up until I take off the balaclava.
ผ้าคลุมหน้า M1 ผ้าคลุมหัว ไอ้โม่ง โม่ง ผ้าแห้งไว แบบเต็ม กัน UV ไอ้โม่งคลุมหน้า ผ้าคลุมหน้ากันแดด หมวก ผ้าคลุม Balaclava SMP | Lazada Thailand
อื่น. ผ้าคลุมหน้า ผ้าคลุมหัว ไอ้โม่ง ผ้าแห้งไว แบบเต็ม ผ้านิ่ม กัน UV ไอ้โม่งคลุมหน้า ผ้าคลุมหน้ากันแดด หมวก ผ้าคลุม Balaclava M1
Then for 20 baht apiece, I get a the local seamstress to cut a nice mouth slit for sucking on a hydration straw.
A winner for me, but the material stretches easily and after several months I need new one, so buy bulk.
BTW I cant ride without a balaclava, they are so cool in the heat.
However in heavy rain my specs fog up until I take off the balaclava.
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First of all - thanks for taking the time and energy to make such review and then also for posting it here. It will me many interesting posts to come me thinks…
So to my question - its not in any way critisism so please dont get mad at me.
But the balaclava thing I have never understood? An extra piece of clothing underneath the helmet in scorching heat?
In Thailand when its often 30-40 degrees celsius in the shadow (and probably near the double in the sun where we riding most of the time) me thinks wearing an extra layer of clothing under the helmet seems like its something for those who like selftorturing…?
David writes «its so cool in heat» thats beyond me to understand? How can an extra piece of clothing inside the helmet make it cooler?
So to my question - its not in any way critisism so please dont get mad at me.
But the balaclava thing I have never understood? An extra piece of clothing underneath the helmet in scorching heat?
In Thailand when its often 30-40 degrees celsius in the shadow (and probably near the double in the sun where we riding most of the time) me thinks wearing an extra layer of clothing under the helmet seems like its something for those who like selftorturing…?
David writes «its so cool in heat» thats beyond me to understand? How can an extra piece of clothing inside the helmet make it cooler?
As a very sun-sensitive person, it keeps the sun off your face.
I find you don't sweat as much in your helmet, & your helmet stays cleaner. Less frequent liner washes.
I remember how I weakened and finally used one for the first time and thought, How did I ever tour without one?
Its basically the evaporative cooling effect.
A well-engineered knit with high surface area enhances evaporative cooling by spreading sweat thinly and widely for faster evaporation. But the real-world effectiveness depends on pairing the right thin, breathable fabric with adequate helmet ventilation and riding in conditions where ambient humidity isn't too high.
- Increased surface area: The structured knit creates more fiber surface contact with sweat than a flat fabric would (or straight sweat on bare skin). This spreads moisture over a larger area, which speeds up evaporation—evaporation being an endothermic process that removes heat from the skin.
- Moisture transport: The fabric pulls sweat away from the skin through capillary action to the outer face of the fabric, where airflow (even inside a helmet) can carry the moisture vapor away. This is the classic "moisture-wicking" effect.
- Breathability: Low-profile, open-knit constructions allow air circulation, which is essential because evaporation requires moving air to carry away the saturated boundary layer near the skin.
I only ever started wearing balaclava in Thailand as late as a couple of years ago. Never elsewhere around the world. Didn't give them a single thought in my Northern Hemisphere riding.
But in Thailand's climatic conditions I was willing to try anything to reduce the frequent funky helmet smell and feel a bit cooler.
Now I'll swap out balaclava for a clean one daily and sometimes more often than that.
Have you tried using a beanie (half-balaclava) instead of a full balaclava? And a buff or a neck gaiter to protect your neck from the sun. The helmet visor seems to block UV, so your face is already protected, and the fact that the buff isn't tucked under the helmet allows heat to escape better.
I also always thought that balaclavas are too hot for Thailand, especially when you want to ride faster down a twisty road, which means your body moves more and generates more heat. So I used beanies and everything was fine, except for a sunburned neck. That's why I want to try adding a neck gaiter.
I also always thought that balaclavas are too hot for Thailand, especially when you want to ride faster down a twisty road, which means your body moves more and generates more heat. So I used beanies and everything was fine, except for a sunburned neck. That's why I want to try adding a neck gaiter.
Rider faster down a twisty road is not really an issue for generating uncomfortable body heat for me.
Riding slower, single track, on wet clay on at 30⁰C + is a problem. I'm definately using more physical strength trying to keep everthing together in those conditions. I loose litres though perspiration very very quickly and any riding gear wets out very regardless of material type or material weight. Staying upright on 200kg of ADV350 gets me sweating hahaha!
I've had basal cell carcinoma removed from face and self treated much (pre cancerous) solar keratosis on my face. So, full balaclava are my thing for also reducing UV damage on fave and neck.
I agree the polcarb visor reduces UV, but my visor is usually cracked 1/4 -1/2 open and that gives problems with reflected UV coming up under the visor opening.
Red slippery clay is a no-no for me on a heavy bike
But yes, if you need to be fully covered, then a balaclava is the way to go. Maybe try to look into functional textiles like coolmax or similar. They aren't dramatically better than basic light synthetics, but they feel slightly more comfortable since that drenched-in-sweat feeling doesn't last too long.
Bit delayed in posting this...so kicking it off now.
All items purchased off Lazada or Shoppee
I'll review balaclavas, riding undershirts and riding long underpants. All base layers.
This first post will cover balaclavas, some of which are complete bollocks under a helmet and only one design really good.
I wear an Arai Qantic size L 59cm
'Working Wicking'
View attachment 164221
Strange design. Multiple very thick seams across the temple and forehead causing uncomfortable pressure points.
Rather tight for Caucasian head and too much pressure when worn over nose.
Very thick material is too hot to wear other than with open face helmet or cold mountain riding.
Neck length is long enough to remain under riding jacket collar.
Fail.
View attachment 164222
'Rockbros'
View attachment 164223
Strange design. Way to short to cover fully neck.
Very very small for Caucasian head.
Seams flat and thin enough not to cause pressure points. Material surface coating on the inside of forehead opening stops material slipping when putting on helmet.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV
Fail.
View attachment 164224
'Rockbros'
View attachment 164225
Strange design. Very loose, almost flaps and drops out of position when worn on nose, or directly below nose on top lip. Flaps enough to come out from under jacket collar, exposing skin.
Thick eye opening seam can cause pressure points and requires multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin while still probably bollocking UV.
Fail.
View attachment 164226
'Dr Jones Summer V2'
View attachment 164228
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Eye opening seam is a too thick and restricts nose breathing when with directly under nose on top lip. This seam in particular really let's the product down. The other seams are not noticeable and very flat.
Wide eye opening increases potential UV exposure.
Can require multiple helmet fitting attempts, to reduce pressure points, by placing the thick eye opening seam immediately above eyebrows.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass (just, with reservations).
View attachment 164227
'Dr Jones Eyes Wide'
View attachment 164229
Nice thin material. Excellent sizing and plenty long enough neck to remain tucked under jacket collar
Really nice flat seams on side of head with no seams across forehead to cause any pressure points. Rarely requires balaclava re-adjusting when placing helmet on.
Excellent eye opening design with flat seam.
Can be worn over nose (though a little tight, perhaps will loosen up). Easily worn directly below nose on top lip without interference with nose breathing.
Eye opening 'slit style' design gives excellent sun blocking coverage.
Material nice and thin, very comfortable and not too hot. Probably bollocking UV.
Pass. The winner by a long way.
Note: Ive also got the same Dr Jones Eyes Wide style in plain colours and the material is slightly thicker with an almost brush finish. Still the same great design and thin seam construction.
View attachment 164230View attachment 164231View attachment 164233
Full face and open face balaclava, Fast Dry, Soft and UV protection
Eyewide Balaclava make you life easier with wide open view.
Very interesting. Rockbros, you got me. I looked up their website & then went to Lazada & got this one.
ROCKBROS หน้ากากป้องกัน UV จากแสงแดดไหมน้ำแข็ง Masker Bersepeda หมวกไหมพรมหมวกคลุมหัวสำหรับขี่จักรยานหน้ากากกีฬามอเตอร์ไซค์ระบายอากาศได้ดี Syal Sepeda ฤดูใบไม้ผลิฤดูร้อน | Lazada Thailand
RockBros. ยี่ห้อ: ROCKBROS. ชื่อ: หมวกกันแดดผ้าไหมน้ำแข็งฤดูร้อน. SKU: 13240008. สี: ขาว/เทาอ่อน/เขียวเฟิร์นป่า. วัสดุ: Nylon88 Spandex12. ฤดูกาลที่เหมาะสม: ฤดูใบไม้ผลิฤดูร้อน
Cycling Mask Ice Silk UV Sun Protection.
A little test run today & most impressed.
I should order a couple more.
Thanks for the review & tip-off.