Top five motorcycling base layers

Motorcycling in Britain in the winter means one thing – it’ll be cold. But that doesn’t mean it has to be uncomfortable, difficult or even dangerous as long as you wear the right kit. After all, as the saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.”
But there’s more to getting the right winter kit than winter jackets, trousers, boots, gloves and so on. Base layers and thermals are vital, too, and getting this right is a must for keeping warm on a bike in winter. Before looking at our top picks there are a few things to consider. First, fit is crucial. It’s important to buy thermals that offer a close, snug fit as this will not only help trap warm air against your skin but also ensure they fit under your jacket, trousers and so on. Second, although base layers are vital you should also consider electrically-heated kit. This has come on in leaps and bounds, with many ensuring a toasty ride. If not strictly-speaking ‘base layers’ we thought it worth choosing at least one of the best examples here. And third, speaking more generally, the more you pay, the better quality you can expect, which can present a challenge when trying to balance performance and value. To help we’ve based our choices on a combination of buyer ratings from a popular online motorcycle kit store and our own experience out on the road. We’ve also broken things down into five representative types of base layer to give a sense of how they all combine as a ‘system’ whether you stick to one brand or mix and match. Here goes…

Tops and Leggings – Rukka Mark

There’s nothing stopping you mixing and matching different brands of top and legging. But to ensure they overlap correctly and can be washed together we’d recommend a set, and most highly rated by owners is the Rukka Mark Therma Set. This 100 per cent polyester combo is lightweight, can be used year-round, has moisture wicking properties, maintains body temperature and is both machine washable and quick drying. It might not be the cheapest but it’s from a reputable brand and invariably gets five-star ratings from buyers. Others to check out include DXR Warmcore and RST’s Thermal Windblock.

Neckwarmer – Alpinestars

Yes, a very highly rated neckwarmer from one of the most fashionable motorcycling brands around, and for a great price, too! This is a one-size-fits-all fleece neckwarmer available in either black with white lettering or black with fuscia lettering. It looks great, is warm and comfortable and comes very highly rated by owners. Alpinestars also does the highly rated (but slightly more expensive) Tech neckwarmer for £29.99, while Spada’s alternative is also popular and much cheaper at just £8.99.

Under helmet – MotoGP balaclava

If you’ve never used a thermal under helmet liner or balaclava in winter you’ll be amazed by how effective they are at keeping out draughts and keeping your head warm. They even make getting your helmet on and off easier and help keep the lining clean, too. There’s a huge choice out there in a variety of materials ranging from silk to cotton but MotoGP’s regularly gets top scores among buyers. It’s 100 per cent cotton with a super comfortable fit and comes complete with a MotoGP embroidered logo, all for just £7.49. Oxford Products, Held, Spada and Weise offer similarly highly rated alternatives.

Socks – RST Tour Tech socks

Perhaps not the most obvious area of your body to consider for thermal base layers but one that, as your feet are so exposed to the elements, you’d be foolish to ignore no matter how good your winter boots are. Again, there are many different types, styles and materials, and you’re also not restricted to specific motorcycle gear given there are plenty of walking socks which will effectively do the same job. But our highest rated bike specific ones are RST Tour Tech socks, a best-selling winter design made of 40 per cent cotton, 40 per cent Hydrovent polyester, 18 per cent nylon/polymide and 2 per cent Lycra with a colourful design at a great price earning top marks from nearly nine in 10 of those buying them.

Electrically heated under layers – Keis J501RP Premium Heated Jacket

It’s difficult to pick out just one example of heated clothing as there are now so many. You can get heated gilets, full jackets, trousers – even gloves. But the highest rated item in our survey was this J501RP Premium Heated Jacket by specialists Keis. It’s a breathable, lightweight, softshell with carbon fibre heat generation technology and a heated collar. There are elasticated side panels for a perfect fit, strategically placed heat panels on the chest, back, arms and collar, dedicated zipped pockets for the cables and controller to help keep things tidy and it’s also designed to be used as either an inside layer or as a stylish outer jacket when off-bike. Keis also does a variety of heated gilets both in men’s and women’s sizes while rival Gerbing also does an excellent range of heated gear.