Riding in hot weather for long periods can be physically draining to the point of danger. There are plenty of common practices to help keep your cool, including using ventilated gear and continuously sipping from a hydration pack. Another tip I find useful is to have a good set of base layers.These are essentially thin pieces of clothing that you wear as a first layer which helps regulate your body temperature.
There is a world of options available, both for hot and cold weather and in a wide range of budgets. With these coming from Italian gear specialists, Alpinestars, they naturally exist on the higher end of the scale.
While cold weather inners are designed to keep you comfortable by retaining body heat, the ones designed for the summer work via evaporative cooling. Effectively, they help wick the sweat away from your body and as the sweat evaporates, it creates a cooling effect. How well the liner manages to do this comes down to the material it is made from as well as the fit. And this is what separates the expensive stuff from the rest.
The Astars Ride Tech V2 is made out of Lycra stretch Spandex with strategically placed mesh sections that boost breathability. The material feels super light and airy, but not particularly delicate, which is a good thing. As for actual heat management, they’re very good – second only to the SIXS carbon-infused inners I used a few years ago. However, those liners were a bit too delicate and demanded extra caution, especially when taking them off. These ones have been used and machine washed (delicate cycle only) well over a dozen times now and have shown no signs of fatigue or wear.
What makes these (and most high-end liners) really earn their keep is the fit. Astars calls it a ‘full-body mapped construction’ and it certainly feels that way in how snug the fit is. You won’t feel the seams and the range of motion is excellent. Another positive element of this body-hugging fit (with no uncomfortable pressure points) is that it creates a mild compression effect, which is proven to improve muscle performance.
I have used many different liners over the years and while you can get locally made products that cost as much as seven times less, those generally have thicker, heavier materials with a looser fit. However, if you’re on a budget, even the simpler liners will work much better than a cotton t-shirt.
If you’re shopping overseas, you can get a set of full sleeves (half sleeve also available) top and bottom for a little less than Rs 10,000. In India, you’re looking at paying about fifty percent more.
Where: supermoto.co.in
Price: Rs 14,500
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