These thermal base layers will keep you going all winter and start from under £30

One of the most obvious places to start protecting yourself from the cold weather is a trusty set of base layers. In basic terms, these are tight-fitting, thermal undergarments that create an additional layer of warmth.

But the technology has moved on quite a way from woollen long johns (although these are still perfectly effective, too) and there’s everything from muscle-boosting compression wear to fabric that generates its own heat on the market these days.

You can also choose to go for a one-piece or two-piece option; the former being the warmest and the latter the more practical. And finally, if the conditions are making mincemeat of your clothing however many layers you add, maybe consider a heated mid layer or vest to turbocharge your efforts.

Best thermal motorcycle base layers

Things to consider before buying thermal base layers

The first thing a base layer or thermal has to do is fit underneath your kit. This isn’t generally a problem with winter kit, which tends to be looser fitting, but if you want to put thermals under your leathers, then you need to make sure they will fit.

Heated kit is a great option for deep winter riding, but you need to consider your use case. If you commute to an office within one charge from home and you can charge batteries at work, then that’s an option, but for longer rides or tours, wiring the kit in makes sense.

One disadvantage of heated kit is that if it stops working for any reason, you will be left exposed, so many riders prefer to layer up a non-heated kit instead. A base layer combined with a mid layer under decent winter kit should be enough for most riding conditions.

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