Moves sweat, or holds it against the skin

The best motorcycle base layers for 2026

A base layer is the garment against the skin, and its job is to move moisture away from it. That single function explains why cotton is the wrong answer and why it appears in this family anyway: cotton holds water, and a wet cotton shirt under a jacket is what makes a rider cold at a fuel stop in October. The fabrics that work are synthetic, which move moisture fastest and cost least, and merino wool, which moves it more slowly, insulates when damp and resists odour for days rather than hours. Both are published, and weight in grams per square metre is the comparable figure within either. What makes a base layer specifically a riding garment rather than a sports one comes down to three details. Length: a riding base layer is cut long at the back so that it does not ride up and leave a strip of skin between it and the trousers, and makers who cut for riding say so. Seam construction, because a base layer sits under armour and under a pressure point at the shoulder, and a flatlock seam there is the difference between comfortable and abrasive over three hours. And cut: close enough to move moisture by contact, loose enough to get a jacket over without a fight. Compression garments are a separate proposition and are judged on what their makers publish rather than on claims about performance. We compare fabric and its published weight, seam construction, cut and length, odour treatment, compression where claimed, and washing instructions.

These parts compared, figure by figure

1. 

   Under Armour UA HG Armour Leggings

   Lightweight HeatGear compression leggings in 84% polyester and 16% elastane with anti-odour technology, published by their maker for training rather than for riding.

   Composition

   84% polyester / 16% elastane; mesh 92% polyester / 8% elastane (maker’s bullet)

   Fabric

   Lightweight HeatGear, stated ideal for training (maker’s bullet)

   Moisture

   Wicks sweat away from the body and dries very fast (maker’s bullet)

   Odour

   Anti-odour technology stated to prevent growth of odour-causing microbes (maker’s bullet)

   Stated use

   Training — motorcycling is not named by the maker (maker’s bullet)

   Abrasion behaviour

   Not published — see the Alpinestars listing in this family on melting under abrasion.

   Amazon reference

   B0874WHB28 (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0194513897797

   • Publishes the exact composition of both the main fabric and the mesh panels
   • Anti-odour on a garment worn against the skin all day
   • The maker does not name motorcycling anywhere — it is a training garment

   Best for: Training, which is what its maker published it for. Under riding kit, read the Alpinestars listing first.

   ≈ $28 / £24 / €24

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2. 

   MOBIUSPHY Alkey

   A fleece-lined windproof thermal underwear set in a fabric stated to stretch four ways, published for motorcycling among winter activities, in European sizing.

   Lining

   High-quality fleece, stated windproof for cold weather (maker’s bullet)

   Stretch

   Four-way stretch fabric, stated for full freedom of movement (maker’s bullet)

   Sizing

   European standard sizing, stated not to shrink (maker’s bullet)

   Stated use

   Motorcycling, skiing, cycling, winter walking (maker’s bullet)

   Moisture

   Moisture-regulating fibre, stated to move sweat away and keep the wearer dry and warm (maker’s bullet)

   Composition

   The maker puts nothing in writing on this.

   Amazon reference

   B07WK2MC6B (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0761426818951

   • Fleece lining published as the insulation, not implied
   • Motorcycling named first among its stated uses
   • No fibre composition published at all

   Best for: Cold-weather riding where warmth matters more than bulk.

   ≈ £15 / €20

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3. 

   Alpinestars Ride Tech V2 Bottom Summer

   A motorcycle base layer in polypropylene with elastane, published by its maker as not melting under abrasion — the only listing in this family to address that property.

   Composition

   Polypropylene with elastane fabric (maker’s bullet)

   Abrasion behaviour

   The maker states the fabric does not melt under abrasion (maker’s bullet)

   Construction

   Double layers, stated for additional moisture handling (maker’s bullet)

   Function

   Part of a range for regulating internal temperature (maker’s bullet)

   Stated use

   Motorcycling first, then skiing, hiking and other outdoor activity (maker’s bullet)

   Fabric weight

   The maker puts nothing in writing on this.

   Amazon reference

   B08WNC73GD (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   8059175286704

   • The only base layer here that publishes how its fabric behaves under abrasion
   • A motorcycle equipment maker publishing a motorcycle property
   • The most expensive base layer here, by roughly three times

   Best for: Wearing under leathers or a suit, where what the layer next to your skin is made of has been thought about.

   ≈ $90 / £65 / €66

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4. 

   FlowFlex Thermal set

   A seamless thermal set in 94% nylon and 6% elastane at 200 g/m², published for a temperature range of −15 °C to 10 °C, stretching to 220% and drying in twenty minutes.

   Composition

   94% nylon / 6% elastane (maker’s bullet)

   Fabric weight

   200 g/m² (maker’s bullet)

   Temperature range

   −15 °C to 10 °C (maker’s bullet)

   Stretch

   Four-way, to 220% without deformation (maker’s bullet)

   Drying

   Stated to dry in 20 minutes (maker’s bullet)

   Cut

   European proportions — sleeves +2 cm, legs +1.5 cm; machine washable at 40 °C (maker’s bullet)

   Amazon reference

   B0FC2GSZJN (one reference across 5 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   0810107299845

   • Publishes five separate figures where its neighbours publish adjectives — weight, temperature range, stretch, drying time and cut adjustment
   • A fabric weight AND a temperature range together, which is the pair that decides the season
   • Nothing published about abrasion behaviour — see the Alpinestars listing in this family

   Best for: Winter riding where you want to know before buying which temperatures the layer was built for.

   ≈ €21

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5. 

   ALPIDEX 15100

   A two-piece thermal set in 70% polyamide, 25% polyester and 5% elastane with extra-flat seams and placed ventilation panels, cut to sit unnoticed under ordinary clothes.

   Composition

   70% polyamide / 25% polyester / 5% elastane (maker’s bullet)

   Seams

   Extra-flat, for comfort and freedom of movement under jeans and a pullover (maker’s bullet)

   Ventilation

   Deliberately placed panels for air circulation and heat regulation (maker’s bullet)

   Durability

   The polyamide content is stated to stop the fabric stretching out after repeated washing (maker’s bullet)

   Set contents

   Trousers and long-sleeved top; sizes S/M, L/XL, 2XL/3XL (maker’s bullet)

   Fabric weight

   The maker puts nothing in writing on this.

   Amazon reference

   B07V3N2JPL (one reference across 6 Amazon marketplaces)

   EAN

   4251379348309

   • Full three-fibre composition published to the percentage
   • Explains what the polyamide is there for, rather than just listing it
   • No fabric weight and no temperature range published

   Best for: Layering under ordinary clothes and riding kit alike, where seams and bulk are the complaint.

   ≈ €14

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