What do you wear under your track suit?

B

buffone

Active member
Sorry if this has been asked and answered a million times but I had no luck with the search function. My first track weekend (Racer5 stage 1) is fast approaching. I know I should wear close fitting Under Armour type base layers my questions are:
1. are short sleeve t shirts / compression shorts okay or will I be uncomfortable. That is, should I wear long sleeve-long tights?
2. Would a long sleeve road cycling jersey work up top? It's roughly the same position and I'm an avid cyclist too. wearing one of those would get lots of use if I realize track riding is not for me.

Thanks in advance!
 
Congrats on track & Racer5, they are great.

Any kinda base layer/breathable fabric is ideal. I use these and they work wonders on keeping you cool and dry;

revco.ca

Sixs Complete Undersuit (Black Carbon)

Providing quality and performance at a price you can afford is what we strive for, that's where the real value is.
revco.ca revco.ca
 
buffone said:
Thanks man. definitely something long sleeve/full leg covering though?
Click to expand...
i would, otherwise you're potentially gonna have the suit sticking to your skin.
 
Yes, I prefer long sleeve and full leg. Even though the suit itself will have a lining, an extra layer helps with comfort under the knee and elbow armour. Any kind of slippery stretchy fabric will work. Anything that's not slippery will make the suit harder to get on and off, and if it's too loose it'll bunch up and be annoying.

A lot of athletic gear brands claim to have antimicrobial treatments, but I've never found one that really works. They all reek after a couple of hours of sweating, so if you're doing multiple back-to-back days be prepared to wash the shirt in the sink at night.
 
I use under armour long sleeves(loose fitting) and bauer hockey compression pants. Makes getting the leathers on and off easier when you are sweating.
 
Good advice so far. Never anything cotton.
 
buffone said:
1. are short sleeve t shirts / compression shorts okay or will I be uncomfortable. That is, should I wear long sleeve-long tights?
Click to expand...

One of the main reasons why you want a layer underneath your leathers is to so the race suit doesn't stick to your skin. T-shirts and shorts still leave a lot of sweaty skin exposed and it will be difficult taking your suit on and off between sessions.

Unless you're this guy...

fabio-quartararo-yamaha-factor-1770147111.jpg

buffone said:
2. Would a long sleeve road cycling jersey work up top? It's roughly the same position and I'm an avid cyclist too. wearing one of those would get lots of use if I realize track riding is not for me.
Click to expand...

Is the long-sleeve cycling jersey wicking? Or is it wind/water proof? You want it to breathe, not hold moisture in otherwise you'll be a sticky mess underneath the race suit.

I have REV'IT! leathers, so I got the matching undersuit, but pretty much any kind of long-sleeve, wicking compression undergarment will do.

Revit-Excellerator-Thermo-Undersuit-1010-Black-1_ml.jpg

Nice feature is a zippered fly so you don't have to take the undersuit off when you take a nervous piss between sessions. Unless you are female and this does not apply.

Rented a bike and a suit at Phillip Island last year. Forgot to bring the underlayer, so I just went to a local sports store and picked up some cheap UnderArmour top and pants and they worked the same.

If you want to support local, check out VnM Sports undersuits:

VnM Sport

VnM Sport
www.vnmsport.com www.vnmsport.com

Founded by GTAM alumni, @aliki, she has had a lot of success sponsoring race teams in MotoGP and World Superbikes.

Screenshot_2024-01-24_at_3.11.55_PM.webp
 
Lightcycle said:
One of the main reasons why you want a layer underneath your leathers is to so the race suit doesn't stick to your skin. T-shirts and shorts still leave a lot of sweaty skin exposed and it will be difficult taking your suit on and off between sessions.

Unless you're this guy...

View attachment 74480



Is the long-sleeve cycling jersey wicking? Or is it wind/water proof? You want it to breathe, not hold moisture in otherwise you'll be a sticky mess underneath the race suit.

I have REV'IT! leathers, so I got the matching undersuit, but pretty much any kind of long-sleeve, wicking compression undergarment will do.

View attachment 74479

Nice feature is a zippered fly so you don't have to take the undersuit off when you take a nervous piss between sessions. Unless you are female and this does not apply.

Rented a bike and a suit at Phillip Island last year. Forgot to bring the underlayer, so I just went to a local sports store and picked up some cheap UnderArmour top and pants and they worked the same.

If you want to support local, check out VnM Sports undersuits:

VnM Sport

VnM Sport
www.vnmsport.com www.vnmsport.com

Founded by GTAM alumni, @aliki, she has had a lot of success sponsoring race teams in MotoGP and World Superbikes.

View attachment 74481
Click to expand...
Oh wow - Thanks for sharing that VNM link; It's cool to see a Canadian woman succeeding in this space.
 
Get long sleeve moisture wicking shirt and moisture wicking bottoms that run to your ankles. Any expose skin will be sweaty and make it very difficult to remove the leathers. Lots of inexpensive moisture wicking base layers on amazon. Also a bring a pair of shorts with you and a pair sandles (no toe). During extended breaks you take the leathers off, put the shorts on over the base layers and relax.
Dont forget about your socks for the race boots. I am gonna be at Grand Bend next week for the 3 day intro. See you there!
 
Great tips. Thanks so much for responding. I’m actually doing the July session and, apparently, can’t effing wait.
 
I was just in Stage 1 a few weeks ago. If you're price-conscious, you might want to check out Decathlon—that's where I found the most affordable moisture-wicking shirt. I also picked up my "rain suit" there, based on a great tip from another member of this forum.
 
+1 under armour long sleeves and leggings.

I'm doing racer5 again next weekend mainly to do it with family.

I would also bring shorts, T-shirt and a heavy duty clothes hanger(a suit weighs 15lbs). It's nice to get out of the suit during lunch time and get a bit of air drying going. If you've never done track before, you'll probably work up a lot of sweat from the adrenaline.

A neck gaiter is great too. It's not the hottest weekend but a drenched gaiter at speed is fantastic air conditioning.
 
Last edited:
 
I wear VNM base layers now, but when I started it was just what ever athletic long sleeved shirt and pants I could find in the clearance section. VNM stuff is great, but very expensive and worse now with the exchange, so don't feel like you need to get her gear if it doesn't fit your budget.

I once rode to work in my leathers without a spandex top and thought I was going to dislocate my shoulder trying to pull my sweaty arm out.

Also the racer5 suits are worn by many people, so having a layer between you and everyone elses sweat is probably a good idea. When you're on your course, make sure to say "Hi", I'll likely be the one giving you your suit.
 
Amazon said:
I wear VNM base layers now, but when I started it was just what ever athletic long sleeved shirt and pants I could find in the clearance section. VNM stuff is great, but very expensive and worse now with the exchange, so don't feel like you need to get her gear if it doesn't fit your budget.

I once rode to work in my leathers without a spandex top and thought I was going to dislocate my shoulder trying to pull my sweaty arm out.

Also the racer5 suits are worn by many people, so having a layer between you and everyone elses sweat is probably a good idea. When you're on your course, make sure to say "Hi", I'll likely be the one giving you your suit.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the great advice. I will definitely say hello. I think you posted somewhere a few years ago giving someone advice about their first track day and that's what convinced me to give it a try!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom