Riding a motorcycle in harsh Indian summer can be quite tough, given the heights that the mercury shoots up to. In such weather, base layers can be indispensable thanks to their moisture wicking ability. Unlike cotton fabrics that tend to soak sweat and stick to your skin, making you uncomfortable, base layers allow sweat to evaporate off your body quickly.
This, in turn, helps keep you a little cooler for longer periods of time. A quick search on the internet revealed a number of base layer options to choose from, at various price points. I was looking for a reasonably priced set and that’s when I came across the ones made by Raida. The Raida base layers, both the Upper and Lower ones, are made of a four-way stretchable polyester and spandex material that feels light and breathable from the moment you put them on.
This is one of the main requirements that I have from a base layer and the Raida checked that box. Secondly, these base layers have a compression function which basically means they fit tightly over the muscles, which is supposed to improve blood circulation and reduce fatigue. Under my textile riding gear, they felt like second skin, but what impressed me the most is how good a job they did of moisture wicking. Whether I was riding a big bike in Mumbai’s choc-a-bloc traffic on a humid afternoon, or hunting apexes at super hot MMRT in Chennai in my leather suit, these base layers went a long way in keeping me cool.
Not to mention the ease with which one can slide into and out of a textile riding jacket and pants or even a leather suit, because of these base layers. The other bit about the Raida base layers that I liked is their ability to handle abuse. Even after months of use and multiple wash cycles, there are no signs of the stitching coming loose or the fabric tearing in places. Overall, I’m quite happy with the way these base layers have served me so far and I find them as an affordable, yet worthy investment to make life a little easier when riding in our weather
