For most of my motorcycling career, I wore cotton underwear and a T-shirt on every ride. Until I met Mario Winkleman, owner of LD Comfort, at the 2016 BMW-MOA National Rally in Hamburg, New York.
Winkleman explained to me that I had been suffering from unnecessary heat due to cotton for years, and that his liner would change my entire riding experience. To say I was skeptical would be an understatement, but several Iron Butt friends assured me that, really, “I don’t know what I don’t know.”
The LD Comfort’s synthetic lining is made from a proprietary four-way stretch, antimicrobial fabric comprised of 63% nylon, 23% polyester, and 12% lycra. This fabric blend wicks sweat away from the rider’s skin and hugs the body’s curves for added support. But the main benefit of these garments is their cooling properties.
While it may seem counterintuitive at first, they are most effective when soaked in water and worn inside a non-mesh jacket with the vents closed. To use them properly, the rider wears base layers underneath the jacket and pours water down the sleeves and into the neck area. Allowing a minimal amount of air in with only the sleeve vents allows the water to slowly evaporate, cooling the air around the rider. The company claims the difference in temperature between the outside air and the inside of the jacket is up to 30 degrees.
Is it suspicious? Winkleman likens it to running the air conditioning in a car on a hot summer day. Opening the windows just lets all the cool air out. The same goes for wearing a breathable mesh jacket or opening all the vents on a non-mesh jacket. The strong airflow just ensures that the water evaporates too quickly, causing the rider to overheat in no time. It might sound crazy to wear a thicker jacket with the vents closed on a 100-degree day, but it works! I’ve been a big believer in the LD Comfort since my initial test in 2016.
Now, the company is introducing a Lite version of its traditional top layer. The idea behind the Lite line is to provide a slightly lighter garment that’s useful in a narrower temperature range. The lighter fabric doesn’t retain as much moisture for the hottest weather, and it’s not as thick for cold-weather riding—but as the name suggests, it’s thinner and a little more comfortable for longer rides.
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I tested the Lite Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck this summer, and while the standard garments are suitable for any temperature the average rider will venture into, the Lite is ideal at 65-90 degrees. Below 65 degrees, the extra thickness of the standard seam acts as insulation, keeping the rider warmer. Above 90 degrees, the standard seam holds more water, allowing the garment to keep the rider cooler for longer.
Either way, when you put on the LD Comfort Motorcycle Liner, you’ll understand why they’re a popular item with the Iron Butt crew. The shirt has an MSRP of $74 and is made in the USA.
