Winter clothing guide??
#101
Not safe for work
During the day it was 5 Celsius and felt warmer with the sunshine. But the ride after dark was colder at -1 Celsius and windier than several hours earlier. I wore:
HEAD
- ski helmet (good grief I love the ear covers!)
- goggles (1 pair had rose colored lenses, the evening pair are clear)
- fleece neck tube. I should have brought my neoprene face mask for the evening ride. But I made do.
TORSO
- cotton short sleeve tshirt
- insulated rain jacket
LEGS
- underwear (I know, BAD! But I'm behind in my laundry. Bike shorts are in the basket.)
- powershield tights
- MTN bike shorts (because I love the zippered pockets for my wallet & stuff)
FEET
- wool socks
- suede skateboard shoes
HANDS
- waterproof ski gloves
Other than needing to catch up with laundry chores, my get up worked well. I'm putting the neoprene face mask in my pocket tomorrow.
HEAD
- ski helmet (good grief I love the ear covers!)
- goggles (1 pair had rose colored lenses, the evening pair are clear)
- fleece neck tube. I should have brought my neoprene face mask for the evening ride. But I made do.
TORSO
- cotton short sleeve tshirt
- insulated rain jacket
LEGS
- underwear (I know, BAD! But I'm behind in my laundry. Bike shorts are in the basket.)
- powershield tights
- MTN bike shorts (because I love the zippered pockets for my wallet & stuff)
FEET
- wool socks
- suede skateboard shoes
HANDS
- waterproof ski gloves
Other than needing to catch up with laundry chores, my get up worked well. I'm putting the neoprene face mask in my pocket tomorrow.
#102
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: central ohio
Posts: 1,536
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Here are a pair of convertible mittens that I bought last year. They must be popular because they raised the price of them since I bought them. But they're still an excellent cold weather mitten for riding in frigid temps. At 20f, your hands will be toasty warm. At 5f, you'll be grinning to yourself at how warm your hands are. Great versatility, excellent venting and finger dexterity, the gauntlet is easy to use one-handed. And they even have a pocket for handwarmers. Good design and well made.
https://www.onlygloves.com/winter-glo...yaccessmit.cfm
https://www.onlygloves.com/winter-glo...yaccessmit.cfm
#103
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 60
Bikes: 2009 Scott Addict R3, 2003 Cannondale XR1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Waterproof socks?
I'm having a hard time with my Sidis leaking massive amounts of water, even with a pair of PI Barrier shoecovers. I guess the next step is waterproof socks? There are some at REI that got mediocre ratings, anywhere else I should look?
#104
Stealing Spokes since 82'
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boy-z, Ideeeho
Posts: 1,875
Bikes: The always reliable kuwie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I guess it depends on your shoe size but ive been wearing diving boots under my shoes when its wet and cold out, i use the 2mil thickness with those and a pair of socks under i had to go a size larger on shoes.
#105
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Tahoe
Posts: 142
Bikes: Motobecane Single Speed, Trek Mountain Track Xtracycle
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Matt,
are you riding to work or for fun? Big difference because of changing clothes. I ride year round to work so I usually try to just keep warm and cover my work clothes. So, Pearl Izumi is great place to start and look for outlet its even better. Leg Warmers under jeans, Arm Warmers under Sweatshirt, ocassionally I wear a vest for chest warmth but keeps pits from over heating. Lobster gloves are good or Swix has a mitten with gloves inside, throw a pair of hand warmers in and your set. I have waterproof pants that zip and velcro up sides so no taking off shoes when I get to work, and I stay dry and helps cut wind, Jacket depends on if its wet or dry. I prefer light layers. Beanie under helmet. Nike hatphones so I can have my music and stay warm, shoe covers if needed cause its wet and I want to wear cute shoes.
Oh and something to cover mouth and nose, I have fleece lined bandanna that velcroes behind head. Works great. Good luck and welcome back
are you riding to work or for fun? Big difference because of changing clothes. I ride year round to work so I usually try to just keep warm and cover my work clothes. So, Pearl Izumi is great place to start and look for outlet its even better. Leg Warmers under jeans, Arm Warmers under Sweatshirt, ocassionally I wear a vest for chest warmth but keeps pits from over heating. Lobster gloves are good or Swix has a mitten with gloves inside, throw a pair of hand warmers in and your set. I have waterproof pants that zip and velcro up sides so no taking off shoes when I get to work, and I stay dry and helps cut wind, Jacket depends on if its wet or dry. I prefer light layers. Beanie under helmet. Nike hatphones so I can have my music and stay warm, shoe covers if needed cause its wet and I want to wear cute shoes.
Oh and something to cover mouth and nose, I have fleece lined bandanna that velcroes behind head. Works great. Good luck and welcome back
#106
Kid A
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,778
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
28F yesterday morning:
poly underwear
blue jeans
cotton t-shirt
LS cotton t-shirt
polartec vest (cheap one from TJ Max)
full gloves
helmet liner, skull cap, helmet
safety glasses
Good to go for 30 mile round trip! Best part is my clothes are cheap and I'm not a walking advertisement for anyone. I passed about 3 other cyclists, all in full racing kit.
Man, I keep feeling like I should buy more cycling jerseys and tights, and then throw them in the closet all winter and hang my bicycle in the garage. Then I'll tell cyclists on the forums and in the bike shop that they "gotta" get some tights and jerseys to ride in the winter.
poly underwear
blue jeans
cotton t-shirt
LS cotton t-shirt
polartec vest (cheap one from TJ Max)
full gloves
helmet liner, skull cap, helmet
safety glasses
Good to go for 30 mile round trip! Best part is my clothes are cheap and I'm not a walking advertisement for anyone. I passed about 3 other cyclists, all in full racing kit.
Man, I keep feeling like I should buy more cycling jerseys and tights, and then throw them in the closet all winter and hang my bicycle in the garage. Then I'll tell cyclists on the forums and in the bike shop that they "gotta" get some tights and jerseys to ride in the winter.
#107
Dirt Bomb
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,866
Mentioned: 64 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5473 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
239 Posts
I haven't looked through all five pages of this thread, but are there any insulated pants out there? I usually wear synthetic long johns under jeans. That works well for me, but I wish there was a one-piece pant. Seems like there's so many types of coats for the upper body. What one-piece gament works for the legs? I would use these for 10-20 mile nighttime after-work rides, in the sub-freezing cold and dark. If I do something longer I'll go with bike shorts and poly underwear and sweat pants. I'm looking for one-piece convenience.
Thanks
Thanks
#108
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Triangle, NC
Posts: 1,480
Bikes: S-Works Tarmac
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Try the Col d'Lizard tights. I have a pair and they are superb. For conditions approaching zero, go with the 200 fabric instead of the 100.
https://icebike.com/Clothing/lowerhalf.htm
https://icebike.com/Clothing/lowerhalf.htm
#109
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Posts: 36
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
8 degrees in the Colorado Mountains this AM. Hiking boots (toe cages). Long underwear, tights, cheap ski pants. Thermal shirt, light fleece pullover, gore tex ski jacket with all vents open. Snowboard gloves. Headband & googles. Six mile commute, perfectly warm.
#110
Fax Transport Specialist
I haven't looked through all five pages of this thread, but are there any insulated pants out there? I usually wear synthetic long johns under jeans. That works well for me, but I wish there was a one-piece pant. Seems like there's so many types of coats for the upper body. What one-piece gament works for the legs? I would use these for 10-20 mile nighttime after-work rides, in the sub-freezing cold and dark. If I do something longer I'll go with bike shorts and poly underwear and sweat pants. I'm looking for one-piece convenience.
Thanks
Thanks
Separate question... I'm working on my feet right now. Today I had a thin polypro liner sock, mid-weight wool sock, and waterproof leather boots. The boots don't breath well at all so my feet got sweaty, the socks were quite damp when I got back. Should I try a thinner wool sock to reduce sweating or is that just going to happen with exercise regardless of my clothing?
#111
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 109
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I live in the NE. One of the biggest things I've found in tolerating temperature extremes is regular riding. That is, if I've been riding / commuting several days per week, every week, my body adapts as the seasons change and I can tolerate riding in 100 degree weather or 20 degree weather. If I haven't been riding regularly and try either, I don't last long. I still use a Cannondale cycling jacket that I bought around 1984 for winter riding. It has a nylon front and arms and a polypro back. It works better than any other jacket I've tried over the years (I've tried Goretex, e-vent, windpro, etc). They don't breathe as well as my old ratty Cannondale which has just the right combination of wind protection and breathability. All the others cause my sweat to accumulate which soon gets uncomfortable. Wish cannondale still made that jacket. I'd buy several and be set for life!
#112
Double Naught Spy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,722
Bikes: 2010 Scott CR1 Comp, 2013 Scott Scale 960 MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I live in the NE. One of the biggest things I've found in tolerating temperature extremes is regular riding. That is, if I've been riding / commuting several days per week, every week, my body adapts as the seasons change and I can tolerate riding in 100 degree weather or 20 degree weather. If I haven't been riding regularly and try either, I don't last long. I still use a Cannondale cycling jacket that I bought around 1984 for winter riding. It has a nylon front and arms and a polypro back. It works better than any other jacket I've tried over the years (I've tried Goretex, e-vent, windpro, etc). They don't breathe as well as my old ratty Cannondale which has just the right combination of wind protection and breathability. All the others cause my sweat to accumulate which soon gets uncomfortable. Wish cannondale still made that jacket. I'd buy several and be set for life!
#113
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 109
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Actually, I've only commuted year-round approx 8-9 years out of the 27 (3-4 years back then and 4-5 years now). During the in between years, I cycled sporadically and rarely cycled in weather cold enough to need the jacket.
#114
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: central ohio
Posts: 1,536
Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Their jackets make excellent mid-layers also. I wear a showers pass on the outside with a Sport Hill Symmetry jacket underneath. I wear that all winter regardless of the temp. If I need more warmth I'll add a long sleeve fleece shirt or jersey.
Update 10/16/12; I have two pair of the Sport Hill XC pants. The one pair are going on its sixth winter and still look brand new. I expect to get many years out of these pants, unless I crash on the road and tear a hole in them. Then they're ruined. Can't recommend enough.
Last edited by scoatw; 10-16-12 at 06:43 PM.
#115
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Indiana
Posts: 295
Bikes: giant revel 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This year I'm going with
outerwear-Gore bike wear balance 111 jacket
- Louis Garneau Matrix Balaclava (ski mask)
Pants- have not ordered yet Will get sport hill running pants
Base layer- Louis Garneau Thermo Elite long sleeve jersey
-patagonia capilene perforance base layer
- Nike pro fit t- shirt
- NIke pro fit socks
mid layer- Long sleeve pro fit polar tec
Going to add another layer to my legs, socks, gloves, hat, shoe covers, snow tires and a super bright rear flasher lots of stuff to add
outerwear-Gore bike wear balance 111 jacket
- Louis Garneau Matrix Balaclava (ski mask)
Pants- have not ordered yet Will get sport hill running pants
Base layer- Louis Garneau Thermo Elite long sleeve jersey
-patagonia capilene perforance base layer
- Nike pro fit t- shirt
- NIke pro fit socks
mid layer- Long sleeve pro fit polar tec
Going to add another layer to my legs, socks, gloves, hat, shoe covers, snow tires and a super bright rear flasher lots of stuff to add
#116
Overdoing projects
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Posts: 2,397
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 784 Post(s)
Liked 1,238 Times
in
686 Posts
Even though winter has not yet showed itself around here, this is what I usually wear:
HEAD
- Buff windstopper or the insulated hood ski jacket
- Buff windstopper (2) around my neck and over my nose (I love these things)
TORSO
- Icebreaker Merinowool base-layer and sweater
- Either a primaloft insulated gore-tex ski jacket
- Or a down liner with a gore-tex hardshell (more versatile)
LEGS
- If it's -10C or colder some merinowool leggings
- Waxed windresistant hiking trousers (quasi-casual looking)
FEET
- Smartwool hiking socks
- Leather hiking boots (Hanwag Yukon)
HANDS
- Gore winstopper gloves (up until -5C when winter preogresses)
- Gore-tex skiing gloves with fleece inner gloves
The perfect gloves are a bit of a personal quest of mine. I'm going to experiment with a few different liners this winter to try my personal best combination.
HEAD
- Buff windstopper or the insulated hood ski jacket
- Buff windstopper (2) around my neck and over my nose (I love these things)
TORSO
- Icebreaker Merinowool base-layer and sweater
- Either a primaloft insulated gore-tex ski jacket
- Or a down liner with a gore-tex hardshell (more versatile)
LEGS
- If it's -10C or colder some merinowool leggings
- Waxed windresistant hiking trousers (quasi-casual looking)
FEET
- Smartwool hiking socks
- Leather hiking boots (Hanwag Yukon)
HANDS
- Gore winstopper gloves (up until -5C when winter preogresses)
- Gore-tex skiing gloves with fleece inner gloves
The perfect gloves are a bit of a personal quest of mine. I'm going to experiment with a few different liners this winter to try my personal best combination.
#117
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Further North than U
Posts: 2,000
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
that's an unbelievably hot setup for non-winter riding (to me). There are a couple of glove recommendations here. My preference is a very thin pair of polypro type gloves under my biking gloves. Over that goes any of several pairs of gloves depending on the temperature or none if it's about 45F to 55F. As it gets colder I add a pair of gloves over that combination that aren't very thick and then switch to gloves with wind-block. Once that isn't warm enough I switch to putting pogies on my bike. Locally winter riding must be done on a mtn bike of some type and pogies with a heat-pack tossed in and a medium weight glove will take me down to any ridable temperature.
#118
Overdoing projects
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Rotterdam, former republic of the Netherlands
Posts: 2,397
Bikes: Batavus Randonneur GL, Gazelle Orange Excellent, Gazelle Super Licht, Gazelle Grand Tourist, Gazelle Lausanne, Gazelle Tandem, Koga-Miyata SilverAce, Koga-Miyata WorldTraveller
Mentioned: 58 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 784 Post(s)
Liked 1,238 Times
in
686 Posts
Well, it is. What I meant is, that is what I usually wear for winter riding. My bad.
Right now we've got 15C and some hard winds and rain. Just a windstopper jacket with a a longsleeve Icebreaker 200 merinowool shirt is enough.
During winter snow is pretty rare, but freezing temperatures are common. Combined with strong winds because I live close to the sea windchill becomes something to keep in mind.
When it's just below freezing, but you have windforce 7 or 8 even those ski-gloves are not enough on a bike. -5C with 50km/h winds mean a temperature of -25C or -13F.
Right now we've got 15C and some hard winds and rain. Just a windstopper jacket with a a longsleeve Icebreaker 200 merinowool shirt is enough.
During winter snow is pretty rare, but freezing temperatures are common. Combined with strong winds because I live close to the sea windchill becomes something to keep in mind.
When it's just below freezing, but you have windforce 7 or 8 even those ski-gloves are not enough on a bike. -5C with 50km/h winds mean a temperature of -25C or -13F.
#119
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 153
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just bought head/ear band, under armour coldgear longsleeve compression shirt, thermal tights, arm/leg warmers, shoe cover, and gloves...am I forgetting something?
#121
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Further North than U
Posts: 2,000
Bikes: Spec Roubaix, three Fisher Montare, two Pugs
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 39 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
If it's cold enough for that gear consider what you'll do if you flat out. Once it gets cold enough for gloves, thermal tights and such, it's probably cold enough to bring panniers and enough warm clothing to keep you warm while you change a flat. Either that or know you can get a ride.
#122
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 351
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey guys, I have question.
I've noticed that my core is overheating like a mofo. Even in 24 degree weather, I'm still sweating like nobody's business. My base layer is a short sleeved Champion C9 wicking shirt. My mid layer is a Mission Workshop Bosun Merino wool midweight jacket https://missionworkshop.com/products/...wool-bosun.php. On the outside, I'm wearing a North Face wind/water resistant "windbreaker", which is lined on the inside but lets ZERO heat/sweat escape.
Is my outer layer the problem? Should I be wearing a thinner windbreaker? If so, how cold could a mesh lined windbreaker plus midweight merino jacket plus polypro base layer take me?
I've noticed that my core is overheating like a mofo. Even in 24 degree weather, I'm still sweating like nobody's business. My base layer is a short sleeved Champion C9 wicking shirt. My mid layer is a Mission Workshop Bosun Merino wool midweight jacket https://missionworkshop.com/products/...wool-bosun.php. On the outside, I'm wearing a North Face wind/water resistant "windbreaker", which is lined on the inside but lets ZERO heat/sweat escape.
Is my outer layer the problem? Should I be wearing a thinner windbreaker? If so, how cold could a mesh lined windbreaker plus midweight merino jacket plus polypro base layer take me?
#123
nutella junkie
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 28
Bikes: Cannondale Criterium C600
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I sweat no matter how low the temperature gets. I'm going into my fifth winter of riding now and have found over the years that all I really need on top is a long-sleeved base layer (I usually wear SmartWool) and my Marmot windbreaker. As others have pointed out, I guess you could throw something extra in your pack for when you catch a flat.
#124
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Virginia/DC
Posts: 1,454
Bikes: quite a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
33 or so this morning. I went with
The gloves were a bit leaky and not really cutting it but otherwise I was comfy or too warm even.
- 2x socks, thinner cycling ones under thicker cotton ones
- 2x gloves, tight-fitting full finger MTB gloves, sized-up fleece lined winter gloves from Target
- 4 thin layers up top: technical T, long sleeve thin cotton shirt, regular short sleeve jersey (not really needed but will be used on the way home), very thin shell jacket (mesh lined)
- standard "Buff" around neck (https://www.buyabuff.com/)
- fleece lined neoprene balaclava under helmet (great!)
- MTB shorts with built in liner
- fleece lined neoprene leg warmers
The gloves were a bit leaky and not really cutting it but otherwise I was comfy or too warm even.
#125
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 351
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I sweat no matter how low the temperature gets. I'm going into my fifth winter of riding now and have found over the years that all I really need on top is a long-sleeved base layer (I usually wear SmartWool) and my Marmot windbreaker. As others have pointed out, I guess you could throw something extra in your pack for when you catch a flat.