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cold weather clothing

24 replies [Last post]

Sun, 10/22/2006 - 12:08pm

Anonymous

In the wintertime I usually just bike to work and nothing else, preferring to just snowboard as my major activity. To be honest though, it's also a question of me not having decent cold weather gear. I was wondering what you people wear to keep warm.

I've got Gore arm warmers, full finger gloves, a balaklava, some kind of jacket (although not specifically bike-oriented, it does the trick), and tights. I feel pretty prepared at this point, but I'm still wondering about the tights, they're fine at 50 degrees but is there anything else you can wear if it gets colder? What do you wear on your head? skull cap or full helmet cover?

Thanks for your input.

Sun, 10/22/2006 - 1:42pm

Robert Shay (not verified)

Warm stuff for cycling & website

"I wear these pants, balaclava, toe-warmers, and gloves comfortably down to 25 degrees F.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=&subcategory=&brand=0209&sku...

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_square.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id...

http://www.hotronic.com/products/footwarmers/info/review/bob-shay-fw-rev...

http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&product_id=527528&type_i...

Interesting website: http://www.icebike.org/"

Sun, 10/22/2006 - 2:37pm

julie b (not verified)

bellwether pants

Do you wear tights under these? It doesn't mention if they themselves are warm, just says windproof and releases excess heat.

Sun, 10/22/2006 - 6:18pm

Robert Shay (not verified)

Pants...

I wear biking shorts under the pants mostly because I ride long distances and I like the extra padding. These pants work best in temps between 25 and 55 degrees F. They are a little more restrictive than lycra but I can still ride comfortably at 23 mph and 100 rpm cadence.

Sun, 10/22/2006 - 6:32pm

elsa (not verified)

I've used those little hand warmer things ,I put one in the space in my seat & another between my shoe & bootie at the instep , I have insulated bottles, in one of them I put hot tea or hot chocolate ,I'd add a shot of hooch ,but I don't want get a summons for B.W.I.

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 8:13am

Road Rash (not verified)

Bike naked.

Pedal fast. Stay warm.

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 10:03am

Christophe Jammet (not verified)

my cold weather arsenal

i've got some more goodies on the way, but this is what i've got:

-louis garneau Gemini Winter Jacket (a FANTASTIC jacket. keeps me nice and warm but isnt bulky at all.)
-Garneau XTR booties- water proof and thermal- i just got htese because i need a bootie that will not only handle road riding, but cyclocross racing- the bottom is very open to allow for mtb shoes
-Garneau Techno gloves- these are on the way from piermont, should be solid gloves
-Castelli Kiss Bibtights with windblock- these'll be my primary winter tights, when it gets too cold for regular bibs and leg warmers- got them for $129 from Piermont
-Castelli Wool socks- $12 each at piermont- great deal

i also use a pearl izumi headband for the ears, and i'll slap on a cycling cap to block my head from the wind if its cold enough.

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 10:28am

Jim N (not verified)

the obsessive's response

http://www.daysofleisure.com/writing/Winter_Bike_Wear_Report.html

That's a list of pretty much exactly what I wore during different weather conditions, from 50s to 20s F.

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 7:35pm

jcraig280

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Joined: Mar 26 2015

I have this older article

I have this older article bookmarked and reference once in a while. Pretty useful

http://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/beginners/winter-layering-done-right...

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 10:34am

fendergal (not verified)

I believe the single best article of clothing for the cold is bib tights. They add another layer of warmth to your core, and remove the possibility of ventilation at the waist level.

Runners up for my fave winter items:
thin wool cap
Pearl Izumi lobster gloves (the old puffy style)
chemical hand and toe warmers
and of course a fender (to keep your bundled-up keister dry)

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 1:05pm

#10

Donald (not verified)

"""I believe the single best article of clothing for the cold is bib tights.""

Cold makes me have to pee. Struggling through tons of layers and bib tights is about the worst idea in this situation. In the summer, it's just the jersey over the bib. In the winter, the jacket has to come off so you can get at however many layers that are under the jacket but over the bibs. What a pain.

For ease of use in the cold, I prefer a fleece lined wind blocking tight that stops at the waist and multiple layers on top. A vest that blocks wind in front and is vented in back to help heat transfer is a nice finish."

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 9:05am

#11

Cmoore

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

12 years later

Just pull your bib shoulder straps over your base layer/jersey/jacket/whatever, and you can avoid all natural break issues entirely - except aesthetics. :P

Sat, 02/04/2017 - 9:33am

#12

CLam

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Ha, that IS a good look

And it's sure to keep the unwanted wheel suckers of Team Dingleberry from latching on behind you.

and everyone else for that matter;-/

Thu, 01/12/2017 - 7:32pm

#13

jcraig280

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Joined: Mar 26 2015

You're a guy, right Donald?

You're a guy, right Donald? Bibs stretch downward in the front if you pull hard enough, meaning you just need all of your other layers to have full zip to get to them.

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 6:45pm

#14

CLam

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Pee

i don't know about stretching the bibs, but I drink less than half when it's super cold and riding at moderate effort.

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 5:50am

#15

PLee (not verified)

Cold Weather Gear

Let's see, from top to bottom -

Skullcap with ear flaps under my helmet. If it's real cold, I'll swap out the skullcap for a polypro balaclava that can cover my mouth and nose.

Long sleeved polypro base layer under Giusseggi bib tights (lined with wind panels on front of legs). Long-sleeved jersey and a lined Descente jacket. Winter gloves.

Socks, shoes, and full Giusseggi booties.

That should do it for temps as far down as the teens. If this outfit isn't warm enough, I don't ride! Those days are what the trainer is for!

Mon, 10/23/2006 - 7:11am

#16

SteveD (not verified)

re:

Check out this site, General Advice on Cold Weather Riding

http://www.cyclefixx.com/tom_kellogg.php

Stay safe and warm!

Tue, 10/24/2006 - 7:52pm

#17

Paul O'Donnell (not verified)

Ibex

Does anyone have any experience with the Ibex clothing? The wool intrigues me.

http://www.ibexwear.com/F06/Products.php?Gender=Mens&Category=1050

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 2:37am

#18

Tony Rentschler (not verified)

Recommended

"I really like the Ibex stuff myself. I wear it ""around town"" as well as when cycling. In fact, today seems like a good day to try out the Ibex Breakaway Jacket I recently bought on sale! It looks like the sale is still on in the ""outlet"" page of the Ibex site.

When the temps are in the 40s and below, I usually layer wool with a silkweight or midweight Patagonia shirt.
"

Wed, 10/25/2006 - 7:52am

#19

Raúl García De Mateo (not verified)

Great article here

Good article here:
Kissena.info: Clothing for Cold Weather

Tue, 01/10/2017 - 7:57pm

#20

galfromdownunder

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Jodhpurs make great bike-to-work winter cycling gear

I guess I'll update this thread (10 years old!) with a tip I posted on Facebook in 2016.

Ladies... just had to share my winter apparel tip: HORSERIDING JODHPURS. They are the perfect bike-to-work-and-keep-em-on pants (especially if you wear short or tall boots). Just like horsey people need, the seat is designed to be durable and the inner leg patches protect you from muck and abrasion by the chain. And they look way sharp on.

I wore them years ago for biking then somehow lost them in my move forgot and about them... I stumbled across them in Manhattan Saddlery (warning - some really nice stuff in there, credit card danger), and bought the fleece-lined Kerit's Frost Free (on special for $89 instead of $119 - some still left) in the classic beige, and the fleece-lined Sit Tight ones in black.http://manhattansaddlery.com/…/sit-tight-n-warm-pocket-knee… (PS the owner Nick Tsang is a hardcore cyclist. And no, I am not being paid by Nick!).

I really like the ones by Kerits: http://kerrits.com/

Sat, 02/04/2017 - 9:38am

#21

CLam

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

I like the Multipurpose / Repurpose idea

When I first joined the club a 'few' years back, I only had bike shorts and didn't know if I wanted to be a 'serious' cyclist. I showed up on the first day of the A-Classics on a MTB (there were a lot less rules back in the day), wearing baseball pants that ended at mid-calve, tube socks and hiking boots. I remember this detail because Christy joked about it at the SIG graduation after I got a proper bike.

I still use light weight ski gloves instead of bar mitts when it's super cold. Running tights over bike shorts (specially older shorts that don't see the light of day in the summer). For some reason, exercise gear is less expensive when it's not 'cycling' specific. A merino wool top or a polypropylene base layer will be 30% less if it's not made by PI or Specialized.

Yes, it's an old thread. But it's good to see Anon2 used to contribute under his Name.

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 9:13pm

#22

Sir Roger

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Joined: Jan 27 2011

From Cycling Weekly

Cycling Weekly The Big Question this week was.

"What is the best way of keeping warm on a winter bike ride ??

My favourite answer...

"Stay in bed ! Hundred percent guaranteed to work.."

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 9:22pm

#23

jcraig280

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Joined: Mar 26 2015

Hard to balance a king on 2

Hard to balance a king on 2 wheels.. maybe a twin xl though..

Fri, 02/03/2017 - 10:45pm

#24

GRoss

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Joined: Nov 4 2010

Wool and more wool

I am a fan of wool. In this weather I wear Ibex knickers (my legs are short and full tights are always too long) with heavy over the calf smartwool socks and winter riding boots. I have never has a problem with my legs or feet being cold. On top I like a lightweight merino wool undershirt (there are several brands out there and they are all about the same and a wool long-sleeve jersey. My best jerseys are made by a tiny company in Portland Oregon (where else?) called Wabi Woolens. Over the jersey a medium weight wind blocking jacket is just right. Mine has zip off sleeves so if the day starts out cold and then warms into the 40's I can remove the sleeves.

I also have a merino wool beanie. Usually it's enough but when its below freezing I wear two of them. The helmet still fits over them and the second layer is enough to keep my head and ears warm. I do have a balaclava and a face mask but so far haven't felt the need to use it.

My problem is wind chill on my fingers. I now use a pair of CozyWinters electrically heated gloves. They're great but I should have bought their "ski" gloves -- they have more insulation on the fingers. With their cycling gloves I still need bar mitts when the temperature is below freezing.

Incidentally, the wool jersey is comfortable right up to the low 70's.

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