Cool/Cold weather apparel?

[cherinyc]

Hello everyone -
It's already starting to cool off here already in NJ, and just as I needed advice on the basic warm weather gear, I need it for cold weather stuff as well. Especially since I get MAD earaches when the temp drops below just 65.
I would like to find a lightweight, wind-resistant (maybe water repellant too) jacket. One that packs easily, and not too expensive.
Also - somekind of ear protector :D

What do you suggest?

[mimitabby]

they make all kinds of hats and muffs for your ears. There's a little black hat that fits right under your helmet... it has flaps for your ears. makes such a big difference.

as for coats, a raincoat is all i have ever used on the outside, but then layers of wool and synthetics underneath.
you get colder weather in Jersey than we get here but your core can be warmed with laayers. we also wear booties, long underwear and two pairs of gloves; The regular roadbike gloves covered with fluffy mittens/gloves.

[CorsairMac]

You might try the TE site for some lightweight, packable cycling jackets. My Biggest caution would be to be aware of the colours: my first cycling jacket is a beautiful light gray = just great when the lights are dim and/or the weather is unclear! Yeah - that light gray should make me stand out like a speck on the windshield!


I paid a tad more for it but felt it was worth it as a bike commuter: I now have a bright yellow jacket with IllumNite panels all over it. It also has zip-off sleeves so it converts into a vest and will pack into it's own backpocket. Try REI.com or I think Performance may carry their own brand of IllumNite clothing. I "believe" PI may carry a lime green jacket also.

and for ear protection: if you're wanting just something to protect your ears, I have ear warmers: they're just little caps that go directly over your ears. The helmet straps don't distrub them and they can pop off when it gets warm and fit easily in a jersey pocket.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?vcat=REI_SEARCH&storeId=8000&query=ear+muffs

here are some other options for ear covers

[Lise]

You might try the TE site for some lightweight, packable cycling jackets. My Biggest caution would be to be aware of the colours: my first cycling jacket is a beautiful light gray = just great when the lights are dim and/or the weather is unclear! Yeah - that light gray should make me stand out like a speck on the windshield!
Ha! Corsair! I think I have the same grey jacket! I got it on sale on some website, and only when I wore it did I realize how well I blended into the rest of the grey city! I picked up some lightweights reflectors www.lightweights.org to put on my gloves; I think I'll put some on that jacket, now that you mention it. But really; bright yellow, orange, or green would be better!

[7rider]

There was a discussion on cool/cold weather apparel recently in the commuter forum:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9416
You can check there for ideas.
For earprotection, I use an ancient (at least 10 y.o.) PI headband. Super thin, but just warm enough for about down to 40. If it's colder than that, I'll wear a coolmax head cover or balaclava.
Yuck.
Not looking forward to that again!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I am REALLY enjoying my Smartwool longsleeved soft merino pullovers from TE. I love both the "Zip-T" and the crew neck. They keep me warm and cozy but they are lightweight, they BREATHE, and they never feel sweaty.
Yesterday we did a pre-dusk ride with the temps in the 60's and shady dirt roads with some fast windy downhills, and my Zip-T was just perfect under a simple light polar fleece vest. After I warmed up I took off the vest and the pullover felt just great by itself.

[Bad JuJu]

I am REALLY enjoying my Smartwool longsleeved soft merino pullovers from TE. I love both the "Zip-T" and the crew neck. They keep me warm and cozy but they are lightweight, they BREATHE, and they never feel sweaty.
Yesterday we did a pre-dusk ride with the temps in the 60's and shady dirt roads with some fast windy downhills, and my Zip-T was just perfect under a simple light polar fleece vest. After I warmed up I took off the vest and the pullover felt just great by itself.
Hey, Lisa, how do those Smartwool jerseys fit? It will be quite a while before longsleeve jerseys are necessary here in NW Florida, but I like Smartwool in general--wear their socks all year long. I've been eyeing that Smartwool Zip-T on TE for those few weeks in Jan/Feb when the temps approach what we call "cold" (daytime highs in the 40s). But they look really close-fitting and I'm not wild about that. So how do yours fit? Thanks!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey, Lisa, how do those Smartwool jerseys fit? It will be quite a while before longsleeve jerseys are necessary here in NW Florida, but I like Smartwool in general--wear their socks all year long. I've been eyeing that Smartwool Zip-T on TE for those few weeks in Jan/Feb when the temps approach what we call "cold" (daytime highs in the 40s). But they look really close-fitting and I'm not wild about that. So how do yours fit? Thanks!

Hi girlfriend,
The Zip-T (with the front neck zipper and the little mock-turtleneck) fits me like this: I am 5'5" and weigh 140 pounds, the medium fits me perfectly- not baggy and not tight, just totally comfortable with a little room allowance in case it shrinks a bit.

The "crew neck" style however: http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=19348
runs a little bigger on me. The medium was a little too loose feeling all over and I wanted it to fit smoothly but not tightly so I could layer it under things and not have lumps and folds showing. I exchanged that one for a Small. The small fit me nice and comfortably in that style.

If I was maybe 30 pounds heavier I might do better with Large in the Zip-T and Medium in the crewneck style.

The sleeves are plenty long and cozy in either style, by the way. And the mock-turtle neck on the ZipT is not tight at all- plenty of room and stretch for any size neck.

Hope this is helpful.

[pooks]

About jackets --

We're riding in the LIVESTRONG in October (Austin) and the weather can be hotter than hades or rainy and chilly, impossible to predict. (Though hot or warm is the better bet.)

So I don't really want to buy rain gear for "just in case" but my husband doesn't want to wait until the last minute and figure out that we need rain gear and rush around and buy it. So I'm wondering if we take our breathable rain jackets that we wear all the time (they do fold up into a pocket) will that probably be okay, or will we be sorry we don't have something that isn't cut so full? These are made to wear over layers and we've worn them in England and Scotland in February as a top layer, but they're very lightweight.

[7rider]

About jackets --

We're riding in the LIVESTRONG in October (Austin) and the weather can be hotter than hades or rainy and chilly, impossible to predict. (Though hot or warm is the better bet.)

So I don't really want to buy rain gear for "just in case" but my husband doesn't want to wait until the last minute and figure out that we need rain gear and rush around and buy it. So I'm wondering if we take our breathable rain jackets that we wear all the time (they do fold up into a pocket) will that probably be okay, or will we be sorry we don't have something that isn't cut so full? These are made to wear over layers and we've worn them in England and Scotland in February as a top layer, but they're very lightweight.

As long as those jackets are long enough in the back to provide decent coverage when you're on the bike, I don't see why they wouldn't be adequate. No sense buying something "cycling specific" if what you have on hand fills the bill. Do they have a draw at the waist or bottom to cinch it in to it doesn't fill up with too much air?

[pooks]

Thanks. They're plenty long and they have drawstrings, so I guess we're set!