Gear for winter riding???

[Colleenmitch]

I'm an advanced beginner cyclist, and this is the 1st year I decided to try to keep riding through the winter. I doubt I'll be out in less than 35 degree weather, but am a sissy about the cold. What level of tights do I need? Would I be ok in $100 Pearl Izumi tights or do I need the hard core $150 Castelli?
What about a jacket v. warm long sleeve jersey? Is the wind protection you'd get from a jacket the essential part?

Any suggestions you have would be helpful. I'm riding about 20 miles at a time in the Washington DC area.

Thank you!!

[HillSlugger]

I love my Pearl Izumi AmFib tights for rides between 35-50 degrees. They've got wind resistant fronts but breathable fleece in the back. Over 50 degrees or so they start to get too warm. I've never tried them below 35 degrees.

[indysteel]

I don't think you need to spend even $100 on tights. I have a pair of Helix tights by Sugoi that cost all of $35 (if I recall). I've worn these comfortably over a pair of knickers, in temps as low as 29 degrees. I have an expensive pair of Shebeest tights that are a lot thicker but no warmer. I recently bought a pair of Sugoi Subzero tights for about $65 but haven't worn them yet.

I do think a good wind jacket works better than just a jersey. I have a jacket from Gore (the Passion Plus) jacket that I love. It's made of their "Windstopper" fabric and really does keep the wind out. It also had detachable sleeves, making it very versatile. I bought it at Performance for about $80. I layer the jacket with a thin, wool base layer (if it's below about 40 degress) and a long-sleeve jersey, and I'm usually quite comfortable.

In my opinion, to ride comfortably in 35 degree weather, you will also need a good pair of full-fingered gloves, something to put on under your helmet, e.g., a baclava, shoe covers, and wool socks. My feet are what suffer the most in the cold. I've been experimenting with various products, but none work perfectly. I have a pair of PI shoe covers, but my feet still get pretty cold after about an hour on the bike. I've also used charcoal inserts. I've been told to use these without covers because they need air to get and stay warm. They work reasonably well as long as it's not tooooo cold. Wool socks are a must, but thicker is not necessarily better. If they cause your shoe to fit too tightly, they restricting circulation and lead to even colder feet.

Hope that helps,

Kate

[Cyclo Kitty]

I'm determined to keep riding, too! So far, winter has been balmy for New England, but here's what I've learned in the last 10 weeks or so:

AmFib tights from Pearl Izumi keep you dry. They also keep you pretty warm, I wear mine over old P-I summer shorts with a chamois if it's not too cold (or will warm up from 8 to 4) and over P-I Sugar knickers if it is flat-out cold. The AmFibs are good for wind, too. If it is NOT cold, they are wicked hot. bought the clearance ones at Steep Planet and saved $20.

I wear P-I cross country socks, because they cover my calves. Wind gaps at the ankle are nasty and cycling socks are too short.

While I have a Kodiak jersey, I usually wear that over an Avia mock turtleneck in wicking fabric, which helps keep the neck warm; I vary shirts by temperature.

I just got the P-I Barrier jacket that I am testing this week. So far it's OK, and while I'm not positive it is a vast improvement over the jersey, it is more water-repellant, and probably wind blocking (the head wind distracts me from any thoughts of physical comfort).

My arms are long, so I got P-I Gavia gloves that have a gauntlet and zip. They are pretty waterproof and warm unless you aren't moving your hands much and it's below 30. I tuck the turtleneck sleeves into the gloves, and pull the jacket or jersey sleeves over the glove gauntlet. That seems to eliminate most of my sleeve gap. Wind up the arms--also bad.

For really rainy days (downpour/wet snow) I've got an Endura repellant orange jacket that I put over everything or some layer combo depending on temps & ride distance. It really repels water and that color is visible!

DH goes out in a t-shirt, running jersey and windblocker vest over Trek mid-weightish thermal tights. He stays pretty warm on his 3-hour rides, but we haven't pushed beyond that with any of the gear yet. He wore a balaclava with a face cover this morning, and that is very good in cold windy weather.

Sorry it's so long...but I hope that my layering experiments can help you keep riding, too.

[mimitabby]

Layering is what it's all about!
first layer: wool, if i can help it!
next, fancy jerseys, with the fluffy inside and the shiny outsides.
next; fleece
top: raincoat

headgear: I carry a balaklava and a "hat" that fits under my helmet.
hands:
I also carry 2 or 3 pairs of gloves, so I can change them easily. none of this stuff weighs very much, so it's just easy to carry a variety.
legs:
I wear tights and knickers or long insulated pants.
I also carry rain pants. They are light, and cost between 20-35 dollars.
They are not pretty, but they sure cut the wind.

feet:
wool socks (i buy bike shoes big enough for thick socks)
booties!!

[CR400]

Honestly I think my best layer is my winter ski jacket. Just a regular Columbia winter coat. With a heat gear layer next to my skin, a jersey, and lastly a winter weight mock turtle neck. When it gets colder (below 30) I add one or two more layers.

Legs winter weight tights (I use Under Armor Cold Gear $60) and a pair of shorts. Recently I put a pair of jeans over top of it all and I was toasty in 33 degrees with 20mph wind, so it was more like 10.

Feet use booties, I prefer neopreane. Hands a pair of ski gloves at the least. For you head a balaclava and a pair of googles for really windy and cold days. Be sure to get a pair that are good anti-fog.

[li10up]

This is my first year trying to ride through the winter. Doesn't get really cold here for long but I've been riding in the 30's and 40's.

I agree: LAYERS!

Top: Underarmour sleeveless shirt, UA longsleeve shirt (these fit close to the body to wick moisture), a regular SS jersey, PI wind vest and a wind jacket. Even at temps in the 30s I usually sweat so I could probably lose the UA sleeveless shirt. Sometime go without the vest. None of this is bulky.

Bottoms: PI AmFib tights if it's below 45. Performance tights above 45.

Head: Heatsweats skull cap. So thin you hardly know it's there but it REALLY helps keep me warm. And the helmet fits over it easily.

Feet: My regular cycling socks and PI toe covers. If it's really cold I have a pair of wool cycling socks that are a bit thicker.

Hands: Full fingered cycling gloves and a pair of REI thin gloves with gripper dots over top. I just orderd some PI cold weather gloves. They aren't bulky, which is nice, but I haven't had a chance to try them out yet.

Good luck...riding in colder temps isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I actually prefer it to the 100+ temps we get in the summer!

[indysteel]

Here are two rules of thumb that I'm heard about winter riding: First, if you're warm enough during the first 10 minutes on the bike, you're wearing too much. Second, ride the temperature. Meaning don't do any more miles than the temperature.

I think there's truth to each rule. I definitely don't like being too warm. First off, it's just uncomfortable and, second, it's no fun to ride in wet, sweaty clothes. That's why I like wool as a base layer. As for riding the temperature, I find that anything more than about 30-35 miles when it's cold and/or windy is just too exhausting. I like riding through the winter, but when it stops being fun, I try to ease back and do something else. I don't want to burnout.

[Squirrel 2]

This is my 4th year of riding through the winter. The 1st year was making do with what I had & piling it on top of me as best I could to get the layered effect. It doesn't work terribly well, & there were days that were so cold I came back in tears ready to quit. I didn't see how anyone could enjoy this winter riding stuff. The next year I started investing in serious winter gear. It is expensive, so unless you live in an area that is really cold & you plan on riding a lot, you'll have to decide whether it is worth it for you. It made all the difference in the world for me. I still layer, but less is more with winter gear. I have 3 different thicknesses of base layers, I select one for the temperature. I have 3 different jackets with varying amounts of wind stopping & lining. I have tights with pads, and heavier tights without, heavy-duty winter boots, gloves with liners, caps & balaclavas. Yesterday I rode 20 miles, it was 21 degrees with a windchill of 18. I actually thought about riding further, because I was comfortable.

Good gear costs $$. I have been accumulating mine gradually, and can justify the cost because I can still ride 5-6 days a week outside. I draw the line at ice & snow. But cold temps & wind won't keep me indoors.

Tights will vary in price depending on whether they have a chamois, whether or not they have wind-proofing, and how many seams & panels. Better tights will have more stitching to allow your leg to bend easily as you pedal. I avoid wind-proofing that is cut in a single layer -- I find it is too stiff & my legs get tired pedalling. Otherwise, if you can, buy 2 pair that are different. You will probably find each one works better in different temperature ranges.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Squirrel, everything you said could have been exactly written by me!!

But even with all those same layers, I had to cut my normal 21 mile ride to 12 miles yesterday at 23 degreesF, due to my fingers getting too painfully cold despite 3 pairs of gloves on. Had to get yet ANOTHER giant pair of supposedly windproof gloves...we'll see. Wore TWO balaclavas, and THREE pairs of tights! I think the wind is what does it with the fingers and toes thing- the rest of me has really good thin winter gear layers and I'm warm enough elsewhere.

[Squirrel 2]

Lisa -- if you can handle riding any distance at all in 23 degrees F, you are a winter rider! Below 32 is tough, that's where bad things can start happening, like body parts falling off. Down to freezing is merely a matter of suffering, that's the worst that can happen to you if you don't dress right & actual temps are still above the freezing mark. But below freezing, all bets are off.

About your fingers and toes, I will throw in my 2 cents worth. They work directly opposite. Gloves should fit snug, and shoes or boots should fit loose. Make sure after your sock layers that you can still wiggle your toes so you can do that while you're riding to check on circulation, and you still have room for a small cushion of air. Glove layers need to be close, so if you're wearing men's or unisex, make sure they're not too big on you, or too stiff that you can't make a fist easily, which you can do while riding to check on circulation there. Keep checking at least every 10 minutes, and if your face is exposed to wind, make sure you can still move your facial muscles.

My toe problem I've fixed now -- I ride with heavy-duty Lake winter boots and a heavy merino wool sock, a light-weight sock as a liner if it's below 20. My hubby got me a 3-layer glove system with wind-stopper on 2 layers that I've taken down to 21. I also use a thick ski glove with liners, but I don't like that as much because my hands get clammy & sweaty, then I get cold.

One other thought for you -- maybe your core isn't as warm as you think. I don't know how you are layering, but the body goes into defensive mode in extreme temps. It will send out signals to protect the head & the core above everything else. So if you are sweating & getting a chill on your core, the body might be sending out signals to cut off blood flow to your hands & feet because it sees the extremities as unimportant to its survival. Sounds like you've got lots of protection for your head. But how about your jacket? Do you have windstopper on your outer layer? I find that makes a huge difference.

Anyway, glad to see winter cold isn't stopping you from riding! You're a tough rider!

[Eden]

I've found no matter how cold I usually only have problems with hands and feet. I was seriously considering expensive winter cycling shoes, but now I have a layering system that really seems to be working great. Storm Socks (thin breathable waterproof socks), wool socks, mt bike shoes, Sugoi shoe covers (these rock big time, they are sooooo much nicer and warmer and more waterproof than my neoprene pair!!!) Plus I've carefully sealed (with window and door caulk...) around the cleats on the bottom of my shoes so I don't get water in through the cleat holes. My feet are now very happy even in cold and wet weather.
My hands have taken some experimenting. I tried 4 pairs of gloves before I found a pair that I liked, fit me, were relatively warm and water proof and they still were not warm enough.(Interestingly enough the best pair was a cheap no name kind that I got at a tiny bike shop just a block away) So I bought glove liners and use hand warmer packets when its really cold out. Every once in a while my pinkies still get cold, but I've been pretty darn happy. You can get foot warmer packets too if your feet get very cold easily.

[mimitabby]

Squirrel,
I found that when my gloves were tight, it impaired my ability to use my fingers,
so a couple months ago when I rode in 32 degree weather with 2 pairs of gloves
i had hand pain for quite a while because the fatness and tightness of the gloves made it hard to grip and to operate the levers.

Hands are definitely a limiting factor for me as well!

[Squirrel 2]

Mimi -- not tight, snug. Too tight is bad news. I made the mistake of wearing a liner with a narrow pair of gloves that had a thick, fleecy inner-lining. My hands were clumsy for riding, and hurt like heck afterwards. I removed the extra liner part way into the ride & it was much better. I buy a larger size glove if I plan on wearing it with a liner, but I make sure not to have too much extra material hanging on the ends of my fingers. Baggy = cold.

I've also experimented with different liners & have found that thinner is better. You don't need a lot of bulk to give your hands a little extra insulation. Wearing 2 pairs of gloves is too much bulk, going to one warmer pair with a skinny little liner works much better.

PS -- I rode today at 19 degrees F with a windchill of 6! My hands were just fine.

[mimitabby]

Mimi -- not tight, snug. Too tight is bad news. I made the mistake of wearing a liner with a narrow pair of gloves that had a thick, fleecy inner-lining. My hands were clumsy for riding, and hurt like heck afterwards. I removed the extra liner part way into the ride & it was much better. I buy a larger size glove if I plan on wearing it with a liner, but I make sure not to have too much extra material hanging on the ends of my fingers. Baggy = cold.

I've also experimented with different liners & have found that thinner is better. You don't need a lot of bulk to give your hands a little extra insulation. Wearing 2 pairs of gloves is too much bulk, going to one warmer pair with a skinny little liner works much better.

PS -- I rode today at 19 degrees F with a windchill of 6! My hands were just fine.

is it that cold in NJ?!?!
I have super sized fleece gloves, but no liners I was wearing normal bike gloves under.

[Squirrel 2]

Yes, it's really cold here. Yesterday a front came rolling through. It dropped from 50's at dawn to 30's during the day and down from there overnight, with howling winds to boot. It actually felt colder riding yesterday than today because it was overcast & windy, 18 mph headwinds with 25 mph gusts to fight all the way home! Today didn't feel so bad out because the sun was shining. It's supposed to go down to 18 tonight -- what's one more degree amongst friends anyway?

Try some skinny liners (Craft makes them thin as underwear) under a pair of fleece-lined gloves with windstopper on the outside (Gore makes really good ones). You'd be amazed at the difference.