recommended cold weather gear ?

[violet]

greetings...this is the first winter i'm going to try braving the philadelphia winter and stay training outside.

does anyone have any favourite warm weather gear they'd recommend? i would prefer to avoid wool, being vegan.

as an aside: i'm having a hard time believing i can stay warm in spandex outside in the winter, being that i get cold if it's under 70 degrees...but i have determination, regardless !

i appreciate any / all suggestions!

[Dianyla]

as an aside: i'm having a hard time believing i can stay warm in spandex outside in the winter, being that i get cold if it's under 70 degrees...but i have determination, regardless !
You're right, spandex alone will not keep you warm. That's why fleece was invented. Fleece takes over where spandex leaves off. Look at fleece tights/tops that you can wear over shorts and base layers, and outer shells made of materials like Gore-Tex or eVent.

[Bklynmom]

I just started biking last March, so I am only a bit ahead of you on this. I found it tricky even in the spring, because you sweat quite a bit, but then you cool down on the downhills.

Shoe covers (Neoprene or some other synthetic stuff) made a big difference - I'm sure there are non wool warm sox. I just got an excellent pair of lined biking gloves.

For the in between weather last year I work bike tights without a chamois over bike shorts, which worked pretty well. I just got arm warmers and leg warmers (Decente) to help with the transition season this year.

For the top last spring I layered a synthetic running turtle neck with a fleece top and then a biking wind/rain jacket. I just bought a warmer winter bike jacket on end of season sale.

I think a pair of cold weather tights with a chamois will be needed - would like to hear the suggestions on those.

Also, I got a poly skull cap for under the helmet which covered my ears, but I suspect there are better head gear options out there.

Looking forwar to the usual TE helpful advice on this one -- thanks for asking the question:)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Violet, if you do a search in these forums for "cold weather gear", etc, you will find many many useful threads discussing gazillions of cold weather clothings items. :)

[Flybye]

I just did a ride in Yellowstone National Park and wore this jacket. It is a men's jacket, but I am sure that the Team Estrogen Ladies could help you find a comparable womens jacket;

I was so impressed. I stayed completely warm and dry despite riding in 8 miles of continuous downpour. The temps were in the mid/high 40's and I had a sleeveless tank on under the jacket.

http://www.gorebikewear.com/1164920285784.html

Good Luck!

[lph]

This might not work for training proper i.e. higher speeds, less stops and more wind, but this works for me for commuting down to about -10 deg C. (14F), up to 1 hour rides.

regular bike shoes, though I've bought winter shoes for this winter
wool socks
neoprene shoe covers
regular bike shorts
PI AmFib winter tights (w/room for a thin wicking base layer under but I don't think I've ever used it)
sports bra
thin wicking base layer top, turtleneck+long-sleeved
sometimes an extra sleeveless thin wicking layer, wool or synthetic
Gore Phantom jacket (LOVE this jacket, it's warm and it doesn't get clammy)
Buff or face mask over my neck and nose
Gore windproof skull cap (very handy)
big fat PI lobster mitts (not too thrilled about these, they're lumpy)

Remove layers as needed :)

I don't usually wear goggles or glasses, but I'll use some water-free skin cream or Vaseline in my face before going out.

And eating well in advance and being warm before you leave the house really makes a difference. It's very hard to warm up fingers and toes if you're cold inside to begin with.

(Ok, I re-read your post and maybe you weren't really asking about below freezing is-it-still-possible-to-bike gear. I like biking in winter, I get carried away :D )

[invsblwmn]

I too wear the amfib tights. I like underarmour cold gear, adidas climawarm then a pi gavia jacket. I LOVE my panoptix glasses(sierra trading post), keep out the wind and cold, BUT not good when raining, HELLO FOG! Wear a thick face and neck mask, pi gloves, neoprene covers over the sidis and a pair of thick thorlos. Also cover the helmet with a reflective waterproof cover. It's dark when I leave and dark when I come home, so the bike's geared with mini newts and a cheap rear light. I ride in PA and we get lots of wet weather year round and this combo lets me ride whenever the wind is below 30mph and less than a couple inches of snow. GOOD LUCK!;)

[bikerbarb]

I wear pants that have wind blocking properties in the front only. Nice akle zippers. They have articulated knees, too. Over cycling shorts or cycling under shorts which are thinner.
I also wear a bright yellow jacket that has pit zips, is waterproof, breathable and can be cinched at the waist or bottom, which are great for regulating heat, you wouldn't believe how great that is so you don't build up a sweat.

Under that I just wear a long sleeve cycling or polypro shirt that wicks really well. Depending whether it has fleece or not, I may wear a thin sleeveless silk or polypro shirt under that. Zippers that go up and down to regulate are also important.

Lobster claw gloves and shoe covers. Sometimes I even put those little warming packets in my shoes--like skiiers. Headband that covers ears or skull cap, thin. Yes, lots of lip balm. But I'm talking below freezing riding. Which by the way is nice when the sun is out, but harder when it is cloudy.

I also recommend good glasses that cut the glare for winter riding because the angles of light make it harder to see (esp. pot holes which proliferate where I live in the winter), and blinking head and tail lights because it is harder to see you.

[CorsairMac]

The only other thing I would add is find things that are reflective or REALLY LOUD COLOURS!!!! :p Most motorists aren't expecting someone to be riding when it's cold so they aren't paying attention - ok...so they're paying even Less attention then they do in the spring/summer/fall.

I have Illumnite tights, leg warmers, arm warmers and jacket for my winter riding. I also discovered what you wear depends on how far you're going and what type of riding ie: I bike commute. In the mornings my 6 mile ride is all downhill with the last 1-2 miles in a headwind. So dressing cold in the beginning means I'll be even colder at the end. In the evening I have to climb that hill usually with a tail/cross wind so I wear things I can vent easily. I know I'll get warm while I"m climbing but the sun is setting and if I had to wait on traffic - it could get chilly.

[Geonz]

Layers :)

Wool and I do ***not*** get along. Coldest I've ridden in was 2 below... but I only have a 7 mile commute. Big thick socks and Lands End "Squall shoes" take care of my feet; two pairs of gloves on my hands. I also carry hadn warmers in case something happens and I have to fix something 'cause if I stop moving, numbness will happen at that temp.
What makes a big difference when it is truly cold is to warm up before I walk out the door. Two or three minutes of some kind of exercise means I get to skip that "window of numb" between when I leave the sort-of-warm house and when my internal furnace sends enough blood out to keep the hands warm. (After 10 minutes, my hands will be warm again.)
long undies, tights, looser long undies and sweats work downstairs; long undies, long-sleeve T-shirt, sweatshirt, and two jackets work upstairs.
balaclava over the delicate ears
SKi goggles if it's single digits (non fogging).


Oh, and yea, that outer jacket is Bright Yellow Gore-Tex. And I've got strings of Christmas lights.

I sold my car at the end of May. Last year I drove five times in the winter... but there is a bus system if I wimp out :-)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Layers :)
....balaclava over the delicate ears....

Yes, layers work well. I have TWO thin balaclavas that i have been known to double up on in really cold (below 30 F) rides.

I plan to try a new method this winter....the "Princess Leia Plan B" that I have invented myself:
Take two baclavas and warm them in the oven.
Insert them INSIDE your balaclava, one over each ear.
Ride in warm gooey comfort.
EAT the baclavas at the end of your ride.

[TsPoet]

I plan to try a new method this winter....the "Princess Leia Plan B" that I have invented myself:
Take two baclavas and warm them in the oven.
Insert them INSIDE your balaclava, one over each ear.
Ride in warm gooey comfort.
EAT the baclavas at the end of your ride.

I love it :D
And, if you have a dog, they can lick your ears once home to complete the warm gooey feeling and free yourself of the sticky. :p

[TsPoet]

I too wear the amfib tights. GOOD LUCK!;)

I just did a web search on amfib tights - they look awesome, if a bit pricey. Have you guy's found women's specific, or do you wear the mens?

[rij73]

Here's the women's: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=22934&item=10-9441

[violet]

thanks everyone...this definitely helps. i'll do a search as well (didn't mean to come off as lazy! i just hadn't immediately seen anything and i'm into instant gratification...hahha..)

anyway, my commute is 30 miles round trip along a river (wind!) - and i usually ride about 120 miles or so on the weekends. layering definitely seems like the way to go since i'm sure i'll warm up a bit as i go.

[TsPoet]

Here's the women's: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=22934&item=10-9441

Oh, I seem to always miss obvious, thanks!

[ChickWithBrains]

I have a men's Pearl Izumi jacket, a thick tight synthetic weave without much of a lining. Works wonderfully and still breathes -- and the bike specific back means my gap (butt to back) doesn't get exposed and frostbitten! It's always hard to ride with thick gloves, IMO, but if the rest of you is warm enough your fingers will stay warm too (except in truly freezing temps, of course).

I like armies and leggies for fall, but switch to the full length bibs and jacket come frostier temps.

Ditto on the neoprene booties: the thin ones just don't do it. You need *insulation*, not rain gear. There's a big difference in warmth!