Winter cycling wardrobe recommendations

I'm putting together my first winter cycling wardrobe on a budget and need some advice as to what to add. I currently have Thinsolate glove liners, gloves rated to 40 degrees, PI wind breaker jacket, PI regular weight long sleeve jersey, men's knee warmers that go to my ankles and a neoprene headband to cover my ears. What additional wardrobe items would you recommend that I get for riding in temps down to 30 degrees?

BTW, I get hot in my middle section while my arms stay cool so I'm not a vest person. I also have a pair of 50 cotton/50 poly narrow leg fleece sweat pants that I could wear over my cycling shorts/leg warmers but not sure if the fabric will leave me damp and cold.

Thanks in advance for your advice and help. Carmen

In the 30s, I wear Pearl Izumi AmFib tights over my cycling shorts. They have a wind-proof layer in front which helps considerably. On my feet I use Pearl Izumi AmFib shoe covers, and under the shoe covers I place Heat Treat toe warmers. I buy them at REI, link to the product on their web site here.

Top layers, I wear an REI midweight MTS tank (a long underwear layer...) topped by other layers depending on the actual temperatures. Those other layers usually include Patagonia R.5 or R1 shirts as well as a wind breaker or rain jacket. I use a helmet liner, and sometimes ear bags too.

Gloves - PI AmFib Lobster gloves do it for me.

Unfortunately even with all of those layers my hands and feet usually can only last an hour or an hour and a half. But I figure that's better than not riding at all!

--- Denise

You will need some more items if you want to ride in the 30's. And even in the 30's, things change depending on whether it is >35, or the low 30's.

Head -- some kind of head covering, one of the skully-type thin coverings you wear under your helmet. Descente makes a really good one with longer ear flaps. If your face gets really sensitive at freezing or below, a balaclava.

Hands -- gloves rated for below 40, plus liners. Lobster-mitt style are good for low 30's combining mitten warmth with some finger flexibility for controls.

Feet -- mid or heavy-weight wool socks. At the very least, a complete shoe cover made out of neoprene (again, Descente makes a good one). On a bigger budget, consider buying a winter shoe.

Legs -- full tights to wear over cycling shorts or bibs. For 30's, look for a fleeced tight. Consider wind-protection as well. Lose the cotton -- it will hold dampness & give you a bad chill.

Core -- first a base layer, long-sleeve preferred (Craft excels here). Then other layers such as Sugoi's mid-zero, or Smart-wool mid-weight, or your PI. Your wind/outer layer goes on over top. A wind-breaker might be a bit light, the soft shells that have more insulation would certainly be a better choice. TE has an excellent chart comparing different jackets for warmth, wind, very useful tool before you spend any hard-earned dollars.

You'll have to experiment some, but the reward of being able to ride outdoors when it's cold instead of being stuck inside is worth the effort!

Just be sure whatever you go with you can layer on/off easily. Depending on the length of your ride, time of day, wind direction etc etc you'll need to be able to vent or even remove layers or close up or put layers back on. My commute this AM at 31 I wore an REI MTS LS base layer, a LS jersey on top and my IllumiNITE cycling jacket. Bottoms were fleece-lined leg warmers, shorts and tights, feet-heavy socks and toe covers, hands Canari heavyweight riding gloves. I had a fleece headband on my head. My ride is 6 miles all downhill going to work and I was still a tad chilly went I got here. Going home is all uphill so a couple of those layers will get packed. Last year when I first started commuting in the winter, I bought 2 LS jerseys on sale, a jacket and some long underwear and made it all winter with that. When it got really cold I just wore the long underwear, both jerseys and the jacket. Leg warmers, shorts and wind/rain pants on the bottom. I added tights on the Really cold days. (I was much poorer last year and made do with what I could). Hope that helps.

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Originally Posted by CorsairMac

Going home is all uphill

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Wow. I am so impressed that you start out in the morning to work all day, knowing that you'll be riding 6 miles uphill to get home. I could see putting in the effort in the morning, and coasting home, but the other way around? Kudos!

It's 31 degrees in New Mexico? Yikes! It's 26 degrees here in Chicago at 6PM. A few days ago it was in the mid 50s. So it goes. I've got some shoe covers on order, but I realize I'm going to need a baclava, too. I won't ride in snow or ice--an unfortunate wipe-out on the ice in high school left me somewhat traumatized! I do wonder, however, why I was riding to school in the snow, wearing a skirt and pantyhose? Ahh, the folly of youth! :rolleyes: L.

I have spiffy new calientoes and amfib shoe covers since I'll actually be *riding* in the colder weather this year (it's NC - how cold does it really get?!). However, I've tried said gadgets on over my cycling shoes and they both go over the front of the sole. This is where I tend to step down when I stop (no, I haven't yet mastered the technique of going over the top tube - I sort of lean the bike). Is the fabric tougher than it looks? Or am I gonna have holds there very quickly? Help?! We're *finally* in for some fall like weather the next couple of days, so I may well need at least the calientoes.

Carrie Anne

Hi, just checked the home newspapers over the internet. Aftenposten had a test report on cold weather sports gear. Their conclusions: Lots of good stuff out there in merino wool. Some find it doesn't scratch, others will need a thin layer under. Wool wicks well, but so do some synthetics. On top of wicking layer ... wool. On top of that if you need more ... fleece. Then windproof outermost. Of the wool things, they say these are so different as to be practically non-comparable. They do, however, have a couple of favourites. Norrøna Arktis and Aclima Ultra wick well enough that you stay warm even when you stop to rest. They also ventilate well so A'posten says you can use them at high levels of activity such as skiing (so why not biking?). Brynje Arctic is best of all at wicking, or maybe just thicker?. They say it can be layered up in extreme cold or worn alone (without jacket) in between-season weather. And in the back pack, try something from a line called Ullfrotté. I have some myself. It's great! This stuff insulates so well you feel warm in seconds, even if you're just sitting still, so this is what you pull on when you stop for a break. If you watch Nordic skiing on tv and see the athletes stripping in the snow after the race and pulling a dry sweater on ... probably ullfrotté. Certainly looks like mine. Of course, while these are standard brands in Scandinavia, I have no idea whether they're available this side of the Atlantic. I just bought some REI silks to see how I like'em. I've also used REI midweight underwear and find it pretty much keeps me warm enough in temperatures down to ... say mid-teens F at moderate levels of activity (e.g. trekking) ... unless the wind is too cutting. Colder and I need wool in layers to keep my jacket from freezing under the backpack where condensation can't escape.

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

I have spiffy new calientoes and amfib shoe covers ...I've tried said gadgets on over my cycling shoes and they both go over the front of the sole. This is where I tend to step down when I stop ...Is the fabric tougher than it looks? Or am I gonna have holds there very quickly?

Carrie Anne

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The bottoms of both my shoe covers and the smaller toe covers are a little worn. I use mountain bike shoes with recessed cleats, so there's really no way I can avoid stepping down on the soles of my shoes. Not a problem though since in the cold weather I do very little walking in my bike shoes. I'm more likely to take my ride only stopping at my destination where I can remove my cycling shoes (or even just the shoe covers). I just figure I'm going to need to replace them periodically. But just for the record, I've had mine for a couple of years. It wouldn't upset me if I had to replace them every year though...

--- Denise

.........Where I am, winter gets a little tough....so........I install a fur seat on the bike--and use a remote starter to warm up the block of ice it becomes after it has been outside for five minutes........riding on square tires becomes routine after the first blizzard........the first time you go to rig the modified snow plough for the front wheel is challenging, but when it's there it's greatly appreciated for going through high drifts of snow at the side of the road.........but I digress--because the thread is about What to wear.......so I'll add for personal attire--mukluks and scarves and big mittens......:)

modified snow plow! what a great idea. :)

I was thinking you'd hitch 6 or so huskies to the bike :p

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Originally Posted by JLD

.........Where I am, winter gets a little tough....so........I install a fur seat on the bike--and use a remote starter to warm up the block of ice it becomes after it has been outside for five minutes........riding on square tires becomes routine after the first blizzard........the first time you go to rig the modified snow plough for the front wheel is challenging, but when it's there it's greatly appreciated for going through high drifts of snow at the side of the road.........but I digress--because the thread is about What to wear.......so I'll add for personal attire--mukluks and scarves and big mittens......:)

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I don't see anything here bout no lights tho - ya know ya'll can't be out riding in the snow without some spotlights! (shakes finger at JLD coz she should KNOW better!) :p


as for CarrieAnn: I have the PI toe covers and I also wear MTB shoes in the winter (fits my thicker socks better). I wore them all last year and even walked in them when I had to walk my bike into work and they're still doing just fine this year. I'm with Denise - I may have to replace them come next year - or the next, but they're doing fine so far. And I have to cross several busy streets so I'm constantly putting at least 1 foot down.

and Lise: yeah - somedays the thought of climbing back up that mountain (and yes it is a mountain) is more than I feel like doing but then I have to remember: how else will I get home??! ;)

Here: the white specks at the base of this is Albuquerque. The highest peak is 10,792, I live at about 5800-6000 and I work somewhere around 5000-5200. I don't have the exact altitude but the center of Abq if 5000 and you go up from there. So I climb somwhere between 600-800' in 6 miles every night when I go home.

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Originally Posted by CorsairMac

Iand Lise: yeah - somedays the thought of climbing back up that mountain (and yes it is a mountain) is more than I feel like doing but then I have to remember: how else will I get home??! ;)

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Wow. Here's a picture of Chicago:
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OK, that's more of a line drawing, but you get the idea. Yes, I suppose heading out all hopeful and enthusiastic in the morning is a way of tricking yourself into riding home at night! :D L.

Corsair, I have stayed in Albuequerque a couple of times and loved it. That is one place I could live. OK, so there are lots of places I could live.

If the temps are below 50 F, the balaclava comes on to protect my skin. Must be my Southern blood........

Woolie Boolie's are great winter socks. It seems to me they are better than Smart Wools.

I've been amassing winter clothing as well - unfortunately for my check book my love of shopping extends to cycling. I was really excited when the temperatures dipped into the 30's because I thought I could try out my new stuff. But I'm confused about my hands. The long gloves bug me - my hands sweat. I had to go home in the middle of my ride and switch to my summer gloves. Anyone else have this problem? Is there anything bad that can happen to my fingers if I don't wear gloves in the winter? I already have nerve damage in my wrists and hands so I don't really notice the cold. I just want to make sure I won't get frostbite or something.

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Originally Posted by Lise

Wow. Here's a picture of Chicago:
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OK, that's more of a line drawing, but you get the idea. Yes, I suppose heading out all hopeful and enthusiastic in the morning is a way of tricking yourself into riding home at night! :D L.

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Ha,ha!! Corsair, I had no idea you did THAT much climbing each evening! I'm around Chicago, too and I think I gain about 5 feet on my ride home! You are "strong like bull" Corsair!!!