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If you are truly allergic to wool than the itchiness of the wool is irrelevant and you would get hives even from the softest wool. Avoid it altogether.
If you are just sensitive to itchy fabrics, then merino wool is a good way to go. I personally prefer Icebreaker merino as the least itchy. I think it has to do with the fine weave they use.
I had my first *cold* commute this morning and I have a product rave.
First off, my attire: I wore a new Icebreaker 1/2 zip top under a wind shell jacket. I would have loved to add a wool bra to the outfit, but I don't have one yet. I was amazingly dry when I got to work (20 mile ride), and that surprised me. The new top is definitely top notch.
On the bottom, I just wore a pair of terry cycling tights. They were ok while riding, but man, were my legs cold once I got to work!
I had on smartwool socks (too thick) and mtb shoes (too tight) so I had cold toes. I need to put on thinner socks and toe warmers and I'm sure I'll be fine. On my head, I wore just a regular buff. I would have liked to have had it pulled over my face for the first 10 minutes or so, but I forgot to do so and I didn't want to stop to adjust it. After that, I warmed up enough that it was fine just on my head and over my ears.
And now, for the rave: I had on a new pair of PI Gavia gloves I bought at REI last week. I haven't been able to find my regular long fingered gloves since we moved, so I bought a new pair. I splurged a little on these ($45) because they will shed water and my other gloves won't (should I ever find them). I tried on the womens and the mens and ended up going with a men's small over the women's medium. Both fit ok, but the men's smalls were slightly roomier so that I can wear my wool liners under them should it be REALLY cold. Today I wore them without liners and they were PERFECT! It was 35 degrees when we left (and dark and foggy) and my fingers were toasty warm the entire ride. I'm really, really impresssed because even when my hands are warm enough for 30-60 minute rides, they always got cold after an hour. Not today. Even 90 minutes into the ride, my hands felt comfortable. I'm really curious to try these in the rain, next. :D
GLC-
Thanks for the review on the gloves - I had wondered how they would work - I have the AmFibs (too bulky for NC) and some lighter gloves in which my hands freeze.
CA
What are the warmest gloves? My hands are usually the first thing to get cold. I don't care for mittens. Thanks
I have yet to find gloves that can stand up to 25F 25mph for 2-3 hours.
What I do is layer various gloves instead....thin wool liners, windstopper biking gloves with goretex, then big men's ski gloves with windstopper on top of those 2. Once I wore 4 pairs of gloves and that worked pretty well. :p
Probably lobster claw amfibs. But you still may want warmers/liners if you're particularly cold natured, depending on the weather. Some people use the snow mobile things (I forget what they're called). I was reading about a tour of AK at ridiculously cold temps, and that's what they used.Quote:
Originally Posted by surgtech1956
GLC1968 - you need two Buffs :) I wear one doubled up under my helmet as a skullcap or just covering my ears (until it's cold enough to wear a real skullcap) and one around my neck as a neck gaiter. I pull the neck one up over my nose in the beginning and going down hills, and just pull it down again when I start to warm up.
I'm just re-remembering how thin socks and shoe covers are better than thick socks too... but haven't broken out the winter shoes yet.
I do the same things with my Louis Garneau balaclava:Quote:
Originally Posted by lph
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1014002.html
It's very thin and silky but warm, and it's stretchy....so I can wear it three ways:
As a full coverage balaclava covering my nose and mouth
Pulled down under my mouth or chin so it leaves my face exposed
Or pull it back down off my head, tuck the hood in a bit and wear it like a cozy turtleneck- it's thin enough to do all these things, yet for some reason it's quite warm. It rolls up very small too, to tuck in my saddlebag or pocket.
:)
LPH and BSG - I've done both of what you suggested in the past in temps below 20F. Thing is, once I get moving, I hate having my neck covered....I just get too hot. And this is ONLY when I'm exercising, otherwise I'm a big fan of turtlenecks and scarves and such for non-active situations.
What I need is a jacket with a big stand up collar. Then I can wear it up over my lower face while I'm cold and then unzip it down to my chest as I warm up. I actually kind of did this with my Icebreaker top. If the neck were slightly longer, it would have been perfect!
CA - yeah, I looked at the amfib gloves and they seemed too much for me. I'd rather just layer in a wool or cashmere liner if it's really cold. I even have amfib booties that I've never used...I just don't get THAT cold (usually).
I do like the booties. And the tights. But don't wear the tights when it's above 40 or you'll burn up!Quote:
Originally Posted by GLC1968
CA
Steep and cheap were offering these about once a week and they are an excellent base layer (and very attractive on)! I think I paid $24 + $8 SH.
Can anyone recommend Patagonia Capilene? Thank you
First and foremost, thanks much to LPH for the two-buff suggestion. We are getting cold weather (below 40) earlier than usual, much to my chagrin, so I'm re-acclimating physically and mentally.
I love Capilene but I am a Patagonia addict. . I usually don't wear it for bike riding, just hiking. That said, this week I broke out a mid-weight capilene jersey as a second layer. Worked like a champ.
Glad to hear it! I have a couple of balaclavas and use them occasionally, but the skullcap/Buff + neck gaiter Buff solution is a bit more versatile on the move and feels a bit more compatible with longish hair. And I really like being able to cover my nose completely on long descents.
I'm having fun actually, trying out all the gear combos I've noted down earlier and finding out that yes, they stil work :D The challenge is getting dressed in the morning in stuff that will work both for a cold morning commute and for a mild afternoon commute.
+1 for Patagonia Capilene. It's a bit of an investment but well worth it. The tops are great for cycling.
I'm sure the bottoms would be also, but I haven't worn those during cycling, so I'm not sure if the stitching locations would cause any problems in the saddle or not.