Got any advice on winter mtb clothes?

I'm a roadie and I've just started mountain biking this year and I want to ride all winter long.

I'm baffled about what mtb gals wear out there. It seems like a motley collection of whatever works when I go out - mostly guys out there. Do you mtbikers wear tights with chamois or do you wear something over your shorts? What about when it's snowy? Should I go with waterproof pants? I know I'm going to fall down a lot.

The jersey/shirt is easy but the bottom half has me scratching my head. Any advice? Brands?

I pretty much wear the same on my mountain bike as my road bike. Bottoms are fleece (lined) tights, wool socks or neoprene type socks. It is harder to wear shoe covers cause they won't stay on if you have to walk a bit or put your foot down in mud, snow, etc. I wear the tights over a pair of biking shorts. Some like to wear the under the shorts, but not me. If it is really cold, I wear a lighter pair of tights under the fleece lined tights. There are also fleece lined tights with a wind proof front part. These are nice, but I just don't have a pair so I make do with what I have. Tops are easy as you said, polypro type long sleeve shirts under, a long sleeve jersey (if necessary) and a nice cycling warm jacket. The layering depends on how cold it is. A nice pair of warm gloves, an ear warmer (fleece) or a skull cap under the helmet and you are set to go.

nuthatch -

I went out on the mountain bike this past Saturday in the snow. I had a blast. Here's my list of apparel:
Helmet with Smartwool training beenie
Smartwool Ultralite ski socks with Pearl Izumi AmFib Mtb shoe covers
Pearl AmFib tights over Pearl shorts
Icebreaker (merino wool) Bodyfit 200 (base layer)
old school long sleeve Gary Fisher jersey
Mountain Hardware Transition pullover
Serius ultra-lite liners
Pearl Cyclone gloves

I was toasty warm (not overly hot) except for my toes. They got cold. The next time I will had toe warmers.

I just used performance winter products to keep warm. None of my gear was overly bulky.

I pretty much wear the same mountain biking as road biking. My legs are usually the cold spot. I wear a pair of Sporthill windproof pants with long underwear underneath. However if it's much below freezing I wear my Mountain Hardwear tech windstopper pants. They are great at keeping me warm, but are kind of constrictive around the knees while pedaling. No need for a chamois.
On top I layer as many base and mid layers as needed for the conditions and use a windstopper shell. A windstopper skull cap works well under my helmet. I usually carry some chemical hand warmers to put into my gloves as needed.
Most of my winter biking clothing is not bike specific, just whatever is needed to keep warm.

Thanks, gals. It looks like sticking with tights is the way to go then, with an outer wind/water pant if it's really slushy. I've got Performance Triflex tights, which I really like for commuting and road. I was just worried about ripping them up out on the trails.

You can also get waterproof baggy shorts, which I lust after majorly as a dry bum is a good thing, but full overtrou would be far too hot on climbs. If you suffer from cold toes no matter what, you can get proper winter boots for mountain biking that I have heard many swear by. :)

I'm giving this thread a bump, vs starting a new one on the same subject. Looks like there was not a total resolve suggestion on how to stay warm and avoid ripping up road lycra. Last winter I finally invested in some cold gear tights. I just can't bear the thought of trail brush ripping them up:(...

What about homemade leg warmers over lycra? Maybe someone else will see this and chime in if they make them, or have other ideas.

While I shopping pondering this situation, the 80s movie, "Flash Dance", came to mind. I am almost thinking of taking the tallest pair of heavy wool type socks I can find (I'm allergic to regular wool, but I hear folks like me might be able to wear merino:confused:) and cut them up like Jennifer Beals leg warmers. I have no idea if it would work, but my bottom layers would go like this...

*lycra tight w/o chamois
*Sugoi Gusta mtb liner chamois short
*Sugoi Gusta mtb short
*Beals make-shift mtb leg warmers ankle to liner short
*winter cycle sock
*mtb shoe

That still won't work in super cold, but would "maybe" keep the tight from getting ripped???

Any other thoughts since this thread was originally posted? btw, I did see a men's version of Sugoi Gusta short, but in a pant that zips off at the knee. Not sure if they make ladies...

Miranda - I never tore my tights all last winter. I rode through the winter. I believe you have just as much chance tearing them on the mountain as you do on the road.

I've been wearing pearl microsensor shorts all summer without tearing them. I've had some nice tip overs with an opportunity to tear them.

I have a pair of SportHill (I think) multisport polypropylene pants that I use for commuting and MTBing. They're close-cut, but not tights, and the fabric feels more durable to me than true lycra. I usually wear them over shorts but, if it's really cold, there's room for long underwear or tights under them.

That said, in my case, there's always the chance of ripping anything I wear on the MTB :o

I picked up some lined Under Armor tights just to go over the base layer and chamois. If they rip, it's no big deal.

Also, be sure to have some kind of insulated hose for your hydration pack if the weather is below freezing.

I discovered a set of tights made by Bellwether that have a thick lycra with a fleecy lining and a wind-breaker fabric over the front. I don't know how much more rip-resistant they would be but they sure keep you warm and you feel like you're protected. They're called Windfront tights - I wouldn't wear them in anything but the coldest weather. The other tights I like are Terry's Coldweather tight. Pretty wooly feeling and tough but very breathable!

I mountain biked all winter (including in the snow) and this is what worked for me:

an old pair of Pearl Izumi chamois-less tights over a
pair of PI shorts
Pearl Izumi Woolie Mammoth jersey
Smart Wool tank
Smart Wool socks
Specialized Tahos
Specialized Sub Zero gloves

For snow days I added my waterproof Merrill hiking boots (I have platform pedals), fleece lined, wind block Terry tights, wool tank, Terry snow leopard polar fleece top, ear warmers, helmet cover, and polar fleece socks. I have a tendency of being hot so I dress with fewer layers.

Specialized makes a shoe, Defroster, that is waterproof and very toasty for the tootsies in the dead of winter.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sundial

Specialized makes a shoe, Defroster, that is waterproof and very toasty for the tootsies in the dead of winter.

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Does anyone make a women's winter shoe? I've found "unisex" versions by Sidi, lake, Northwave (I think), and Specialized, but no women's specific shoes. This is driving me crazy....I can't be the only chick with "froze toes".

How about this?

If you can't find the style of shoe you like, try a pair of fly fishing socks in. It's waterproof and fleecy and will keep your feet warm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sundial

How about this?

If you can't find the style of shoe you like, try a pair of fly fishing socks in. It's waterproof and fleecy and will keep your feet warm.

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I have some storm socks that work well enough, but they make my toes sweat *alot* because they're not very breathable :o I'm hoping that insulated shoes would do the trick (and that DH doesn't leave me for buying another pair of cycling shoes....it's an addiction, I swear! )

LOL! I married a man who grew up in the family shoe store so he has oodles of shoes. :rolleyes: If you can't find the style of shoe you like, maybe consider a unisex shoe and add a thicker insert like Superfeet or Sole. I did that with my Tahos.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Becky

Does anyone make a women's winter shoe? I've found "unisex" versions by Sidi, lake, Northwave (I think), and Specialized, but no women's specific shoes. This is driving me crazy....I can't be the only chick with "froze toes".

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Have your tried any of the men's shoes on, I fit men's Specialized shoes much better than the women's. I have a broad forefoot but narrow heel and the men's Spesh shoes I have fit very well, the women's were just awful for my feet, far too narrow.

I have a pair of Shimano Gore Tex boots and they keep my feet very, very warm and dry (I lurve them for cold, wet, windy rides), Shimano stuff is normally on the narrow side. I will be looking at the Spesh boots as I like their Body Geometry shoes.

My MTB kit for winter: layers, spares and a large Camelbak!

Buff under helmet, one round neck (windproof skull cap as backup)
Waterproof jacket or thinner windproof shell/fleece/gilet (as sometimes the sun does come out and the rain stops)
Windproof gloves, insulated ones for really cold days (always carry a spare pair).
Sugoi Gusta Baggies, undershorts and tights (thickness will vary depending on temperature)
Merino Base Layer
Waterproof boots
Sometimes wear merino lined Sealskins if particularly cold or wet.

Mudguards and crud catcher for the MTB to keep as much crap off me as possible (actually ride with them year round).

I find baggies over lycra a much warmer combination than just lycra layers as the baggies often have a degree of windproofing. You can of course buy windproof lycra but it is expensive and I like to fall off onto expensive tights!

I actually carry quite a few bits of spare kit in my Camelbak as UK winter riding conditions can vary so much in the course of the ride: Start out in freezing rain, sun comes out and its warm, rain/hail/snow starts and its freezing again, sun out again. Often we climb up onto the moors and whilst the climb can be sheltered and warm the moor tops are windy and bleak so layers on and off all the time.

I've tried men's summer shoes, and they're generally too big all around, but mostly in the heel. I haven't tried the winter shoes yet, mostly because none of the LBSes here have them in stock right now. Maybe in another few weeks....