Hi,

After a few false starts, I think I have my winter gear in order.

Here's what I've learned:

1) Vests. Vests! *Every* jacket I've tried, even when it's marketed as "breathable" (which they all are), is, well, not breathable. The sweat from my pits has nowhere to go. I get all clammy. It's awful. The solution is a bright vest, lightweight so you can wear it nearly four seasons, all but the very hottest summer days. (In winter, this kind of vest will provide rain and wind protection; to get your warmth, you layer under it.) Pearl Izumi and Brooks make vests in neon yellow. It's not worth getting a vest that is not screaming yellow, screaming green, screaming pink. You can wear many times before washing.

2) Wool tops from thrift stores.
- Wool keeps you warmer when wet than other materials. That's part of why you can get away with wearing a vest, too! If you are wearing longsleeve wool shirts or turtlenecks with a vest, your arms shouldn't get chilled even if they're being rained on.

- Wool doesn't stink after use, so you can hang it to air out and wear it again, over and over before washing.

- I've gotten merino turtlenecks from thrift stores for $5. They are actually all different weights, for all temps!

- If you are buying *new,* I think the best tops for cycling are the Smartwool zip-t's in various weights.

- Use a summer (microweight) wool tank top or t-shirt as a base layer.

- You *don't* need one of those winter bike jerseys with pockets. They are so expensive! If you need pockets, get a vest that has some roomy ones (the Brooks Nightlife vests do).

3) Gloves. Instead of buying expensive gloves, go to your hardware store and snag a pair of those $8 gray utility wool gloves with black bumpies on them. The bumpies provide grip while riding. Now slide them over your padded summer wool gloves.

4) Inexpensive solution for your bottoms: One or two pairs of tights or sweats (with NO chamois) that can fit over your padded summer bike shorts. After your ride, hang your tights to air-dry and then use them over and over till it's laundry time. Buy some reflective ankle bands (like these) to hold the sweats/tights on:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodNN_2020N.html

5) Feet: It's harder to save money here. I will put a thin pair of wool liner socks under the main pair of socks. I have some toe warmers. And some waterproof booties that go over the whole shoe.

6) Head: Also harder to save money here. I have a big wool neckwarmer I'm never without, between fall and spring. I like the really long Smartwool one, because you can pull it up over your chin, too. For the even colder weather, I have a balaclava from Louis Garneau (not wool but great), and a wool beanie for my ears. You could also get a reflective cover for your helmet, to cover the vents and make you extra-visible.

Any of the above-mentioned items that you need "new" are available here at the Team Estrogen store. For instance, I see there is a Louis Garneau helmet cover here.

I don't personally use armwarmers. I just always go out with long sleeves, after summer is over. If it warms up and you're wearing a longsleeve wool shirt, your arms will breathe just fine through the wool, they won't overheat. I wear legwarmers every so often, but more likely I'll just throw a pair of tights over my summer bike shorts.

I'd like to get a wool bra from Ibex...but am waiting (in vain??) for them to really go on sale some day.

good luck!