List Your Favorite Bike Apparel

[Eden]

Lake winter bike boots (much warmer & less expensive than Sidi winter boots)

perhaps less expensive if you have to pay full retail.... being petite isn't always an asset, but small feet are nice oh - and Sidis run small... no winter boot really comes small enough for me. At least Sidis that are 2 sizes too large can work with thick socks. Lakes in my experience run big. Lakes 2 sizes too big probably wouldn't even stay on my feet...

As far as why winter gear.... my summer stuff is pretty much all team kit, so its dictated by what ever we are ordering, not my choices.

I did get switch from Sidi to Specialized carbon shoes this summer. I really like them. 1 - in my very small size I could get carbon soles (not so for Sidis - the carbon soled shoes don't come small enough) 2. they have a nice wide toe box, but still have a narrow heel - they stay put, but don't pinch my toes 3. they are much more economical than Sidis

[Trekhawk]

Sidi shoes
Buffs
Knee warmers
Bolero
Amici Veloci gear

[Crankin]

My Terry Bella shorts.
Any jersey by Voler.
Shebeest arm warmers.
Sugoi liner shorts that I wear under baggies or commuting pants.
Ibex tights. Mostly for winter sports, but I wear them for the few very cold rides I do each year.
My Hind tights that are so old, the zipper broke on one leg and I had it fixed because they don't make them anymore.

[redrhodie]

Shebeest bamboo sleeveless jersey (got here on TE). I love it alone in the summer, with a bolero on cool days, and as a base-layer in cold weather. It's holding up well after lots of washings, is so soft and does a great job wicking.

Specialized BG gloves. I've had one pair for 5 years, wash them every couple of rides, and they're still perfect. They fit me better than any other gloves I've tried.

[Trekhawk]

Specialized BG gloves. I've had one pair for 5 years, wash them every couple of rides, and they're still perfect. They fit me better than any other gloves I've tried.

They are great gloves. I love the big soft area for wiping your nose. LOL gross I know but I do use it.

[missjulied]

My two favorite cold-weather items are my Castelli Battiti jacket and my Terry Coldout tights.

Another smartwool sock fan here as well.

For warm weather I really like Descente socks, they fit very nicely.

[Owlie]

My one Castelli jersey--it's snug but I don't feel like I've been shrink-wrapped, and it is actually cut to fit people like me. Apparently I'm oddly shaped. Oh, and I look good in it. That's important too, right?

PI Gel Vent gloves. I have eczema that's made worse if my hands get sweaty, so having the vents is sooo nice.

Foska jacket: Fun patterns (mine has reflective bones on it) and is both warm (depending on how I layer it) and relatively waterproof.

Smartwool base layer.

[Selkie]

perhaps less expensive if you have to pay full retail.... being petite isn't always an asset, but small feet are nice oh - and Sidis run small... no winter boot really comes small enough for me. At least Sidis that are 2 sizes too large can work with thick socks. Lakes in my experience run big. Lakes 2 sizes too big probably wouldn't even stay on my feet...

Eden, sorry if my post made me sound like a snit! I wasn't criticizing and I can see why you love the Sidis. I have the Sidi Diablos but in my experience, they aren't as warm as the Lakes. I paid full price for the Sidis, too (this was about 3 or 4 years ago). Had to pair them with shoe covers and toe covers. Poor Diablos have seen no wear since winter '07.

SheFly turned me on to the Lakes. They are clunky and not very stylish, but good for someone who is out for 90+ minutes each ride. My feet are average size and I'm "pre-bunion" so I go for roomy. I also wear smartwool snowboarding socks/chemical toe warmers during the cold months, so I need amble room in the toe box to allow for air circulation.

Good news, they now make winter Lakes in a women's version.

[Eden]

Maybe I'll have to look into them if they go small. My Sidis are a 39 and I'm really a 37 even in Sidi... though with a good thick pair of socks they are tight enough to do, but definitely not tight enough to use for racing. I really did get a good deal on them. They were only $78 and at that I got them as a present, so essentially they were free (of course I never would have presumed to ask for anyone to buy me a $300 pair of shoes - so I did only get them because they were such a good deal).
I already top my boots with booties to keep rain from going down the tops - out here it is wetness over extreme cold that is more the issue, so stylish or non clunky looking, I am not.

[OakLeaf]

stylish or non clunky looking, I am not.

You can worry about looking clunky when your feet are so big they look smaller and sleeker in booties. I've never tried on a pair of Sidis, but their women's shoes only go up to size 43, which would be plenty for me in other brands, but not apparently in Sidis. Did I mention I'm 5'3"?


Anyway - my favorite apparel is anything wool. But you knew that.

[Ritamarie]

My first year at attempting to ride through the winter. My favorite gear discoveries so far:

Terry COLDweather tights: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodTY_1817.html
I haven't used them below 30 F yet, but loved them on my 30 degree rides so far. They seem completely windproof. Comfy fleece lining but not bulky feeling. Pad is just right. Price is good too compared to other winter tights I tried (and returned).

Nashbar booties: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes//Produc...2_170081_-1___ Tried these for the first time in 30 degree temps, and they made a huge difference. Great price for a windproof/water resistant bootie. I have 41 shoes and got a medium. Fit easily. Very easy on/off. Not sure how they will hold up since I've only used them once but look to be very well made for the price. (On sale now!) Under the booties I wore my touring shoes with two pairs of light socks (one wool, one coolmax).

Now I just need to figure out my hands and I will be set!

[Becky]

Now I just need to figure out my hands and I will be set!

It was in the low 30s when I rode yesterday, and my hands were baking in my Pearl Izumi Amfib gloves- almost too warm! They're basically insulated ski gloves with leather palms and fingers for grip. If you have good ski gloves, give those a shot. Otherwise, I recommend the Amfibs!

[roadie gal]

Terry T-shorts - LOVE that Dryline material
DeSoto 400 mile shorts - the pad has a channel down the middle that helps take the pressure off. The material is compression-type but less than the Terry Bella
DeSoto Forza tri shorts - very minimalist pad, very comfy. Same material as the 400 mile shorts
Zoot Trifit shorts - a little stretchier than the DeSotos and a little bit thicker fleece pad, but still good for running
RoadRunnerSports Sportek bras - very supportive and last forever for less than $30
Sock Guy bike/run socks - they last forever
Performance brand century gloves - they're the only ones that don't cut in between my 3rd and 4th fingers

I'm not listing any winter stuff because my winter riding is indoors (see my note under the "snow" thread).

[Ritamarie]

Otherwise, I recommend the Amfibs!

Okay!!! Say no more. I just ordered a pair from REI. They were on sale plus I got another 20% off on their special.

I was just waiting for a good recommendation. Thanks!

[GLC1968]

After the past couple of weeks, I had to come back and offer up some love for my new favorite piece. I LOVE my Ibex El Fito knickers! I've worn them the past two Saturdays - first one was about 50 degrees and sunny and the second one was in the low 30's and sunny. They rocked in both situations! Now I just need some light rain to give them the full consideration.

I also wanted to ditto this:

I did get switch from Sidi to Specialized carbon shoes this summer. I really like them. 1 - in my very small size I could get carbon soles (not so for Sidis - the carbon soled shoes don't come small enough) 2. they have a nice wide toe box, but still have a narrow heel - they stay put, but don't pinch my toes 3. they are much more economical than Sidis

I can't buy Sidi's because they are too narrow for me, but I am a BIG fan of Specialized carbon soled shoes. My first pair was my road shoes (I buy mens in a 37 - because they CARRY mens in a 37 and the men rarely buy them so I get smashin' deals!!) and I loved them so much I went back and got the mountain shoe version. AWESOME shoes - so comfy, so supportive, so affordable and so far, they've held up amazingly well.