Thermal shoe covers/Winter gear

[malkin]

Keep your eye on the discount sites too.

I got a lined Bern helmet for cheap last fall on Sierra Trading Post. It is either dopey looking or quite fashionable depending on how you look at it.

Steep and Cheap and Chainlove sometimes have great stuff too, and the sale section at TE is not to be missed!

[Catrin]

It is kind of funny - I am moving into a new apartment in a few weeks and I do need some things for the new place. I find myself tempted to just not worry about the needed new apt things so I will have money for winter bike gear - easy to see where my priorities are

I knew about Sierra Trading Post, and, of course, TE's lovely sales. Will keep my eyes out for others.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Do a search of threads here on TE for winter/cold weather gear, gloves, balaklavas, base layers, and clothes. Lots of good threads to read, full of good recommendations.

Be sure to read about the wonders of merino wool as well.

[malkin]

Take care of to your most sensitive and vulnerable regions first--for me it is hands (because of Reynaud's) and face (because of trigeminal neuralgia).

And imagine, that when I was in high school, we thought rare medical conditions were sort of cool and exotic. Now they are just somewhere between inconvenient and intolerable, but hovering around at annoying.

[Catrin]

What is the general consensus on gloves like these?

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1482096.html

I saw a pair at a LBS yesterday when I picked up arm warmers and smartwool glove liners. They appear to be quite versatile, but how easy is it to use trigger shifters/brakes with the finger covers over the fingers?

A local bike store had a 30% sale this weekend on gear, since they had no Smartwool arm warmers in stock I picked these up for a really good price, as well as the glove liners mention above (for 10% off).

I found such a large difference in sizes for the arm warmers. For the PI warmers I took a small, but tried on several pairs of Gore Windstopper arm warmers and even the medium was much too small... I am very glad that I was able to try them on before my purchase.

[OakLeaf]

I can't speak directly to the LG gloves you linked to, but I have a pair of convertible running gloves. I do like the option, but typically when I take the covers off, I leave my index fingers inside to keep them from flapping around. I'd make sure those lobster claw covers didn't flap.

[Catrin]

I can't speak directly to the LG gloves you linked to, but I have a pair of convertible running gloves. I do like the option, but typically when I take the covers off, I leave my index fingers inside to keep them from flapping around. I'd make sure those lobster claw covers didn't flap.

The lobster covers tuck inside a little pocket when not in use, so that shouldn't be an issue.

[malkin]

I wear shell mittens over wool liners and can shift and brake normally. I don't have any bikes with brifters right now, so I can't speak to that.

[Ered_Lithui]

Those lobster gloves look nice. Having the flaps tuck into a pocket seems like a good solution. And I particularly like how they offer wrist coverage.

Malkin, what do you wear on your hands that works? I don't have Raynaud's, but my hands are perpetually frigid, even in the middle of summer. If you have any tips I'd be grateful to hear them.

In terms of head coverage, yesterday I lucked out and snagged an Ibex Coppi merino wool bicycling hat for 3 dollars in the used section of an outdoor gear store. Complete with ear flaps! I'm hoping to make it through this winter feeling warmer than last.

[Crankin]

Eh, I had to give my lobster gloves to my son. I just couldn't shift with them... it felt so weird. I am very sensitive to any changes in position/stability, so I gave up. They were really nice Craft ones, too.

[ginaleah]

No one has mentioned this yet but it's a little winter trick I learned from my DH and it's FREE. For keeping your toes warmer, you can tear off a piece of a plastic grocery bag, wrap it around your toes (over your socks) and then put your foot into your normal cycling shoes. I usually use the corners of the bag for a more toe-shaped solution. One reason I really like this trick (besides how cheap it is) is that the plastic is very thin and once you get it right it doesn't affect the fit of the shoe. For me, wearing thicker socks, etc has always been a problem because it makes my shoes tighter, thus cutting off circulation and leading to numb feet. The only downside is obviously it is not that breathable but if it's only a 2 hour or less ride that doesn't really matter. I've never tried it on a ride longer than that. Give it a shot.

[nscrbug]

No one has mentioned this yet but it's a little winter trick I learned from my DH and it's FREE. For keeping your toes warmer, you can tear off a piece of a plastic grocery bag, wrap it around your toes (over your socks) and then put your foot into your normal cycling shoes. I usually use the corners of the bag for a more toe-shaped solution. One reason I really like this trick (besides how cheap it is) is that the plastic is very thin and once you get it right it doesn't affect the fit of the shoe. For me, wearing thicker socks, etc has always been a problem because it makes my shoes tighter, thus cutting off circulation and leading to numb feet. The only downside is obviously it is not that breathable but if it's only a 2 hour or less ride that doesn't really matter. I've never tried it on a ride longer than that. Give it a shot.

Neat idea! Thanks for sharing. I'm gonna give this a try on our next chilly ride.