Trying to Dress Warmly

[JennK13]

A wind blocking outer layer is really key. All the wool in the world won't keep you warm if the wind goes right through it to your skin. The nice thing about cycling is that it's so directional. You can have wind-blocking panels on your front, and leave the back open to vent sweat.


Make sure whatever you wear around your neck is long enough that wind doesn't go down into your jersey.

I second this! If I'm wearing a wind breaker, I can wear fewer or less bulky layers. The wind makes a huge difference for me.

Subfreezing temps (I have yet to ride at less than 25 degrees) I wear knee high ski or snowboard socks over thin "liners" to help with wicking, tights, knickers, longsleeved wool undershirt with a collar to keep the wind from coming down my shirt, jersey and a windbreaker, ear warmer under my helmet, and gloves with a windbreaker outside and fleece inside. Generally, I'm always cold (Reynaud's Syndrome) but I sweat, too, so I'm very conscious about how I feel on any particular day, and not overdress so I keep the sweat to a minimum. Keeping the wind off has definately been the key for me.

Anything above freezing, I may just do tights or legwarmers with regular socks/shorts, longsleeved undershirt or shortsleeved w/arm warmers and a jersey.

More importantly for me is that I HAVE to me warm when I start. That may mean sitting in my car with the seat warmer and heater on, shoes off to warm my feet, putting my gloves and shoes up to the vents to heat the insides of them, getting dressed inside the car before I even open the door. If I'm cold to start I never warm up, but if I'm warm and dressed properly (all skin covered to the cold, but not necessarily bulky) when I start I'm fine. Im just not stopping for any breaks!!

[chicagogal]

more importantly for me is that i have to me warm when i start. That may mean sitting in my car with the seat warmer and heater on, shoes off to warm my feet, putting my gloves and shoes up to the vents to heat the insides of them, getting dressed inside the car before i even open the door. If i'm cold to start i never warm up, but if i'm warm and dressed properly (all skin covered to the cold, but not necessarily bulky) when i start i'm fine. Im just not stopping for any breaks!!

exactly!!!

[aicabsolut]

I like wool (socks, gloves, headwear), but when it's that cold, I also tend to reach for things that are more windproof like wind vests (over top of a jacket with a windproof front), wind panels on tights and my skullcap, and neoprene. I'm going to sweat no matter what my base layers, so I need to stop that wind that will make my damp base cold. A neck gaiter or balaclava also does a lot, particularly if you can cover your mouth at least (and nose for descents) and still breathe normally.

[Melalvai]

Yes, start off warm. I don't use a heater, I lie down and stand up 20 times with one arm held up (switch arms halfway).

[Biciclista]

i also try for a combo of wool and "plastic" my showers pass raincoat goes over my wool long underwear and winter (padded) jersey.
my wool glove liners underneath another pair of gloves.
Wool socks under my shoes and waterproof booties.
Melalvai, I'm going to try that warm up method.

[Geonz]

I"m allergic to wool -- I can get away with the "nice" kinds in leggings if it's not actually touching my skin and there's a layer over it (I accidentally acquired a pair), but I'll start sneezin' and congesting ...
Windbreakage and layers are critical for me. I've noticed that Ihave acclimated -- I don't need to wear as much as I used to. Still, I tend to overdress and I'll be four layers thick if it's below zero. It's gone to single digits this year but I was comfortable without ski goggles.
The other thing I do when it's very cold is warm up before going out. Six minutes on the trainer works really well; a few crunches and jumping jacks if I'm in a hurry.
And thirdly, circulation is rather important. I got these really cute lights to go on the fingers of my gloves -- but whatever finger it's on will be COLD. I suspect that the reason my hands *don't* get cold liek other folks' is perhaps because I only wear one glove on each hand, and I make sure my backpack straps aren't blocking circulation, too.

[PamNY]

Those lights are great. Where did you get them/what are they called?