Ugh...it's time to talk Winter riding apparel

[redrhodie]

Has anyone tried the Louis Garneau Oslo tights? Waddaya think?

[Crankin]

Zoom Zoom, while idea of zooming around on the snow sounds cool, I have osteoporosis, which while it's being treated, I don't need to tempt fate! Anyway, I like the break from riding and I can't get enough of the x country skiing during the 8 weeks we have to ski around here.
I get plenty of time to wear my winter cycling stuff in November, December, and March...

[tulip]

I'm all set on my winter cycling clothes. I made some pretty good purchases a few years ago, and don't need to replace anything this year. My tights are Sugoi. My winter boots are Sidi (purchased used right here on TE forums), my jackets are Gore and PI. My gloves are PI Lobsters. That's all I need, along with the usual layers.

[Crankin]

Oh, and I bought the PI winter cycling boots last year, on SheFly's recommendation. They are awesome. DH just put the Frog cleats on them, in preparation for my new bike. Since I plan to ride that bike until the end of the season, once it gets here, they will get a lot of use this year. I have all kinds of toe covers and booties for my road shoes, though, as well as a box of 100 chemical heaters. They were bought for snow sports when it's below 25, but I find that using them when I ride takes just about all of the discomfort out of cold weather riding for me. As far as gloves go, I can't deal with the loss of dexterity that thicker gloves have. I use a pair of Ibex wool liners under a pair of Terry long fingered gloves. I have some PI AmFibs that I will use if I have to, but once my finger got caught on the shifter using these... I found them to be better for the trigger shifters I had when I had a mountain bike. And the lobster gloves, well, I gave them to my son, who has small hands and rides through the winter.

[jelee1311]

I have a Gore wear neoprene jacket(love it),I have Gore and Craft wind/waterproof arm and leg warmers,PI booties,PI gloves,and various wool layers that I wear. Sometimesi wear winter running tights over my shorts but it has to be really cold. I finally invested in a nice waterproof jacket and am hopeful I love it because usually I'm too hot in waterproof stuff.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Has anyone tried the Louis Garneau Oslo tights? Waddaya think?

Red, I've had them for a couple years now. They are very stretchy and very comfortable- silky smooth and they slip on really nicely. They have some micro-fuzz on the inside, and zippered ankles.
But I wouldn't say they are 'miraculously' warm. Comfy and cozy, but they're not the warmest tights I've ever had. If I use them as an under tight and pull on a nice merino wool tight over them (which is easy to do because they are so silky on the outside) then I'm good to about -10F. On 25F+ days they are fine. I like them very much in the Spring and Fall- very comfortable for moderately cold days. They stretch and move with you very well so they are super comfy.

[Becky]

Lisa-

How long is the inseam on those tights? I've had some issues with LG stuff being a little short, but those sound like really nice tights! Thanks!

[redrhodie]

Thanks, Lisa. Do they run true to size?

[Owlie]

-10?

I don't mind wearing multiple layers on the bottom. I barely notice. I won't go out if it's much below freezing unless it's dry, and how often does that happen? I've been layering my Mid-Zero Zap tights (I bought them because unlike the non-zaps, they have ankle zippers!) with shorts, and I'm good to go down to about 35F...and if it gets too much below that, I'm probably not going out anyway!

What I need to work on is upper-body, foot and hand apparel. I do have a jacket, which the manufacturer says is good down to about 25F if layered properly. Maybe I can find some plain wool sweaters that don't have a horrible itchy collar. As much as I'd like a dedicated zippered wool base layer, that is not going to happen any time soon! (Though maybe I could buy one and turn the heating down a bit...I'd get some wear out of it for sure.)

[Caddy]

How tight should a winter cycling jacket be? I have some base layers from Under Armour, really love their stuff, and thought I would try out their windproof Cold Gear thermal jacket. I didn't see that it was a loose fit though. It's incredibly warm and I can see myself layering something between the base and the jacket, but it would still be loose around me, even in their smallest size.

And I can't deal with the scratchiness of wool, either. Not even merino or cashmere next the skin, so polyester is the way to go for me.

I also cycle with cycling shorts/tights and a warm legging since I use those leggings for running too. Cuts down on costs a bit.

[jessmarimba]

I just "splurged" on new smartwool arm warmers. Arm warmers have to be about my favorite piece of clothing, ever...and I've only had one awful cheap pair for the last 2 years. I'm so excited.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Lisa-
How long is the inseam on those tights? I've had some issues with LG stuff being a little short, but those sound like really nice tights! Thanks!

They are longish- about 1" longer than necessary on me, and I'm 5'5".

Thanks, Lisa. Do they run true to size?

I can't tell, because I have very wide hips, so I usually take a Large even though another woman approximately my size and height with smaller hips might take a Medium.

-10?

Owlie, I mean -10F when I'm out doing fitness walks or snowshoeing- it's way colder on a bike and I would not go biking at -10F ! But walking/hiking/snowshoeing is quite do-able in those temps.