fall/winter cycle clothing

[tealtreak]

Tealtreak for the win. I do have Raynauds but as an avid outdoors person I usually can figure out what works. I have heaters in my ski boots but try to use them sparingly, usually when I'm working an accident scene and my toes are in the snow for long periods of time. I keep my fingers warm by fisting my hands while on the chair lift. I may be able to get a second set of footbeds for the battery packs I have. Sahalie has a thermal foot bed that's trimmable and supposedly works and I like the idea of the painters tape to cover the gaps in the soles of my shoes. I'm just going to keep trying until I figure it out. Lucky for me it's supposed to be in the 60's this weekend!!!! Ohio weather is so fickle!

Good luck figuring it out- but be safe trying- don't want to lose a digit!

[FlyingScot]

No I do not! I almost lost 4 toes from frostbite back in the late 70's and I don't care to repeat that.

[FlyingScot]

I just received the Cold Killer pants I spoke about in an earlier post. Although I haven't ridden in them I think they will be awesome. I will be trialing them on Saturday but already think they are going to work out well. They fit great over my bike shorts even with running tights over them. Incidentally, I also got the nano puff jacket that was ridiculously expensive but I tried it out this morning (21degrees) and I was roasting which I NEVER do.

[FlyingScot]

You guys are not going to believe what I did to solve my cold feet issue. Newspaper! I traced the insoles of my shoes onto several sheets of newspaper and secured them with painters tape. Then I made toe caps (that go inside my shoes) with a couple of layers and also painters tape. It was a little uncomfortable at first (some pointy areas) but within 5-10 minutes the newspaper had totally conformed to my foot and I didn't even know it was there. I wore thin socks with it (black ones...white socks would have been destroyed) rode in 39 degree temp (light wind) and my feet, while not exactly toasty, were actually warm! As in normal temperature warm. Plus they were bone dry. I think this combined with toe covers and/or booties will do the trick.

On a side note. I rode with the Cold Killer pants and they were freaking awesome! I wore shorts and running tights under them and might have even gotten away with just shorts. No redness on my legs from the cold like I get with plain leg warmers (my legs get cold above the warmers).

[Melalvai]

Thanks for telling us about this. I don't have terrible issues with cold feet but I'm somewhat known as the bike expert (for utility biking) around here so it really helps me to hear other people's solutions, that I can share with the next person who asks me.

[gocard]

I went for a nice ride today. It was overcast and a tiny bit foggy and damp (low 50s), so this was my first time trying to dress more warmly for a ride. I got a great deal on pair of Gore Sportive tights so I wore that over my regular bike shorts. I wasn't sure if it would be warm enough and since I was stopping over at other places after my ride, I wore a light pair of athletic pants over this.

On the top I had put on my tennis/running clothes, so they are technical fabrics but not bike-specific. Maybe it is overkill to some, but I had two light layers on and a running jacket on. None of these were windproof but I figured I'd try it out before buying more clothes.

Also had a pair of thin full-fingered gloves and a Pearl Izumi headband for my ears. I'm happy to say that this worked out great for me! There was quite a bit of wind and it was drizzly, but I never felt cold once I got going on my bike. The cycling tights were great - never felt any wind chilling my legs. My feet were cold though, so I'll be taking this thread's recommendations under consideration.

I think my lifesaver was probably the gloves and especially the headband. My ears were freezing and the wind was howling past me last time, but this time I was thrilled at how comfortable I was during the entire ride.

Bottom line is, if you don't already have them...I recommend a headband to cover your ears! What a difference it makes.

[Megustalaplaya]

Headbands do make a difference! I rode yesterday when it was in the 40's and my ears were nice and warm for once. I wore PI thermal tights, thermal jersey, and a front barrier longsleeve baselayer and was just fine. Still trying to work out the cold fingers and toes issues. Right now I'm using a thermal toe cover and wool thermal socks and my poor tootsies are really unhappy. Going to try putting newspaper in my shoes as mentioned above and see if that helps. I've decided the Specialized Deflect gloves I purchased suck, and will need to get something else.

[Catrin]

I have found the PI Barrier shoecovers are da bomb for the temps I ride in - I would certainly have them on in the 40's. Below 45 I would also have chemical toe warmers as well, I will ride down to 38 or so (cold air is an asthma trigger for me so I am careful) but since I don't go much lower than that these shoe covers serve well. If I ever get to the point where I can ride in colder temps then I will seriously consider true winter shoes.

[Megustalaplaya]

I've been looking for winter shoes as I have figured out that my summer ventilated shoes are the issue with my cold feet. Only problem is that I have already spend quite a bit on winter riding apparel that new winter shoes are now not in the budget. I don't have a lot of room in my current shoes to add layers of socks. I've tried chemical toe warmers in 29 degree weather and they didn't help at all. My toes and fingers were so cold they were hurting! Wonder if picking up a used pair of shoes in a larger size to duct tape the vents and layer on the socks would get me through the winter or at least until winter shoes start going on sale in late winter/early spring?

Speaking of winter shoes is there such thing as a winter road shoe? All I have really seen so far are winter riding boots for commuting in slush or mountain biking.

I have found the PI Barrier shoecovers are da bomb for the temps I ride in - I would certainly have them on in the 40's. Below 45 I would also have chemical toe warmers as well, I will ride down to 38 or so (cold air is an asthma trigger for me so I am careful) but since I don't go much lower than that these shoe covers serve well. If I ever get to the point where I can ride in colder temps then I will seriously consider true winter shoes.

[Catrin]

For me, the PI Barrier shoe covers, that covers my summer bike shoes, work fine. You can see them here and they are on sale. There are other shoe covers you can find as well, and they would work better than taping over the vents on another pair of shoes. Adding more socks wouldn't help - you do NOT want your feet to sweat in cold temps.

Below 45 degrees I use chemical toe warmers on top of my socks, the Barrier shoe covers over my regular Mavic shoes, and 1 pair of thin wool socks. This works for me unless it is really windy then I will add toe covers to my shoes underneath the Barrier shoe covers. There may be less expensive shoe covers than the Barriers, but I can't speak to how well other shoe covers might work. I do not think the shoe covers would do so well below freezing though I could be mistaken. Others can speak to riding in those temps, my asthma prevents me from going there.

I've been looking for winter shoes as I have figured out that my summer ventilated shoes are the issue with my cold feet. Only problem is that I have already spend quite a bit on winter riding apparel that new winter shoes are now not in the budget. I don't have a lot of room in my current shoes to add layers of socks. I've tried chemical toe warmers in 29 degree weather and they didn't help at all. My toes and fingers were so cold they were hurting! Wonder if picking up a used pair of shoes in a larger size to duct tape the vents and layer on the socks would get me through the winter or at least until winter shoes start going on sale in late winter/early spring?

Speaking of winter shoes is there such thing as a winter road shoe? All I have really seen so far are winter riding boots for commuting in slush or mountain biking.

[Celeste1013]

I was just browsing on line for cold weather gear. I'm in the market for a bike - but that's another thread. Great information! Thanks everyone.

[Celeste1013]

Yup, these: http://www.buffusa.com/sports/collec...filter/tubular

Got mine at REI probably.

Very cool!

[Crankin]

Yes, there are winter road shoes. I have a pair of Shimano ones for my Speedplay X pedals. They are women specific and I had to order them from an on line shop in the UK to find a pair in my size! Now, I don't have to wear chemical heaters that often, as I rarely ride below 35 degrees. But, I could. I also have all sorts of booties (3 kinds) and toe warmers, but it's nice to just have to put on a pair of shoes with wool socks. I do use the toe warmers for temps in the 50s.
For some, they won't need women specific, but I wear size 37, so most men's shoes aren't made in that small of a size.

[Megustalaplaya]

I ordered the PI barrier covers for my shoes but gosh, they are tight! I think I may send them back for a medium. The chart said that a small would fit a shoe <39 and I wear a 38.

I went out for a ride today when it was 32 degrees and cloudy. I wore a thermal baselayer, thermal jersey, thermal tight, and a skullcap under the helmet and my core was just fine. For my feet I put 3 layers of newspaper under the shoe liner, wore a thermal wool sock, a grocery bag and then my shoes with a toe cover. My feet were warm enough for the 7 miles I did. I could have ridden farther but my fingers were painfully cold. So cold it was getting difficult to shift. Had to cut the ride short because of it. I am very encouraged that my feet were okay today!! Now I just have to fine a solution for my fingers and I just may be set for winter! So excited!

[Catrin]

The barrier covers are supposed to be very tight - can you get them on at all? I need to use a good amount of force to get them on my shoes...it does get a little easier.