fall/winter cycle clothing

[Hartmame]

I was busy all spring and summer riding 80-100 miles a week. I even did a couple bicycle trips then I had an accident. I was off my bike for about a month during that time the seasons changed. I'm not sure about dressing for the cold rainy fall and even less sure about how to dress for the winter. I basically don't want to drop a lot of money into cold weather gear because I don't have the money and I'm not sure I'll stick with riding when it gets too challenging with the weather. My question is what should I buy to keep me riding at least into November. I'm guessing that In November there will be high temps in the low to mid 40s F.

[Owlie]

Winter riding is about layering. There is some trial and error involved, as you need to figure out what works for your riding style, your area, and your individual comfort level.

Here's what's in my closet:
Long-sleeve jerseys of a couple weights (normal long-sleeve, heavy weight, thermal)
Smartwool baselayers (long-sleeve and sleeveless; these things were the best investment I've ever made in bike gear)
Leg and arm warmers
Thermal tights (I like Sugoi Midzero Zaps--they're actually running tights, so no chamois, but that means I don't have to wash them after every ride.)
Gloves (mine are PI Cyclone; they're more a fall glove, but I'd get more use out of them if I used them with a liner.)
Good socks
A jacket
I really should get a set of toe covers or booties too.

[Becky]

If you're riding in cold weather and on a budget, layers are the way to go. Plenty of other fitness tops, jackets, etc. will work just fine for cycling. A lot of my hiking and skiing stuff gets pressed into service. I do like Owlie does and use unpadded tights with shorts or bibs underneath, so I can ride multiple days without needing multiple pairs of tights.

If you decide that you're into cold weather riding or you're really cold-blooded, a dedicated winter cycling jacket makes sense. It's so much easier to get dressed, and I feel less like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man. (BTW, I have a nice winter jacket for sale in the "For Sale" forum!) Same thing with winter cycling boots- they just make the whole process easier.

[Sky King]

I just bought a pair of fleece lined leggings at TJ Max that I totally plan to wear over my bike shorts this fall.
Yesterday It was 50 degrees, I had on shorts, tights then my duck cotton knickers that end just below the knee. Wool socks, thin t-shirt under my wool long sleeve jersey, rain/wind jacket. thin headband and long fingered gloves. So totally a mix of biking and "non biking" attire. Of course, I could care less about how I look as long as I am comfortable

[tealtreak]

ditto on the TJ Maxx and who cares if you are wearing actual biking clothes Layers are best and there is also the individual preference for cold/hot.....I would rather freeze than be dripping with sweat (:

[goldfinch]

Today it was in the mid 30s with light snow. I rode 10 miles wearing:

PI elite tights. These have no chamois and I didn't bother with shorts for such a short ride. They are wind blocking in the front.
Wool knee socks.
Gore base layer with a wind blocking front (I debated wool but was glad I went with the wind block since I wore no jacket)
Some no name company thick top layer, all synthetic
Thin wool hat under my Bern helmet
Wool buff, pulled up my neck and covering my nose and mouth until I warmed up
Ski gloves

Worked out well. As usual, my eyes dripped but it was warm enough that they quit dripping after a bit. The buff was a nice addition. The ski gloves have to go but I don't anticipate many cold weather rides. Ditching the jacket made me sweat a lot less, or the sweat dissipated better.

I still hate the cold and can't wait to go south, which is going to be later this year than usual.

[Owlie]

I'll second the notion that if you're on a budget, you can use general fitness gear in place of biking duds. A cycling-specific jacket was a must for me because I'm tall enough that in my riding position, a normal jacket isn't long enough. Almost everything else, though... I've worn lined track pants on the bike in winter with the right leg tucked into my sock.

[redeyedtreefr0g]

I have only one cycling specific article of clothing so far, so here's my regular-clothes list of stuff. It's very short or repetitive.

50 degrees seems to be one demarcation line for me, and 32 degrees or freezing is the other one. Basically, you just add gloves, longer sleeves, extra socks, and a scarf as the temperature gets colder. All my stuff besides shirts and jeans cost very little- my leather gloves were $6 at Walmart, stockings about that for a 3-pack. Boots were $3 at Goodwill. For a budget I highly recommend spending a few hours in there.

>50: light jacket (currently mine is leather, but somehow that counts as light. the surface of the leather transfers a little bit of outside temperatures so wind is blocked, but I'm not really hot as I pedal along. Any other regular jacket or hoodie has me sweating to death even at 7 degrees. Last year I had a Faded Glory shell windbreaker, so see what works for you),
probably more comfortable with short-sleeved shirt
can go with pants or skirt,
any shoes with any socks.

50<32:
jacket
short or long-sleeved shirt
one-size-fits-all kid gloves
regular stockings/tights underneath pants
must have socks
shoes without a lot of ventilation

<32
scarf (wraps around head and neck, covering ears and chin. mine is thin and cashmere-like soft).
kid gloves and oversize leather gloves to fit over those (need a good solution here too. I didn't get frostbite, but I was darned uncomfortable in the 20 range and lower. maybe mittens?)
jacket
long-sleeved shirt
stockings and pants (I'll need something windblocking for the 20s temps and below- last year after I stopped my 3 mile trips my legs would be painful to touch and red until they thawed out a little)
wool socks (I have only one very fat pair) or doubled socks
consider snow boots even without snow due to insulative properties (or traction. ice sucks). loose sneakers also work (to fit the extra socks, they suck very badly on ice)


Probably unneeded but: Beware of slippery ice if the temperature is anywhere near freezing. It's rideable on slick skinny hybrid tires like mine if you are extremely careful, but falling still sucks. Carry the stuff you have for winter even if you don't need it in a saddlebag or crate or whatever. You might not be cold enough to use it, but you don't want to not have that stuff when you do need it. Try not to get too hot. If you do and sweat a bunch, you'll just be super cold (or wet) after you arrive at your destination or if you get a flat tire or something. And of course, lights and reflective stuff is awesome for the shorter days and yuckier weather.

Riding in snow is tons of fun!

[Hartmame]

These are great ideas! Thanks!! I found that in the low 50s upper 40s I mostly need wind stoppage and have been having luck with Target yoga shirt and a long sleeve T then my wind breaker as long as I have my gloves on I stay warm. I splurged on a wind proof glove from the LBS. They are Specialized I believe. I wore my bike shorts with lined windbreaker material pants and my regular socks and bike shoes. My feet were cold! I think I'll layer over the current layers a thin fleece and see if that works. Oh and I'll have to check out TJ Maxx for more or other options on the lower half. Thanks again!
How much better are wool socks for keeping your feet warm?

[gocard]

Thanks for starting this thread! I am also looking for tips on dressing warmer for the winter rides - here it doesn't get too cold without snow, but it's the wind that will get to me. I would like to continue with the cycling shorts I have now, get some knee/shin warmers and wear a pair of athletic pants over them. Do you think that will give an adequate first line of defense against the wind or would a pair of tights over the shorts be a better investment? Time to shop...

[Catrin]

Thanks for starting this thread! I am also looking for tips on dressing warmer for the winter rides - here it doesn't get too cold without snow, but it's the wind that will get to me. I would like to continue with the cycling shorts I have now, get some knee/shin warmers and wear a pair of athletic pants over them. Do you think that will give an adequate first line of defense against the wind or would a pair of tights over the shorts be a better investment? Time to shop...

A pair of windblocking tights such as PI Amfibs would be a good investment. They aren't too tight across the knees as some tights are, and the wind-blocking fabric, especially over your knees, works nicely. I have the version without chamois and typically just wear them over a thin chamois liner or, if it is really cold, a pair of regular shorts. They also come with a chamois (I think) which would prevent the need for another layer but then it makes it harder to use them for something like hiking (under jeans)... This is much better than regular warmers, at least for me it is.

[gocard]

A pair of windblocking tights such as PI Amfibs would be a good investment. They aren't too tight across the knees as some tights are, and the wind-blocking fabric, especially over your knees, works nicely. I have the version without chamois and typically just wear them over a thin chamois liner or, if it is really cold, a pair of regular shorts. They also come with a chamois (I think) which would prevent the need for another layer but then it makes it harder to use them for something like hiking (under jeans)... This is much better than regular warmers, at least for me it is.

Thanks Catrin. I just got myself a pair of Gore tights without the chamois. It was a nice closeout deal and was in my size - perfect! Like you mentioned, I figured it would be equally useful in other outdoor activities during the winter. I should be all set to start experimenting with layers for the winter season.

[tealtreak]

These are great ideas! Thanks!! I found that in the low 50s upper 40s I mostly need wind stoppage and have been having luck with Target yoga shirt and a long sleeve T then my wind breaker as long as I have my gloves on I stay warm. I splurged on a wind proof glove from the LBS. They are Specialized I believe. I wore my bike shorts with lined windbreaker material pants and my regular socks and bike shoes. My feet were cold! I think I'll layer over the current layers a thin fleece and see if that works. Oh and I'll have to check out TJ Maxx for more or other options on the lower half. Thanks again!
How much better are wool socks for keeping your feet warm?

wool is WAY better and retains insulating properties even when damp (from sweat or rain or snow...) Sample size of the scouts I backpacked with over 12 years- the kids with wool socks never had cold feet......there is a winter camping mantra "cotton kills". Some of the new synthetic blends are well loved by some folks, but I have camped in 0 degrees with warm feet and swear by my wool. TJ Maxx sometimes has 100% wool socks (not many!) at the start of winter.....

I switch to wool socks for biking at about 40 degrees.....

[Owlie]

wool is WAY better and retains insulating properties even when damp (from sweat or rain or snow...) Sample size of the scouts I backpacked with over 12 years- the kids with wool socks never had cold feet......there is a winter camping mantra "cotton kills". Some of the new synthetic blends are well loved by some folks, but I have camped in 0 degrees with warm feet and swear by my wool. TJ Maxx sometimes has 100% wool socks (not many!) at the start of winter.....

I switch to wool socks for biking at about 40 degrees.....

Me too. Wool layers and socks are the best investment I've ever made. (It helps that they get worn off the bike quite frequently too.)

[happyscientist]

Add me to the fans of wool. I am amazed that what I thought was an out-of-date fabric works better than any synthetic at the temps you are talking about. Definitely get some wool socks. I went riding with a group today in 40F temps, and I was the only one who didn't have to quit riding because my toes were cold. My winter running clothes also do double duty (skull cap, baselayer, etc).