Winter Clothing Essentials Recommendations - Please

[Neil G60]

Aside from the obvious gloves...

I love my Endura LS jersey, this is the updated version of what I bought a few years ago: http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=215...

And neoprene overshoes: http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=207...

I use their waterproof jacket too which is perfect over the jersey and comes with a stuff-sack so you can keep it in your pocket if the weather looks iffy: http://www.endurasport.com/products/?ProductID=15&...

All that lot would cost the equivalent of the left sleeve from a Rapha short sleeve jersey. And you won't look like a 'all the grea no idea' bellend.

[MC Bodge]

I have managed perfectly well in UK commuting without any Rapha too.

Wind proof, warm long tights and as many fleece/merino(although even Icebreaker merino is more sweaty) layers as required on the body. Soft or hard (breathable) shell jacket over everything else.

A skull cap and a neck buff are good when very cold.

Overshoes are a good thing. Neoprene ones are warmer than "shell"/membranes ones, but often a bit too warm.

Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 9th October 19:27

[Nighthawk]

I use a buff under my lid to keep out the wind and wick away moisture, castelli toe thingies are great if it's cold and dry, wet days I use endura overshoes to keep my feet dry (ish) and warm.

I have a short sleeved gabba2 jersey which is fantastic on cold days when combined with their nano flex arm warmers. The gabba can actually get a little too warm at the moment but it's well worth the high purchase cost.

When it rains I use an endura fs pro race cape, great fit and far more breathable than any other I've tried.

On a 120 to 200 k club ride in poor conditions, nothing is going to keep you 100% dry, but wet and warm isn't a bad halfway house.

[Notorious100HP]

louiebaby said:

I would be hitting Planet X and their bundles for the commuting kit:

www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/deals/bundles

Didn't know about these, they seem excellent value

[SteveSteveson]

I think the best thing to do is try it and see. Everyone is different. I seem to be much less prone to getting cold than others. I ride down to about +1C (I'm not taking the risk of coming off in ice or being caked in road salt) but all I have over my summer gear is

Fleece lined DHB bib tights
arm warmers
a crane jacket
Waterproof overshoes
Warm winter motorbike gloves (keep me warm and dry at 60 mph in -2, so wonderful on a bicycle)

I don't find any need for all the base layers and stuff. But then I don't ride in the most extreme weather and I also find I'm in summer gear with just arm warmers from about 8C when other people are still in bib tights and jackets.

[Johno]

Thanks to all who have contributed. I do tend to suffer in the cold, especially my feet, but haven't enough experience riding in the cold for long periods to know what will give out first. Plenty of suggestions here of kit that works I can follow up on.

My plan of attack is to buy from different manufacturers, sadly not Rapha for those who adore them, I simply find it a bit too pretentious, not that they're the only ones who do the tattooed, coffee supping hipster advertising. I recognise the kit is great quality, but so is my Assos, Morvelo and Gore kit without the associated image. I like Morvelo kit a lot and have already got some 3/4 bib knickers in Roubaix material which are waterproof/resistant. Definitely need overshoes, will probably go with a base layer and windstopper softshell, some decent gloves and then build up from there.

Socks, skull cap and maybe even a snood. Key will be their flexibility in being able to do road and XC.

[anonymous-user]

I got some cheap gear from Sports Direct this week, loads of thermal pants and leggings on a 2 for 1 deal.

They do super fat git sized gear as well, or powerfully built sizes

I was lovely and toasty when I rode in this morning.

Also really enjoying these - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/northwave-celsius-arctic-g...

[Granfondo]

Johno said:

Thanks to all who have contributed. I do tend to suffer in the cold, especially my feet, but haven't enough experience riding in the cold for long periods to know what will give out first. Plenty of suggestions here of kit that works I can follow up on.

My plan of attack is to buy from different manufacturers, sadly not Rapha for those who adore them, I simply find it a bit too pretentious, not that they're the only ones who do the tattooed, coffee supping hipster advertising. I recognise the kit is great quality, but so is my Assos, Morvelo and Gore kit without the associated image. I like Morvelo kit a lot and have already got some 3/4 bib knickers in Roubaix material which are waterproof/resistant. Definitely need overshoes, will probably go with a base layer and windstopper softshell, some decent gloves and then build up from there.

Socks, skull cap and maybe even a snood. Key will be their flexibility in being able to do road and XC.

If you feel the cold and you are serious about going out in all weathers in the winter then winter boots will definitely be the best money you can spend!
Northwave Celsius 2 GTX SPD Winter Boots - Wiggle Exclusive










Northwave Celsius 2 GTX SPD Winter Boots - Wiggle Exclusive
FREE DELIVERY TO UNITED KINGDOM
SAVE 10% List Price £149.99
£134.99

[johnwilliams77]

louiebaby said:

I commute in the UK in all weathers, 10 miles each way with a warm shower and dry clothes at either end. (I'm lucky.)

My kit has built up over the years, and is a bit of a mixture, but if I was starting from scratch, with an eye on sensible budget, I would be hitting Planet X and their bundles for the commuting kit:

www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/deals/bundles

For longer rides, I tend not to venture out in horrible conditions, but have in the past. If I was going to spend 4-5 hours in the rain, and I could afford it, I would be looking to get stuff from Rapha. This would end up costing a lot, but I have only good things to say about the kit I have from them:

www.rapha.cc

From the top down, I'd probably want, (but not necessarily wear all at once):

Water proof helmet cover
Helmet
2 x merino beanie / under helmet hat
sunglasses with changeable lenses
Fleece ear warmers
Some kind of snood / neck warmer
2 x ss merino base layers
2 x ls merino base layers
2 x ss jersey with pockets
2 x thicker over layers / ls jersey with pockets
2 x merino arm warmers
Gillet with pockets
Pack-a-mac type rain jacket
Proper commuter waterproof
Soft shell
thermal lobster style properly toasty winter gloves
thickish water proof winter gloves
water proof spring/autumn gloves
slightly breathable spring / autumn full finger gloves
2 x summer fingerless cycling gloves
2 x bib shorts
2 x merino leg warmers
winter long leg bibs
leggings
2 x merino long socks
2 x merino ankle socks
2 x summer short socks
winter neoprane overshoes or winter cycling boots
summer cycling shoes

Thank you very much for the bundle link, that will get me started! I have a short commute (4mikes uphill on the way there) but I wouldn't know where to start with that list!

Going to get a balaclava and some good gloves.

Any recommendations for gloves folks? I tried on sealskinz earlier...they're £45...same price as my winter kit but you gotta buy good gloves, right?

Edited by johnwilliams77 on Saturday 10th October 17:46

[MC Bodge]

johnwilliams77 said:

Thank you very much for the bundle link, that will get me started! I have a short commute (4mikes uphill on the way there) but I wouldn't know where to start with that list!

Going to get a balaclava and some good gloves.

Any recommendations for gloves folks?

Pop into Aldi. Good unless really cold

[TheFungle]

For me the following works:

Rapha Softshell jacket - worth every penny for the fit, looks and performance. requires keeping on top of DWR reproofing

traditional casquette, perfect for under helmet and taking the edge of the chill, rain.

Merino baselayer

Woolie Boolie socks

Castelli toe thingies

Northwave winter boots - for me more effective than overshoes

I find pretty much rouxbaix material tights as good as one another, of course the pad may make all the difference for you

[MC Bodge]

Merino base layers are more sweaty than good synthetic ones, although less smelly

[Kell]

I have commuted most days for the past 15-17 years and what I tend to go for now is.

Winter boots with thick hiking socks.
Bib tights - I've got two pairs, one windproof, and I find the windproof too warm.
Normal cycling shorts under the tights.
Then a pair of surf shorts over the top of that lot. I only have these on 'cos I'm fat not for the warmth.
Baselayer - I've got all sorts of these, from Helly Hansen LIFA, to some 50/50 Merino wool ones from Decathlon.
A free ride top over the top of that lot. See comment above about being fat.
An Altura Night Vision jacket. Essential IMHO for commuters. It's warm, but quite breathable and vented, but baggy.
Gloves - I've had all sorts from Seal Skinz to Night Vision ones and I've not found a pair that's great yet. None keep you dry when it's properly raining despite their claims. I've not tried the Night Vision ones in the rain as they're too warm for me for most days.
I've also got a Night vision helmet cover. And a Gore windstopper skull cap. I sometimes wear a fleece neck warmer too, but I've not yet found the need for a balaclava.

Most handily, I've got warm showers at work and a bit of a drying rack rigged up using coat hangers and a desk fan...

Different strokes for different folks though.

The biggest mistake most people make is overdoing it. It's really easy to stay warm while cycling in the winter, the trick is keeping cool.

[MC Bodge]

Kell said:

I have commuted most days for the past 15-17 years and what I tend to go for now is.

Winter boots with thick hiking socks.
Bib tights - I've got two pairs, one windproof, and I find the windproof too warm.
Normal cycling shorts under the tights.
Then a pair of surf shorts over the top of that lot. I only have these on 'cos I'm fat not for the warmth.
Baselayer - I've got all sorts of these, from Helly Hansen LIFA, to some 50/50 Merino wool ones from Decathlon.
A free ride top over the top of that lot. See comment above about being fat.
An Altura Night Vision jacket. Essential IMHO for commuters. It's warm, but quite breathable and vented, but baggy.
Gloves - I've had all sorts from Seal Skinz to Night Vision ones and I've not found a pair that's great yet. None keep you dry when it's properly raining despite their claims. I've not tried the Night Vision ones in the rain as they're too warm for me for most days.
I've also got a Night vision helmet cover. And a Gore windstopper skull cap. I sometimes wear a fleece neck warmer too, but I've not yet found the need for a balaclava.

Most handily, I've got warm showers at work and a bit of a drying rack rigged up using coat hangers and a desk fan...

Different strokes for different folks though.

The biggest mistake most people make is overdoing it. It's really easy to stay warm while cycling in the winter, the trick is keeping cool.

I'm sorry, but you have no Rapha in your winter kit, how can this be?

Not getting sweaty or chilled by the wind are my main considerations.


FWIW, the Crane softshell jacket that I bought for about £5 is worth maybe, oooh, 25 times every penny in fit and performance It looks ok too, I suppose.

[DJFish]

MC Bodge said:

I'm sorry, but you have no Rapha in your winter kit, how can this be?

I find Rapha, like a lot of bike gear manufacturers, don't tend to cater for the well fed.
Night vision gear is a good fit (for me anyway) but the quality can vary.

[dontdobends]

DJFish said:

MC Bodge said:

I'm sorry, but you have no Rapha in your winter kit, how can this be?

I find Rapha, like a lot of bike gear manufacturers, don't tend to cater for the well fed.
Night vision gear is a good fit (for me anyway) but the quality can vary.

Give lusso a call, they do bespoke fitting service for the chunky but funky! :-)

[Johno]

Thought I'd update this with findings and expense to date ... won't list the costs, but its been a bit painful. Having a full kit set up for 30 degree+ heat/85% humidity coming to Netherlands in December was Always going to require a reinvestment in kit.

- Sportful overshoes, been excellent, but my feet still suffer after a couple of hours (I've Always suffered with cold feet)
- Northwave SPD's boots ordered, so will change road bike pedals and can use on MTB and road bike - Not for the purist in terms of road bike looks, but practical, I can walk in them at the end of the commute and only need one pair for both bikes.
- 2 long sleeve base layers from Craft, one windstopper and one normal have been excellent. Craft kit is as good as described & recommended here.
- Morvelo Thermoactiv jersey is fine from 8 degrees with windstopper baselayer
- Gore Bike Wear Oxygen Windstopper softshell most used since arriving, excellent for commute, longer rides ets
- Gore bike wear Oxygen Gore Tex jacket on order for when it's wetter
- Morvelo stormshield bib tights - like the pads, like their quality, been awesome at keeping my legs warm and dry
- Morvelo 3/4 Bib knickers, great for when it's slightly warmer, same as above
- Morvelo short sleeve base layers x 2, great for under long sleeve if really cold
- Gore bike wear gore text cap - I know, but cloth gets wet and this means my very un-aero but cool in hot temps helmet is still practical enough and it keeps my head dry, so cheaper than an Aero, or less vented helpmet.
- Ass saver, lost the first one, second one is doing good job of keeping worst of muck off the back of me
- Craft gloves, excellent so far, haven't needed them Always and have managed to keep with fingerless mitts for longer than I expected
- Nalini winter socks on order, they were on offer so I'll give them a go and see if it continues to help my feet

All of the above have about 300kms on them pretty much and they've been ecellent at keeping me warm enough, but the shock for the system is still there on some rides.

[wobert]

Noting your comments on the NorthWave MTB boots, I've done the same and gone for the Celcius boots in SPD flavour for both the road and MTB.

Gave them a proper test yesterday at Deggie, first ride I've ever done there in the wet and come away with dry, warm feet!

Worth every penny of the £100 they cost.....

[MC Bodge]

It has been the warmest early winter I have ever experienced, and not even that wet for most of it, not really the sort of conditions to test out winter gear.

Having said that, I did buy a pair of Planet X neoprene overshoes a couple of weeks ago as they seem excellent in use.

[Gazzab]

I keep it simple. Gore soft jacket (with removable sleeves). Then wear layers under. Wear long lyra on lower half when it's very cold. With gore waterproof shorts when it's wet. When it's dry then just normal over shorts. Seal skin socks and shinamo shoes (with over shoes when it's under 0 degrees). Have a buff that I wear under helmet when very cold. Gloves I find more difficult. Thick ones start off good but get too warm. Thinner ones star too cold but warm up ok.
I tend to find the above ok but with only toes and fingers feeling the cold at times.
Today I was out in shorts and felt toes too cold when out in the peaks