Winter clothing
Discussion
I haven't really ridden much in winter,other than popping to the shop etc but want to put in some miles this winter.
Which items of your clothing are essential and which can you "get by" with that you already have from summer.Waterproof v windproof,lightweight v heavyweight.
I'm a hefty bugger who sweats buckets, that is my biggest problem in winter as I can get a chill in no time at all.
Which items of your clothing are essential and which can you "get by" with that you already have from summer.Waterproof v windproof,lightweight v heavyweight.
I'm a hefty bugger who sweats buckets, that is my biggest problem in winter as I can get a chill in no time at all.
What J886ATV said really.
Keep your extremities warm, and reduce heat loss from your head, and you're good to go really.
So decent gloves, winter boots or overshoes, and a fleece skull cap and you're there. I'm happy in shorts and a 'light duty' winter jersey at the moment. Once you have bike shorts you can easily, and cheaply, winterise them by adding a pair of running tights over the top. No need for expensive cycling-specific long trousers. Added bonus is that if you get too hot you can whip the tights off and you're still decent in shorts.
Same with keeping warm up top. Plenty of cheap-ish compression tops and base layers about in the likes of Sports Direct, which you can layer up to control your temperature. My worst ever experience regarding inappropriate clothing was getting caught in fingerless gloves in winter. I'd been OK all day, but as soon as the sun set, I really needed full finger gloves. My hands were like claws by the time I got back to the car - took me about half an hour to warm up enough to be safe to drive home!
Just don't dress for that first mile or you'll be too hot for the rest of the ride. Better to be a wee bit too cold at the start and 'just right' when you get yourself warmed up. Personally I always carry a packable windproof/showerproof jacket too, so that if I stop I've got something to keep the chill off a bit. A godsend if you puncture in the middle of nowhere!
Keep your extremities warm, and reduce heat loss from your head, and you're good to go really.
So decent gloves, winter boots or overshoes, and a fleece skull cap and you're there. I'm happy in shorts and a 'light duty' winter jersey at the moment. Once you have bike shorts you can easily, and cheaply, winterise them by adding a pair of running tights over the top. No need for expensive cycling-specific long trousers. Added bonus is that if you get too hot you can whip the tights off and you're still decent in shorts.
Same with keeping warm up top. Plenty of cheap-ish compression tops and base layers about in the likes of Sports Direct, which you can layer up to control your temperature. My worst ever experience regarding inappropriate clothing was getting caught in fingerless gloves in winter. I'd been OK all day, but as soon as the sun set, I really needed full finger gloves. My hands were like claws by the time I got back to the car - took me about half an hour to warm up enough to be safe to drive home!
Just don't dress for that first mile or you'll be too hot for the rest of the ride. Better to be a wee bit too cold at the start and 'just right' when you get yourself warmed up. Personally I always carry a packable windproof/showerproof jacket too, so that if I stop I've got something to keep the chill off a bit. A godsend if you puncture in the middle of nowhere!
A well-fitting merino base layer will be worth the investment. It will keep you warm even when wet. My personal preference is a merino mesh base layer, which I find better at taking the sweat away and into the top layer to wick away from your skin.
I would recommend windproof over waterproof/resistant every time. Anything that's actually waterproof won't be breathable (apart from a few new uber-expensive pieces out there), but wind is what does the damage, especially once things are wet. A good windproof gilet keeps the chill off your core but lets your pits breathe. I use the Rapha Lightweight Gilet which also has a mesh back. Your back isn't in the wind so it's just good for breathability. It also packs down so small that you can take it with you on every ride without thinking.
Sealskinz Ultra Grip gloves have been the best I've ever tried. They were recently on offer at sportpursuit for £15 but would still be a bargain at the full £35 price.
A cost-effective way to boost the winter wardrobe is a pair of non-padded winter bib-tights. I have a pair from Rose that cost £40 and they're great. Fleeced, double-lined over the knees and windproof. As they're worn over all of your summer shorts you can wear them a bunch of times before washing. It effectively turns all of your summer shorts into winter tights.
Last tip is an oldie but: mudguards. Your feet will still get soaked eventually but mudguards buy you a lot of time.
I would recommend windproof over waterproof/resistant every time. Anything that's actually waterproof won't be breathable (apart from a few new uber-expensive pieces out there), but wind is what does the damage, especially once things are wet. A good windproof gilet keeps the chill off your core but lets your pits breathe. I use the Rapha Lightweight Gilet which also has a mesh back. Your back isn't in the wind so it's just good for breathability. It also packs down so small that you can take it with you on every ride without thinking.
Sealskinz Ultra Grip gloves have been the best I've ever tried. They were recently on offer at sportpursuit for £15 but would still be a bargain at the full £35 price.
A cost-effective way to boost the winter wardrobe is a pair of non-padded winter bib-tights. I have a pair from Rose that cost £40 and they're great. Fleeced, double-lined over the knees and windproof. As they're worn over all of your summer shorts you can wear them a bunch of times before washing. It effectively turns all of your summer shorts into winter tights.
Last tip is an oldie but: mudguards. Your feet will still get soaked eventually but mudguards buy you a lot of time.
At least as far as commuting goes, I would go for quantity over quality every time.
Getting wet through on the ride home is fine if you know that you have spare of everything for the next morning, so your other stuff can properly dry out.
Planet-X has been the best place for me, they had a sale on recently with all their bibs, including 3/4 and full length ones were £13. I stocked up.
Will echo Gruffy on base layers, Merino is good, but no need to get expensive, shop around for the deals!
Getting wet through on the ride home is fine if you know that you have spare of everything for the next morning, so your other stuff can properly dry out.
Planet-X has been the best place for me, they had a sale on recently with all their bibs, including 3/4 and full length ones were £13. I stocked up.
Will echo Gruffy on base layers, Merino is good, but no need to get expensive, shop around for the deals!
It'll take time to work out what matters to you in Winter and where you need to stay warm most
For example lots of club mates I know suffer with their hands and feet, where as I can wear summer mitts all year round
I hate my chest/throat getting cold, so love a good snood/buff , other riders never wear one
Get a good base layer
For example lots of club mates I know suffer with their hands and feet, where as I can wear summer mitts all year round
I hate my chest/throat getting cold, so love a good snood/buff , other riders never wear one
Get a good base layer
Base layers are key for me. I have a short sleeved merino wool t-shirt and a long sleeved one. On really cold days I wear bib tights, then the short sleeved T-shirt, then the long sleeved one over the top (as it's a bit baggier). I wear a gore jacket over the top, to keep the wind out.
Gloves and a light hat under the helmet are essential too.
I was lovely and toasty this morning at about 2 degrees and dry.
A rucksack was making me colder, so I swapped to a pack on the back of my bike. The rucksack was making my back sweat, which then made me cold. This is more for commuting though.
Gloves and a light hat under the helmet are essential too.
I was lovely and toasty this morning at about 2 degrees and dry.
A rucksack was making me colder, so I swapped to a pack on the back of my bike. The rucksack was making my back sweat, which then made me cold. This is more for commuting though.
For me it's;
1. Cheap base layers from Sport Direct.
2. Cheap long sleeved shirts from Trespass
3. Expensive Gore shell
4. Cheap cycling trackie top type thing under the shell for when it gets really cold.
If I get as far as 3 I'm getting into the territory of needing
5. Gloves
And if I need the trackie top I'll probably also need
6. Skull warmer
My shoes (Tresspass) are pretty windproof so feet are normally OK.
Never bother with tights.
1. Cheap base layers from Sport Direct.
2. Cheap long sleeved shirts from Trespass
3. Expensive Gore shell
4. Cheap cycling trackie top type thing under the shell for when it gets really cold.
If I get as far as 3 I'm getting into the territory of needing
5. Gloves
And if I need the trackie top I'll probably also need
6. Skull warmer
My shoes (Tresspass) are pretty windproof so feet are normally OK.
Never bother with tights.
Edited by AC43 on Tuesday 8th November 13:11
Helly Hanson base layers are excellent and well worth the money.
I tend not to use skull caps, but prefer ear warmers, My North Face one is well over five years old and works really well.
I have a couple of Gore soft shell jerseys. Much better than some of the cheaper jerseys I have.
Liner gloves are good for when you want something between full on winter gloves and autumn gloves.
As others have said, if you are using road shoes, then tape up the holes.
I recommend the water flex overshoes by BBB. £25 and lasted ,much longer than my previous Castelli overshoes. fleece lined and a good fit. I have high viz yellow ones as it makes them easier to find in the bottom of the cycle gear box.
I tend not to use skull caps, but prefer ear warmers, My North Face one is well over five years old and works really well.
I have a couple of Gore soft shell jerseys. Much better than some of the cheaper jerseys I have.
Liner gloves are good for when you want something between full on winter gloves and autumn gloves.
As others have said, if you are using road shoes, then tape up the holes.
I recommend the water flex overshoes by BBB. £25 and lasted ,much longer than my previous Castelli overshoes. fleece lined and a good fit. I have high viz yellow ones as it makes them easier to find in the bottom of the cycle gear box.
For the head i dropped the full skull cap and instead went for the head-band that covers the ears, but leaves the top of the skull open. The ears and forehead stay warm but I don't overheat. Think mine is a Northwave one. http://aplbike.com/Northwave-Blade-Headband
Maxf said:
After having to stop today to empty my shoes of water (really!), I have ordered some northwave Celsius 2 boots. Expensive but I'm keen not to repeat the cold, wet feet of this morning.
I bought a used pair a year ago and they really are brilliant. Wish I'd bought them years ago. Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff