Commuting Clobber

[confusedcyclist]

Just bought a thermal jersey and thermal tights and a packable rain jacket which doubles up as a windstopper for wet or windy conditions.

You're not going to win any style awards but you won't break the bank either

£14.99 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenn-Outdoo..._sim_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=07GH40Q379AJ7ARQFY4X
£14.99 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tenn-Front-Cycling-Leggings-Moulded/dp/B000QEZQXQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417981718&sr=8-2&keywords=tenn tights
£12.99 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Airflow-Packable-Cycling-Jacket-Hi-Viz/dp/B00FRWY7IC/ref=sr_1_8?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1417981767&sr=1-8&keywords=tenn rain jacket

Combine these with merino base layer and you're laughing.

If your a bit more style conscious, I'd recommend dhb's ASV professional range as their winter gear is based on the pro female wiggle-honda kit (oddly for Men only) and is dirt cheap for the amount of textile tech that you get.

 

[confusedcyclist]

P.s. that muddyfox long sleeve is kack, trust me on that!

 

[EasyPeez]

that muddyfox long sleeve is kack, trust me on that!

Gah, too late!! I'd already taken @gazza_d 's advice and ordered one by the time I read your post. What's so bad about it?

I was about to say I'd had a productive weekend, as I picked up a soft shell and shower jacket for £40 the pair -

http://www.fieldandtrek.com/mfx-a-pure-breed-pure-lightweight-jacket-mens-635111?colcode=63511144
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/mfx-a-p...oft-shell-jacket-mens-635110?colcode=63511044

And I also dug out my forgotten padded shorts, and picked up a couple of pairs of coolmax socks and some padded cycling leggings from Aldi. Sadly that was all they had in in my size - was hoping to pick up some base layers but they only had women's. Anyways, I probably haven't got the best quality gear there by the sound of it but it's a start for now and even if it's not great in the long run it should all serve adequately as spares.

Do most of you wear just long cycle leggings for commuting? Or leggings under track bottoms, or thermals under leggings?
The leggings I got today seem warm but I think it will feel unnatural setting off in something so thin in winter temps. That said I do run on the warm side like some other on here and have to work hard once I'm in the saddle. Would feel a bit of a berk taking my daughter to school in the leggings too!

I'll be in Sheffield over xmas so that will provide an opportunity to visit Planet X for some base layers, maybe another mid layer or 2 and a buff with my Christmas money. With track gloves and winter gloves already in the bag and walking trousers on the xmas list that should see me fairly well set up for commuting come 2015.

Then it's just a case of saving up for a long sleeve jersey
http://www.prendas.co.uk/santini-essentials-long-sleeve-full-zip-jersey.html
and a short sleeve jersey
http://www.prendas.co.uk/santini-ti-raleigh-retro-cycling-short-sleeve-jersey.html
for weekends,
and something a bit fancy for L'eroica Britannia
http://stolengoat.com/product-category/clothing/

Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated :-)

 

[confusedcyclist]

The fit is lousy, poor quality materials and not particularly warm, more suited to autumn temps. I just about got away with it in autumn with a decent baselayer, but the cut around the neck lets in too much wind for the chillier evenings. That said, pair it with a warm soft shell and you will be ok over winter, but I have since replaced it with nicer kit as I prefer not to wear too many layers. Opting for the merino base layer + a thermal jersey (this is my favorite, so toasty : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-professional-asv-roubaix-long-sleeve-jersey/)

Definitely pick up some on-one merino baselayers from planet X - they are similar to aldi's offerings. For the winter months I would opt to spend a little more and go for the thermal roubaix jersey, usual long sleeve kind are good for early autumn/spring but you need something a little more heavy duty for those early mornings/dark evenings.

 

[EasyPeez]

Definitely pick up some on-one merino baselayers from planet X

Noted, will do, thanks.

+ a thermal jersey (this is my favourite, so toasty : http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-professional-asv-roubaix-long-sleeve-jersey/)

That looks great but is going to be beyond my budget for the immediate future. Will see how I get on with the Planet X bases and the MTB soft shell and shower jacket to begin with and then if that's not enough I guess I'll have to try to convince someone who loves me that I need a Roubaix thermal to keep me alive through the winter ;-)

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Leg wise I have altura nightvision bib tights. I ride around 12 miles each way in and out of London. They are probably slightly too warm, but I feel the cold so prefer it that way. It's a bit more expensive, but keeping an eye on Wiggle can lead to some decent sales.

I wear a long sleeved base layer I bought from Target, it's probably worth checking out the sports section in Asda (presuming they have one) and similar. For base layers (especially with bib tights which keep everything from riding up and becoming exposed) non-cycle specific have been fine for me.

Also, overshoes only work if you are using clipless pedals.

 

[clf]

Also, overshoes only work if you are using clipless pedals.

I wear overshoes over normal trainers when it's wet, they work a treat for me. Dry warm feet make all the difference.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I wear overshoes over normal trainers when it's wet, they work a treat for me. Dry warm feet make all the difference.

Don't the pedals and any walking you need to do rip the bottoms to shreds? When I looked in to doing it with my flats (DMR12's admittedly) the guy in the bike shop basically said it's not worth the bother because the bottom of the overshoe wouldn't last. I go with Sealskin socks on the inside for dry warm feet and let the trainers suffer.

 

[clf]

I've probably only needed to use them 3 of 4 times in the last month, no sign of excessive wear yet. If they just last through the winter it will still have been £20 well spent imo.

 

[hennbell]

One of best purchases you can make is a good base layer. Long, short or no sleeve shirt they all have their place in my wardrobe. I never get on the bicycle without one. They also come in different weights, just make sure it is one designed to wick sweat.

 

[EasyPeez]

They also come in different weights

Why is that? Is lighter better?

 

[gazza_d]

It's the Aldi softshell I wear and Muddy fox plain short sleeved tops.

A lot does depend on the individual. today's been about 3'C each way with intermittant headwinds & frosty paths. My commute is about an hour 15.
On the bottom I was toasty in the Aldi winter longs, although the fit is a little off.
On the top, It was a normal (i.e. not merino) aldi long sleeve thermal under the Aldi softshell with Aldi 5 finger gloves, overshoes and a woolly hat. Summer cap on way home.

I could have easily managed with Ronhill tracksters over cycling shorts. I prefer the Aldis as they have more reflectives on, but my legs do sweat in them. they are slightly wind resistant as well which helps when it's cold & windy

that would not work for everyone. It sounds like you are starting to get a selection so try what you have now, and see how you get on. Deffo think anything will be an improvement in comfort over jeans & a t shirt.

 

[DCLane]

Don't the pedals and any walking you need to do rip the bottoms to shreds?

Over a whole winter, yes. But the front of them goes if riding clipless.

Basically I expect to get a winter's worth of commuting from a pair of overshoes so prefer cheap/tough ones. My current overshoes were £13 from eBay and will do me a winter of 5-days a week commuting in Leeds.

I've other nicer pairs but these serve me fine for daily duties. The only downside is that the toes seem to point upwards, meaning I look like a pixie.

 

[mjr]

Pair it with a Santa hat for maximum benefit @DCLane...

BikeBike Inc. @BikeBikeYYC 50m
CONFIRMED: Drivers give you 2-3ft more space on the roads when cycling wearing a Santa hat! #anecdata #yycbike http://pic.twitter.com/7dQpaTUrbI

 

[hennbell]

Why is that? Is lighter better?

Light weight for summer use, mid and heavy weight for winter.

Their ability to wick and handle sweat, help no matter what the season.