Few winter clothing questions

[sleaver]

This will be the first winter cycling for me and want to try and make the most of my money when it comes to trying to keep warm. I currently have short sleeve jerseys, a gillet, arm warmers, windproof jacket and shorts but I'm guessing that's not going to cut it. I also feel the cold quiet easily so I need to take that into account as well.

First question, leg warmers or long trousers? If I went for long trousers, I would go for bibs (just have normal shorts at the moment), so would leg warmers do just a good a job or are bib trousers worth the extra investment?

Short vs long sleeve jerseys. Do I need to consider long sleeves or are arm warmers enough? Although the answer to the next question may have an impact on this one as well.

Jackets, if so, what do I need to be looking at that won't turn me into a bucket of sweat? Or will my gillet/windproof be enough? Plus, would having a jacket make a long sleeve jersey a non starter?

Oh, I've also got over shoes and will be getting long fingered gloves but for gloves, should I be looking at the big puffy type ones or just thicker ones?

I have brought a couple of Castelli items, but I noticed yesterday that in Evans, its 3 for 3 on Altura clothing although knowing my luck, that ended yesterday. I know it is all about layering, but I would just like some advice from those who have been there and done it before I start spending quiet a bit of money.

 

[derrick]

Endura ba ba or something similar, a long sleeve jersey, thermal bibs, overshoes to keep them feet warm, it's a start.

 

[Dusty Bin]

For proper winter riding, I would suggest bib longs - Planet X bibs are going cheap at the moment. Arm warmers are not enough for winter in my experience. Decent long sleeve base layer under a Windtex jacket is what I wear for when it drops below 8deg. Difficult to comment on gloves really. I have seven or eight pairs depending on how cold it is, or what else in in the wash. Likewise, 3 or 4 jackets and several pairs of overshoes. I only mention that because it is difficult to get by with just one pair of anything and expect it to be ideal for every single type of winter day...

 

[the_mikey]

+1 for long roubaix bib tights, and ¾ lengths for when it's not too wintery.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Castelli thermo suit is the answer

 

[Dusty Bin]

Castelli thermo suit is the answer

er, no it isn't really. It's just a pair of roubaix bib longs and a roubaix jacket stitched together to make a 'onesie' - you will still need layers under/over it depending on the temperature or weather conditions.

 

[jowwy]

Castelli thermo suit is the answer

er, no it isn't really. It's just a pair of roubaix bib longs and a roubaix jacket stitched together to make a 'onesie' - you will still need layers under/over it depending on the temperature or weather conditions.

It must be right - cause dusty says so.

Not everbody needs layers, just wear what suits you the rider and the conditions. It could be a mankini or a thermosuit. You choose

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

er, no it isn't really. It's just a pair of roubaix bib longs and a roubaix jacket stitched together to make a 'onesie' - you will still need layers under/over it depending on the temperature or weather conditions.

Ohh so you own a Castelli thermo suit do you?
I own long Assos bib longs and a Assos jackets which I understand is a reasonable brand.
The warmth and comfort provided by the thermo suit far surpasses them.
I really feel the cold and have brought a vast range of 'winter' clothing from various brands IMHO the thermosuit is outstanding which is why I recconend it. I also wore mine all last winter without base layers.

Your entitled to your opinions as am I entitled to opinions based on my own personal experiences.

 

[Dusty Bin]

Ohh so you own a Castelli thermo suit do you?

No I don't - but I know what it is

And if you ride on consecutive days, what do you wear if your £250 thermosuit is in the wash..?? The answer, of course, is to buy three..

 

[jowwy]

No I don't - but I know what it is

And if you ride on consecutive days, what do you wear if your £250 thermosuit is in the wash..?? The answer, of course, is to buy three..

Maybe he has four or five, its still his opinion that they are the best he has used

 

[Dusty Bin]

Maybe he has four or five, its still his opinion that they are the best he has used

It may well be his opinion, which you once again seem to be riding on the back of, incidentally. But anyway, suggesting a £250 all-in-one thermosuit to a rider about to go into his first winter is (in my opinion) completely inappropriate, not to mention impractical. So in terms of the topic, a thermosuit is almost certainly not 'the answer'.

Outside of races, you are probably more likely to trash kit in winter than at any other time of the year. I have trashed bibs, overshoes, jackets and gloves at various times due to slipping on ice or mud, the sort of stuff which is not unusual on the roads at this time of the year. Individual items are easily replaced. If you trash any part of a thermosuit, then the whole thing has to go in the bin. You still think it's a good idea for a beginner?

 

[sleaver]

Hmm, seems to have turned into a debate on onesie's

I'd like to get this however I can't afford it - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/pocket-liner-jacket-ec033334

I was looking at the following in Evans but I can't remember it being that much and I've just noticed that it's only waterproof. Considering you can never stay dry in the rain, do I need to be looking at something a bit more substantial?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/vapour-waterproof-jacket-ec052691

 

[martint235]

For the very coldest commutes, bib shorts, bib longs, short sleeve jersey, Altura Night Vision Pro jacket does it for me. If you find some gloves that keep your hands warm please let me know, I've got 4 pairs of winter gloves and none of them really keep my hands warm on cold days.

Ditto for keeping your feet dry (I have sealskin socks and waterproof overshoes but when it's chucking it down, I get wet feet)

 

[Dusty Bin]

Hmm, seems to have turned into a debate on onesie's

I'd like to get this however I can't afford it - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/castelli/pocket-liner-jacket-ec033334

I was looking at the following in Evans but I can't remember it being that much and I've just noticed that it's only waterproof. Considering you can never stay dry in the rain, do I need to be looking at something a bit more substantial?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/altura/vapour-waterproof-jacket-ec052691

Having ridden through the last 25 or so winters, my opinion is that windproof matters a lot more than waterproof. As you say, you will never stay dry in persistent rain and at that point, the best you can hope for is to stay warm.

 

[jowwy]

For the very coldest commutes, bib shorts, bib longs, short sleeve jersey, Altura Night Vision Pro jacket does it for me. If you find some gloves that keep your hands warm please let me know, I've got 4 pairs of winter gloves and none of them really keep my hands warm on cold days.

Ditto for keeping your feet dry (I have sealskin socks and waterproof overshoes but when it's chucking it down, I get wet feet)

is the wet feet from the rain or from the sweating with thick socks and the overshoes