Winter cycling clothing

[chrishodges]

Hey Guys,

I am new to the idea of cycling when it is cold

but i just can't stand to sit in the gym on the bike anymore!
Can anyone give me some advice on what sort of layers to wear in order to stay warm but not be too bulky.

I have a buff neck warmer and some gloves but that is about it!

Thanks for any help / advice

Chris

 

[xpc316e]

I reckon that much depends on the amount of effort you are putting in; I have often left home with what I thought was OK for a chilly day, only to find that I was peeling off layers within no time. I like to wear a windproof jacket, or gilet, especially if there are few hills to descend. I tend to go for jerseys/jackets/ layers with long zips to regulate temperature. Gloves and footwear are worth spending money on, as they are immobile on a bike and the wind chill soon takes effect. Legwear is much of an issue for me, as the legs are generating their own warmth.

 

[- Baz -]

Bound to get a bit chilly round the old 'nads with only a buff and gloves on, Chris...

There are many threads on this, so the search function is your friend. However, some people are cold even with two layers, a windproof jacket and two pairs of gloves, so it's pretty much going to be trial and error, I'm afraid. For example, I have four pairs of gloves including liners to choose from - a 5 deg difference in air temperature together with the effort you're putting can mean adding or subtracting a base layer and which gloves/liners to go for. I've found if my hands are warm (but not too warm) the rest of me looks after itself. I've never suffered with cold feet, for example, and, of course, YMMV.

 

[Banjo]

Bound to get a bit chilly round the old 'nads with only a buff and gloves on, Chris...

There are many threads on this, so the search function is your friend. However, some people are cold even with two layers, a windproof jacket and two pairs of gloves, so it's pretty much going to be trial and error, I'm afraid. For example, I have four pairs of gloves including liners to choose from - a 5 deg difference in air temperature together with the effort you're putting can mean adding or subtracting a base layer and which gloves/liners to go for. I've found if my hands are warm (but not too warm) the rest of me looks after itself. I've never suffered with cold feet, for example, and, of course, YMMV.

Buffs are very versatile , if you had nothing else you could pull it on like a miniskirt.

Seriously though the big problem is obviously you warm up quickly once your riding but freeze on long downhill bits. I think a long sleeve jersey with a base layer tee shirt under it and a lightweight windproof you can roll up and stuff in your back pocket is good for all above freezing temperatures. with long cycling tights or whatever you wear .

Over shoes will keep your feet warm if you suffer with cold feet.

Gloves are a bit tricky. I have a really warm pair for freezing temps but they are a little cumbersome changing gear on the road bike but fine on the hybrid with EZ fire changers. Like everything its all a bit of a compromise.

 

[potsy]

I concentrate on keeping hands,feet and ears warm,woolly socks,thick gloves and a skullcap/buff.
Cycling tights and a base layer plus jacket normally does me fine.
If you don't feel a little bit cold as you leave the house then you will soon overheat once moving.

 

[peelywally]

thermal layer ,cycling tights , winter jersey then softshell or jkt ,
Buff , gloves , overshoes , glasses nothing worse than runny eyes from cold .
A decent softshell is worth getting
Lightweight toasty wind/water proof
In sub zero temps water bottles freeze or turn to slush puppies its worth noting .

 

[Andrew Gray]

Cycling tights are a must. Mind you, barely been out of them this year as I list weight I froze. Going to buy a Nike core ling sleeved tee as a base layer at the end of the week as it is warm and sweat wicking.

 

[betty swollocks]

Cycling tights are a must. Mind you, barely been out of them this year as I list weight I froze. Going to buy a Nike core ling sleeved tee as a base layer at the end of the week as it is warm and sweat wicking.

'Sealskin socks' and gloves and for torso on top something windproof and breathable and underneath a base layer, pref merino...when it's really cold, two base layers.

 

[zizou]

Similar recommendation to already mentioned. I try to leave the house feeling cool (not cold though) as by the time i've warmed up i should be a comfortable temperature.

(Although the above doesnt apply with my hands, my hands get very cold so the warmer the better!)

 

[Fnaar]

Did 45 miler on Sat, temp was about 5 - 7 deg C, and it rained on and off. Had on the following, and didn't get cold...

Top:
Thermal base layer (from Lidl)
Fleece lined layer (from Lidl)
Wind-proof/fleece lined top layer (from Tenn Outdoors)
Altura winter gloves (which I've had for about 4 years now)...still perfect.

Bottom:
Thermal base (Lidl again)
Fleece-line bib tights (DHB from Wiggle)
Thermal socks (come up to knees... Lidl)
Cheapo 'woolly' socks on top of those + neoprene overshoes (these are Altura, I think, from Wiggle)
Packable waterproof (on and off acc to rain) (Lidl again, 2 yrs back)

 

[TrevorM]

I seems to depend how 'warm' a person you are. I always feel too warm. I was wearing shorts until last week.

I did 36 miles on Friday morning. Temp was 3 when I started, 7 when I finished.
Top: HH base layer, Montane Featherlight Jacket, Buff, DHB Amberley gloves
Bottom: Endura Humvee longs, Normal M&S socks and leather touring shoes.

I would suggest you start with a good base layer and windproof top. Then get additional layers if you feel cold.
Never had any problem with cold legs. Worth investing in decent gloves.

 

[BrumJim]

Full fingered gloves, long sleeves, long trousers if below zero, buff for neck and ears. And then cycle harder until you are warm.

 

[SquareDaff]

I heat up quickly - so always go out feeling just a slight chill knowing I'll be OK after a couple of mins!
Just wear - full fingered gloves, aldi long sleeved top, aldi water resistant cycle bottoms, SPD boots and overshoes, reflective waterproof jacket and an aldi cap (to keep the ears warm). Have some proper waterproof leggings in the panniers in case of torrential downpours - but I find the Aldi ones do just fine in your average rainfall.

Not planning on using any base layers as have been toastie so far (and have been down to -1C). Might put some silk liners in the gloves around the back end of Dec/Jan/early Feb.

 

[PpPete]

on the FNRttC (around 7° - 9°C IIRC) I wore:

top:
HH LS base layer
Lidl LS jersey
Montane f/light gilet
Aldi windproof soft shell

bottom
HH base layer
Aldi bib longs

feet
fibre pile socks
Lidl shoes
Endura Neoprene overshoes

and to be honest that was too much. I had to keep taking the underhelmet beanie off to cool down, and would probably still have had to do so if I'd dispensed with the base layer

 

[Brahan]

This is my everyday get up.

Base layer: dhb
Thermal jaket: Decathlon
Bid tights: dhb
Overshoes: dhb
Gloves: Decathlon

All are excellent value for money and in their second year without too much wear and tear - apart from the zip tab breaking on one of my overshoes, which makes zipping it up a little more tricky but I can live with that.