Winter gear
- Thread starter Roy33
- Start date
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Hip Priest
Veteran
How far is your commute? I just go with a fleece-lined waterproof jacket, waterproof kecks and a pair of gloves. If you're cycling far, you may want something more comfy and less likely to roast you if the weather takes a turn for the better.
Hacienda71
Mancunian in self imposed exile in leafy Cheshire
- Location
- Wilmslow, Cheshire
A soft shell jacket (if possible wind and waterproof on the front panels but breathable on the rear), some bib longs, a pair of neoprene overshoes and a good pair of gloves are important. Other items could include a good base layer merino is good, a buff and also a waterproof. See Mickles tip of the week thread. I personaly like to have mudguards on my bike in the winter months keeps the spray from wet roads off you and your bike. There are loads of other things to add but there is a start
cloggsy
Boardmanist
- Location
- North Yorkshire
You've just missed the Winter Gear Aldi had on sale 
Hont
Guru
- Location
- Bromsgrove
Mostly what Hacienda said, but you don't need to have bib longs, just some winter tights or leg warmers - which will (usually) be cheaper. Leg warmers have the advantage of you being able to roll them down if it's warmer than you thought, but may need some mid-ride adjustment if they slide down on their own.
Personally I find that it's ears, feet and hands that really suffer the most in cold weather so good gloves, overshoes and skullcap/headband are essential. Getting a buff last year allowed me to do 2 or 3 degrees cooler as the face is the one thing you don't really cover up - a buff will allow you to get some of it out of the wind.
HTH.
Personally I find that it's ears, feet and hands that really suffer the most in cold weather so good gloves, overshoes and skullcap/headband are essential. Getting a buff last year allowed me to do 2 or 3 degrees cooler as the face is the one thing you don't really cover up - a buff will allow you to get some of it out of the wind.
HTH.
oliglynn
Über Member
- Location
- Oxfordshire
+1 on good gloves. Get the toastiest waterproofest ones you can afford. Anything less will leave your fingers wanting to drop off when the big freeze hits.
Also a good windproof jacket is a sound investment. Doesn't have to be thick, you can layer up below it. Windproof = reasonably waterproof too, as they use a very close woven fabric.
I used legwarmers all winter last year, along with my usual summer shorts, and they did me fine.
Shoe covers keep the feet warm, and shoes dry and clean from all the muck you get on the roads in the winter months.
I use one of those nice fleecy neckwarmers, and when it's really cold I pull it up over my mouth and nose. Got one with a cord around the top, so you can pull it tight and your breath will go downwards & won't steam up your glasses.
Mudguards. Defo gotta use them.
Get all of that lot and you'll survive all winter. Skimp on any at your own peril....
Also a good windproof jacket is a sound investment. Doesn't have to be thick, you can layer up below it. Windproof = reasonably waterproof too, as they use a very close woven fabric.
I used legwarmers all winter last year, along with my usual summer shorts, and they did me fine.
Shoe covers keep the feet warm, and shoes dry and clean from all the muck you get on the roads in the winter months.
I use one of those nice fleecy neckwarmers, and when it's really cold I pull it up over my mouth and nose. Got one with a cord around the top, so you can pull it tight and your breath will go downwards & won't steam up your glasses.
Mudguards. Defo gotta use them.
Get all of that lot and you'll survive all winter. Skimp on any at your own peril....
al-fresco
Growing older but not up...
- Location
- Shropshire
Sealskinz - gotta love Sealskinz.
mcshroom
Bionic Subsonic
- Location
- Egremont, Cumbria
A polar Buff is very nice in the depths of winter (sort of a normal Buff with a fleece neck gaiter stitched to the bottom)
Hip Priest
Veteran
Do what I do. Keep your good bike for training rides and buy a rusty old theft-proof warhorse for commuting!
Grizzly
Well-Known Member
- Location
- East Kilbride
I use one of these:
http://www.servicesandsecurity.com/under-armour-tactical-coldgear-hood.html
It can be used as a neck warmer, it can cover the nose and mouth or the whole head, it is a great piece of kit. I also have several Buffs, I cant do without them. I would agree that you need a good pair of gloves, I've got several pairs, finger-less, full finger, waterproof and cold winter. The cold winter are waterproof also but the gauntlet is much longer than my normal waterproof and they have a fleecy liner.
Arms and legs can be layered up with a variety of items but for your hands, head and feet I would recommend buying the best of gear.
http://www.servicesandsecurity.com/under-armour-tactical-coldgear-hood.html
It can be used as a neck warmer, it can cover the nose and mouth or the whole head, it is a great piece of kit. I also have several Buffs, I cant do without them. I would agree that you need a good pair of gloves, I've got several pairs, finger-less, full finger, waterproof and cold winter. The cold winter are waterproof also but the gauntlet is much longer than my normal waterproof and they have a fleecy liner.
Arms and legs can be layered up with a variety of items but for your hands, head and feet I would recommend buying the best of gear.
