Winter Clothing

[bonelesschicken]

Early this summer I started working as a courier and its been great so far, but now I am faced with the coming Chicago winter. I have plenty of warm coats and jackets but none that are bike friendly. Does anybody have any recomendations for jackets that are warm but also breathe well. I go in and out of buildings a lot and sometimes I wait in longish lines so whatever I wear has to be versatile. I looked on Nashbar and I had trouble understanding all that technical jargon plus a lot of their stuff is sort of nerdy looking. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[absntr]

Wool, synthetics and layers are your best friends.

This thread is plenty useful and breaks down who wears what:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=79893

My take from that thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.php?p=796182&postcount=25

Though I am wearing Sidi's this year and I'm looking forward to see how the shoe does this winter.

[Grunk]

Though I am wearing Sidi's this year and I'm looking forward to see how the shoe does this winter.

I froze my toes in my dominators last March. I used to ride 15 miles to work, and when it was around 36 degrees, I'd have to pull over occasionally and take off my shoes and wiggle my toes to get the blood pumping again. I probably could have found some better socks, but it was so close to spring I didn't bother.

[absntr]

I froze my toes in my dominators last March. I used to ride 15 miles to work, and when it was around 36 degrees, I'd have to pull over occasionally and take off my shoes and wiggle my toes to get the blood pumping again. I probably could have found some better socks, but it was so close to spring I didn't bother.

I always wear wool socks - I am a convert. Wool socks are great - thin or thick. I actually wear a thin pair of cycling/wicking socks and then a layer of wool on top. Wear shoes over that and I do sport neoprene toe covers to keep the toes warm. A good pair of wool socks goes a long way. Definitely try them this year.

[r0cket-]

Wool socks + those thin liners are good for everything cold.

[steaktaco]

I wear a technical climbing jacket during the winter — form-fitting, allows complete freedom of movement, waterproof, windproof, but breathable... pricey though. I also wear unpadded cycing tights — nice and toasty but I usually have to take it off at the office. thinking of trying out the sidi winter boot this season.

http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?prod=1272

[1fluffhead]

I bought the Mountain Hardward Windstopper about 3 winters ago (my first winter bike commuting) and have needed nothing since. It works well as a top layer with other wool garb under it and has pit zips to alow for cooling down if I become overheated or have to inside/outside. Works great as a early spring/late fall jacket too with only a t-shirt. It also layers well by not being too bulky if I need to wear it under a rain/snow coat. I was most impressed the first time I wore it because it actually stop a ton of wind whipping through my layers. I love it and considering buying another one, but will probably wait until the end of the season to get it on sale. I also wear the Under Armour Action Leggings. They are great, but super hot when you go indoors.

[psn]

Sorry to rehash this, but can you guys (*cough* Naz *cough*) recommend some good *wool* jerseys for the winter? I looked through the posts and didn't see any brands mentioned. SmartWool Zip Ts look good and Rivendell is selling something similar by DeVold. These aren't cycling-specific though...not that it's a big deal.

[absntr]

psn -

I ususally score any of the various wool or acrylic vintage cycling jerseys from eBay. I usually pay about $10-$15 each so they're quite a good deal.

I actually haven't bought any real wool new. I use two thin wool jerseys from Banana Republic and J. Crew that I got cheap a few years ago which also serve great when I'm heading to a nice dinner or such.

Most wool jerseys that serve well, fit well and are cheap are usually military wool sweaters. Had at any army surplus for a $10 - $20.

However, this winter I'm investing in some newer wool stuff. A friend of mine wears Wooly Warm, a brand stocked by Rivendell: http://www.rivbike.com/webalog/clothing/22358.html. Certainly not cheap though but it looks pretty good and it's a nice thin wool that he loves.

I'd recommend any Merino wool you can get. Secretly I'm hoping Swobo will finally get their butt in gear and open up shop again. Their old stuff was so nice. http://www.swobostore.com - It was nice cycling clothing but perfect for street wear as well.

Wool is wool - thrift store, army surplus, discount stores, etc. Find something thin though, and layer with wicking base layers and you're golden.

[dentext]

kucharak stuff walks a pretty good line between quality and affordable. After trying to "make do" for years with non bike specific stuff..I got some cannondale winter tights and a canari jacket. WOW best winter season by far. note..mfg's dont take layering into account, and imagine thier clientel are the under 30 athlete models they use..buy everything bigger. If possible, seek out a regional rep who deals in bikeclothes...they can look at you and tell what size for what brand. Hopefully the bike industry will work out the sizing problem..if they can make a sub3lbs frame...they can make bike clothes that fit the cranky old men (& women) who support the industry.
I do 8hr rides in wind and the middle of the night...half of my winter problem is the place in the jacket to keep the battery warm.
Always keep venting and temp regulation in mind..If your're hammering, cruising, stopped, a huge descent into fog, turning into a blue norther,, then poppng into a shop for coffee...It's as if there is 70 degrees variable weather. Get the best, most technical and durable winter gear you can afford, and treat it well.
plan B is all thrift shop...buy lots of cheap non bike stuff and experiment untill you find what meets your needs. It's hard to find a poplin wind breaker anymore, but they were my favorite. Dont ever forget how much water you have to drink when riding, and where all that moisture is supposed to go.
Not much sucks worse than coming home cold, wet, tired and shaking.

[dentext]

kucharak stuff walks a pretty good line between quality and affordable. After trying to "make do" for years with non bike specific stuff..I got some cannondale winter tights and a canari jacket. WOW best winter season by far. note..mfg's dont take layering into account, and imagine thier clientel are the under 30 athlete models they use..buy everything bigger. If possible, seek out a regional rep who deals in bikeclothes...they can look at you and tell what size for what brand. Hopefully the bike industry will work out the sizing problem..if they can make a sub3lbs frame...they can make bike clothes that fit the cranky old men (& women) who support the industry.
I do 8hr rides in wind and the middle of the night...half of my winter problem is the place in the jacket to keep the battery warm.
Always keep venting and temp regulation in mind..If your're hammering, cruising, stopped, a huge descent into fog, turning into a blue norther,, then poppng into a shop for coffee...It's as if there is 70 degrees variable weather. Get the best, most technical and durable winter gear you can afford, and treat it well.
plan B is all thrift shop...buy lots of cheap non bike stuff and experiment untill you find what meets your needs. It's hard to find a poplin wind breaker anymore, but they were my favorite. Dont ever forget how much water you have to drink when riding, and where all that moisture is supposed to go.
Not much sucks worse than coming home cold, wet, tired and shaking.