Hi,

This is my first winter road biking (I've done lots of mountain biking) and I'm wondering what people are using for layering. For my recent birthday, I got a Pearl Izumi Barrier jacket - I love it, it really stops the wind. I used it for the first time this past weekend - it was 45 degrees and I wore a long-sleved Cool Max shirt under it. For the first part of the rided I probably could have used another layer, maybe something short sleved.

Anyhow I'm wonder what people use for layering. Are people using biking jerseys under jackets as layers? I'm thinking of using a wool jersey for one of my layers. I also have lots of the fleecey poly pull-overs/jackets - are these favored?

Upper Body:
1.) Under Armour ColdGear MOCK LONGSLEEVE
2.) 9.5 oz. High Visibility Sweatshirt 'Moisture-Wick' (Alertshirt.com)
3.) VERY Old Marmot Ski Shell (tight against core/frabric lined)
4.) Performance illumiNITE Cycling Jacket (very lightweight and great for cutting the WIND)
(Layered in order)

Legs:
1.) Under Armour Compression Shorts (Long)
2.) Under Armour COLDGEAR Leggings
3.) Performance Triflex BIB Tights
(Layered in order)

Head:
1.) Pearl Izumi Microsensor Balaclava (+Wolf Leather Scarf for Extreme Temps)
2.) Bell Metro Helmet with Flip Mirror, Winter Kit, (and Rain Shield when its Snowing)
3.) Small Goggles (until temps plunge then its Good SKI GOGGLES!)

Feet:
1.) Thin Wool Sock
2.) Medium Weight Cotton/poly sock of some sort
3.) LAKE MXZ301 Winter Shoe

Hands:
Pearl Izumi AmFIB Lobster Gloves (with Performance Polypropylene Liner Gloves when temps fall below -10 F)

That's my FULL Winter set up. Seems to work so far.

One word: WOOL.

One word: WOOL.

+1

For mid-layer insulation, I like wool. It doesnt have to be expensive merino superfine sportwool. Any knitted woollen pullover will do. I like Alpaca because it is hollow fibre and works well when damp.
Sleeveless pullovers are good for fine-tuning your insulation.
As long as your inner and outer layers work, the midlayer material is less critical.

The only WOOL I wear is on My Feet

Coolmax, fleece, wool, bike jerseys, etc. - anything that doesn't absorb sweat like cotton
They all work well as base and mid layers.
Sounds like you just need to add a summer jersey or a coolmax tshirt.
Craig

Another vote for the Under Armour Cold Gear.

You can get some smartwool T-shirts on clearance right now. They're downright awesome for more than just layering. They're actually coffeehouse casual. :) Smartwool for $20 or so? I'd take it over Coolmax.

in order (I don't have anything special on the bottom, my legs are pretty immune to cold, and I wear two layers of wool socks)-

underarmor knock-off polypro bottom layer
wool jersey
polyester giessiegli cycling jacket. It's like wearing a furnace.
polar fleece pullover
pearl izumi barrier.

I've never actually gotten past the cycling jacket, and I've done a 6 mile commute with a 25mph headwind at 30 degrees. If you can get ahold of one, it's incredible.


http://students.ou.edu/C/Jeff.R.Carlsen-Landy-1/jersey.jpg

In cold weather I use a Giro Ravine snow sport helmet with many vents that are adjustable while riding and large enough to use a fleece balaclava or I use a PolarWrap mask (without the balaclave) with a pair of Uvex Supersonic S helmet compatible goggles . I use a pair of Grandoe GORE-TEX snowboarder gloves , Patagonia capilene long sleeve top, Biemme (Windstopper N2S) bike jacket, Scott Tinley by Perfection tights,wool socks and GORE-TEX insulated boots. The jacket is oversize so I can fit more layers under it when it gets very cold.

Joe