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Hi all,
I searched, but could not find any decent information on what to wear when it's really cold out. This night/morning it was -13F/-25C, they say that it will be even colder than that in the next few days. The upper half clothing is not a problem, but it seems I can't find the correct recipe for the lower half. Would ski/snowboard pants work?
BTW, our Ministry of Health advised against using bike for the next couple of days :)
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I'd never ride in temperatures that low, but then I am very sensitive to cold on the bike. That being said, when it's cold (for me), I'll wear my fleece lined tights, then a pair of cheap snow/ski bibs. That works pretty well as long as you put some straps around the ankles. It's bulky though. I've also gone out with tights, fleece pants, and then windbreaker pants on top of that. Again, ankle straps are necessary. I got my fleece pants at TJ Maxx, but you can probably find them at sporting goods stores. Most of them are too open and wide at the lower leg, but you should be able to find ones with an ankle cuff or that aren't too thick if you look around. This setup is a bit less bulky and may even be a little warmer than the snow pants.
Performance Triflex BIB Tights + Under Armour ColdGear 0525 Action Legging
The best combo out there!
I ride Sporthill XC-3SP in extreme cold. Only in super cold do I wear any long under wear beneath these. I ride all winter. Our temps are often below 32F/OC(this AM) I ONLY wear the XC when temps are going to stay below freezing. They breathe and block winds at 35MPH.
From about 55F to 20F I wear shorts and wind pants. From 20F to 0F (my lower limit) I add polypro longjohns. Very slight chill starting out.
Hi all,
I searched, but could not find any decent information on what to wear when it's really cold out. This night/morning it was -13F/-25C, they say that it will be even colder than that in the next few days. The upper half clothing is not a problem, but it seems I can't find the correct recipe for the lower half. Would ski/snowboard pants work?
BTW, our Ministry of Health advised against using bike for the next couple of days :)
I was nice and toasty today with a pair of polypropline long underwear (should be available at Ganders-- Kalnciema or T/C Alfa), jeans, and breathable rain pants from J&G cycle wear (http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Waterproof-Rain-Pants.html).
On my feet I had polypropline sock liners, cotton socks, boots, and neoprene shoe covers (Fans-- Garozes 1, Pardaugava.)
Skiing or snowboarding pants might be too warm. There is a good outdoor/camping shop on Mira, not far from the Laima factory that has decent Gortex type pants for around Ls40. They might have the long underwear too, and they have better prices than Ganders.
I had no problems with the weather at all today. It was a good day for riding, nice and sunny!
The Warmest Long Underwear (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0026943900683a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnString=hasJS=true&_D%3AhasJS=+&QueryText=miltary%2Bpolartec&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.22&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=miltary%2Bpolartec&noImage=0&_requestid=48291&returnPage=search-results1.jsp) I've ever owned. On the bike I can't wear it until it gets below 0f (at least). Heck, even on the motorcycle I don't need my heated jacket until it's in the 20's with this stuff. Freakin' amazing.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/Item/90/06/83/i900683vr04.jpg
I wear these (http://www.foxwear.net/shieldpantstights.htm) down to about 15 F. Below that i add these (http://www.tri-specialties.com/DisplayDetail.aspx?which=757) underneath. I also wear normal cycling shorts underneath. I always wear cycling shorts whether it is winter or summer.
Ski pants are way to hot for cycling.
Hi all,
I searched, but could not find any decent information on what to wear when it's really cold out. This night/morning it was -13F/-25C, they say that it will be even colder than that in the next few days. The upper half clothing is not a problem, but it seems I can't find the correct recipe for the lower half. Would ski/snowboard pants work?
BTW, our Ministry of Health advised against using bike for the next couple of days :)
Think ... layers!
For those temps, I would wear:
-- cycling shorts
-- cycling tights
-- sweat pants ... or two or three
-- windpants - unlined
-- wool socks - Kodiak, knee length
performance triflex tights+polypro long underwear of your choice. Depending on the weight of the longies you should be good to go down to -20F or more. Mine were working for me yesterday at -30F.
Wore Performance Triflex BIB Tights on the way home tonight, was nice and toastie.
Twas snowing pretty good, the Triflex Bibs were great! The temp was in the low 20's
Like I said before, Under Armour ColdGear Leggings will keep ya warm in those sub-zero temps. (under the Bibs of course LOL)
Ski pants are way to hot for cycling.
For you maybe, but don't assume that everyone has the same ability to generate heat and tolerate cold as you do.
For you maybe, but don't assume that everyone has the same ability to generate heat and tolerate cold as you do.
One problem with ski pants besides the possible heat factor is that they have huge openings for ski boots. It would be like riding with bell bottoms, the chainrings would eat them in no time.
In those temps, not only do you want to dress warmly but you will not want to overheat. Sweating in summer is inconvenient, in winter it's potentially dangerous. You'll want the kind of underwear / middle layers that transfer humidity. Outer shell should be windproof and very breathable. Waterproofness has little use at -25C, it only makes clothing less breathable. And stay away from anything cotton.
For feet: I personally do not use clipless in winter (I've said it many times before, but I'll say it again). The cleat is a heat sink and besides, platform pedals allow you to choose your footwear freely. I use hiking boots, because they're warm, there's enough room to fit in a proper insole and a warm sock, they're easy to walk with in case of a mechanical problem, and they reach up beyond the ankle area, overlapping my trouser legs.
Ideally, trouser legs should go over the boot, but this may not be possible with all trousers. If you stuff the trouser leg inside the boot and it starts snowing while you're out, snow will find its way in the boot and melt there. Not very pleasant.
--J
I've worn ski pants at temps below about -30C, and they were OK for temperature ... but the problem with mine is that they are too snug and stiff over the knee. They were fine for really short rides (like my commute), but I ended up with knee problems after a particular long ride with them.
If I'm not mistaken, there are some looser, lighter, more flexible ski pants out there ... they might be OK. You just don't want them too tight and inflexible, and you don't want them too heavy because of the chances of overheating.
Slightly off topic, but related to lower half clothing -
My ride home was 55F. I only needed to wear shorts!
I myself am a believer in street-clothes commuting, so I wear my regular docker-like cotton pants, and then when the termperature is below freezing I wear some over-pants from a military surplus mail order place called Mass Army Navy. (I have searched in vain for a web site; my mother gets their catalog.) These are cotton-polyester, military green, pants designed to be worn over other pants. They have an elastic waistband, slits for access to the pockets of the pants underneath, zippers about sixteen inches up the legs for pulling on over shoes.
These work fine down to somewhere around 20 degrees (F). Below that I would go to some extra-large heavy wool pants that are not "overpants" but still are big enough to fit over pants. Those work down to zero, and I never have been out at temperatures colder than that.
I did have someone tell me a few years back that pantyhose and wind pants work best. I don't know if this true or not. I just can't get up the never to walk into a store and buy a pair. Maybe some of the ladies have clue about this set up?
Yes, I said Pantyhose. :D
Thank you everyone for your ideas/suggestions. Today it was 'only' -20C/-4F, so I tried Ziema's idea about adding an additional layer on top of jeans. I wore lightweight training pants. It's amazing how much warmth a single, lightweight additional layer can give. I was out for 2 rides, each slightly longer than 1hr, and I was almost comfortable. The only problem was my gloves, which let the wind through. I think I'll buy some lobster gloves tomorrow :)
Try these:
http://tinyurl.com/aahrb
Pricey but, pretty damn near, perfect combined with anything from street clothes to full on heavyweight long underwear.
They breath and are highly water resistant as well.
I wear these all year round from negative whatever up to around Fifty F, for everything from biking, to skiing, to kayaking, hiking, and camping.
Highly recommended.
Thank you everyone for you ideas/suggestions. Today it was 'only' -20C/-4F, so I tried Ziema's idea about adding an additional layer on top of jeans. I wore lightweight training pants. It's amazing how much warmth a single, lightweight additional layer can give. I was out for 2 rides, each slightly longer than 1hr, and I was almost comfortable. The only problem was my gloves, which let the wind through. I think I'll buy some lobster gloves tomorrow :)
Glad to hear you were warm. I've been using some Wind Stopper gloves (Fans) that work quite well. In extremely cold temps I use them with a pair of glove liners (Miera iela). I like this because I can use the same gloves for three seasons.
I did have someone tell me a few years back that pantyhose and wind pants work best. I don't know if this true or not. I just can't get up the never to walk into a store and buy a pair. Maybe some of the ladies have clue about this set up?
Yes, I said Pantyhose. :D
I can't see it working. Wearing pantyhose offers NO protection at all against the elements. IMO I actually felt colder when I wore them than if I went bare-legged. I hated the stupid things with a deep and burning loathing!!!! :mad:
I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to purchase pantyhose!!!
I can't see it working. Wearing pantyhose offers NO protection at all against the elements. IMO I actually felt colder when I wore them than if I went bare-legged. I hated the stupid things with a deep and burning loathing!!!! :mad:
I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to purchase pantyhose!!!
That go for "FISHNET" also?
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
-13 F seems rather warm to me these days. I sometimes get cold feet when going
downhill at temps lower than -30 F. I have double layers on my legs, and four
pairs of socks in inside my bunny boots for my feet.
I actually get hot and sweaty at -30 F after making the final climb to my cabin.
That go for "FISHNET" also?
:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
The swiss(???) or other nordic country (long time ago) sold/made a fishnet like thermal underwear. You would wear next to your skin then put a snug layer over it(wool thermal). This would give a thin air layer next to your skin for sweat evaporation and warm air. I'm talking 40 years or so?? It kinda worked. I use to use it when I went skiing.
The swiss(???) or other nordic country ...
:D Another Nordic country besides Switzerland?
But yes, I've seen shirts like that for sale around here.
--J
:D Another Nordic country besides Switzerland?
But yes, I've seen shirts like that for sale around here.
--J
:o :o you know us americans....Swiss Swede, they're all the same...blue country next to the green country next to the orange. Hell we elected Bush for president.
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