fleece tops

[Adiankur]

I have fleece tops around the house, but im not sure if the fabrics are ok. Mostly, 75% poly 25% rayon. Are those acceptable in cooler weather, or will the moisture and sweat just soak/freeze me? if they aren't, is there a fabric blend I should be looking for?

[CBBaron]

Sounds like a good winter layer. Your fleece tops may be too warm and or bulky for riding and you will probably want something to block the wind some and provide water resistance as the temps get colder but in general synthetic fleece makes a pretty good insulating layer for winter actvities.
In general avoid cotton but synthetics and wool work well.
Craig

[Adiankur]

Great, thanks a lot. I have an addidas windbreak/water resistant bright yellow jacket with vent zippers, a rear pocket and a zipper that allows access to jersey pockets, which should do the trick. I hope, Its a gortex type of jacket. I forget the name and such.

The fleece tops I have range from medium thickness to heavier. I also have a full set of silk as well. Socks, long bottoms, top, gloves. Not sure how much that will help, as it is relatively thin but Im told it works well.

[cdale56]

I use a fleece jacket if it is really cold, say below 20 (F) or so, but above that-to about 45- I use a fleece vest which I use all the time with good result. Vests are nice to wear around the house too.

[Tom Stormcrowe]

http://xs106.xs.to/xs106/06370/WinterRiding.jpg (http://xs.to)

-18F here and this is my general winter riding gear. Fleece shell, windproof and a vest with polarguard fill. Ski Gloves w/ Thinsulate and for footware, I found a pair of what are actually wading overboots made of neoprene and a traction sole, with wool socks and goretex socks over them inside the boots.

[Adiankur]

Honestly, once I have purchased everything, Ill probably bail below 10f, as im a big baby. Who knows, once I get going in the winter, I may love it so much I can't stop riding. Its likely a couple months off before it starts getting really cold in PA, so I have time to get all the stuff I will, need. But its good to know that some of the stuff I have, will actually be of use.

Wool socks really the way to go i assume, as I keep hearing people use them. Though, the gortex could come in handy as well.

[grolby]

One of my favorite winter layers is a lightweight fleece shirt from Columbia. On the other hand, I have a couple heavyweight half-zip pullovers, and I really hate 'em for the most part. So fleece can vary. It generally isn't a great outerlayer due to exceptionally poor wind and waterproofing. I have another full-zip lightweight fleece "jacket" that I also like as either a middle layer or an outerlayer if it's dry or not so cold that I'll freeze from the windchill from just riding along. Once winter hits, that's virtually never; as I said, fleece is a pretty iffy outer layer. If it's light enough, though, it can make a really great insulating inner layer, and I would recommend it for that purpose.