Commuting - What's your favorite piece of equipment for commuting during the winter?

Today on my ride through the pouring rain it hit me: my helmet cover. It keeps my head dry when it rains and warm when it's cold. What's yours?

My bike?

Actually, shoe covers, mud guards and halogen lights.

CHEERS.

Mark

My SUV...

Face mask.
I like the eco-terrorist look. It scares the mototists.

neck tube. A scarf/hat/balaclava all in one.

My Buff.

http://www.argear.com/gear/grbuff.html

Today on my ride through the pouring rain it hit me: my helmet cover. It keeps my head dry when it rains and warm when it's cold. What's yours?
My windbreaker.

Here in Atlanta winters, which average about 30 degrees in the morning to 50 in the afternoon, that's my most important piece of gear. Keeps me warm without overheating. Often, it's all I need.

My ear warmers, the thing that goes around your head but is open on top. Commuting in the winter is mild in AZ, so I generally use that every day. Oh, that and arm warmers. It's great to be able to strip down on the way to work as I get warmed up.

Up here in Minnesota in the winter you need a balance, my favorite is my REI One jacket and my REI polartec tops and my wind panel heavy tights (which I can't find another pair anywhere). Of course then there is the usual, studded tires, fenders, lots of bright lights, etc.

My fleece balaclava. Keeps my head nice and toasty all the way down to -30c. I'm also loving my MEC cycling jacket. It's just a cheap, thin, water-resistant yellow jacket, but with a 2 layers (dry weave T, and a thin fleece sweater) it's good for -20c.

without a doubt my Louis Garneau booties - bought with rain in mind but do a fantastic job of keeping my feet warm

I'll go with booties first, followed closely by the balaclava.

Another vote for the Buff. Superlight, compact and an absolute lifesaver when you need it!

www.buffusa.com

My booties with a small thermos of hot coffee that fits my bottle holder in 2nd place.

I cannot stand a cold head, so I wear a skull cap with ear covers then the helmet then a wind/rain proof helmet cover that has a long tail to keep water out of my neck.

Fendered fixed gear with plenty of lights.

Here it's my rain coat and polypro

It's this polartec thing I got from REI (I don't know what it's called). It's basically a tube that you can wear like a turtleneck, or pull it up like a ski cap with a vent at the top.

I vote for fenders, then my PI wind shirt with the zip off sleeves, then my PI AmFib tights, my sorrels, and my favorite old wool sweater.

My beanie. It's a lightweight one that fits under my helmet (both bike and ski), but does a great job of keeping my head and ears warm. So long as my head is warm, the rest of me is normally ok.

Studded Nokian tyres. OK, if I have to choose just one, then it is the front tyre. :beer:

--J

I vote for fenders, then my PI wind shirt with the zip off sleeves, then my PI AmFib tights, my sorrels, and my favorite old wool sweater.


Yeah, there is something to say about an old wool sweater, I wouldn't be without mine.

My wool clothes are sure treating me right; hat, sweater and tights. Apart from gloves and my rain coat/pants it's all I've needed. All bought from WoolyWarm (http://www.woolywarm.com)

My basic GoreTex jacket, and Turbocat S32 (http://www.turbocatusa.com/S32.html) lights,
along with everything else for cold and dark.

Got a new crumpler bag for commuting - have you heard
of them in the states? Great piece of kit, durable,
comfortable, waterproof, visible etc
Pretty whacky company, down load their catalogue for a luuagh.

www.belfastandbeyond.com