Winter Cycling - Keeping my ears warm?

When the temperature drops below the mid-50s or so, I find that my ears often get uncomfortably cold. The worst part is the inner ear pain from having cold air rush past my ears, like being outside on a cold windy day. What are some inexpensive ways to cover my ears when riding?

Balaclava, if good and cold, or roll it up into a headcap when not so cold.

A most versatile piece of gear, and cheap.

I use a Giro G10 ski helmet during winter rides. It has built-in ear muffs.

There are plenty of cycling caps made for winter use that extend over your ears. Rapha has one for instance http://www.rapha.cc/winter-hat-1/
but so do a lot of others.

I use a Pearl Izumi headband for temps between 15F and 35F. Below 15F I use a Pearl Izumi balaclava.

Above 35F I haven't felt the need for a headband... your experience may be different. Either way, those products are two essentials for me.

By the way, the PI stuff does the trick... it seems thin, but works. You don't need much for biking and the main thing is keeping the wind out.

They're goofy lookin', but I love my 180's (http://www.180s.com/).

http://www.pearlizumi.com/product.php?mode=view&pc_id=50&product_id=1455282

Balaclavas are too warm for above-freezing temps. I use one of many thin headbands which I picked up at my local $$ store for $1 each. They're great!! And I combine them with a neck gaiter if I start to feel the breeze down my neck.

See the three photos ... these are the neck gaiter and headbands I'm talking about.

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There are plenty of cycling caps made for winter use that extend over your ears. Rapha has one for instance http://www.rapha.cc/winter-hat-1/
but so do a lot of others.

$50 for a hat?! :roflmao2:

Lou over at Foxwear makes some great and affordable cold weather gear. I use a headband if it's not too cold, and a beanie with ear flaps when the temps really drop.

http://www.foxwear.net/products_small_articles.html

I've got a range of hats which all cover the ears and fit under the helmet. On a bike the ears are pretty much the first bit of your head to get cold.

You just need a thin beanie type stocking cap.

In addition to all of the good ideas mentioned. You can also put cheap foam earplugs into your ear. This keeps cold air from entering the ear canal and is very light and effective when combined with the usual cycling head wear.

I would recommend doing this if you have problems with inner ear cold sensitivity.

Balaclava, if good and cold, or roll it up into a headcap when not so cold.



Way too hot for anything above about 20 F. An ear warmer would do the trick. I don't wear anything else on my head until around 20F. Serius (http://www.rei.com/product/725705) is the best one I've come across.

Headband works for me down to 0 F.

But I have long hair and grow a big beard in the winter.

They're goofy lookin', but I love my 180's (http://www.180s.com/).

Another vote for the 180's

Headband works well for me. Got a few at REI during a sale, and have used them for years. Quite cool for today's commute, and ears stayed warm the whole time.

+1 for head band and or thin beanie. Below 30 F , I also use a wind and waterproof J&G helmet cover, works great.

Another vote for the 180's

Aother one for 180's. They keep the ears warm w/o overheating the rest of my head. Below 10F I wear them over the bavalaca.

This may not work for everyone, but my over-the-ear headphones
go a really long way towards keeping my ears warm. I never realized how much
until my mp3 player died on my way to work in November and I stopped to take
'em off. I stopped a few minutes later to put 'em back on. Cold ears suck.

V-Muffs
Cool Weather Riding Comfort ~ Maximum Warmth Without the Weight
http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/pictures/giro_helmet_02.jpg (http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/cycling/vmuffs.html)





Lightweight and Convenient
Windbarrier Fabric
Moisture Wicking Layer
Easy Care 100% Polyester
Easy to Attach and Remove
Fits Most Adult Helmets
Available in black
http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/cycling/vmuffs.html

Way too hot for anything above about 20 F. An ear warmer would do the trick. I don't wear anything else on my head until around 20F. Serius (http://www.rei.com/product/725705) is the best one I've come across.

I vote for a very light balaclava. It allows me to get by with fewer layers on the torso and feels so comfortable in wind. Through most of the winter here (10-35F), I wear a light shell with baselayer and light wool sweater underneath. If I didn't have the balaclava, I'd be looking for another layer.

When it's colder I have a poly scarf/mask, much like Machka's, that really helps with the wind.

I have a heavier balaclava, but find it too hot for just about any weather.

Scoatw, those vmuffs look interesting. The approach is clever. I might have to order a set to try out. Thanks for posting the link.

After seeing several recommendations for the 180s, I bought a pair and tried them for the first time this morning. It was about 36 degrees, but my ears were plenty toasty. If anything they're probably overkill for that temperature, so I'm sure they'll work when it gets substantially colder. Now if I could just figure out how to keep my toes warm...

V-Muffs
Cool Weather Riding Comfort ~ Maximum Warmth Without the Weight
http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/pictures/giro_helmet_02.jpg (http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/cycling/vmuffs.html)





Lightweight and Convenient
Windbarrier Fabric
Moisture Wicking Layer
Easy Care 100% Polyester
Easy to Attach and Remove
Fits Most Adult Helmets
Available in black
http://www.mapleshademercantile.com/cycling/vmuffs.html


Very intriguing idea. But I'm concerned about this disclosure on their web site: "Once you pass 20 kph the effectiveness begins to diminish due to air penetration at the front of the muff.. For more "severe" riding conditions we offer a headband made from the same windblock fabric as our V-Muffs."

20 kph is less than 12.5 mph, so basically it sounds like these would have very little effectiveness. I like the idea, but I have a feeling they're just too loose to be of much use.

Neoprene shoe covers and Toastie Toes are a great combo!

Very intriguing idea. But I'm concerned about this disclosure on their web site: "Once you pass 20 kph the effectiveness begins to diminish due to air penetration at the front of the muff.. For more "severe" riding conditions we offer a headband made from the same windblock fabric as our V-Muffs."

20 kph is less than 12.5 mph, so basically it sounds like these would have very little effectiveness. I like the idea, but I have a feeling they're just too loose to be of much use.

The Bell Metro winter kit came with something very similar. I don't use them because of just this problem. They allow cold air penetration at very low speeds. Just not worth it. An ear band does the same but also blocks air from the upper vent from blowing over your face...which can be incredibly cold!

Now if I could just figure out how to keep my toes warm...

Have a read over my little write-up on what works for me to keep my feet warm:
http://www.machka.net/whatworks/coldfeet.htm

Step 1. Find an old short sleeve t-shirt. (I like plain white undershirts)
Step 2. Cut the sleeve off at the seem.
Step 3. Pull over head.

Works for me down to the 30's. Even lower if you're riding off-road.

Another vote for 180's; however, I'm usually okay with just a Coolmax cycling cap under my helmet down to about freezing. This year I might get a cotton or wool one, since I sometimes get brain freeze in a cold wind. :eek:

They're goofy lookin', but I love my 180's (http://www.180s.com/).

+1 They're easy to put on/off off while riding and you can leave them around your neck if you need to cool off a bit.

About the V-muffs. I found those last year and for $10 I thought I'd try them. They do fit loosely around the ears to not give much protection against wind and cold. But I use them once it gets cold and stays cold. When I've got the balaclava on then they fit real snug and give me a little added warmth. I don't regret getting them and intend on using them for this winter. I tried the 180's and for some reason I just didn't like them.

Last winter, I used a headband to keep my ears warm. If it was too cold, I'd top it off with a skull cap. I'd find that alone, the skull caps wouldn't sufficiently cover my earlobes, but that the head band would do that, plus the skully would keep the top of my noggin warm. Worked really well. Matter of fact, there were many times where I'd get to work in the morning and the front of my headgear would be covered with sweat-frost.

Ear bags.

In addition to all of the good ideas mentioned. You can also put cheap foam earplugs into your ear. This keeps cold air from entering the ear canal and is very light and effective when combined with the usual cycling head wear.

I would recommend doing this if you have problems with inner ear cold sensitivity.

I make ear plugs from pieces of a cotton ball. Toss them after each ride. Accomplishes the same purpose and I think I can hear better. I'll start using the cotton balls as soon as it gets into the 50'5 without any other protection besides my helmet. I add band/hat etc. as it gets below 50.