Commuting - Cheap cool weather attire?

Fall's coming (or here depending on where you are). I have warm weather gear, and cold weather apparel, but am seriously lacking in the cool weather stuff. A bit short on the budget at the moment, so if anyone knows of any cheap sources of cool weather gear (tights/long sleeve jerseys) that'd be appreciated. I was planning on wearing tights over my bibs so no padding necessary and I have some decent shortsleeve/sleeveless undershirts, so I don't need top of the line, just stuff to keep me from getting too cold (or is it better to keep with the same jerseys if there's a good source for longsleeve baselayers?).

As I'm sure a gazillion other people will suggest, go to Salvation Army and get a merino wool sweater. You're overpaying if it costs more than $4.

I got a pair of Italian Wool Blend tights if any one wants them,
, elastic in the waist needs renewing. maybe 1 hole darned ,,

Got some unpadded lycra tights last year at Costco for <$20.

I'll have to check out the thrift stores. That's a good idea.

I wear regular clothing. I simply layer mine once the weather starts turning. Nothing cycling specific except for the leg warmers I will wear underneath my pants when it is really cold.

As I'm sure a gazillion other people will suggest, go to Salvation Army and get a merino wool sweater. You're overpaying if it costs more than $4.

I keep hearing this and I've been to the Salvation Army 3 times looking, and after going through about a million sweaters, I have YET to find a single wool garment. I think I may have found one extremely heavy, course, itcy wool sweater one time.

Several years ago I bought some Patagonia Expedition Weight Capilene tops on ebay (basically a thin, dense fleece, though I think they've changed the material recently). I bought three of them used several years ago and still wear all three today. Great for the cool weather now and a great base layer when it gets colder.

ItsJustMe -- I guess I had really good luck. I actually have extras lying around (I bought 5 or 6 but have only used 1 of them) If I can remember tonight, I'll make a list of what I have and post it tomorrow. If you and the OP are interested, PM me your addresses and I'll mail one to you. My treat.

Use layers. The one next to the skin is the one that is the most important to me, the rest can be cheaper stuff you just had laying around.

I usually don't get geared up in bike clothes unless my commute is at least 15 miles each way (nah, maybe 10 miles or more). How long is yours?

I have a nice 4 mile commute these days, so here's my outfit:

I just wear a shell (currently a Marmot Precip) and a T-shirt when it's about 40-50. Add layers underneath as temps drop. I'm the reverse of no motor - $70 for the shell. $3 for T-shirt. $5 for long sleeve T-shirt.
Thermal Gardening gloves on the hands.
Tear the sleeves off old T-shirts for headbands to keep the ears toasty.
I have some Nashbar tights that were 30 bones. I usually just wear work pants 'til it gets really cold, at which time I'll put the tights on underneath the pants.

Another vote for the outer shell. Anything that is windproof. I normally will put mine on at 50 with a long sleeve shirt, whatever is clean. The shell comes off about mile 4. at 40 degrees it stays on. In the 30-45 degree range I will do a Long sleeve jersey that is around 8 years old no shell. Those are more $ but great if you can swing it. under 30 shell and jersey. Anything fleece under the shell will work and always a cycling jersey at the bottom. Put something on your head under 40, it can be a cloth napkin if that is all you have but even a tee shirt and if you can sew even a little...

Legs are always pretty warm but watch out if you are going over 2 hours below 35. I normally do leg warmers and have some nice Peal Izumi Anfib tights that I can only wear if under 25. Find some cheap shoe covers, I have even used old socks with a hole for the cleat. Big thick gloves, I often layer if it is really cold.

Should not cost much, you can even find one of those disposable clear rain coats for your shell for $5. Keeping the wind out is the biggest part and being able to take stuff off.

I keep hearing this and I've been to the Salvation Army 3 times looking, and after going through about a million sweaters, I have YET to find a single wool garment. I think I may have found one extremely heavy, course, itcy wool sweater one time.

Yesterday I found a very nice medium weight L.L. bean merino wool sweater at good will, 3 bucks. It is a v neck which kinda sucks, but, it is in beautiful conditiuon and will see plenty of use this fall/winter. afterwards i stopped at the salvation army and scored BIG!!!! A light weight, black crew neck merino wool sweater. fits me perfectly and is the ideal cool/cold/freezing weather base layer. also 3 bucks. and it's even made in italy!

keep looking, the stuff is out there. until you score the elusive merino stuff, just stock up on polyprop shirts/fleeces. You will find 100s of them at any SA store. It works as well as wool other than lacking wool's magical funk avoiding qualities.

A long sleeve polyprop should do you down to 55-60 degrees. Add a single fleece and you should be good down to 40-45. A second fleece should take care of temps down to near freezing. Add a wind breaking layer if you have high winds/long downhills. If you have long up hills, make sure everything zips open easily.

darn moths ate some holes in my merino sweaters. Good thing i'm in Cali now instead of East coast where I got them. They've been sitting and now I have a good use for them. I feel the wind a little in the beginning but once my body warms up I stay nice and toasty. I sweat so much that I still soak them but they still keep me warm.

My new favorite cool weather item is my vest from performance. Wind proof nylon front, mesh rear, some reflective stuff on the back and stuffs really small in the afternoon $19.00

The Garment District

200 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge; Two Blocks from

Kendall Square MBTA stop.

They sell clothes by the pound!!!

This is one area where I love Wal-Mart. They have a section of micro-fiber sports cloths, imitation under-armor if you will. It's cheap and effective. Layer as necessary for the temp.

On the Salvation Army/Goodwill comment. I just picked up a Pearl izumi jersey for $1.50!

I keep hearing this and I've been to the Salvation Army 3 times looking, and after going through about a million sweaters, I have YET to find a single wool garment. I think I may have found one extremely heavy, course, itcy wool sweater one time.

You might be looking in the wrong place. I usually find merino mixed in with the regular shirts, not with the sweaters (my merino sweaters are very thin, a little thicker than a cotton t-shirt). This time of year, I can generally count on walking out with one or two decent shirts in my size. Once in a while I'll see something decent in the sweaters (typically cashmere or similar, not merino), but that's much less common.

I remember when we had a Salvation Army that did this for a while but thats been years ago. I got a bunch of stuff once when it was $5 for whatever you could shove into a bag.

I recently spent like $5 (pricey for how I roll) for an Eddie Bauer fleece at teh local Thrift store that I am excited about. It has zippers spots under the armpits to let me cool down. I used it once on a ride a couple weekends ago and it was really great. This thread is making me want to go look for wool sweaters. I hope for more great knowledge and wisdom from this thread.

My new favorite cool weather item is my vest from performance. Wind proof nylon front, mesh rear, some reflective stuff on the back and stuffs really small in the afternoon $19.00

A vest helps me warm up and cool down better, 2 baselayers under my vest and my torso is good down to the high 30's. Being able to pack down to such a small space makes it easy to take with too.

Target C2 long sleeve stuff for a base layer, and build up over that. 42 degrees this morning, rode with LG bibs with running pants over them, a C2 long sleeve first layer, short sleeve cycling jersey second layer, and a thin shell. I was sweating.

I keep hearing this and I've been to the Salvation Army 3 times looking, and after going through about a million sweaters, I have YET to find a single wool garment. I think I may have found one extremely heavy, course, itcy wool sweater one time.

Try a different store? I know where I live I have better luck at the stores outside the city in the "ritzier" suburban areas (not making any assumptions to where you live, just my experience where I live) where more people are likely to have bought and thrown out a nice wool sweater.

Costco doesn't have their sweaters yet. I need to head to the Salvation Army.

is morning I christened the 2 merino wool sweaters.

the ride started out dry, temp in low 50s. About half way through my 12 mile commute it started raining. A light drizzle to begin which grew to a steady light rain. it was a bit windy, still in the low 50s.

this should be crappy riding weather. not unbearable, but, the kind of stuff you are glad to get out of.

not this morning though.

i could have rode in that all day long. i was as warm as if i was still in bed under the covers. maybe warmer as the wife tends to steal the blankets. maybe i'll sleep in the sweater. it's comfy enough.

i found myself pedaling along in a shower in 52 degrees actually wishing it was 5-10 degrees colder!!!! merino wool is quite possibly the best stuff ever made. definitely the best stuff ever used for clothing.

c'mon winter, bring it on!!!! i'm ready.

Target C2 long sleeve stuff for a base layer, and build up over that. 42 degrees this morning, rode with LG bibs with running pants over them, a C2 long sleeve first layer, short sleeve cycling jersey second layer, and a thin shell. I was sweating.

Layering is nice when the temperature on the way in and out are different enough. And when I wonder how the weatherman came up with whatever temperature the read over the radio because it way different where I am now.

I don't mean to promote buying from China but I picked up a Colnago long sleeve jersey on eBay for 25 shipped. I went to my LBS and was going to buy some arm covers but for the price of just some sleeves I was able to buy an entire jersey. It's been low 40's these past couple of days in NE WI and I wear a short sleeve jersey and just some cheap Nike ACG jacket. It's nothing fancy as it ran me like 20 bucks at our local outlet store and the jersey is nice on pulling sweat and keeping me dry. I've got a Brooks wool jersey but I roast in it and I'm sweating like a wild banshee by the time I get to work looking like I just came from the gym. I was going to pick up the combo long sleeve jersey/pants but wasn't a big fan of the pants but I may still end up going back and buying some when it gets past just wearing shorts temps.

Costco doesn't have their sweaters yet. I need to head to the Salvation Army.

No, but Sunday they had Merino wool socks back in stock. 4 prs for $10

I don't mean to promote buying from China but I picked up a Colnago long sleeve jersey on eBay for 25 shipped.
I'm sure that's authentic :P

No, but Sunday they had Merino wool socks back in stock. 4 prs for $10

I think I already have line 8 pairs of these. I love them. They are great during winter and summer.

Think non-traditional--many men's suits hanging in the thrift store you wouldn't want to wear to a formal occasion, but many are wool or wool blend.