Winter Cycling - Questions

What did people wear in winter before the advent and availability of synthetic fabrics?

What do people wear who can't afford (or don't want to pay) the outrageous prices of such garments?

What do people wear in countries where people are more sensible with their money?

I am pretty much set with winter gear, but have been curious about these things.

What did people wear in winter before the advent and availability of synthetic fabrics?
Wool.



What do people wear who can't afford (or don't want to pay) the outrageous prices of such garments?
Layers and fleece is inexpensive.

Layers and fleece is inexpensive.

Layers and fleece and Wally-World

Silk, wool (tweed, woolly jumpers) , Ventile cotton windproofs, waxed or rubberised cotton waterproofs.

Cycling played a key role in the development of practical clothing, esp for women. See the Rational Dress Movement.

my first 2 years of my 16 mile round trip winter commuting in Vermont, I used the following layers: wicKing t shirt ($15 at Target), an old bulky sweater I had laying around, a fleece vest, and a windbreaker. I pulled rain pants over jeans for my legs. Add a warm hat, gloves, and boots, and I was ready to rock the Vermont winter. Temps here varied from -25 F to maybe 30 F during the those winters. I was fine with my combo. I had a back pack where I would put clothes I didn't want to wear that ride and my office clothes for the day.

I have since received equipment made of technical fabrics,and they are pretty nice. I can't say that I am all that much warmer, but I have to wear much less bulk with the tehnicl stuff for the same warmth.

When I was in Oxford, England, I would see many people riding their bikes to market with just every day clothing, scarf, and a waxed barbour for the rain. These people were elderly folks, probably doing the things they had always done while commuting on bike. I think the industry has made a science out of a sport that has always been so simple; not that that's a bad thing.

Cheers