General Cycling Discussion - What to wear under a helmet?

Does anyone have a recommendation of what to wear under a helmet on a cold day? It has to be thin, and fit tight. Thanks for all the help.

Originally posted by Crazy Cyclist
Does anyone have a recommendation of what to wear under a helmet on a cold day? It has to be thin, and fit tight. Thanks for all the help.

Balacava. I wear one on cold days; covers the ears, has a ovalish hole for the eyes. You should be able to get one from any bike shop.

I found a 6-in-1 head and neck warmer/cover at a local sporting goods store. It can be used as a neck warmer, head band, ear warmer, hood, a stocking type hat and a full balaclava. It is made of thin but warm, breathable and synthetic material so it can fit under a helmet.

Just remember one thing about cool/cold weather clothing that you are going to wear while riding. NO COTTON. Cotton, when you sweat acts like a big sponge. If it is cold outside it is only a matter of time before you freeze because the moisture is trapped against your skin by the cotton. You want to use synthetic moisture wicking materials instead.

I have a Pearl Izumi headband for cool mornings.

A Performance balaclava for frigid rides and a Colorado Cyclist skull cap (that covers the ears) for mid-cold mornings.

Sometimes I carry the headband and start out the ride with the balaclava and then mid ride when the weather has warmed and I've gotten plenty hot I change over.

I thought I lost the headband recently and got all bummed out until I found it hiding in the dresser drawer. I depend on those head covers. I hate to have cold and achey ears.

Works for me.

For the coldest weather I have two different weights of balaclava from Gekko Gear (http://gekkogear.com). The heavier of the two is good well down into the teens (F), all by itself. I like Gekko's 'clavas because they're generously big for my giant Irish head.

When not wearing one of those I wear a Coolmax Headsweats. Combination sweatband and do-rag, ideal for people with bare scalp on top. One size really does fit all, because they tie in back.

On days when it's cold in the morning but likely to warm up, I add a Polartec ear-covering headband under the Headsweats.

All these things fit comfortably under a helmet. By far the most useful all-round item are the Headsweats, which I can't recomment highly enough. They have a website (http://headsweats.com), but you can buy them through most cycling catalogs.

RichC

I have a Gore-tex hooded coat. The hood is unlined, so it fits just fine under the helmet. Works great!

Paul

I have a long-sleeve Jersey with a hood that is just great for being caught out as it gets cooler or starting out on a cool morning.

I also have wind breakers with hoods that fit the same function and keep you a little bit dry.

I have a skull cap for cooler days and a Balaclava for those terrible cold days.

In the summer I have a variety of headbands to collect sweat.

Also, I wear my head under the helmet at all times!!:D

I have a Pearl Izumi earband, like mentioned in another post. I like it. It's thin, and not too hot which I find is the common problem with most earbands. It's the only one they make, so it shouldn't be hard to find.

For mid-winter riding, i use a full face balacava. For chilly weather, i have a great Pearl Izumi skull cap. For hot summer rides, i have an old school cotton cycling cap, once wet, it will keep you cool for hours :)

I have a skullcap I wear on cooler days- it also has the advantage of keeping my hair out of the way, since my hair is too short for a ponytail and too long to be short. Skullcaps keep it from flopping in my face. ON warmer days, I'll wear a headsweat/bandanna- I call them "Head shmattas".

For cold days I have a black, lycra(?) skull cap. It works well, but it fits awfully tight and the elastic leaves impressions on your forehead that remain for maybe an hour or more. Which makes it bad for the morning commute. People at work give you funny looks and you get tired of explaining. When it's just moderately cold, I just use my do-wrap (and let my ears freeze).

Coolmax Headsweats at all times. Just a habit now. The helmet feels strange without my Headsweat.

when its cold I wear a balacava to keep my ears warm, sometimes I cover my mouth and nose to keep the frezzing air out
when is hot I wear headsweats/BANDANNA's ..
this keeps helmit hairdown and also keeps the bees from my head
I also feel strange not having a bandanna /headsweat.

When discussing helmets people usually assume that ventillation is a good thing. Us winter riders know that low-end helmets keep you warmer than expensive ones with lots of gaps.

Originally posted by MichaelW
When discussing helmets people usually assume that ventillation is a good thing. Us winter riders know that low-end helmets keep you warmer than expensive ones with lots of gaps.

I still prefer a well-ventilated helmet -- otherwise I end up drowning in my own sweat. The vent holes give the wicking properties of the coolmax or Polartec or whatever a chance to work. It's very uncomfortable when sweat starts dripping out of the edges of the face cutout on your balaclava, and then freezes.

Also, depending on your head shape, one may find that better helmets have retention systems that make it easier to fit them over various amounts of head covering without having to readjust the straps.

Good helmet ventilation doesn't have to be expensive, of course, and it's a commodity that quickly reaches a point of diminishing returns as you go up the price scale. A $150 helmet is not three times as airy as a $50 helmet.

RichC

Thank you everyone, for the recommendations, It is much appreciated. CC :beer:

I only wear an insulating layer on my head in temperatures below 5C. I have a polypropylene skull cap and a polypropylene balaclava. The latter is good to about -15C... even if I'm only good to -10C.

Since you're Canadian, I suggest -- as I always do... I'm beginning to sound like a broken record -- that you look at Mountain Equipment Coop (http://www.mec.ca/). They have astretch microfleece skullcap (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=196527&bmUID=1020364773593) for $7.00 [Canadian] and a good mid-weight balaclava (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=16353&bmUID=1020364689918) for $10. Membership in the coop is $5, and shipping is free in Canada, if there is no location near you.

................a hat:p

i love the jerseys that have hoods. it fits snug - although my wife says that i look like a sperm in that woody allen movie.

I wear under my helmet if its cold, the skull cap bandanas, they are evry funtional and stylist:sleep:

If anyone out there should see this...you should go to www.mymugz.com and see the cold weather gear that I make for all you cold weather riders...Its great cause I wear what I make...

stretch a piece of saran wrap over the front 1/2 of your helmet and hold down with some tape. Leave the back open for ventelation.
Your head will be warm and you won't have a tight, ill-fitting helmet on. You can use those ear covers if need be.

Whatever works: cycling cap, (my favorite), wool liner for cold, bandana, sweat band, nothin, etc.

Ride With or Without
Pat