Winter Cycling - winter clothing guide??

Hi,

I've been off a bike for about 5 months and I'm getting FAT again :( I need to get back out and ride but it's cold in Eastern Pennsylvania. Could you give me some ideas on what you die hard guys/gals where in the winter. For example a 20 degree ride day - what would you wear. So please give me some of the combinations of gear for the different temp ranges you ride in. Thanks for your help.

Matt

You are in the right place--take a look at this Winter Cycling forum and see what people are wearing. There's lots of info already here, and you'll be sure to find out some suggestions.

Welcome back to the bike!

Believe it or not it was 20 degrees in Atlanta when I took off this a.m.
2 pairs socks - nylon and wool (I don't have fancy shoe covers)
Wind pants (nylon panels in front to cut the wind)
Polypro tee
Long-sleeve tee
Nylon bike jacket
Nylon wind vest
Glove liners and ski gloves
Nylon ear warmer (very thin)
Polypro balaclava
Ski goggles

I have an 8-mile ride and felt toasty by the time I arrived.

130+: Wuss out.

115-130: Shorts, loose white long sleeve mesh jersey, ride slower. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

100-115: Shorts, loose jersey. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

55-100 degrees: shorts and jersey. Skull cap. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

40-55 degrees: long sleeve top, jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Cycling socks. Shoes with lots of mesh.

30-40 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights and shorts. Skull cap, ear warmers. Full finger gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh.

25-30 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers. Skull cap, ear warmers. Windproof gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh.

15-25 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, shorts, legwarmers, windproof vest. Balaclava. Windproof gloves. Cycling socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

10-15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece powerstretch jersey, tights, amfib windproof tights, windproof vest. Balaclava. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

0-10 degrees: fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ear warmers. 2-layer windproof fleece gloves with liner. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Booties.

-15-0 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater, windproof jacket, tights, amfib windproof tights. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, goggles. Down gloves. Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

-45 - -15 degrees: long sleeve top, fleece sweater (down sweater near -45), windproof jacket, tights, fleece pants, windproof pants. Balaclava, ski-mask/heat exchanger, ear warmers, goggles. Down gloves (with liner near -45). Wool hiking socks. Shoes with no mesh. Arm and feet chemical warmers stuffed under gloves and booties.

Below -45 F: Wuss out.

But I usually push pretty hard so I warm up. If I'm going a bit slower, bump everything up by 1 layer. Also, this is in the city, where I'll be drafting heat off cars and doing a lot of stop and go (which means the wind isn't continuously sucking heat off my body). It'll usually be a few degrees colder on the open road vs. the city so dress appropriately.

Again, search this forum for how to dress. Also consult www.icebike.com.

For a 20 F day I wear:

Head: Lightweight BAlaclava, Earband

Upperbody: LS Cycling Jersey, unlined cycling vest, Goretex jacket

Lowerbody: Cycling shorts, Powershield tights.

Feet: Light wool socks, with heavy wool socks over top. Hiking boots with thinsulate.

Hands: Lightwieght synthetic glove with heavy convertible glove/mitten. (thinsulate lined)

That is it.

I have been riding in windchills below 0 F lately. I wear the above with an extra jersey, an extra light pair of tights and a heavier balaclava over top and the earband used to cover my cheeks and nose instead of ears.

Ok, it's all been said before, but I'll bite.

Today was about 20 degrees. I was very comfortable with a short sleeved wool T-shirt, a Land's End ski jacket, neck gaitor (up over my mouth because cold air gives me the coughs and my ears get cold), synwool lined leather work gloves, bike shorts, synthetic long underwear, jeans, wool socks, shoes. Rocking out in the snow for 3 hours. Moisture management (read, not getting drenched) is usually my biggest issue.

I'm excited, my commute tomorrow is supposed to be in the single digits. MORE WINTER!!

Ride on.

Today was a 20 degree day. I wore:
Suit and tie
Short sleeve shirt
Dress shoes
Gortex overpants
Hooded Gortex overcoat
Ski gloves
High Totes over the shoes

Paul

For me, it was 3 F when I left out. I wore:

Performance Triflex tights, with the performance rain pants over that
SPD sandal with hydrosocks, and toesies over the sandal, and booties over everything
long sleeve cycling shirt
Fleece sweatshirt
Gore tex windbreaker
Baclava and skull cap
fleece neck scarf
liner gloves
lobster mitts

Koffee

I'd take all the examples, and start with something conservative. Keep a diary of the temperature and what you wore. Note if you were too hot or too cool.

I'm not really big on cycling specific clothing, and my only recommendation is a windproof helmet liner and/or a balaclava. The windproof helmet liner I have covers my ears and makes all the difference in the world when I'm out. The only cycling specific things I have are my helmet and gloves, which are specialized subzeros. I have a habit of tearing these up a after a few months of use, but they have been the best combination of warmth and usability I've tried.

It's been in the single digits the last few days. 20 or 30 minutes of spinning to and from work and I've been getting along with the same setup as above plus a stocking cap.

My toes and fingers have been a little colder than comfortable, but not terrible.

on a ride where the temp won't get over 20 degrees

-Lake MXZ MTB boots with Smartwool hiking weight socks & toe warmers
- Castelli tights, they're a middle weight fabric
- lightweight wicking base layer
- midweight long sleeve jeresey
- Castelli Pendragon winter riding coat
- Pearl Izumi Amfib lobster claw gloves with liner
- Balaclava with light weight skull cap

Thats what I wear on my weekend 3-4 hour mtb rides. If it warms up much (say 25-30) I'll take the jacket off and stow it in my camelbak.

Slvoid....I'm printing your what-to-wear chart out....I't's awesome! :p

I'm sorry but I think you guys are dressing to warm!

-17F today 23 miles round trip.

Lower body

Legs- 1 expedition weight long underwear pants with nylon wind pants.

Feet- 1 pair of thin wool socks, 1 pair neoprene socks over the top and light weight hikers.

Upperbody

2 light weight wicking shirts with gortex jacket.

Hands - Pair of buckskin mittens with wool liners. Warm!!!

Head - Balaclava, Goggles and helmet. Head needs to be examined! :D

It works for me.

Here is what I wear on my 25-35 minute commutes when it is 0 to 10F (-12 to -18C).


AmFib Tights
PI Toasties Booties (with SmartWool socks underneath)
Moutain Hardwear Balaclava & Headband
Oakley Double-paned goggles
Underarmour ColdGear shirt
Wool sweater
Nylon shell
PI AmFib gloves w/ Mountain Hardware liners.
Everything works well except for the gloves. Unfortunately, the limit of the PI AmFib gloves with liners seems to be about 10F (-12C) for me. Below that, I have to stop every 10 minutes to warm up my fingertips. It seems that my fingers start to warm up by the end of the trip, but I'm only out for 25-35 minutes. I should really test the gloves on a longer route, but I am worried about frostbite.

So, northern commuters, what do you use on to keep your fingers warm when it is 0F (-18C) or less? How much do they cost and where can I find them?

For 20F-30F commutes, I ditch the booties, the wool sweater and the goggles. Depending on conditions freezing rain, wind, etc.), I wear either the Mountain Hardwear headband or balaclava.

For 30F-50F commutes, I open the vents on the nylon shell. I replace the amfib tights with PI fleece tights . Depending on whether its raining, I either use the amfib gloves or the Mountain Hardwear liners with fingerless cycling gloves on top.

So, northern commuters, what do you use on to keep your fingers warm when it is 0F (-18C) or less? How much do they cost and where can I find them?



Grandoe GCS downhill ski gloves.
http://www.tramdock.com/tramdock/GND0002/Grandoe-GCS-Primo-Glove-Mens.html?mv_pc=r107&CP=YahooShop&CMP=SPC-YahooShop&ATT=skigloves&GCID=C14196x020&keyword=skigloves

This weekend, the gloves and I got to ski Mont Tremblant. They were comfortable, without the liners in, at -33 C / -27 F. They are clearly overkill for bike commuting.

Paul

Here's what I wore yesterday for an extended 10F ride w/ 30mph winds:

Feet:
- Wool hiking socks
- Bags over feet
- Cotton socks on top to hold down the bags

Lower:
- Biking shorts
- Polypro longjohns
- Snowboarding pants

Upper:
- Wool T-shirt
- Light ski jacket

Hands:
- Leather gloves with synthetic wool lining

Head:
- Stocking cap
- Neck gaitor

Kept me toasty warm. We went inside at one point and I took off my coat and cooled down quite a bit so I threw on a wool sweater and left it on under my coat when we went back out.

I guess I will list my wears as well
Feet:
cool max socks
Itasca boots

Legs:
Under Armor tights
snowboard pants

Body:
Under Armor shirt
T-shirt
hooded sweat shirt

Paws:
cheap thin gloves
BMX gloves covering

Head:
Beanie
scarf
behind the ear muffs
Fly away helmet
Oakley googles

Mouth:
Woodford Reserve bourbon

I didn't really perspire to much and I was very comfi in my gear.

Here's what I wore yesterday for an extended 10F ride w/ 30mph winds:

Feet:
- Wool hiking socks
- Bags over feet
- Cotton socks on top to hold down the bags

Lower:
- Biking shorts
- Polypro longjohns
- Snowboarding pants

Upper:
- Wool T-shirt
- Light ski jacket

Hands:
- Leather gloves with synthetic wool lining

Head:
- Stocking cap
- Neck gaitor

Kept me toasty warm. We went inside at one point and I took off my coat and cooled down quite a bit so I threw on a wool sweater and left it on under my coat when we went back out.
What were you wearing on your feet ,Shoes or boots?

Sorry. Yeah, I was wearing shoes but they're heavy synthetic bike shoes from Vans. They don't make them anymore but let me see if I can dig up a product photo.

Nope, can't seem to find anything. Anyhow, these things may be the heaviest damn shoes I have EVER had. Real thick synthetic outers, shelltoes, super thick bottom sole (because it's got the insole + stiff midsole + rubber sole).

So it's technically a shoe, but thicker than most.

I just picked up a really sharp item. It's a Nike wind shirt with no-seem netting for venting, and it works most excellently. I pull it over my poly pro long sleave shirt in 30 degree weather, in the teens and 20s I pull on a light wool sweater in-between. It is pretty toasty. Of course I'm riding fixed gear with a messenger bag on my back, that's extra insulation. I've also switched socks to Smart Wool, and that's helped keep the little piggies warmer!

I wear a bunch of layers .All wool ,Ibex brand .My over coat has pit zips which help regulate internal temps.Synthetics tend to be uncomfortable.Neo Botties over my shoes. Depending on temps I will have 3 layers on my legs .Currently it is -16f and there is no way I would ride ......Looking forward to moderating temps this weekend .Good luck

I wear a bunch of layers .All wool ,Ibex brand .My over coat has pit zips which help regulate internal temps.Synthetics tend to be uncomfortable.Neo Botties over my shoes. Depending on temps I will have 3 layers on my legs .Currently it is -16f and there is no way I would ride ......Looking forward to moderating temps this weekend .Good luck


You should have rode its warm now -2 below :)

[QUOTE=Daily Commute]

So, northern commuters, what do you use on to keep your fingers warm when it is 0F (-18C) or less? How much do they cost and where can I find them?

I use CliMitts (any bike shop should be able to order them for you, SideTrak is the manufacturer and many parts distributors stock them, should be around $42) on the handlebars once the temperature drops into the low forties. If you are in a really urban area and signal turns a bunch they could be a nuisance, but they work on straight bars and drop bars. My Campy Mirage ergo shifters are all resin (much, much warmer than aluminum or steel). Check out my page: http://hometown.aol.com/vtwjksr/myhomepage/index.html it was written two years ago, but nothing substantial has changed (the fenders are longer now, a two legged kickstand, a front rack and different taillights) Back to the hands, my problem has always been too cold or too sweaty, with heavy gloves my hands start out warm - get too warm and sweat and then freeze in the breeze. Using the climitts I can wear much thinner gloves and when I start to sweat too much can just stick them outside in the breeze to cool down. I wear my summer cycling gloves down to about 25F or if not windy to 20F, then I switch to a ragwool and thinsulate glove ($10 at Aubuchon hardware) down to about -17F so far. Last week when it was -17F I let my gloves get nicely moist and then put them out for a while, instead of freezing my hands the moisture froze on the surface of the gloves and actually added some windproofing to them. My commutes have always been hilly, some might say mountainous, with multiple climbs and descents. A flat commute, with some experimentation should be fairly simple to dress for, although really long lights/delays could be a problem. My current ride has a 3 mile gradual uphill (last half mile 6%) to a 1 mile descent (moderate) to a 2 mile moderate climb (sometimes with big wind in the face) to a 5.5 mile descent of about 8% (reverse it on the way home). I've experimented with a lot of different clothing, both synthetic and wool, and have found the wool to offer a much wider comfort range with less need to adjust layers. The only place I use synthetics is for blocking wind/rain and on my legs (although, someday I may get rich and buy some $120 Rivendell wool pants) where my normal winter garb is: Ibex wool shorts, Craft windblock briefs, Pace polypro kneewarmers, Pace polypro tights and/or SmartWool long johns or another Pace polypro tight. Because the legs are usually putting out a lot of heat if I get splashed with icy water, etc. the polypro dries while I ride. My upper body layers are thin wool, which dry quickly, plus a Craft windblock undershirt. At around 0F I can be toasty with just a thin wool top and a 3M Propore rain jacket, but the inside of the rain jacket will be hoar frost city by the time I get to work. On the head: Bell Influx, mirror on visor (visor is essential to block car high beams), 10 year old Performance Gore-Tex helmet cover, depending on temperature and wind, layered: illuminite headband/ear cover, Pace balaclava, Pearl Izumi balaclava, some polypro balaclava I got on sale, clear glasses (about $10 at Home Depot) or clear ski goggles (below 5F or if really windy) or sunglasses for that rare day in the winter. Feet: down to 40F Shimano spd sandals and wool sock, below 40F (Oct to April) Lake winter boot, single heavy wool sock, the toe section of an old wool sock (to put on the outside of the boot, under the booties), SideTrak neoprene bootie, an 8 to 10 year old Nashbar neoprene bootie. The wool sock between the boot and neoprene has eliminated condensation during long rides. If I am going to be out a long time (4+ hours) sometimes I'll put a vapor barrier (plastic bag) between the sock and boot. The key to being comfortable in the winter is in balancing your heat and moisture production with the amount of cooling due to wind and temperature that you experience along the ride. The way I found what works for me was by wearing way too much and stopping (allowing extra time) frequently to shed layers. Also, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes for your body mass to find it's balance in the outside conditions, so it's always a bit of a guess what will be comfortable 30 minutes down the road.

I did my first ride of the season yesterday evening. Temp was around 30.

I wore on my Torso:
Long sleeve turtleneck tee shirt, covered with a tee-shirt type (old) jersey (for it's pockets) and a windbreaker.

Legs:
Bike shorts (with Chamois), Wind proof tights (neoprene on front, poly on back), Smart wool socks and my mtn bike shoes.

Other:
Full fingered gloves, neoprene Balaclava and sunglasses.

I rode 45 minutes. The only part of me that got cold was my feet because my shoes are "breathable". EVerything else was FINE. Just warm enough to exercise and cool enough not to sweat.

I'm getting neoprene or similar toe covers from Performance BIke or Nashbar over the weekend and I"m thinking about a glove that isn't quite so breatheable as well... the hands were "okay", but could have been warmer without the air flow.

Can't wait to get out again tomorrow after the roads dry off from today's snow.

A nice white thong and some flip-flops for anything over 5 degrees.

body size matters a lot if you are a big guy you will stay warmer than a small person I am from Canada and at 20 degrees (you are talking farinhite ya) would still be in shorts spd sandles with a couple pairs of warm socks and gortex over sock light gloves longsleave jersy wool blend with a polypro underneath depending on wind a vest or long sleeve windbreaker jersy light touque or bandana under the helmet in realy cold weather for long distance touring around -30 celcius I wear many layers of wool and no wind layer military surplus stuff is great a thick wool blanket that has been washed and dried to make it like felt is great wear it like a poncho and tie around yourself in realy deep cold modern gear is useless when you sweat it up think like a tibetian yak herder. It is not that cold really, people who live sedentary lives and rush from and overheated house to an overheated car to an overheated place of work will never develop resistance to the cold ride your bike to work in winter and you will save money on your heating bill as you will want to turn the heat down whenever you get home kill your tv your car and dont trust the government

A nice white thong and some flip-flops for anything over 5 degrees.
So that's 2 pairs of thongs!

Everyone is different. So some get cold while others sweat. I tend to be a warmer person than most I ride with. I live in Wisconsin so it gets cold here. But I live in Milwaukee, so not as cold as the rest of the state. In winter I usually wear 1 or 2 tshirts and a sweatshirt on my torso. If its' snowing/ or a freezing rain, I'll wear my Race Face gortex shell over a long sleeve tshirt or 2.

On my head I simply wear a balaclava (or is it baclava? I always get those 2 words confused. NOT the dessert.) on my head because my neck breaks out in hives if it's cold, and it fits nicely under my helmet. If it doesn't fit under your helmet, get a larger "winter helmet" and/or take out your pads. If it gets really cold I have an neoprene face mask, as my balaclava doesn't actually go over my mouth, nose or cheeks.


On my hands I wear the thin Pearl Izumi pittard gloves down to +15 F. Below that I put on the thicker Pearl Izumi winter gloves or my Lake alaskas but they don't have as much flexibility in the fingers and I think they don't work as well either, maybe because there's so much insulation that circulation is slowed. I've also had good luck with the Specialized winter gloves except the ones I have don't have a removeale liner and when I pull my sweaty hand out the liner inverts and is a pain to put back in. I think the newer ones might have a removeable liner which are usually easier to put back in.

For my legs I wear unpadded cycling tights, by Pace with cargo shorts so my butt isn't out there for the world to see (I'm shy). One or 2 pairs, they're thin enough that 2 pairs at once is not cumbersome or bulky at all. I haven't had to go to 3 pairs. If it gets rainy or really really cold I'll put on gortex rain pants.

for my feet I have a pair of Lake boots for when it gets really cold or snowy. but I usually just wear my regular cycling shoes, without any booties or extra socks. The socks though may make a difference, I wear WigWam socks, which are generally very warm. I can't wear wool (it makes me itch) so I'm stuck with synthetics or cotton. The only problem with the wigwams is that the ones I wear (ironman triathalon series) are mostly synthetic, so they start to smell. I never had that problem with cotton socks, but I wore those out very very fast. I've had some of my wigwams for 7 years. I like to stick with a brand I find works, and these are great for me. AND I live in wisconsin where they are made I can go to the factory when they have their factory seconds sales and get em cheap.

That's my winter wardrobe, It's worked for about 7 years, I've tweaked it, but not much. I'll try new products but not much has changed. I've ridden through all sorts of WI weather, One time the U.S. Postal service even shut down due to the snow, and I rode through it ( I wish I had the cycling boots and goretex then.)

you people are all mad. In sunny north queensland, the worst we get is to about 10 degrees (guessing about 50 in farenheit) and that is getting too much for me. we have to watch out for snakes though.

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I am new to both this list and riding in general. I am however a light weight hiker and it seems that many of the gear items carry over quite nicely.

I have been riding to work in the high 30's to low 40's and have worn both Smartwool Spring Gloves or better yet, especially when it is colder, Vapor Barrier Mittens from Backpackinglight.com The trouble with hand wear and foot wear is that we perspire and that is what winds up wetting things out. Vapor barriers for the hands and for the feet go great distances in keeping you comfortable. I believe that campmor.com, integraldesigns.com and rbhdesigns.com have vapor barrier socks.

My base layer clothing is a line from Mountain Hardwear called Featherweight Transition. I use these tops and bottoms (tights). I can also add Marmot Driclime pants and an anorak either over these or instead of them. The Marmot tho is baggy

Disclaimer: I live in texas.

I have tried winter cycling but I found my face going numb pretty quick. I normally don't have problems with my lower body (I just wear jeans as I am just goign to school)) with a moderatly warm jacket. My problem is I am very reluctant to get some kind of face covering hat thingy as I don't want my vision to be lessened (Growing up in califorina left me with no cold weather clothing experince). Any advice? Just suck it out, as it is only 2 miles each way?

Elvish

The coldest I've ever been riding in is about -34C [~-45 with the windchill]. At that point I had:
- a thick wool toque with heavy fleece neck tube covering everything on my head except a 1/2" slit for my eyes [no helmut]
- t-shirt
- Polartec 300 expedition weight fleece jacket topped by nylon-based Gore-tex jacket
- nylon pants covering 200 weight Polartec pants, with expedition weight long underwear
- Gore-tex shell mits covering 300-weight polartec fleece mitts covering polypro liner gloves
- all-leather day hikers with heavy wool hiking socks and liner socks

I tried wearing glasses, but they fogged instantly. I had to squint and hope my eyes didn't freeze shut. My ride to school was about 10 km each way, but there wasn't much traffic. You really have to go by how cold you get. I get cold hands and feet really easily, so that's where I have to bundle up the most. Other people get cold heads and such. I guess it's better to be a little too warm than a little too cold, so dress for a little colder than what you think the weather might be.

I have tried winter cycling but I found my face going numb pretty quick. My problem is I am very reluctant to get some kind of face covering hat thingy as I don't want my vision to be lessened...

Put a light layer of vaseline on your face. Remove (with soap or baby wipe) when you get to your destination. This will seem gross the first time you try it but really helps!

Put a light layer of vaseline on your face. Remove (with soap or baby wipe) when you get to your destination. This will seem gross the first time you try it but really helps!

really? Please elaborate? My dad did it and I thought it was one of his "Tricks" that are 95% of the time pretty much bogus :D

Any weather that is cold: Thermal top with a T over it, Thermal pants with shorts over them... regular socks... some $5 cheapo gloves... sunglasses (of course)... skull cap.... oh, when I say thermal's, I mean $10 thermal long john underwear from kmart. The only issue I have is trying to keep the snot from sticking to the side of my face... :) haha... this goes for 10+ mile rides... I find once I warm up I don't want all that heavy crap on my anyway... light and simple.

Some rules of thumb for winter activity clothing:

1) Many thin layers are better than fewer thick layers

2) Stay away from cotton insulation. Cotton absorbs moisture (it doesn't breathe). Wool, fleece and many other fabrics are much better. This is specially important for your underwear.

3) The outer layer should be a shell (for wind and water) only, preferably not an insulation also.

4) Keep your fingers together. Use mittens rather than gloves. The fingers keep each other warm if kept in the same "compartment".

At -7 C, 20 F

T-shirt, Wool Sweater, Wind Jacket, Bell Helmet( with side and rear protection, Light Gloves, Jeans and Lake suede shoes. Good for and easy 5.5 km.

Lose the sweater and go hard for 40 km.

Dont feel wet.

Been having some trouble with gloves recently. I normally wear some old school style cycling cloves with the crochet backs and padded chamois palms. These don't work too well in sub zero temperatures so I bought some heavy waterproof winter gloves. These proved to be too hot for the ride and I needed to find some middle ground.

I found some nice thin thermal gloves in a running shop round the corner from work which fit inside the cycling gloves nicely and don't restrict movement of the fingers. If it gets frighteningly cold when I'm in Canada they should prove to be a good base layer inside the proper winter gloves.

As for the face thing. I tried growing beard this year but it just isn't working. I doesn't insulate that well in high winds and I look like a drug addled bear. I'm going to revert to last years measure of using a pollution mask. They nicely cover the mouth, nose and much of the exposed area of the cheeks. However, they don't press up against the mouth leaving is feeling manky and wet when you're breathing.

Been having some trouble with gloves recently. I normally wear some old school style cycling cloves with the crochet backs and padded chamois palms. These don't work too well in sub zero temperatures so I bought some heavy waterproof winter gloves. These proved to be too hot for the ride and I needed to find some middle ground.

I found some nice thin thermal gloves in a running shop round the corner from work which fit inside the cycling gloves nicely and don't restrict movement of the fingers. If it gets frighteningly cold when I'm in Canada they should prove to be a good base layer inside the proper winter gloves.

As for the face thing. I tried growing beard this year but it just isn't working. I doesn't insulate that well in high winds and I look like a drug addled bear. I'm going to revert to last years measure of using a pollution mask. They nicely cover the mouth, nose and much of the exposed area of the cheeks. However, they don't press up against the mouth leaving is feeling manky and wet when you're breathing.


Yes but the combination of facial hair with a balaclava forms a nice insulating barrier. This is why you use multiple thin layers than big thick layers. Those pockets of air between the layers IS the insulation.

I was out yesterday, and the wind chill temp started out at about 16 degrees F (Aslo in Ea. PA - Bucks County-PA). I rode 42 miles, and was toasty warm. I wore 5 layers of clothing including my jersey. First layer-short sleeve shirt and bike sleeves, 2nd & 3rd layers - long sleeve shirts, 4th layer-sweat shirt, 5th layer-bike jersey. I had long gloves with hand warmers (very effective-highly recommended.) I wore tights. I put on toe warmers on my socks, and covered my shoes with booties. Everything worked out real well. I would have biked further, but had familly commitments.

I just wanted post this.


How Gore-Tex® Works

The human body is a heat engine, and the heat your body produces drives the breathing of Gore-Tex. Without a temperature differential of warm on the inside and cooler on the outside, most waterproof/breathable rainwear barrier systems will not function properly. Your body gives off heat and sweat all the time, more of both when you are working harder. The water in sweat has to become a vapor in order to get through the Gore-Tex layer because water droplets are too large to fit through the PTFE film pores. This will happen on it's own, but without the heat differential, vapor passes both ways in equal amounts.

The body heat generated evaporates the sweat off the skin, which condenses again when it cools enough (it hits a cool surface). It also condenses when it reaches a concentration at which it cannot stay a vapor. Normally, the heat buildup under the Gore-Tex layer is enough to keep most water in vapor form and in continuous migration away from the heat source (your skin). But, when vapor transmission through the barrier film is inhibited for some reason (see the next paragraph), condensate builds up inside and slowly wets the clothing layers next to the skin.
Gore-Tex Will Sometimes Seem to Quit Working

Gore-Tex is good stuff, but not fool-proof or fail-safe, and nothing lasts forever. One big factor in Gore-Tex's waterproofing is what Gore calls "Durable Water Repellency" (DWR). This is a water repelling (hydrophobic) chemical coating applied to the outer fabric of the Gore-Tex laminate that causes water landing on it to bead up on the surface of that outer layer, and roll down off the garment. If rain water or wind blown wet snow from pedaling is not shed relatively quickly, it will soak the outer fabric, which impedes vapor transmission through it, greatly inhibiting the breathability of the Gore-Tex barrier film just underneath.

There are no permanent water repellent compounds yet available, so what is being used must be reactivated or renewed periodically. When it does fail, the effect appears to be a leak -- as if water is passing from the outside through the waterproof layer to the inside, and soaking the clothing underneath. That is not the case. The human body produces more water than most people believe. The water inside the Gore-Tex is almost always vapor unable to get through the saturated fabric layer outside the barrier film which has condensed on the inside surface and feels like leakage. You can tell early-on when this might be happening by water on the outside starting to wet areas on the outer fabric layer of a Gore-Tex garment. This condition does not defeat the waterproofness of the fabric, but does inhibit its breathability significantly. It often, but not always, starts in areas of high abrasion, and where water can collect, like the front of your arms,lower legs, and backside. When the DWR fails and vapor transmission is inhibited by the wet fabric outside the Gore-Tex layer, condensate builds up inside and slowly soaks the clothing layers next to the skin.

Gor-Tex is not perfect, and even a very new and clean garment with a working DWR can still be overwhelmed by heavy activity. Extra ventilation (like armpit zippers, uncovered openings, etc.) will help, but still may not keep some areas of clothing inside the Gore-Tex shell from getting damp. In extreme cases even downright wet. During rest stops, your body heat will continue to dry your clothing through the Gore-Tex.

If anybody has anything to add please do.

Johnny

Vaseline on the face? Save it for the love life! HOw can it get cold enough in Texas for your face to go numb? Are you not covering it? See the word--------> BALACLAVA. Search here and elsewhere.

These threads get quite long, and I haven't read everything, so forgive me if someone else has already mentioned this. But I made a nice, accidental discovery that I'd like to share:

I found a pair of last year's PI AmFib gloves that were a size too large but at a GREAT price, so I bought 'em anyway. In order to give the fingers enough dexterity to work STI shifters, I stuffed a bit of cotton into the index finger tips. The end result is that now my index fingers stay warm, much better than my other fingers. A friend has suggested using lamb's wool instead of cotton, so I'll be tying that in the other fingers.

So give this idea a try if you have a pair of gloves with fingers a bit too long.

You will find that there is great variation in what people wear in winter because there are a lot af variables. Some who ride really hard for a shorter distance and are used to cold weather don't wear all that much. Others need more.

IF you are riding at higher speeds the windchill is significant at colder tempertures and you have to find a way to deal with it.

I can only tell you this. When you are working out you don't need all that much insulation but when it gets below freezing you need to stop all of that wind.

There is also a difference between what you can stand and what feels comfortable. If you have a short necessary ride to work of less than 30 minutes duration you can probaly stand to be a little cold since you will be at the office soon. If you are riding for fun and plan on being out for three hours and don't want to worry about changes in the weather you need more.

I for one like to ride for fun and I like the experience to be enjoyable. I don't like heavy clothing on when I ride and yet I don't like to be cold either. It's hard for me to find that just right spot.

Let me just plug insulated wool convertible mittens. I found a pair similar to the ones attached at a thrift store. They are wool outer, with a thinsulate insulation and a leather palm patch. The mittens fold over into fingerless gloves which are handy for zipping up your jacket, locking up, etc.

They aren't windproof, but the combination of the wool outer, the insulation, and the mitten design has kept my fingers cozy down to the single digits F.

Link to ones at campmor, $10

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39158271&memberId=12500226

On the subject of winter underpants . . . . I find Zakk Microfiber Briefs with Clasps are great.

You can remove these babies by means of the clasps without having to take off any of your other layers. This is great in the winter when I'm mosty dry after a medium-exertion-ride (I wear breathable merino wool) except for my underpants.

I ride off-and-on all all day long, so changing out the undies as often as you need to is never a hassle. More hygenic too.

Great in the summer too because they're super thin and breathable.

Can be found at www.wyzman.com and www.erogenos.com.

Let me just plug insulated wool convertible mittens. I found a pair similar to the ones attached at a thrift store. They are wool outer, with a thinsulate insulation and a leather palm patch. The mittens fold over into fingerless gloves which are handy for zipping up your jacket, locking up, etc.

They aren't windproof, but the combination of the wool outer, the insulation, and the mitten design has kept my fingers cozy down to the single digits F.

Link to ones at campmor, $10

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39158271&memberId=12500226

If you go to a good motocycle shop (like a say BMW dealer) they have windproof glove liners. Not to mention windproof winter gloves. I ride my moto down to 32 deg and the stuff works.

A windproof liner combined with those mitts would work great. You'd be surprised at how much stuff can be used between cycling and motorcycling. I have a pair of Biker Comfort in Action wind/waterproof goretex socks that work great. Combined with a very thin boot liner i wear them with my Carnac Ellipses without shoe covers down to 32 deg without discomfort. On the flip side i wear my Craft S3 windblocking base layers under my motoclothes in addition to on the bicycle.

Anyone use Pogies for your hands?? My bike guy gave me a pair for Christmas, they are GREAT!! Here is a link:
http://www.icebike.org/Clothing/handprotection.htm
The ones I have are simular to the Moose Mitts, my bike guy calls them Bullwinkles.
A great option. I have spend a lot of $ on fancy gloves, but my fingertips still tended to get cold. This solves the problem.
I really like Sporthill's line of clothing. www.sporthill.com
Another alternative to vasiline on the face is called Warm Face. I don't know if this stuff really works to keep the skin warm, but it does give it a barrier of protection from wind burn/chapping.

I just got back from snowmobiling today. The high temp for today was -7 and it was -22 when we started. I understand you won't be riding in these conditions however the ideas should be the same.

I went out wearing 4 laters. you may not need 4 layers but layering is the key to staying warm.

I would suggest wearing a wind breaker or waterproof outer most layer. Something to help deflect the wind which will be your biggest enemy.

In cold weather exposed skin is a real problem. I don't think what brand you wear is as important as how it all fits together. I was warm all over this morning except that my face shield did not fit right under my shirt. My kneck was frozen the entire time. In other words make sure your layers overlap enough to constantly cover your skin in those transition areas (pants/shirt, gloves/sleeves, shirt/faceshield, head cover/faceshield).

If you ride long distances you need to make sure you don't sweat completely through your clothes. A waterproof outer layer will help ensure body sweet does not transfer the cold from the wind directly to your skin. If you wear everything right you may feel like you're swimming but you should be plenty warm.

I think of a wet suit when I dress for extreme cold temperatures. How can you cover the most area and keep body warmth in and air/wetness out. If you wear glasses you'll have another problem of foggy glasses. I would suggest wearing contacts. I actually joined this forum to start a discussion on the best way to stop foggy glasses. With any luck you'll read a post soon about what works and what doesn't.

best of luck and good riding

For gloves at tempatures colder than -10 c I like Reusch ski gloves. I have sewn a pair of lobster shells to slip over them if the temp gets colder than -30 c. I find that any ski glove that fits my hands comfortably is fine for riding. I have fat short stubby fingers. Hot Paws are a cheap glove that can be purchased at sprawl mart and they are amazingly warm for what you will pay. My pair have 2 holes in them, and they are still great gloves. I wear a gore tex 3 ply and a fleece coat and a t-shirt for up to about -15 c. Then I put a vest on if it gets colder. Nylon pants work great if paired with regular pants like jeans. That combo works great for anything up to -35 c I have made a pair of cold weather booties for my feet that are too warm for anything but -20 or warmer. If you want directions on how to make a pair for your self send me a note. They are good to probably -45 c, but I won't ride if it is colder than -35 c, so i don't know for sure. I have lake phat catz for shoes. They are not the greatest but all I have money for. I