mikiek

Hi All - I have told myself the winter and the cold weather will not be an excuse not to ride. To that end I have been working to put together some winter duds to stay warm. I lucked out on a great pair of pants but I am struggling with layers for the upper body. As if that wasn't enough, all the bike clothes are cut for the string bean body type. Where jackets taper in I taper out so the few I have tried are not really comfortable and leave no room for layers.

So since I am among friends here, I want to ask what the bigger folks wear during winter and where do you shop for them? I've had some luck online looking at hiking/climbing jackets & shells. Some of them seem to have a fuller fit. I will add, I sweat like a pig so breathability and staying dry are a big criteria for me.

TrojanHorse

It might help if you describe your location and size.

For me... it was pretty chilly the other night so I wore a wind vest and long fingered gloves.

Yeah, that's mean - it's the new me. Deal with it.

But seriously, I have all kinds of advice down to 30 degrees and then forget about it.

mikiek

I'm in SE Texas. Most of my riding is at nite. Evening temps this time of year run from the 30's to the 50's.

Personal stats - I'm 5'8" and 220 lbs. I have a fairly normal upper & lower body. Just a big spare tire around my middle.

ckFoxTrot

I like Pearl Izumi cold weather gear (though I don't get to wear it much at all). I have last year's (or whenever) version of this: Men's ELITE Thermal LS Jersey - Pearl Izumi

I'm 6'2" and 206.6 as of today (212 a few weeks ago, 219 end of summer, ~226 this time last year). I'm more on the string bean side (and more concerned about jersey length) so I can't say for sure how something like that would work out for you. Just a suggestion to check out if any stores around you carry their gear (and definitely look for sales/deals, as full price is steep).

I wear XL in their short sleeve jerseys (which is a nice form fit) and their long sleeve jersey's (same size) are definitely baggier. Throw a base layer on underneath (maybe a thermal base layer if needed) and you'd be good to go in your temps. If that's too warm, a lighter long sleeve jersey (again, with some sort of base layer if needed) could work: https://shop.pearlizumi.com/product.p...color_code=065

TrojanHorse

Well, OK - similar climate.

I'm 6'2, 225 so we're at least in the same zip code. When it gets below 40, I have Pearl Izumi toe warmers for my shoes, Giordana leg warmers (don't like the pearl izumi variety), normal shorts, a craft cold weather baselayer, jersey, jacket, gore windstopper gloves (which are barely adequate), ear warmers and helmet.

and yes, i'm still cold. Thermal bibs would be a huge improvement if I expected to ride in those temps often. Better gloves would be my other improvement.

Jarrett2

Me too! Great stuff. I finally made the investment in some this year and rode all winter with it.

It was expensive, but worth the investment for me.

I'm 6' - 275lbs right now. Their X and XX stuff fits me.

DMC707

some of the Under Armor cold weather gear is cut to fit Defensive Ends , so you should have not much trouble finding something at some of the big box sporting goods stores ---- i wouldnt get the compression fit stuff if you have a healthy German Goiter, but they have looser cut stuff (still snug fitting, but not constrictive )

Also using Under Armour long tights and knickers too --- at 40-50 bucks, the stuff is a bargain compared to cycling specific stuff, but i wear it over my cycling shorts. for shorts i use Performance bibs and they come up to 3xl if needed

1nterceptor

Another vote for Pearl Izumi. Try REI if you have one in your area;
I like their house brand as well - Novara:

New York City 14F/-10C by 1nterceptor, on Flickr

pdlamb

Layers.

A number of sources have polypro tops in XXL (or more). Ibex has nice wool base layers and jerseys, although you may be limited in colors. Numerous sources for larger sizes in rain or wind jackets, just make sure you check the size charts. (Some manufacturers go all the way up to XXL for a 40" waist.) Cycling skull caps or balaclavas fit better under a helmet than non-cycling varieties, and even us clydes don't usually have literally fat heads. Same with cold weather gloves; find a wide selection on close-out right now in your LBS or on-line. Put them all together, and you should be able to ride well below freezing.

Judi

When I ride in the cold, I wear a polyester t-shirt, tucked into my pants, and then a long sleeve cotton tshirt over that. I wear gloves if the temp is 50 or below because I have Raynaud's and my hands do weird things in the cold. I don't ride if the temp is below 35 so I really never need a jacket. I usually buy the polyester t-shirts in the men's department at Target...I'm 5'3" and 226lbs and their 2x has plenty of room for me. I always find good deals on their shirts because I don't mind pink ones and those always end up on clearance, but they have nice masculine colors too.

Wearing a base layer tucked into your pants and another shirt over it helps keep your shirt from riding up and the wind from blowing down the back of your pants.

JReade

6'5" 225 lbs. I generally don't ride below 50-40 degrees, which works since that's rare here. I have a PI jacket that works pretty well to keep the wind off. I have a long sleeve jersey, but it doesn't really help. I wear an underarmour base layer, then arm warmers, and then a jersey. Full finger gloves and I'm in good shape for the most part. Jacket if its going to be dipping down below as I'm riding. XXL or XL work well for me.

jaxgtr

+1 on Pearl Izumi... it's good stuff.

Drew Eckhardt 

Cycling clothes come in a _wide_ range of fits and sizes although many stores (even large online ones and chains - EMS, Nashbar, and Performance) don't stock too far from the middle of the bell curve so you might need to order direct from the manufacturer.

Louis Garneau has a relaxed fit two stages looser than standard in sizes through 3X Men's Clydestale for a 54-56" chest, 48-50" waist, and 53-55.

You can order off the web-site which reports having return privileges.

brawlo

I'm 6'5" and weigh in at around 115kg now, but been all the way up to 140kg.

Around my area, I have ridden in temps down to -7°C~20°F. We rarely get snow, we mostly get the cold/wet/windy to make things extremely unpleasant. Building up from the base, I always wear a wool top. I have tops with various 'weights' 170/195/240gsm. I'm a sweater too, and the benefit of wool is that it retains heat when it gets wet with sweat. There is no better base layer material IMO for the hot sweater in winter. Over time, I have settled on a wool base (weight depends on just how cold it is) under a standard jersey with roubaix fabric arm warmers. Top that off with a vest and that gets me through most winter rides as I'm a heat generator and can't wear skull caps/beanies because they make me too hot. On the really cold days with bitter wind and/or drizzle/mist, I have a Hincapie softshell jacket that was being run out from Evans cycles for cheap. If it's getting especially wet and I have to ride (eg racing) I have a Hincapie rain jacket that once again I got very cheap. It is made of the event fabric, so especially good.

Hunt around for good quality breathable materials if you're a heat generator like me. I started off with just a cheaper jacket for top layer, but it has no breathability and it just acts like a sauna. I rarely wear it now and could likely get rid of it now I have better stuff. As I said, hunt around, because that Hincapie jacket actually ended up costing me less that the cheapie one!

Oh yeah, and don't forget good gloves!

Null66

Cycling Apparel, Bike Shorts, Bike Jerseys by Aero Tech Designs

High value and designs for non-"string bean".

I have some PI and like it as well, as long as it fits.

lenny866

I have had good luck with Nashbar 2xl and 3xl. Good quality and a lot of bang for the buck. I like my clothes a little loose.

I have found this link helpful;

Civia Cycles