KrisA

Fleece balaclava and helmet has kept me frostbite free down to -35C. Your mileage will vary, but I see no reason to add more layers. In fact my first ever -35C ride 2 years ago I put a toque over my balaclava and has wayyy too hot.

Michel Gagnon

I use a bandana if it's not too cold, and polar skull cap and a scarf or two when it's very cold. I prefer the scarf to the balaclave because it's easier to move up and down according to wind and my need for warmth.

iceratt

Outdoor Research, or OR, has a balaclava that has two pieces, so that it can be adjusted to reduce exhaled air fogging glasses, and allow airflow if you get too hot. Their stuff is quite pricey, unfortunately.

-=solewheelin

im only noticing a few mentions of this , but taping (package), covering or showercapping your helmet ON THE OUTSIDE will create wonderful insulation ON THE INSIDE for freezing temps. I understand the discomfort of the beanie under the helmet,so with this method, you can be warm and comfortable with a thin skull warmer in your helmet again. i go this route and my favorite wool scarf that my late grandma made me. goggles of course.

and totes rubbers for my shoes!

-=steve

RaginCajun

If you don't mind sharing the good deals....what is the dealer's name or eBay ID????

Thanks!!!

pinerider

I use a Lous Garneau balaclava, they cost about $20 at the LBS and it's kept my melon warm down to -15C. It's really flexible, you can do without the facial coverage when it's warmer, just pull it down under your chin, still keeps your neck, ears and head warm. Fits well under the helmet too, it's very thin. I'm thinking of getting a helmet cover this year for those really cold days, but just the belaclava and lid were fine for me in previous winters.

dobber

Bargoon Sports among others

Daily Commute

The Mountain Hardwear balaclava is fantastic, and would more than make up for the lack of your hood. It got me down to single digits last winter. You can add a Mountain Hardwear ear covers (like a headband that's bigger by the ears) for the coldest days. People are right that UnderArmor ColdGear is great stuff, but I haven't tried their balaclava. Pearl Izumi AmFib tights would be great on your legs.

Leo C. Driscoll

I've experienced your cold in Edina, MN. But Boston is a seaport and can have extreme winds at -30F.

I'll probably switch to a Boeri ski helmet in January. It's like a motorcyle helmet and really keeps the head, ears, neck warm. https://www.boeriusa.com/

In extreme conditions (such as last winter) I'll wear a Jytte hat from Sun Valley, Idaho under the Boeri. https://www.jytte.com/products.php. A Merino (non-itching) wool scarf wrapped around the neck almost completes the outfitting. https://www.appealingitems.com/merino...-60-scarf.html

Last winter, I found commuting extreme because the air was too cold to breathe. I tried Polartec's Psolar EX cold weather mask. https://www.anymask.com/colweatmas.htmll It warmed the air enough so that I could breathe and spin into the the northwest wind.

A few more hints ;-) Protect lips and mouth area with Dr. Hauschka's lip care gift from Deutschland. https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...298043-6461448 Speaking of Deutschland, I look a lot like Sprockethead's great image above. But there is one more thing needed to safely bike in extreme cold. Last February I biked to work with a warm head etc. but with nearly frost-bitten hands. So I won the frost-bite battle by wearing telemark (back country) ski gloves from Marmot. https://www.alaskan.com/amh/Clothing/...Gloves%204.htm

cyccommute 

Tim,

I have a question for you (and anybody else who might want to chime in). Here in Colorado it doesn't get as cold as often nor as long as it does for those of you in the frozen North. That said, I don't have to ride with face covering and I usually don't ride when the thermometer at my house says 18 F (gets way colder in the valley I have to go into to get to work). I have "tried" a face mask in the past, as well as other things but I can't use them because my glasses fog so badly. I've tried a lot of antifog agents but haven't found one that works yet. How do you deal with this problem? (Can't take off the glasses either since my eyeballs would freeze and I don't like to run into trees or little old ladies)

Stuart

ajkloss42

Do your glasses fog up while you're riding or just when you stop? If it's just when you stop, I've had some success keeping my sunglasses fogless by just putting my hand over my nose/mouth to force my exhaust air down away from the glasses. If it's while you're riding... I have no idea. I still haven't found a reliable way to keep my goggles fogless as it gets below zero.

cyccommute 

My glasses usually fog when I stop but I can deal with that. Once I get moving they clear and I don't have a problem. But if I wear a face mask, the air from my breath is directed upward under my glasses and they fog immediately. No amount of movement clears them either.

I suppose that another part of the problem is that I sweat more than a Mississippi sheriff, even when the temperature is well below freezing. If I'm exercising, I'm sweatin'! I can wring water out of my clothes when I get to work! (I never, ever, wear work clothes to ride to work and am very envious of people who can.)

I haven't ever worn googles since I have prescription lenses and googles don't fit will over them (wear googles on a regular basis in a laboratory so I know what I'm talking about. Those even fog.).

Stuart

Jessica

detach the hood from the jacket, and use a balaclava or neck gaiter or scarf to seal the neck. If the hood is on your head but not attached to your jacket, you can still tie it closed and see when you turn your head.

Leo C. Driscoll

Check out Smith Turbo Cam ski goggles. https://skiing.about.com/cs/accessori...th-goggles.htm

These googles are designed to be worn with glasses. They sport a micromotor plus fan that reduces fogging (even for a Mississippi sheriff :-). I used them telemark skiing in A-Basin and my glasses did not fog. But haven't tested them while commuting with the Polartec face mask.