realityinabox

At 33 degrees, we're officially moving into the cold weather season here in MI. I started commuting over the summer, and I love (almost) every minute of it. The 40-60 degree mornings have been great riding weather with a light, long-sleeve wicking pull-over and tech shirt. But not at 33 degrees.

I tried the ride with my Asisc Storm Shelter rain jacket, which keeps me warm, but also locks in all my sweat. I've also tried the cold ride with an added thick-wool sweater. The sweat wasn't as big a problem, but the wind cut me to the core.

Does anyone have any suggestions for staying warm on the winter commute without showing up to work in a sweat box?

Number400

I have found a jacket that has removable sleeves and and another with pit vents. I adjust as necessary. The best option for winter cycling is a front windproof jacket that has venting in the back panel. This will block the nasty winds up front and allow your heat and moisture to escape out of the back.

erig007

If you don't care much about your jacket you could make a hole on the upper back of your jacket and put some mesh there cost more or less 1$ and could solve your problems. You can also ask a tailor to do it for you. Mesh, zip, vents your tailor will know what to do. Did that on one of my previous jacket cost me 10$.

wphamilton

At 33°, or anywhere in the low 30's, I prefer to use an extra thin layer without a sweater or jacket. Tech shirt and two wicking pull-overs. It's a little cold at first, but a jacket at that temperature has me sweating. Below 30 I'd add a wind-breaker.

I think that the exact numbers have to be idiosyncratic, depending on our effort level, tolerance, number of stops, difficulty of route etc, so it boils down to a process of trial and error.

bruised

I have a similar issue going on, and trial and error seems to be the only real approach. I'm riding off-road trails in 30 degrees (and falling daily) and sweat like crazy on the difficult trail sections and hill climbs. Then I hit the road to move over to the next section and I'm doing 20mph without much effort and the wind hits me and I'm chilled to the bone.

I'm thinking of a real lightweight windbreaker sleeveless jacket that I can put on and take off quickly and store in a pocket. But I'm still going to get wet and cold, just not as cold, hopefully.

My footwear plans also took a hit. I thought I had good footwear (waterproof boots), then I had to ride through a huge puddle and swamp and the water just washes into the the top of my boots and my feet are soaked

I've spent hours on Nashbar, ActiveGear and a couple other sites looking for solutions....a real pain and and expensive one to boot.

dh024

I'll toss in my opinion:

For dry winter riding, it really is best to stay away from windbreaker shells and rain jackets entirely, IMO. Softshell jackets are warm and breathable, and if you look around, there is quite a variety available that have either windproof panels and the front or use a wind-resistant (thicker) softshell material all around. The key is you want good breathability, because as soon as you start to sweat, you will get cold again.

For wet winter riding, ventilation is critical -- look for jackets that have zippers under your armpits and vents behind your shoulder blades. Some hybrid jackets have a water resistant shell all around, except for under the armpits and perhaps the back where there will be a highly breathable material. I found a Garneau jacket that is just perfect for this - breathes in the right places and vents out the back.

In either case, finding the right layering to stay just warm enough is the trick. Also, I recommend you dress for how warm you want to be 10 min into your ride, not when you leave the door. If you leave your home and are cold for the first 5 or 10 min, but then warm up to a comfortable temperature, that's about the right balance.

pdlamb

In the low 30s, I wear my rain jacket, with light layers underneath. Make sure you're cool when you walk out the door, you'll warm up soon. 33F would be on the border for me between a light long sleeve wool jersey, and a LS polypro jersey with SS tee underneath (poly or wool). The key is that the jacket has to have ventilation -- pit zips, back vent, full zipper -- and you have to adjust everything to try to keep from sweating.

If you're doing a lot of climbing, or otherwise riding slowly, a wind-proof vest might also work.

erig007

Just reminds me that i haven't got rid of my massimo 2 LG winter jacket, i put that aside and forgot that i had it.
I agree. It was a prefect jacket breath perfectly. The only down side is that it smells bad very quickly (i went all wool after that). Also, i'm not a road bike type of cyclist. Everyday looking gears are more my style. But other than that it was the perfect jacket. Very warm and very breathable at the same time just at the right places (cut wind where it's blue and breath where it's black), very water resistant, stylish, pockets at the right places... Will go through any cold winter that is thrown at you in the US with extra layers under.



The current enerblock 2 cycling jacket seems to be well made



Anyway I since have replaced the massimo 2 by the smartwool PHD HyFi divide half zip top that pretty much has the same venting features.
Not as warm and not water resistant but more versatile when combined with other layers, stealthier in black (looks like an everyday top, the only downside is that black isn't very visible at night but reflective bands that are moving matter more during the night and visible colors during the day anyway), doesn't smell easily.... I add 2 to 4 thin wool layers under and i can go below 0F without losing much in breathability and/or i add other layers above when i feel like.

realityinabox

It seems like my main issues are keeping my extremities warm while not having my torso over heat. My arms and thighs (where the wind is hitting) get quite cold while my core is still warm enough. Any suggestions for that? I'm thought about cutting the sleeves off a wool sweater for my arms and getting some long-johns/spandex for my legs.

ThermionicScott 

Pearl Izumi AmFib tights. Cry once.

erig007

Not sure i understand correctly the situation. Cutting the sleeves of your wool sweater to go with ??
Are you suggesting to add the sleeves of your thick-wool sweater under you Asics jacket or over your long-sleeve pull-over and tech shirt?

What ever you do the rule i follow is to always take care of the wind first before looking at the insulation.
Insulation should preferably go under the windresistant layer. Over and the wind usually go right through the insulation and stops at whatever is next. And since whatever is next isn't an insulation layer but a thin layer, you start feeling the cold wind going through. In some cases though wind don't go through the insulation if the insulation is thick enough or if there are several thin layers instead of 1 thick or the way the threads are...
Some insulation cut the wind at the same time. I still have a polar fleece that cut wind quite well but breathability is lacking and sweat tend to not go anywhere.

For the long johns i don't know what type of pants/tights you're wearing but i went for an expedition type of wool long johns from minus33. It goes under some hiking pants. There is probably cheaper long johns in thrift stores though.

a1penguin

Well, I had similar issues at 37ºF. My thighs were freezing. You know what made the difference for me? A fleece skull cap! My mother was right: you lose 20% of your body heat through you head. This worked for me. And finding the right pair of gloves so that I stayed warm without too much sweat. I haven't ridden below 37, but layering works well for me. Light base layer (I have nike dri-fit for more warmth), long sleeve jersey and windbreaker jacket works pretty well. Remember that you are supposed to be kinda cold for the first couple of miles and the riding warm you up. If you start out warm, you are doomed to building up too much heat and will sweat. I notice that if I have to stop at a light for any length of time, I start feeling cold again.

Good luck! And there are plenty of threads about layering and keeping warm at various temperature ranges. Keep reading and experimenting.

realityinabox

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. Yes, take the sleeves only and use them as an extra layer, I suppose on either configuration.

I am just ordered some thermalbase llayers (legs and sweater). I am probably going to try a tech shirt, then long tech shirt, then wool sweater this morning. 30 degrees on the thermometer... We'll see how this works, will probablybring the asics storm shelter just in case.

dh024

Invest in a set of merino arm warmers and some merino long johns and you will never regret it.

realityinabox

After this morning's commute, I'll have to look into this... My arms were chilled pretty much the whole time, but it was mostly bearable. My legs were (still are) like ice cubes. The last mile and a half had a nice head wind....not fun

elcruxio

Layering under a wind resistant shell is the way to go I find.
I usually use a very thin shell jacket and pants and layer accordingly underneath. The kinds you can pack into a pocket if you don't need them.
Windstopper or even softshell is usually way too hot for me. If you need ventilation holes the fabric isn't breathable enough. Hence, wind resistance but not complete wind stopping.

Back in the military we would hang out in simple BDU's at -4F and just put enough layers underneath. At the coldest it would get we would be pretty stiff due to all the clothes packed underneath but at least we weren't sweaty. Sweat and cold is a deadly combination

Leebo

Don't wear a raincoat unless it is raining. Try some base layers with a wool sweater and top with a windproof fleece vest. Look at running and cross county ski wear. My go to winter jacket from New Balance has a windproof front and a mesh /knit type weave on the back. Perfect for layering from 20-50 F.

realityinabox

How well do wind shells breath? I am weary that anything that blocks wind will lock my sweat in like a rain coat...

mox

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GravelMN

The key is to be adaptable as you warm up. Layers and zippers are your friends. Keep your head, hands and feet warm but the core can be on the slightly cool side. My rule of thumb is to start out dressing on the a bit too cool side but not so cold you shiver. As I ride, I warm up to a comfortable level. If I get past comfortably cool and toward warm, I start opening zippers or shed a layer (my winter bike has a stuff sack on a rear rack so that I can carry extra layers and/or doff a layer when necessary). Look for winter gear that is windproof in the front but allows some ventilation in the back, arm pits, etc. Sport Hill makes some runner's pants that are close fit but not tight that claim to be water resistant and windproof to 35 mph on the front. There are also a lot of wind vests, jackets or winter jerseys that block oncoming wind without turning your ride into a sauna. Forget aerodynamics in really cold weather. You don't want clothes flapping in the wind, but comfortably loose clothes maintain warmth without impairing ventiation. The worst things you can have are tight gloves or socks/shoes which reduce circulation and will cause cold feet and hands no matter how well insulated they are. A huge mistake is to stuff thick wool socks into cycling shoes that fit properly with thin synthetic socks in the summer. If you are going to stick with cycling shoes, get winter specific ones about a 1/2 size larger than your summer shoes. Some of the Shimano Click'R shoes, while not winter specific, have a generous arch and toe box to accommodate thick socks.

I'm an advocate of the Four W layering system. Starting with your innermost layer = Wicking, Warm, Water and Windproof. I like a polypropylene or polyester base layer, wool blended with synthetic mid-layer(s), and a shell layer with a water and wind resistant front as discussed above. Everything except the base layer should have at least a 1/2 zipper.

For footwear, I go with wool blend socks and neoprene shoe covers in moderate winter weather. When things get tough I skip clipping in and go with GoreTex and Thinsulate boots with wool socks.

For headgear, I have a variety including a couple of different beanies, a couple of different weight balaclavas, and a neoprene facemask. For really cold weather I have a pair of ski goggles.

For my hands I have wool glove liners and either Ice Armor gloves or Ice Armor Extreme Mittens. I'm considering some form of bar mitts but haven't gone there yet.

erig007

^ Lot's of wisdom. Great advices.
One thing i disagree is about the thinsulate boots.
Unless there is a specific design made to move moisture away, thinsulate tends to trap moisture so it should be avoided in boots. Though a plastic bag acting as vapor barrier can help.
According to a US army study, thinsulate CS100 (warmer than CS300) is about 4 times less warm than wool for the same thickness. (Could vary with the manufacturer, built quality....)
Luckily there is a shop in Minnesota that makes great mukluks (that use wool felt as liner)

big chainring 

I'm old school. Below 50 degrees I go to my recycling bin and pull out some newspaper. Crumple up a sheet if newsprint and put under my topmost layer. Really wrap it around your torso on cold days. Great for cheating the wind. An old wool sock wrapped around your neck works well for extra warmth.
For your legs there's nothing like a pair of wool tights.

realityinabox

I ended up getting a Sugoi Versa jacket at the bike shop today. It was last year's model on clearance for $88 total ($120 new, and I like last year's zipper better to boot). Removable sleeves with magnetic snaps. The sleeves come off in one piece (connected by fabric across the back). Probably not what they intended, but I might end up using the sleeves rather than the vest on not too cold days.

Hoping this was a good purchase.

GravelMN

Interesting about the Thinsulate. It seems to be in all the very cold weather boots these days. I do use a wool felt footbed and wool blend socks in them but if there is something warmer, I'm all ears. Tell me more about this MN shop that makes the great mukluks, I'm in NW MN and would be interested in checking them out.

erig007

Steger mukluks
I live in canada so I should praise canadian products but for once I' ll make an exception
If you already have big boots with lot's of room then just getting the wool felt liners is probably a cheapest solution but mukluks in general aren't just warmer they can also be lighter and comfier. The only downside is that these aren't a good solution if you plan on walking on rocks or for running a marathon. There is no hard outsole. That's what make them comfy, it's like walking in slippers all the time. The extra wool and aluminum insoles make them just right. There is enough flex for the feet to move freely. (I'm in the school of those that believe that hard insoles don't necessarily make rides more efficient)
There is some cheapest one on ebay, army style.

Thinsulate is cheap that's probably why it is everywhere...money.

Regarding your insoles, aerogel when it doesn't compress is better than wool on paper so replacing your wool felt insoles with aerogel insoles and adding some aluminum insoles to that should be a better solution (take care of both radiative and conductive heat transfers)