Originally Posted by
MulliganAl
I've been making trips to REI and Performance Bike to get the right combination of layers and I think I'm narrowing it down. I purchased a Showers Pass Transit Jacket which seems to be pretty nice. I also purchased a set of leg warmers that on my first day out I think were the best investment I could have made.
I'm now looking for some medium cool/cold weather gloves and most importantly I was wondering how most folks keep their heads warm?
I layer up with whatever I find on clearance racks/website sales, in my size of course. From 40-50 I wear a Pearl Izumi barrier elite shell with nothing underneath, and some neoprene Brooks running gloves. Below that I use a wool/synthetic blend base layer with a wind/waterproof outer Cannondale jacket, this generally gets me through to around -5f.
For pants I wear Polartech tights over my bibs/shorts. Around 0 I'll also throw on a set of skivs so the Johnson doesn't freeze. For socks I use wool/synthetic blend work boot socks with Louis Garneau neo protect booties.
My hands tend to suffer the most...I've tried multiple layers with leather on the top but the coldest winds still give me rewarming pains. I've noticed that the dude who makes Bar Mitts makes them for bullhorns now, so that is what I'm doing this winter.
Skull cap under the helmet, generally nothing covering the nose/mouth. It's always amusing to find ice chunks in the beard after a ride.