Winter Commuting Attire
Originally Posted by
Necrohazard
I don't even have a bike that could get me anywhere in the winter (NE OH here), but I'm curious:
for those of you who commute in cold/snowy weather, what sort of clothing/layering system do you employ?
Brands and such would be appreciated...
Originally Posted by
mcours2006
Under low temperature conditions, you need to wick the sweat off your skin, you need an insulating layer over that, and finally a outer layer that blocks the wind. Add insulating layer as needed as temperature drops. That's not difficult.
Fingers and toes are a different story.
I have posted about my generic winter dress with adherence to those principles.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
On several threads, I have posted my slogan for winter riding,
“Gear and Gumption,” obviously mostly clothing.
For me, it takes a while to make the transition between warm and cold and vice versa.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
The way I organize my winter dress is by levels (link), 1 to 6. (I got that scale from whitewater rafting, where difficulty of a river is rated from 1 to 6, and it works for me).
The levels do not mean layers, but the combination of gear for temperature intervals, in increments of about 10 degrees F…
The level makes the job of selecting clothing very easy for that decision to be made on the morning of a commute, without going outside. Sometimes I may bring along a piece of apparel from a higher level just in case.
The scheme is particularly useful at the change of seasons to remind me of what works. Also, I choose by ambient temperature and usually ignore the reported wind chill temp, because there always is a wind chill on the moving bike.
For me and others, particularly those who wear prescription eyeglasses, eyewear with attendant fogging is a special problem.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
I perennially post about my winter eyewear for my 14 mile year-round commute, from about 35° down to as low as 0°. I must wear my prescription eyeglasses, and fogging is one of the worst dangers of winter riding.
I am entirely satisfied with my system:...
See also this post:
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
IME, and from reading numerous posts on the subject, there are three basic methods for preventing fogging, caused by exhaled moist air onto the cold surface of the eyeglasses and goggles:…
Then there is always that rule of thumb that you should not be warm for the first mile or so, because your body heat from exertion will soon kick in.
Originally Posted by
Necrohazard
…
And how do you feel when you get to your destination? I am certain no matter what I wore my entire face would freeze off.
Originally Posted by
Jim from Boston
…I have also often suggested that any recommendations for winter riding include description of the conditions in which they are employed, i.e. lowest temperature and distance.