winter commuting clothes
 

Hi all, I've been commuting all summer, and this winter will be my first. I live in North Carolina, so it may snow once all winter, but it will be kind of chilly most of the time. Any advice on layering of clothing, etc? I hear it's wise to wear a wicking layer first, then pile the rest on... but I'm not sure what to get. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Ron

I normally wear homemade knickers with leg warmers down to about 45F. If it gets colder I will wear jeans with leg warmers. Colder than that (30 and below) I wear jeans, pajama pants, and leg warmers underneath (I have done this to about -5). I am to cheap to buy specific stuff however.
For the body I bought a nice softshell coat with pit zips that is good to -10 or so. (was pricey however). Also a nice base layer such as patagonia capilene (plenty of different brands)works well. Layers layers layers is what I do and has worked for me. You will get a few different answers I am sure and after one winter you will probably have figured out what works bet for you.

practice works...a wicking layer is a must, then it's up to you. peope are different. What I need and what you need to stay comfortable differ...your first time out you may be too warm...you'll learn to adjust.

sorry i'm not more help

I got a long sleeve compression top at a sporting goods store, then I wear a jersey or poly t shirt over that. If it gets really chilly, like this morning (34*F) I'll put a windbreaker layer over that. Below about 25*F I'll start thinking about a fleece scarf.
On the bottom, always bike shorts first, then poly running tights, then some cheap lined nylon running pants. If it's extremely cold, a pair of long underwear (cotton, whatever, they don't really get wet) over the tights.
Wool socks. Something over your ears, maybe just a band for you, I eventually wind up with a full balaclava.

The stuff I've indicated is all I wear all the way from -5*F to 100*F, just in different combinations.

Longjohns, fatigues, lycra shorts, Helly Hanson base layer, long sleeved jersey, breatheable jacket, long fingered gloves (cheap cotton gardening gloves over top), work socks, old work socks cut off as gaiters, bandanna for ears and neck, helmet. This is good for temps down to -15'C. If above -5"C will forgo longjohns and either HH base layer or jersey.

For a damp, cool but not freezing winter you need a few more layers but its not arctic. You need to pay attention to the inner and outer layers.
Inner layers are pref some wicking material , long sleeved with a neck/chest zipper for ventelation. Rear pockets are not needed for winter kit and you really dont need specialist cycling tops. Merino wool is surprising good.
On your legs you need sports tights, the degree of windproofing depends on the temp. You dont neccessarily need totally windproof leggings. Tights are more comfortable than legwarmers.
The outer layer should be windproof but not neccessarily waterproof (these are less breathable) .
Dont forget socks, full gloves, neckwarmer for extremities.

Once your ineer and outer layers are sorted you can tune the midlayer insulation with anything handy. Use what you have, eg light woolen jumpers, thin fleeces.

I used to commute all year, temps went from 0~40C

In the winter, the only thing I did different was wear gloves and a super thin windbreaker for the first 5K or so. When I hit the lights at a big intersection I took it off and I was warm enough not to need it from then on.

My commute clothes were

Cotton sweats
T-shirt
thin waffle cotton sweater (Winter)
Gloves (Winter)
Windbreaker (Winter)

If you are working hard enough you will be fine temp wise, it only takes a mile or so to get warm.

Based on what I know of NC, your winter lows are 40s-50sF. If its dry a wicking Tshirt under a winter weight jersey or a fleece shirt is probably sufficient. Or you can wear a windblocking outer layer an a long sleeve T. A decent pair of mid to heavy weight tights should be sufficient. You will need alot less clothes riding than you would wear off the bike.
If it raining you will need something water proof. When its in the 40s and raining I wear a vinyl rain jacket over a light weight long sleeve top and warm tights. You will probably want booties to keep your feet dry and some decent windstopper fleece gloves.
Craig

Yeah, if your weather is normally only down into the 40s, your main priority is to get a good quality, hopefully cycling specific, rain jacket and probably pants as well. J&G is what I use, at bicycleclothing.com. It's already down into the high 30s here and no problems (Of course, I haven't even switched out of my half-fingered mesh gloves until it hits 30*F or so).

I live in Raleigh and the coldest I rode in last winter was about 25F. The average highs in january might be 40-50 but in the morning it usually is below freezing. Granted, not much below, but it is still cold. I could manage ok with a warm base layer (thermal underwear type stuff) along with a long sleeve jersey or sweater and a windbreaker. For my legs, leg warmers were barely adequate, but I am looking for warmer options this year. I haven't worked out a good glove system yet though..