Last winter I made it through but my commute was only a mile. Now I'm 4 miles away, which isn't too bad, but when it's really cold, I have a new problem. I'm cold, but then start sweating and by time I get to work, I'm soaked and freezing.

I figure I'm not wearing the right type of clothing.

What do you guys recommend for biking in the cold over these types of distances? I want to stay warm and dry, so... something that absorbs the sweat well.

cheers,
dep

You're probably wearing too much. Take off a layer and you might be more comfortable. Syntheticc fabrics and wool are usually best. Try a wicking Tshirt, a polar fleece hoody and a light wind-resistant outer shell. On the legs, you can try bike shorts (if you like them), polyester longjohns, and windproof hiking pants or wind pants. Get good gloves, socks and hat.

Combinations like this have been working for me for the last 6 years of winter commuting.

Good Luck.

I was in your exact same position last winter. Actually, I'm still piecing together a decent Chicago winter cycling wardrobe, but this is about you, not me.

Last winter my commute was about 3 miles each way. I would recommend hitting up a Salvation Army or a Village Discount and grabbing a few wool sweaters. Wool is the important detail here. It will keep you warm even when soaked with sweat.

I was fortunate enough to have some of the essentials on hand. How about you start by telling us what you are wearing for your commute and people can make suggestions from there?

I have a 4 mile commute just north of you in Madison. I am getting my clothes dialed in, but from 40-25 I wear a long sleeve shirt, wool sweater and my rain jacket. The wool sweater keeps me warm and the rain jacket blocks the wind. When it's colder than that, I usually put a t-shirt and my big winter jacket on and go. For bottoms, I wear some nylon covered sweatpants, they block the wind, are super warm and when it snows, it just runs right off them. If it's below 20, I put long underwear underneath. My thinking is I am only going 4 miles, 15-20 minutes, and I just keep extra clothes at work if I do get all sweaty.

I rode 40 early morning miles here in Chicago yesterday. It was lower 20's when I started.

I used a heavy, but breathable, fleece with a light and wind-breaking vest. This allowed the perspiration to evaporate from under my arms while keeping the core warm. I use cycling specific rain pants and boot covers to keep my legs warm and clean.

I do five miles. I am cold for the first half, then I am warm for the finish. If you aren't cold when you start out, you are overdressed for when you finally build up some heat. I find that when I am cold early on, I slow down instead of speed up. Yes, you generate more heat by picking up the pace, but you also generate more wind chill. A mile from my house is a gentle hill, after climbing it slowly I am usually warmed up, but before the hill I take it easy to reduce wind chill.

For clothing, I use cycling tights and wool socks. I have winter cycling shoes with spd cleats. Up top I use a form fitting inexpensive synthetic base layer from target. Over that goes a terramar base layer, over that goes a wind breaker. My face gets really cold the first half below 30 degrees, I might put on a balaclava. This set up has worked well down to 17 degrees for me, with one exception. My inner thighs get cold near the crotch. Since my commute is 25 minutes at most, this is not a big deal. However, I am going to experiment with something under the tights and something over the tights to try and eliminate this. I could also switch to wicking long johns and a wind stopping layer over that, the trick is not to get too hot and sweat a bunch. I have all sorts of clothing from downhill skiing, XC skiing, and cycling to experiment with.

I don't think you can escape the trial and error process. And each new temperature range will be a new challenge for you, but I bet you will have it figured out soon enough. Strategic layers that you can dial in is the key. You also have a short commute, so any errors you make won't make you miserable for very long.

As others have said, dress cold and expect to warm up as the ride progresses. One really important aspect of winter cycling clothing is how easy and effective it is to unzip or unbutton to get better cooling during the ride.

Paul

If you're up for buying cycling clothes, here is a chart:
https://www.civiacycles.com/civiaweather.php
Note that even for 20º, their advice is for three thin layers on the chest, none insulating, and one insulated layer on the legs. You stay a lot warmer biking than walking. The most important places to keep toasty are those not generating heat from the biking— hands, feet, and face per taste.

If you're interested in doing things cheaply, for wintry weather over a distance like that, something like a polyester or wool t-shirt and a windbreaker should be enough. Wool shirts are pricy; most big stores— e.g. Target— have cheap polyester shirts. If that outfit is a little chilly even once you get warmed up, look for a wool cardigan to wear under the windbreaker. Things that have full-length zippers or buttons along the front are nice for easy layering and delayering, and also allow you to easily ventilate. A windbreaker and cardigan are better than a jacket because you can strip out the insulation if you're overwarm.

Having started my 'cycle-commuting' in Chicago in '87 during the winter I think I can offer some practical perspective. If your commute takes you near the lake wind BLOCKING clothing is needed not merely wind RESISTANT. If your inland, say west of Western Ave the wind can be a problem, but not as severe as when one commutes thru Lincoln Park or along Lake Shore Dr.

Get 2 different weight balaclavas. One 'expedition weight' and one regular. One or two 100% wool beanies and some sort of headband that covers the ears. Vaseline or Chapstick for exposed areas of facial skin. A set of ski goggles and/or clear industrial safety glasses. Get a helmet cover(or you can use an old shower cap like I did my 1st winter ...I looked strange...it had flowers all over it, but it worked). Make sure you've got unbroken coverage from your shoulder blades to at least your chin and your ears are double covered. https://www.campmor.com https://www.sierratradingpost.com https://ww.icebike.com all have good stuff/suggestions. Don't ignore thrift stores. I've gotten 90% of my winter gear for under a total of 60.00. Look for 100% CLOSE-KNIT wool sweaters, cashmere blends, silk, etc. NO COTTEN ANYWHERE!

Good MITTENS: Gordini Summit 2 @ campmor w/100% wool mitten liners is an unbeatable combo for cold/wind blockage.

Silk baselayer(they're available @ STP and cheaper than UA or Nike stuff and better IMHO), 100% wool sweater and some sort of Gore-Tex jacket w/or w/o a hood. 3 layers should do it...maybe four if you use a thermal vest.

Windblocker under shorts...frostbite in THAT area is no joke...I had it once and it's a SERIOUS condition. I've got Craft Windblocker shorts. They're pricey(25.00 ea.), but worth every dime. Windblocker tights or cycling pants. One can get by w/non-cycling specific stuff in a commute of under 5 miles like yours, but any more than that it's best to get GOOD stuff...the best one can afford.

Seal Skinz or 100% wool socks, solid shoes(not sneakers) and rubber shoe covers or galoshes.

When commuting in Chicago I was fortunate to have a shower/locker room facility where employed, so I could bring a weeks worth of clothes in on Monday. But, the rule of thumb developed during those years is: Don't cycle in your work clothes and don't work in your cycling clothes. I still adhere to that rule to this day. Turning my commuter clothes inside-out and hanging them on hangers, usually insures they will dry in time for the ride home...nothing worse than having to don wet cycling clothes after a days labor. In deference to good manners I leave my 'internal layer' inside my locker and hang the rest out in the open as they will dry more thoroughly that way.

If you don't have the benefit of a locker room facility hanging them in your office or a janitorial closet is a viable option. Use hangers not just hooks.

When living in Chicago my daily commute was 7 mi each way.

Hope this has been helpful.

wow! thanks for all the amazing ideas everyone. I actually half-expected to see responses like "dude we have a search function for crap like this. its been covered 100x times." That's usually my message forum experience. So thanks for the patience.

I think this will definitely give me the info I need to stay warm. I think I had the outer shell stuff correct, but as far as the inner layer, that's where I was going wrong. I didn't know wool was such a good material for bikers. I don't have any wool

Oh, also I found for snowy days, just a cheap pair of carpenter's glasses from home depot works GREAT on deflecting the snow and don't fog up. Was a life saver this morning. They work well in the rain too.

today was a snowy one. Made it, though. Fingers and toes suffered the most, so I know where I need to focus the attention. one thing about biking in extreme temperatures, it's very easy to figure out the precise flaws in your wardrobe.

Cheers,
dep

any particular brands or fibers you recommend?

I have one from Seirus that does the trick for me. It's made of thermal fleece, I believe.

I have one my wife gave me last year, don't know what its made of becuase I can't find it, I think it was polyester. So my last online order I got a synthetic one from nashbar for ten bucks. Haven't used it yet. My Bell metro helmet with the winter kit keeps the head and ears warm, I only need the balaclava for the face. So far I have just toughed it out with a cold face. I would think a fleece or wool balaclava would be wonderfully warm and cozy.

This is my first winter biking to work and I had a question about dealing with the ice/snow factor.

I just changed the tires on my mountain bike back to the knobbies, but didn't commute today because I was fearful that last night's rain (which later became snow) would freeze into ice. Last week I wiped out twice on the Lake Shore Path (just south of Oak Street beach/Drake Hotel).

My question- how are you guys avoiding the hazards on a day like today when it's snowing non-stop? If I take roads like Clark/Wells, is ice not that much of a concern?

I saw that the stretch south of Oak Street Beach was closed due to flooding that froze. The area is also inclined, making it almost impossible to use when slick. Most snow covered surfaces are not as dangerous. I cut my speed when covering snow and ice and avoid tilting the bike. The salted streets should be better in terms of traction, but beware of bad drivers.

Michael

I cleared my suburban driveway this morning and was staring at hardpack snow and ice on the road... when I thought YESSSSSSS! I get to trial my new studded tires from peter white cycles!

But work called, I had to dash out with not enough time to ride. I hope the salt doesn't kick in so I can give them ago tomorrow. I know that studded tires will keep me going out in the burbs, you might want to look at them.

Get some studded tires:
https://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Got mine for 4.99 from Home Depot. If you have any trouble w/them fogging up you can drill a series of holes across the top of the lense part. This allows the heat to escape keeping the vision part clear. Also, I was able to find a set of Bolle ski goggles at a thriftstore for 1.99. They were AMAZING in the 20s/high teens I rode thru here a few weeks back.

A 'baseball bill' type visor can help on rainy days to keep rain off the lenses. And wool is the best 2nd layer cyling material, but the best base layer I've used has been 100% silk from Sierra TP for 17.00. Soft and good wicking properties, also. Seal Skinz socks are made to hold warmth when wet...they're made for scuba diving. And mittens w/Gore-Tex should take care of your cold fingers issue. Winter cycling is the BEST when one has good gear.

I've commuted through the past two winters in Chicago. The main roads are so quickly salted and plowed that ice has never been a problem for me. I've never riddent the path during winter, however. I ride 26 x 1.5 semi-slicks, which cut through the snow well and provide a nice wide gripping area if I hit a rogue patch of ice. The only sketchy areas I have ever encounter are on the metal-grate bridges that cross over the river. I hold my breath every time I go over the Kinzie bridge on my way into the loop. When the path gets bad, I would definitely suggest getting off and hitting-up clark and wells to get into the loop. IMHO studs aren't necessary if you stick to the plowed streets.

I've decided I cannot tolerate the metal bridges at Halsted/Division and Halsted/Chicago in the winter. I've altered my route accordingly.

And a good attitude is important--and you seem to have that.

A few notes from my experience:
1. The Lakeshore Path is maintained from the Gold Coast Beach underpass North. South to Navy Pier is not maintained in the winter, so avoid it
2. Roads in Chicago are cleared quicker than you can say "Mayor-Michael-Anthony-Blandic-lost-his-reelection-because-he-didn't-clear-the-streets-and-therefore-Chicago-will-have-excellent-snow-clearing-forevermore" . I never find snow to be an issue in Chicago
3. Stay away from studded tires. they are expensive, may not fit every bike and are overkill for Chicago
4. It's not a contest! If you feel it is not safe to ride, then don't. in January and February I take the Metra 1-2 days a week, due to cold/snow/laziness.
Happy Winter riding,
Duppie

I do ride them daily and they are fine, but I found out that tire choice definitely has to do with it. IRC Metro Duro's were horrible and made me feel like my back wheel was slipping sideways all the time. Vittoria Randonneur Pro's are somewhat better, but not when the pavement (or tire is wet).
However, my Schwalbe Marathon Supremes don't seem to care: Dry, wet, snow, they take it all without the squiggly feelings that the other tires had. This tire seems to have a surface compound that provides a lot of grip in all conditions, but doesn't slow you down. Best tire I have ever had
Duppie

Start with a windbreak layer (on the outside). I use one meant for cycling, they run $70-$100 and they're worth it. Your ordinary shirt will probably be enough if it's above 40 degrees. Between 20 and 40 I usually add a long sleeve shirt under that (just an off the shelf button up shirt). Below 20 I may swap the shirt out for a light fleece jacket. I never wear more than this (it doesn't really get much below 0 here).

I bought cheap thermal insulated shoes ($40). I hate having cold feet. It looks like I'll need wool socks in addition since my feet occasionally get cold. On the warmer days (above 30) I just wear ordinary leather shoes (not athletic).

I bought fleece mittens ($10). They're good down to about 20 degrees. Previously I've simply dealt with cold hands but this winter I think I'm going to go for a nice set of mittens for the bitter days (about $30). I'd buy lobster gloves but $65 is ridiculous. Mittens don't work for everyone: You need to know if you can shift with them. But a pair of mittens is easily twice as warm as an equivalent pair of gloves. Heavy gloves are a pretty stupid invention if you ask me...

A balaclava is a beautiful thing. I have a pretty thin one, but I also have a beard.

Helmets are warm.

I've got thermal pants to go under my jeans for the really bitter days: I've never really been worried about my legs getting too cold, but I've had days where they burned a bit when I got to work and I don't like that.

Your body generates the heat you need it's a matter of keeping in the amount you need compared to the outside air. If people can bike through the winter in Canada and even Minnesota...

I think winter equipment has proven to be nearly as expensive as my bike. I think I need more bike accessories to set the record straight.

This is my first post-snow commute. The Lakeshore path was a skating rink at Montrose, so I rode streets to the Loop. Roads were clear. It wasn't a big deal and lots of fun.