Best strategies for combating the single digits?
 

The title says it all. It seems like when the temps begin to dip into sub-20F then all of my so-called "technical apparel" seems to be almost useless, not that it pretty much all sucks at just about any temperature anyway. I don't have any gear for super-cold weather unless I start dipping into regular people clothes which are not necessarily breathable, don't have pit zips, not made of wool, etc. I have a 100 percent wool commando sweater that would probably work well as a mid layer under a winter coat and I was thinking I could double up with my thinner tights underneath my thicker windproof/waterproof tights. Feet are a problem though. If I keep riding clipless I can only fit a thin pair of wicking socks under some Wigwam Merino wool socks, all crammed into my cycling shoes with some neoprene booties over the outside. My feet can get cold even on days in the higher teens or even low 20s, let alone single digits or minus single digits. My booties are falling apart mainly because of poor design (the fronts don't stay tight over the toes and start peeling up). I was thinking of getting new booties from Pearl Izumi and maybe when it's down in the single digits I could still wear the crappy booties over the PI booties for an extra layer of insulation. I don't want to have to keep riding the bus and train because I REALLY HATE THE BUS! Once I get my car fixed that's always an option, but I would prefer to ride if only I can just find some way to do it an not be miserable.

Today the windchill was -26F in Minneapolis during my commute. I wore my my wool long underwear, wool socks, hiking boots, dress pants, dress shirt, cotton sweater, dress overcoat (with liner), balaclava, hat, and glove liner/shell. After about 4 miles, the only thing that was a bit cold was my hands. I saw maybe 20 or 30 other bikers out riding during the day. I don't think any of them were wearing much cycling specific gear (other than maybe a windproof jacket).

With enough top layers (which should be easy to accomplish with sweaters/coats), quality boots, heavy duty gloves/pogies, balaclava/hat, and long underwear, you should be in much better shape.

Stay inside and ride the trainer.

It was 2F when I got home in the west suburbs this evening. I was fine except for my toes which I always have problems keeping warm after about 8 miles at these temps. I have Specialized winter boots that I wear with pretty thick wool socks, but my toes usually get cold anyway when it is this cold out.

Otherwise I was ok with 2 pairs of tights (one is wind proof), a synthetic tshirt, midweight polypropylene long sleeve shirt, fleece vest, medium weight soft shell jacket, wind proof neck warmer/mask thing, light weight running cap under my helmet, ski gloves. I will wear this getup for just about any temperature single digits and lower. If it is blizzard windy I may switch the soft shell for a lighter, better breathing insulating layer and a winter goretex shell.

The wind proof tights and the boots are cycling specific gear, but everything else is just general active wear type stuff.

Booties, even multiple pairs, is not the solution. The don't trap additional air inside the shoe. This is what keeps your feet warm. Booties also don't provide any insulation to the bottom of the shoe, and there remains the matter of the cleat sucking heat out of your foot.

Winter cycling boots solve the matter. My Lake MXZ302s have in insulated outsole, and come with insulated insoles. The cleat backing plate also does not penetrate the outsole. This is in addition to the full grain leather uppers and the insulation. The downside is that the Lakes have become hard to get this year. There are several other makers with winter cycling boots. They're certainly worth investigating. And remember to buy a (metric) size or two larger to accommodate thicker socks and more air space.

As for the rest, you have a couple of good workable alternatives. You'll get there. And don't forget the cyclist's secret weapon for keeping warm: Pedal harder! ;)

I'm a cold feet guy and a clipless lifer. I hate to say this but in my experience insulated hiking boots and platform pedals are the only savior for the very cold. And let me state this emphatically I F'N HATE PLATFORM PEDALS! But I also hate having numb toes after 15 minutes. So that's my tradeoff for the deep winter. I have Sidi winter boots (spd), good socks, and the top O' the line winter barrier booties, and under 15F and that set up fails miserably for me.

After much consideration I decided I would not invest in single purpose LAKE winter boots. Half the winter riding people I know who have invested in them, when pressed to admit the truth, say they aren't warm enough. So knowing that I am a member of the cold feet club, I decided that was an expensive risk. So I bought a nice pair of winter hikers (Garmont) which are way cheaper than the Lakes and great for many other winter activities as well. I threw on some DH platforms (did I mention I HATE platforms) I now ride with warm feet and half a pedal stroke. Yesterday it was -11F and my feet were good, but boy do I miss the upstroke with the spd's when the wind is howling.

Hi,
I have good results by wearing Gore Bike Wear Race Power III Thermo Overshoes (booties) & neoprene kayaking socks in my year round Specialized clip less shoes.

Flat pedals and warm winter boots, chem toe warmers for when its really cold. Helmet cover, wool sweaters, etc. Try the salvation army type stores. Last week I found a brand new, 100% merino medium weight wool pullover with 8 inch zipper, xxl for $ 6.00.

...might be a bit difficult to get to "get there" that way.

There's some closeout Lake LX140 boots on Ebay right now, I got a set for $50 shipped: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...nkw=LAKE+LX140 And I went up a size from my usual ones so there's more room for thick wool socks, which I ordered some from Amazon.com. If conditions are wet or exceptionally, I'll probably still put waterproof booties on over the Lakes to keep them dry and in still air.

Oh, and like Leebo says, thrift stores are great. Wool sweaters galore, athletic pants, wind pants, and sometimes nice jackets show up there too.

Zacster, roadies ride trainers, commuters pedal bikes, :o)

My biggest issue was always cold hands, no matter what I wore. I got pogies (Bar Mitts in my case), and love them!

I keep a clothing log in a file on the computer. I keep track of stuff I've used, what works, what doesn't. Stuff I might consider for next year. Whats best at certain temperatures. I always refer to it the following year and has come in very handy. As for clothing. I went with Sport Hill cross country clothing (light and warm), who I found out at one time outfitted the Canadian Winter Olympic team. hiking boots for winter. Below zero I break out the snowpants and Neos's. For the hands I use Loki mittens. Top of the line.

Maybe you didn't notice you were in the commuting forum.

Similarly, I have a chart of my dress for temperatures in six "levels," a scale I adopted from the six levels used for rating rivers for white water rafting, further listed in ten degree increments:

I find it most useful when transitioning between seasons and I'm not sure what to wear. I find that when shifting from a warm to cold season I tend to overdress, and when going from cold to warm I might underdress.

Layers, wool, and paragraphs are your friends.