Its 5:00 AM, 19*F degrees and dark. How do you layer?
#1
Thread Starter
Warehouse Monkey


Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,603
Likes: 7
From: Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania
Its 5:00 AM, 19*F degrees and dark. How do you layer?
I did a thread back in November that was similar:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...yer?highlight=
I thought we could take another look at the issue, since the weather has grown a bit more harsh. I've ridden in about everything so far: mist, drizzle, driving rain, etc. I have driven the family battle wagon (or bummed a ride) only twice in the past 90 days. My layering has changed some, but not a lot... yet. But we haven't seen *real* winter weather so far.
One thing I do appreciate is: I much rather ride to work at 5am with temps in the teens and no wind, than ride in warmer, damper weather with a breeze.
Nothin' like a cold, clear, still and starry (and moon-lit) early morning to make me appreciate my morning commute. Dress right and it can be a very pleasant experince.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...yer?highlight=
I thought we could take another look at the issue, since the weather has grown a bit more harsh. I've ridden in about everything so far: mist, drizzle, driving rain, etc. I have driven the family battle wagon (or bummed a ride) only twice in the past 90 days. My layering has changed some, but not a lot... yet. But we haven't seen *real* winter weather so far.
One thing I do appreciate is: I much rather ride to work at 5am with temps in the teens and no wind, than ride in warmer, damper weather with a breeze.
Nothin' like a cold, clear, still and starry (and moon-lit) early morning to make me appreciate my morning commute. Dress right and it can be a very pleasant experince.
__________________
'10 Specialized Hardrock
'10 Specialized Hardrock
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos, NM
Bikes: Fuji Cross Comp, BMC SR02, Surly Krampas
Long sleeved underarmor shirt. Bibs (normal bike bibs). Windstopper (REI Headwind) jersey. Windstopper pants (or long johns). Showers Pass goretex jacket. Craft goretex pants. Shoe covers (wool sox). Microfiber balaclava. Glacier Gloves. With lotsa coffee on the inside.
#5
at 16F it was:
-Smartwool merino baselayer
-Nashbar Derby jacket
-UA Coldgear balaclava under LG fleece hat
-Bellwether Windfront tights
-PI softshell lobster mitts
-LG Zero SPD boots w/ two pairs of Sockguy midweight socks
-Smartwool merino baselayer
-Nashbar Derby jacket
-UA Coldgear balaclava under LG fleece hat
-Bellwether Windfront tights
-PI softshell lobster mitts
-LG Zero SPD boots w/ two pairs of Sockguy midweight socks
#6
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Bottom: Jeans with either tights or long underwear.
Top: T-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt (or turtleneck), sweat shirt & light windbreaker.
Other: Heavier gloves (mine are fur-lined) or full-fingered cycling gloves for cold weather, plus balaclava. A hat or hood may be needed with the balaclava.
Top: T-shirt, long-sleeve t-shirt (or turtleneck), sweat shirt & light windbreaker.
Other: Heavier gloves (mine are fur-lined) or full-fingered cycling gloves for cold weather, plus balaclava. A hat or hood may be needed with the balaclava.
#7
Fork and spoon operator
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 577
Likes: 11
From: Hopkins, Minnesota
Bikes: 2013 Surly Crosscheck, 1990 Schwinn Impact, 1973 Schwinn Continental
Almost no matter what you wear, your torso and legs will be fine. I'd wear a thick pair of tights, and a thick moisture-wick top covered with a wind layer. The really important things are what you wear on your neck, feet and hands. Mittens are way better than gloves. Windproof mittens with a little insulation work great. Be sure your shoes aren't mesh, and if they are use shoe covers. And wear some kind of face mask to cover your neck and chin.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Sioux Falls
Bikes: Bianchi Road bike, Nashbar Ultegra triple cyclocross, Raleigh full XT hybrid, lugged steel Schwinn, Full rigid Diamondback MTB
Around here winter riding at 19F is peice of cake (I try really hard to find alternate transportation when it's less than 10 BELOW zero F).
At 19F I'd ride a beanie cap under my helmet, shell jacket with a long sleave shirt, medium weight gloves, normal slacks, and leather shoes or boots.
At 19F I'd ride a beanie cap under my helmet, shell jacket with a long sleave shirt, medium weight gloves, normal slacks, and leather shoes or boots.
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 730
Likes: 0
From: WKY
Bikes: 2014 Trek Crossrip LTD, 2013 Raleigh Misceo
How long is your commute? I've made it fine down to 22 deg with jeans, long sleeve wicking top with a t-shirt over that, and a neoprene jacket. Thin polyester balaclava and some neoprene gloves. I only have 3 miles so, that may not count as a bona fide commute by some of the folks here! The gloves have been replaced as they did not work well enough to suit me. My legs were just starting to feel a bit of a chill. I usually try to take it easy the first mile. Push it a bit the second. By then I'm usually warm. By the time I get to work, I need to cool down. If I had 10 miles, it might be a different story.
#11
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Philly
We've yet to hit anything sub-25 this year, but this is the list.....a little colder and I might add lightweight long underwear on the bottom and heavier neck gaiter, but as long as it's dry and not too windy, I like the cold, dark mornings (11 mile ride to work) :
-smartwool midweight longsleeve, hi-viz REI jacket (heavy-ish, windproof, waterproof)
-wool buff, worn either as a double-layer beanie or as a neck gaiter/head cover combo
-normal shorts, swobo wool knee warmers, PI amfib tights
-heavy smartwool socks, MTB shoes, Endura mt500 shoe covers
-heavy sugoi gloves (firewall XT, I think)
-smartwool midweight longsleeve, hi-viz REI jacket (heavy-ish, windproof, waterproof)
-wool buff, worn either as a double-layer beanie or as a neck gaiter/head cover combo
-normal shorts, swobo wool knee warmers, PI amfib tights
-heavy smartwool socks, MTB shoes, Endura mt500 shoe covers
-heavy sugoi gloves (firewall XT, I think)
#13
tougher than a boiled owl
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: Rocky Coast of Maine
Bikes: Fetish Cycles Fixation / Fuji S12S / Gary Fisher MTB / Raleigh Grand Prix / Ross Professional / Kent comfort cruiser
At 5 degF, two dry wicking layer 8 shirts, Nashbar Derby Jacket, Bellwether Windfront tights over Nashbar padded shorts, Merino Wool socks and hiking boots, Saucany balaclava under a Bern helmet with the winter liner, thinsulate gloves. Clear, cold, dry is so great to ride in.
#14
That worked pretty well, but if there has been wind I would have preferred a layer under the jeans.
One thing you can do is dress lighter than you think and bring a bag with another layer or two. You don't want to sweat heavily in this type of weather.
#15
I would wear my thermal long johns, cotton t shirt, and heavy sweatshirt. I would double up on wool socks. Outer layer would be my showers pass rain pants, and showers pass jacket. Hi Tec waterproof ulitmate hikers for footwear, and Outdoor Research meteor mitts for my hands. Outdoor Research face mask for my head and helmet, obviously. This combination has worked very well for 2 winters now. If its snowing or really bad wind I might throw on my Smith goggles.
#16
Tractorlegs
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,185
Likes: 60
From: El Paso, TX
Bikes: Schwinn Meridian Single-Speed Tricycle
Down into the teens I wear my work shoes, work pants or sweats, and on the top just a shirt covered by a wool sweater covered by a waterproof windproof shell. My legs and feets are always comfortable after the first couple of blocks and the wool sweater covered with the shell is amazing. On my head I leave my helmet at home and use a wool knit hat.
__________________
********************************
Trikeman
Trikeman
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, Mo
Bikes: CAAD8 5, Killo Stripped
Do you many of you guys have a winter shell or jacket you use or do you stick with a shower pass rain jacket?
if you guys use another jacket does anyone know of a good on and off the bike winter jacket, or soft shell?
if you guys use another jacket does anyone know of a good on and off the bike winter jacket, or soft shell?
Last edited by WickedOne513; 12-24-12 at 12:47 AM.
#18
Head to toe:
Helmet cover, helmet, balaclava
Old Performance Illuminite jacket that doesn't breathe very well, long sleeve shirt, base layer
Windbreaker pants, shorts, knee warmers
Waterproof hiking boots, Smartwool socks
It's not too bad once I start working up some body heat. Not the best solution for a long ride, but it works for my 11 miles.
Helmet cover, helmet, balaclava
Old Performance Illuminite jacket that doesn't breathe very well, long sleeve shirt, base layer
Windbreaker pants, shorts, knee warmers
Waterproof hiking boots, Smartwool socks
It's not too bad once I start working up some body heat. Not the best solution for a long ride, but it works for my 11 miles.
#19
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 448
Likes: 0
I wear cycling specific winter clothing from Pearl Izumi. Now I know most of you wear regular wear to work clothing but I have a place to store clean clothes with a private change room, (my office). With the Pro-style jacket and bibs plus lobster mitts and Sidi waterproof cycling shoes, wool socks, helmet liner, I stayed comfortable on a 60 kilometer ride at -9° C yesturday. This morning was a little warmer for my 10 km commute at -4° C. I must add chemical hand warmers to my mitts when the temperature gets in the minus zone but if I put the warmers in a zip-lock plastic bag when arriving at work, they are good to reuse for my trip home.
#21
High 20's today.
Thin wind vest
Mid temperature wind long sleeve shirt
winter sleeves
wicking sports under shirt
winter gloves
winter tights
1 pair woolish socks
balaclava
glasses
Not quite cold enough for the beard head or the ski goggles, but it's getting there.
Thin wind vest
Mid temperature wind long sleeve shirt
winter sleeves
wicking sports under shirt
winter gloves
winter tights
1 pair woolish socks
balaclava
glasses
Not quite cold enough for the beard head or the ski goggles, but it's getting there.
__________________
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
In the words of Einstein
"And now I think I'll take a bath"
#22
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Google is a very good tool for searching bikeforums. This thread has come up approximately 37 zillion times. I've personally responded to maybe 200 of them. I'm getting tired of typing for people too lazy to use Google.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#23
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Northern AZ
Bikes: 1985 Raleigh Portage
Good so far down to 11 ° - from bottom up:
Foxwear socks with slip-on low-cut boots
Foxwear Powershield Rain Pants
Champion C9 long sleeve t-shirt base layer
Foxwear PowerDry long sleeve shirt middle layer
Showers Pass Elite 2 jacket
OR Meteor gloves
wool cap with ear coverings
Foxwear socks with slip-on low-cut boots
Foxwear Powershield Rain Pants
Champion C9 long sleeve t-shirt base layer
Foxwear PowerDry long sleeve shirt middle layer
Showers Pass Elite 2 jacket
OR Meteor gloves
wool cap with ear coverings
#25
Good so far down to 11 ° - from bottom up:
Foxwear socks with slip-on low-cut boots
Foxwear Powershield Rain Pants
Champion C9 long sleeve t-shirt base layer
Foxwear PowerDry long sleeve shirt middle layer
Showers Pass Elite 2 jacket
OR Meteor gloves
wool cap with ear coverings
Foxwear socks with slip-on low-cut boots
Foxwear Powershield Rain Pants
Champion C9 long sleeve t-shirt base layer
Foxwear PowerDry long sleeve shirt middle layer
Showers Pass Elite 2 jacket
OR Meteor gloves
wool cap with ear coverings





