This is my first full-season of riding and I'm trying to avoid blowing too much $$ by trial and error for cool weather clothing. There seem to be an array of ways to approach this. Wondering what your thoughts are on long sleeve thermal jerseys vs. jackets (softshells and windshells) with a base layer underneath? I hope to be able to ride into the high 30s and as I run cold need something in the low 60s.

Trial and Error.

Take the temp when you ride and list the clothes that worked best.

We all have different needs to feel comfortable.

The key to investing in cold weather clothing is layering.

Assuming you already have the warm weather jersey and bibshorts, here are a list of things you should consider adding:

- good long sleeve thermal baselayer from makers such as Craft who really knows how to make warm yet wicking baseleyer
- arm and keen/leg warmers
- long sleeve jersey with fleecy material like the Roubaix material
- windproof shell jacket or vest
- bibtights with some windproof or windblocking front
- skull cap (that covers ears) & neck gator
- long finger insulated gloves
- windblocking toe covers for shoes
- thicker wool socks

With the set up, for me, I am able to deal with weather down the low 30s

Be wary of wind shells, they can trap moisture, which is OK for short periods but on a longer ride can get you in trouble.

40s - 50s ?

Light long sleeve wool base layer.
Short sleeve jersey.
Sportful ultralight packable wind vest.

50s - 60s ?

Short sleeve jersey.
Arm warmers.
Sportful ultralight packable wind vest.

Peel stuff off as needed.

If you plan to ride outside in Chicago year round, you'll need it all...you'll see...I've got 3 words of advice: Gore, Pearl Izumi. Go nuts.

I would get a long sleeve spring jersey, long sleeve thermal jersey and some type of warmer jacket. This is my attire per general temp range.

shorts/jersey 65+
shorts/t-shirt+ls jersey 60-65
knickers/t-shirt+thermal jersey 50-55
shorts+tights/t-shirt+1 or 2 ls shirts+jacket <50

Also, shoe covers and a balaclava were the best investment that I've ever made in regards to cold weather riding.

I agree that you'll probably want both eventually. If you have to choose, I would choose a good jacket because that's a more versatile thing to have. I've done base layer/SS jersey/jacket in the winter and it's certainly doable. Your upper body isn't usually the biggest problem. That will be hands and feet.

As everyone has said, there's going to be some trial and error for you

For myself, I'm happy with just a pair of arm warmers and wool cycling cap down to the low-mid 50s. Leg warmers, thin gloves and a wool base layer get added to get down to about 45
45 down to about freezing is a pair of bib tights, thermal jersey with wool base layer, wool beanie, shoe covers, and mid weight gloves
35 down to about 15 is the same, but with heavier gloves, a good soft shell vest, and a balaclava.
Below that is when the jacket and winter boots come out

Are you prone to sweating?

I agree with dalava about layering.

I don't like riding in softshells at all. They're good for around town but they're too warm for aerobic exercise.

If you're comfortable when you leave the house, you're going to overheat for most of your ride. (And maybe sweat a lot and get clammy and chilled.) Better to dress so you're a little chilly for the first mile or two, that's usually the right balance, at least for me. You can drink a warm coffee or tea or something to keep you toasty for that first mile before the exercise starts to keep you warm.

Like everyone said, lotsa trial and error. Personally, I find warmers, vests, merino wool (jersey, warmers, cap, socks etc), knit defeet gloves, caps and sometimes a convertible wind jacket to all be super handy for a wide range of temps.

I'm in the same situation with my first full season of cycling. Fortunately, being a year round runner I've got a bunch of cold weather stuff I should be able to use. As has been mentioned, you don't want to walk outside and be warm. You will get too hot and then very uncomfortable. I do have to keep my hands warm though, I have Raynaud's. I use electric hand warmers inside my gloves. Do you guys wear cycling tights with the padding or regular tights under your cycling shorts? What about toe covers versus shoe covers? My feet usually don't bother me running, but riding is going to be colder since I'll be going much faster.

I only use toe warmers on the really cold and windy days. My feet don't get that cold, and they'll overheat me pretty quick if I go overboard. I use wool socks though and they're great!

Running is a completely difference animal than cycling in terms of foot warmth. For cycling, they are one of the first things that you will feel cold. The key is to block the wind, and that's why toe covers are super useful to about mid-30s. Below that, I would consider full shoe cover which will restrict air circulation. If you feet get too warm and start to sweat, it actually could make things worse.

I have bibtights that have chamois so I don't have to worry about wearing bib shorts and then tights. But either way works.

For jackets, I like to wear something that's light and windproof in front, but the back of the jacket is mostly mesh. That keeps me warm without trapping sweat. I don't break out a full shell jacket until the temps go under 10F.

Ibex Merino Wool Men's Spoke LS Full Zip Long Sleeve
https://www.showerspass.com/products...lub-pro-jacket

The Merino wool is mid weight and superbly comfortable by itself down to mid low 50's. Through in the showers pass, extremely breathable , waterproof and windproof and your good down to thirties. Add a light weight merino tee shirt and your good down to 20's. The showers pass is a technical marvel. It is the only jacket that is great in rain and out of rain as a wind breaker due to its ability to let moisture out and keep rain from getting in.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll be going with toe covers. I want some air otherwise my feet will sweat which will not be comfortable. I just have regular shorts, but I'm going to try them with my running tights which I already wear under my running shorts. Might as well try what I've already got.

Me personally, I NEVER wear long sleeve jersey's. I prefer a jacket that can be removed. That said, a guy I ride with often wears a long sleeve jersey, but he doesn't seem to overheat as easily as I do when wearing long sleeves. So, as has been said... trial and error. But me, I'd take a long sleeve windshell with possibly a long sleeve baselayer than I can roll the sleeves up on for cooler weather.

The most efficient way of doing this for your stated temperature range is to use a short sleeve jersey.you can use arm warmers if needed.get the jacket/shell. Something that you can take off and cold up in that jersey pocket.

Layering is best. I prefer warmer jerseys. Jackets (shells & thicker jackets) will usually leave me too warm. My HR is higher and we have a lot of climbs so that is mostly it....especially climbing makes me hot and sweat. Even in 40 degree weather, I cannot climb or ride hard with a jacket. At most, I wear a vest. You will have to test this out. Yeah, I probably have too many great jackets that I hardly wear.

Why is it an either/or choice? Having both works for me, layering with the long sleeve jersey and using a jacket on top for cold rain and under about 20°

its also depends on the type of riding your doing..are your doing long endurance rides? tempo training rides? a ton of climbing?

one thing i always do is take a light full windbreaker with me....if u get it wrong u can always throw that on and it will help a lot, you might get a bit sweaty but vent it accordingly and it will get u by

There is an online interactive thingy: Cycling Pro Tips: What to Wear in Any Weather | Outside Online

But low 60's to 30's.... is a large spread. You're going to need a good selection of clothing items. I have and use:
Underarmor tee's
Jerseys (summer weight)
Long sleeve Jerseys
polar fleece
soft-thermal jacket
Wind-rain jacket
goggles
heavy cycling gloves (and lighter long fingered gloves)
Face protection
Balaclava (I even have a winter helmet)


The main thing is being able to be warm if you stop... but having zippers that allow you to open and vent away moisture and any excessive heat. Having a rear trunk/bag that allows for an extra jacket/poncho/ski-mask etc. makes packing carry along stuff easy.

I wear short sleeve jerseys with arm warmers until it gets cold enough for a jacket. I have a shell that is high viz, which comes out below 55 F or so. Once that is on, I go with ski clothes and maybe a sweatshirt under it. I wear my regular shorts and tights without a chamois. I have full shoe covers, as I have Raynaud's and hope to keep all my toes. Likewise with full gloves.
As said above, trial and error (I ride with someone who wears shorts down to the low 40's, but puts on an insulated jacket in the 50's), but (IMO) you don't need to restrict yourself to bike-specific clothing.

When the weather starts to cool, I put on my arm warmers with my ss jersey and often a wool ss baselayer. Easy enough to peel the arm warmers down or take them off as the day warms up.

There are times when a vest windbreaker is good at the start or if the day is really windy. If your core gets cold, you kinda shut down, lose power, etc. A vest can be rolled up small enough to fit into a pocket. Very useful, and not too expensive.

I then go to a light jacket/heavy longsleeve jersey with the baselayer.

The general rule of thumb is that you should be cold for the first ten minutes or so of your ride. If you are warm at the start, you will be burning up soon. When in doubt, carry the vest or full sleeve windbreaker jacket in your back pocket, just in case.