Winter Riding Gear
 

So let me start by saying this is my first season that I’ll attempt to ride all winter long. I need to piece my winter gear together.

I currently have a base layer (tops and bottoms), a fantastic jacket for really cold days, fingerless and lighter set of gloves, arm and leg warmers and a benne.

What do you guys/gals wear at and at what temp do you wear them? Today is 50 where I’m at and I’m doing arm warmers and that’s it.

I run pretty hot once I start moving so overdoing it is a concern. Would love some feedback.

Ah, this is a topic that could go on and on and on...

I live in Minnesota and I’ll ride until about 0F if there is wind and -7F if there isn’t. Once the ground freezes and there is snow and ice down, then the fatbike comes out and we ride on snowmobile trails.

On the road, at (today)32F I wore a thermal top with a light weight capilene base layer. I had a WarmFront windproof bib on under that. Over the top was a custom Foxwear jacket that is neoshell in the front and midweight power stretch in the back (very inexpensive and an awesome garment).

I wore regular summer biking shorts, leg warmers and then a midweight pair of power stretch tights over the tight. At midweight, power stretch is sort of wind proof but not really. But it breaths super well.

Head was helmet, hat (that I took off), light weight neck gaiter. Glovers were Castelli Spetaccolo (something like that) and the worked great. I had neoprene tips on my shoes.

For me the issue is getting the moisture out and keeping my hands warm. Power stretch is just awesome stuff and it works superbly. When the temp gets down near zero, I’ll switch to heavyweight powerstretch tights over regular bike shorts with no leg warmers. Works exceptionally well.

Castelli, in my opinion, has totally nailed the glove thing with the Estremo and the Spetaccolo (sp?). On the fat bike at deep cold, I will put pogies on the bars.

J.

Short answer is: wear what suits you best, everyone is different.


I rode today in light rain, 50 degrees with 15mph winds. Me and my riding buddy were dressed entirely differently. So me telling you what I wear likely is of no real benefit to you.


You'll likely want tights and a vest at a minimum to complete your arsenal. You may want thermal tights as well.

Arm warmers at 50° is about where I'm at, too.

Today was 32° and I had a base layer, LS jersey, vest, light gloves, light hat (covering the ears), thermal tights over bibs, lightweight merino socks and neoprene overshoes (my feet do tend to get cold). Once I got going, I probably could have taken the vest off, but instead I eased off the pace to keep from sweating too much. If it's in the 20°s, I'll replace the vest with a jacket and go to some heavier gloves (edit: the other Minnesotan has reminded me about the neck gaiter - that'll go on in the 20°s, too). I tend not to ride much below 20°, but if I do, same gear but shorter duration (90-ish minutes).

Anyone using Uniqlo Heat Tech shirts as base layers? They're quite slim fitting in regular size and perhaps sizing down will be skin tight like cycling wear.
uniqlo.com/us/en/men/heattech-collection

I'll be using a ls heat tech under a ls jersey once it's 40-50. Have yet to test but should be okay.

+1
And seeing as how the OP doesn't say where he is, or what temperatures his 'winter' experience is, not sure how folks could be expected to advise?

He mentions 50° and arm warmers as a baseline - not a bad start. We know that he's not a Texan wearing a balaclava at 55°.

I suppose.. very hearty soul and immodest to boot, to go on a ride wearing nothing but arm warmers. :)

weather across the US is a bit screwy.. Same temperatures now in Tennessee as they are in northern Montana. It's warmer in northern Maine than it is in NoCal.

As a guide.. fwiw, I always found this as a somewhat decent starting point for dressing for temperatures.

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear...g-cold-weather

Each person has a different comfort temperature comfort zone. What's right for me may be too cold/warm for you. You just have to experiment with it. It might mean that sometimes you're overdressed, which is okay, or underdressed, which might be somewhat dangerous, but you'll just have to learn by trial and error.

A gilet or jacket with wind block in the front and vented or mesh in the rear is invaluable.

Among the best are:

• 7Mesh Synergy long sleeve jersey
• Morvelo Hemisphere gilet
• Castelli Perfetto Light jersey
• Craft Featherlight gilet
• Castelli Alpha ROS jersey

-Tim-

What is a "benne?"

I am in alabama. Windy today with a 50 temp. Ended up with arm warmers and leg warmers, a light vest and light gloves. It was a nice ride.

The lowest I should have to deal with, would be around 30-35. It doesn’t get super cold here and seeing as there are many folks on this forum, felt this a good place to come.

I understand that everyone is different, and this isn’t a “what should I wear” thread per say, more of a guideline from others with more experience than myself.

This. I finally got one of these (the 7Mesh) and had a chance to test it yesterday. 43° at the start of the ride and it was excellent. Cooler temps and I will add arm warmers under it.

My rule is to dress for the end of the ride, then add or subtract layers to make the start barely tolerable.

Yesterday it started out in the upper 40's.
In addition to lightweight shorts and jersey, had arm- and full length leg-warmers, a vest and a windbreaker. Not the least bit chilly getting underway, so the same probably would be fine for 5-10 degrees cooler. Didn't need to remove the windbreaker until about an hour into the ride, and the warmers came off about an hour before the end, when it started getting into the 60s. Just about perfect.

Aside from the fact that some bib tights are weather resistant and some are extra-toasty warm, they have no real advantage over leg warmers except as a matter of convenience, and that's only if it stays cold. Same goes for long-sleeve jerseys over arm warmers. At first I thought warmers were odd, but they're really more convenient for clear days that start cold and warm up - unless you lose one. :rolleyes:

I've also found that, when in doubt, a windbreaker is a better bet than a base layer, and unless it's going to stay in the 40's or colder, a thermal jacket can get to be too much over a good base layer and jersey. You can't stuff a thermal jacket in your pocket, shedding base layers is quite awkward, and unless it's going to stay cold, I really don't want to be stuck with thermal sleeves.

Wealth of winter riding knowledge here...

https://www.bikeforums.net/winter-cycling/

We've been over this many times. This might be helpful:
https://www.bikeforums.net/18099855-post17.html

I picked up a Castelli Perfetto Convertible jacket recently from performance (during one of their 25% off single item promos) .. Good value and useful in changing conditions with ability to zip off the sleeves.

For days when it starts cool or windy or a bit damp, but expected to warm and clear up, the Morvelo rain cape is great stowable option.

Rapha, 3/4 long
ski gloves

It was 1.5* C when I left for work this morning. I had on thermal tights and a thermal top, with an underarmour type shirt on as a baselayer, and a pair of winter cycling gloves, wool socks and my overshoes. Plenty warm enough. It doesn't get too much below freezing over in the UK, but if any colder, a merino base layer and maybe a wind/rain proof jacket over the top of me. Balaclava for face and head if windy. Arm and leg warmers for anything 8*c-14*c. Legs out over 15*, arms out over 18*.

I'm next door in Georgia. :)

Keep in mind that I'm 53 and age makes a difference. Younger guys can get away with less but this is my advice.

Keep your feet, hands and head warm. Good shoe covers, appropriate gloves and a wool beanie are the basics but I also use a Smartwool "buff" around my neck at times and own a balaclava for the coldest days.

Layer your torso. The front/outside layer can be wind block and I find that when wearing three layers or more a base layer with wind block on the front such as a Craft WS (wind stop) can help keep cold air off the chest. I'm susceptible to bronchitis so keeping cold wind off the chest is important to me. Most of my outer garments are well ventilated in the back to exhaust a large volume of moist air.

Temperature control is done at the front of the torso. There is a delicate balance between warmth vs ventilation/keeping dry and when layers are done right a very small adjustment in the front zipper is all that is needed. I rode yesterday in the high 30's and only once adjusted my zipper more than four inches down from fully zipped. Two zippered layers are best for me - wind block on the outside and a jersey underneath, both with zippers, gives very good control over the amount of cooling air allowed to get near the base layer. Zipper pulls which are easy to work with gloves makes things much easier when riding and many manufacturers just don't get that.

Sometimes you just have to slow down and cool off or up the pace and warm up, especially if the weather changes or the sun comes out or hides behind clouds. I've stashed arm warmers and base layers in the bushes during rides and driven back in my car later in the day to retrieve.

Planning routes around hot beverage stops can help. A cup of hot green tea at Starbucks or hot chocolate at the convenience store late in the ride can can turn a miserable death march into a reasonably enjoyable day. I know from experience that hypothermia sucks and so I'm not shy about stopping if I feel the need.


-Tim-

Thanks Tim.

Not a native Texan, but still wearing a balaclava at 55.

You're kidding, right?

Well, I wore a balaclava this morning when it was only 4*C, but I used a very thin one that covers my ears and neck.

PM ride home was without, of course.

I'll use the same balaclava down to about -5 or so, but with it covering part of my face. Colder than -5 I'll got to a thicker one.

Don't ignore your head. When it gets cold, below 35F I wear a Giro ski helmet. It covers my ears and has a vent on top for when I warm up. It even looks like a bike helmet. But much, much warmer. Works better than any cap/helmet combo I've ever tried.