head warmth
 

At what temp do ya'll start wearing something for head warmth?
What do you use? Does it cover your ears?
Do Headsweats help for warmth or are they more for warm weather moisture-wicking?

Pearl Izumi head band around 20s. Cover the ears and keeps sweat out of your eyes.

Well I have a bunch of different solutions for different temps. First thing that goes on generally is an earband. I have those polypro earbands from performance and they work great when the temps get into the 40s. First thing that gets cold on me is the ears. I also have a polypro skull cap for when it gets cooler (above freezing to low 40s) and it covers my ears. After that I have a "windstopper" helmet hat that is like fleece which is good into the 20s. Once my face starts getting cold I go to the bacalava for full coverage.

All of these options cover the ears and I find my ears get cold first, if I cover my head too early I get too hot so the ear bands are nice. Honestly I have never been really comfortable with the helmet straps over the ear coverings...especially when you add sunglasses...but you have to do what you have to do to keep riding.

Nike thermal long sleeve jersey with incorporated hood.

I've worn a Nomex hood (from my fireman days). Super warm + I'm protected if my head catches on fire! lol

i don't have a very posh system. i just use a tight beenie (or are they called ski caps...i never know) under my helmet. covers top of head, ears, and most of the back of my neck.

You can switch your highly vented helmet for a budget model with more polystyrene and less hole.

Just bought a helly hansen sport balaclava to combat the cold Seattle commutes. The material is extremely light weight and breathable and helps a lot, plus its cheaper than anything available at my LBS.

http://www.hellyhansengear.com/catal...02b02e08768634

below about 55 I put a cycling cap on under my helmet. keeps me toasty.

The thing with those is that they kind of feel a little on the bulky side, and they dont cover my ears. But they work very nicely in most cases, and looks sweet. :D

yup, I use my kinda orange/kinda brownish tint Euskatel cycling cap.

Just picked up a pearl izumi skull cap a while back. I've only used it once so far. Highly recommended. It is shaped so that it comes down over the top of my ears which was nice at the beginning of the ride. As I warmed up I just flipped that part up, didn't bunch up at all. Wasn't too bulky, wicked sweat away. I'll be wearing it pretty much any time the temp dips below 50.

knit hat, temps below about 45F

PI thermal head band most of the time, PI skull cap on the really cold days.

I've wondered about those. They work well? Inhibit head turning or vision?

As a baldie in this climate I've got a drawer full of these things. Much below 55 I'll wear a microsnsor skullcap. Great product. If that's too light I'll move to a Cannondale product that's a bit heavier and provides a bit more coverage. I also use helmet covers for more versatility. Below about 15 I wear a lightweight balaclava. Below zero I've got a heavy balalaclava. I almost always carry/wear at least two of these options if it's cool out. A Smartwool beanie is with me everywhere these days as well.

I just started using a head sweats mid cap. Keep in mind temps that people use things are very realative. Those in the north and east won't use as much when it is only 60 out. However I live in Arizona so to me a day where it only gets to the low 60's is cold and I have my skul cap on. As far as the posters that talks about what they wears when it is in the 20's out, I personally think they are nuts and would never ride when it is that cold out. Of course it never gets that cold out here except for a couple of nights a year at around 1 in the morning. For me I am all bundled up with a balaclava, jacketshoe booties, full legs, etc when the temps get much below 60. Before you all call me a whimp, I will be riding in the summer when is is 110 out with no problem. Basically my point is the temp you wear different levels all depends upon what your body is use to.

As far as if headsweats help for warmth, yes they do help, and I have mine cover most or all of my ears. I also agree with another poster that my ears get really cold very quick. Ears, fingers, and toes (extremities) get very cold very quick. Remember that you loose most of your body heat thru your head and helmets are made to push air thru and take away the heat in summer. A comparison is a very light long sleeve shirt definatly is warmer than a short sleave shirt.

Yeah, I use the Headsweats too. I have the winter skull cap for cold days and the run ski fleece one for the super-cold days (like today). I like them a lot because they come down my ears too, so if I forget my headband, I am not screwed. And they fit nicely under the helmet too.

http://www.headsweats.com/

these work well under the helmet:
http://www.zubwear.com/