I ride in 35 - 50 degrees in the dry desert here in the morning. I need to get some cycling clothes in place of my sweat pants and shirt. I see other cyclists wearing form-fitting tops and bottoms. But looking online I see both base layer, and jackets. Do people wear both a base layer and a cycling jacket, as well as base plus some kind of pant, at the same time?
Can anybody recommend an example of a single layer that would handle 35 to 50 degrees?
Thanks
Jim

There is a forum that specifically deals with winter cycling. Sure you can find answers there.

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...Winter-Cycling

I guess that's fahrenheit. I don't know how cold that is, but my fancy new wool jersey, with wind-blocking panels can handle from about 0 to 15 or so in complete comfort.

I'm sure there are less expensive options, but I got this one:

Single layer for legs (tights or leg warmers).

NOT single layer for top. You want a couple layers, ideally outer layer should have (or be a) windproof shell.

Here is what I would wear on top: short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, and windbreaker/shell (or vest). As temps warm up maybe pitch the shell.

Thanks! I'll go on over...

35-50 degrees is not cold weather IMO. There still might be some help there but what OP describes is not really cold.

Well that all depends on where you live. And there are many discussions in that forum where people talk about clothing for different temperature ranges including the one asked here..

The answer in all cases will be layers. Find what works for you, your climate and your cold tolerance. The basic starting point would probably look something like this:

Upper body
short or long sleeve base layer (wool can be great here and has a bit wider comfort range)
short or long sleeve jersey
windproof (and/or waterproof depending on needs) jacket/vest/shell

Lower
cycling shorts/bibs
tights/leg/knee warmers
pants/shell if it's really cold/wet

Dress to be a bit cool when you start as you will warm up and then unzip/vent/shed as needed.

The main thing to remember is wool. With two years of daily winter riding under my belt I can say with full confidence that wool is superior to any modern technical fabric. Breathes better, handles a wider temperture range, does not get smelly, and keeps you warm not matter if it's wet or not. How much you need to wear will depend on you. I do fine with 3 lightweight wool layers down into the low 20s f if there is not any real wind.

....alrighty... enough with bashing desert dwellers. I ride when it is 50+ but I have to use warm cloths. I personally do fleece knickers with a fleece long sleeve top, wool ankle socks and a cap under my helmet. If it gets too cold while riding fast I put on gloves, if it gets too cold even then... I do insulated gloves. Those changes seem to manage everything I need to feel comfortable.

35-50F is about the same as 0-15C. Same range if not totally identical.

At the low end of the range, I'll wear a thermal jersey and a breathable jacket, and tights over bike shorts. Gloves. My feet can take 35F with wool socks in road shoes---no need for booties.

At 50 I'd lose the jacket and the tights, and wear half gloves.

Wind can also be a factor.

It's all relative too. To me, 50f is warm, so I could get by in shorts, short sleeve jersey, and a shell jacket.

The key is to figure out what you would wear in various temp ranges, like:
50 - 60
40 - 50
30 - 40
20 - 30

Then, you are prepared for ANY temp. For me, between 40 and 20 means adding a balaclava, and ski gloves. So I know over 40, lose the balaclava and winter gloves, go to cap and long finger cold weather bike gloves.

If they do, you shouldn't take their advice.

Get a very thin wool base layer, and wear it under a wind breaker. Use a third layer for warmth if you need it.

Thanks everyone for all the great info, wow.
Jamesdak, thanks for the suggestion, I looked online for wool (long sleeve and long leg length) but all I am finding is synthetic, even from Pearl Izumi, Gore, etc. Do you have a particular website or product in mind?
Thanks
Jim

Boy, Commodus, that is some gorgeous gear. How much did that set you back?

I have a question about wool.....I use a down comforter. One of the great things about it is when it's cold, it keeps me warm, but when it's warm, it doesn't make me too hot. I don't know why, it's kind of a miracle I guess :-).
So how does this gear do in not-so-cold temps?

That's why you use layers, plural, and not one monolithic one. When it's not so cold, you wear fewer layers.

Can you recommend a specific thin wool layer as you mentioned?
Thanks.

$200 or so. I wouldn't wear it above 15C/50F. Once I hit 7-8C, the vents come open and the zipper comes down, but it depends how hard I'm working. If I'm climbing hard, or doing intervals at 15C, it's certainly the wrong piece but it works. I don't completely over heat, largely because the vents are very well designed and placed.

I like it because where I live, it covers my commuting needs for the entire winter - it just doesn't get that cold here. I just chuck on a light rain jacket when it's really raining, but it actually handles rain remarkably well. Enough so that I rarely bother on my 45min commute. For the great majority of my cold weather riding, I don't have to worry too much about layers. I just put this on over a normal jersey. It's amazing that a single piece can be so versatile.

I don't have one, but these are supposed to be good:

https://www.defeet.com/60266/UnD-Wool.html

I use defeet wool baselayers!

Sure. I like the Stoic "Merino Bliss" base layers. 150 grams per square meter is very thin, so it won't hold much sweat or provide almost any insulation. I've worn one of mine (in white) on long, strenuous mountain hikes in August when it's been 90+ F, and also under other layers show shoeing and riding a bike in windy 35 degree rain.

It won't keep you warm, because its job isn't to insulate, but it'll keep the sweat away from you and keep you from feeling or losing heat to whatever sweat you produce. And it'll keep you from smelling like body odor.

It says they don't cut the skin off the sheep's ass before they take its wool.

poor advice. make sure to cover your knees at that temp.

key is to figure out for yourself what works for you at various temps. this can only do by trail and error.

Find a good base layer then add whatever you need ontop of that as said before. I wouldnt recommend a hardshell jacket as youll sweat a good deal under that if your working hard. softshells do a much better job of keeping you warm but not trapping heat.

personally in 50-30F id run a wind vest over a ss jersey and baselayer (under amour) then a pair of tights and bibs. at either extreme you may need a bit less (thinner base layer/lt weight vest) or a bit more (knee/arm warmers)

Cheap baselayer: silk undershirt from sierratradingpost.com. I think it was less than $20. It's warm, thin, and machine washable.
Even cheaper baselayer: moth-eaten cashmere or merino sweater. Don't throw it out. Throw it in the washing machine to make it snug. Cut off the sleeves if you like. (If you don't have one, check out Goodwill, etc. Make sure it's actual wool, not polyester).

Hmm, silk eh? How does silk compare to wool as a base layer?