Billy Bones

Yep...most important component. Get together several of varying heat-retention capabilities, including a "Buff" for milder duty. https://buffusa.com/sports/collections/filter/original

A protected neck seems to preclude the need for heavier stuff elsewhere. YMMV.

sknhgy 

I will share my secret. I go to Goodwill stores and search the racks for merino wool sweaters. You can get brand new ones for $3. I got a $185 Victorinox sweater for $4. Looks like it had never been worn.

rumrunn6

all kidding aside ...

- Novara Headwind pants
- a couple of poly fleece henley-style-collar shirts I picked up several years ago and they are just the most versatile and useful garments
- chemical toe warmers
- cycling specific skull cap
- cycling specific head band
- cheap motel style clear shower cap as a wind break and rain proof helmet cover - by using this and alternating with other various under helmet layers (like a head sweat, skull cap, head band or watch hat) I can cruise through cold weather and always be able to regulate my head temperature

WC89

I checked my head/neck gaiter that I've been using since the mid '90s. It's made by Maxit. It's called the Maxit Headgator. There's still a small website but not sure if they still make it.

Billy Bones

INSPIRED!!! This is a great solution...and the price is right! Next time at my mom's house, I' going to poach a couple. Thanks, Rum'.

Related, those plastic 'tubes' that newspapers are delivered in serve a similar purpose for feet.

TiHabanero

#1 on the list is this heavy wool sweater I got from Ireland back in 1988. Soooo warm!! Made by some gal that worked from her home. Never ever stinks, either. I paid 20 bucks for it, in cash, US dollars. Still use it to this day.

#2 on the list is the Bellweather pant I got 3 years ago. They work perfectly for wind block and are insulated. Good into the low 30s so far. Much better than the uber dollar Specialized Sub Zero tights I had.

Terex

I have a pair of the older ones too, and they are great. I just don't need that much protection most of the time though, so they get little wear. Ditto Lobster Claw gloves. But if the apocalypse ever comes, or if I move to New Hampshire, I'm set!

I get much more use out of my Assos Intermediate EVO jacket with flexible air blocking panels on the front. Covers a wide range of temps depending on base layer used, knickers v. tights, weight of gloves, thickness of balaclava, etc.

PaulH

Grandoe downhill ski gloves.

GeneO 

Well I used a Performance bike balaclava today with 31F going in and 45F coming back with wind gusts of 20 mph and I was surprised how well it kept my ears warm for as thin as it is. So this was my favorite today

Kai Winters

No one piece is my favorite, rather my kit is just right for the temps I regularly ride in.

GFish

Have shoe toe covers, insulated road boots, amfib tights, wool base layers, thermal jersey's, wool head/ear covers, insulated gloves of various thickness, balaclava's and jackets of different types; but my favorite cold weather gear that I use the most over various temps is a Nashbar Derby softshell jacket I picked up last year for $37 on sale.

This jacket is breathable and the front is wind resistant. I'll match the conditions by varying the under layers; from short sleeve jersey or base layer, or long sleeve base layer only, or long sleeve base layer + long sleeve jersey, or long sleeve base layer + insulated long sleeve jersey.

Before using the Derby jacket, I was using a cycling nylon shell that didn't breath or very little. I was either to hot of cold depending on how much moisture built up. This flexible thermal jacket solved the problem and improved my ride comfort. There are a number of thermal jackets that I'm sure will offer the same results, but at $37 I consider this a best buy and one of my favorite pieces of kit for cold weather.

rumrunn6

thin head cover like one of these was very useful Saturday

NOS88

To me asking what your favorite cold weather apparel is like asking what kind of headache you like best.

jyl

Our "cold weather" in the Pacific Northwest is more like 35F and raining. So not snow and ice cold, but wet and cold with wind chill and sometimes black ice.

For commuting in this weather, it is basically about really good rain gear with a fleece layer, a thin balaclava for the ears and neck, and good waterproof gloves, and adjust the vents to keep from soaking yourself with sweat.

For fun rides, I wear lycra bike tights over bike shorts, and on the coldest days with thin fleece tights as the insulation layer. On top, I wear a Columbia "Omni-Heat" long-sleeve base layer, a regular short-sleeved bike jersey, a long-sleeve Gabba wind-and-waterproof jersey. Sometimes a light-colored rain cape over that, for a bit of extra insulation and for more visibility since otherwise I'm all in black.

reverborama

There's a lot of stuff I couldn't get by without - ski helmet and goggles, Lake boots, wool socks, etc., but the item that took me the longest to discover was the pair of choppers from Fleet Farm. Even the lobster claws could only keep my hands warm down to a certain point. When it is under 10 degrees, the choppers really get the job done.

Something like this.

Boudicca

I am a great fan of the Gore Phantom jacket, which has the added advantage that you can zip the sleeves off if it warms up unexpectedly and ride with a short-sleeved jacket. And it's day-glo yellow as a bonus.

But having said that, I don't ride in the real winter. As soon as the temperatures drop to freezing (like round about now), I wimp out.

lenA

I wear choppers too, as needed, but with wool liners instead of fleece

Dan Burkhart 

Insulated neoprene socks, worn with another pair of socks inside. I had to buy a larger pair of cycling shoes to accommodate them, but cold feet are worse to me than cold anything else, so it was worth it.

etw

I have a merino wool buff that I love. It is comfy and very versatile.

bruce19

Can you still buy Powergrips?

bruce19

I like my Vermont made Darn Tough socks, Pearl Izumi gloves and various Under Armour. But, my favorite is my Capo jacket.

scoatw

winter forum>>post your winter bike pics>>pg 14. go there and you'll get info on some DIY powergrips. I made them and they work pretty good. https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ke-pics/page14

bruce19

Cool. Thanks.

digibud

These are the powergrips I use.
https://www.rei.com/product/609173/po...grips-original

cyclist2000

anything that will keep me warm, insulated tights, warm hat, shoe covers, good gloves.