Another thing: Don't think that you have to buy the most expensive, high dollar zoot stuff from EMS or other botique outfitters to stay comfortable/warm/dry.

You can get a whole set of cold weather stuff from the thrift shop for cheaps.

Jeans work well as a lower layer, as denim is pretty windproof on its own. If it's really ****ing cold, throw a set of longjohns on under the jeans. You can probably get a set of synthetic long johns for <$30, local or online.

Wool sweaters from the thrift shop work great as an upper insulating layer, and are cheaps at the thrift store.

A nylon jacket/windbreaker is great for the top layer; and you do not have to spend $100+ on the goretex jazz. Waterproof helps for the rainy days, but is not essential. You could probably get a new nylon jacket/windbreaker for <$50.

Hint: Old navy has some very cheap and pretty good fleeces/jackets/synthetic clothing.

the problem is dealing with water. if you get sweaty, you should avoid cotton. in all weather.

When I was a messenger I always wanted to be a little cold for the first half hour or so of the day, then once I warmed up I'd be fine(not sweaty) for the rest of the day. But now that I'm commuting and it only takes a few minutes, I end up usually overdressing, and sweating a bit as well. But, as a bunch of folks have already said, it's best to use wicking fabrics that don't get damp and stick to you.

Another shop that has a pretty good selection of winter clothing, and surprisingly good prices is R&A out in Brooklyn. I know some of the guys there are jerks and all, but if you can get past that it's worth a look.

And S_9, how was the Manhattan bridge? Any ice up there still?

I took the Brooklyn this morning. MSNGR told me he bit it on the Manhattan Bridge yesterday before I even left my apartment, so I figured it wasn't going to get any better.
Bklyn Br. is fine.

Ride shirtless.

nothing wrong with sweating .....just make sure you drink water to replenish

my problem is that I have to wear so few layers that when i want to take one off, I get ****ing frozen. I've been fine so far with one t-shirt, one wool sweater, and one rain jacket. I get one mile from home/work and I need to remove the sweater. What I really need is a place to pop into to remove the layer and stay warm.

With this system, I arrive warm and (relatively) dry. My Chrome backpack means my back still gets sweaty, but there isn't anything to be done about that.

I sweat ... a bunch. I find that the only thing that works to help reduce sweat is nothing. So bring a change of clothes, and put on some anti-persperant before you head out to keep from smelling like a beast later in the afternoon.

Anti perspirant can cause pain for some. If you're fit and you perspire as soon as you begin exertion and don't cease unitl you've chilled your heart rate don't sweat it (no pun). You're body is doing just what it's supposed to do. Unless you're wearing too much. If it's below freezing but above -20 or so I like to be a little cold (some might consider it a lot) as I go out the door to work in the morning. Below that you're gonna be cold til you get going no matter what you do.
Deodorant instead of anti-perspirant. Less clothes on the commute, except your hands and feet which you should adequately protect in sub freezing tempertures.
That'd be my advice.


Oh and yeah, the sweatshirs no good. Ditch all cotton if you can, doesn't so a damn thing in the cold anyway. cept make it less bearable

edit-yah agree with chimbly, ditch cotton

Yes. Certain materials 'wick' better than others. Also clothing that has a waffle pattern does a better job of moving moisture around than clothing that doesn't. I'm just sick of the term because wicking is a universal property of all fabrics. It's just how well certain fabrics and fabric patterns manage the moisture ONCE they have 'wicked' that is important. Cotton handles it poorly. Something with a mix of spun polyester and microdenier polyester will handle it well.

I'm just venting. Don't mind me.

Can we all say 'moisture managing clothing' rather than wicking? It would make me happy.

p.s. sweating is a part of cycling. if you want to be sweat free when you get to work just don't ride. bring a change of clothes and some wet naps and embrace the sweat.

hey I was thinking of ordering the craft wool baselayer set, but does its polyester element make it stink more? my smartwool longjohns can be worn for a week without odor. They stretch out and fit kind of strange, though.

Polyester does hold onto smell more than wool/synthetic blend. it's a trade off.

slow roll it in to work and dont break a sweat

Or tape some wet naps in your pits?
hah

I'm aware. Specifically, to the people actually wearing this--what is the stink retention level involved?

I have a synthetic long sleeve shirt and a heavy loden wool sweater from Ibex. Wool stays warm when wet, unlike cotton. The sweat wicks into that no problem. Staying dry makes a huge difference.

Good advice from all...

Don't use anti-perspirant... That stuff stops sweat by jamming up your pores with aluminum.

i used to have a problem with sweating excessively. i cut all of the caffeine out of my diet and i haven't had a problem since.

and how. my polyester top is possesed with the stink. i could have sworn one of our cats did her deed on it, but nope... smeller is the feller.

spend money on one of the other synthetics.. polyester aint worth it.

Yes, I agree that Paragon is expensive (though they just sell all their stuff at MSRP; its just that the stuff is that expensive) But, since when is 18th and B'way considered SoHo?

S_9, i agree with some of the other posts in the idea that one should wear less layers. A base layer and a lightweight windproof outer should do the trick. On my cold weather rides (20 degrees), that is pretty much all i'll wear. Of course, needing to wear your office/work clothes when riding (so that its not wrinkled/folded in your bag) may just act as an absorber for whatever sweat there is. I don't have a good answer for that (likely) situation.

The following are my recommendations. Note that these are all Patagonia products. I prefer these over other brands for product quality as well as faith in their business ethics (not ideal but better than anyone else out there). But the other major outdoor companies (Arcteryx, Mountain Hardwear, Cloudveil [a personal favorite]) make similar high-quality products.
Recommendations for base layer: Patagonia Capilene Silkweight Longsleeve $34
[/URL]https://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRODUCT&merchant_rn=7385&cgrfnbr=366040&sku=45004&ws=false&promo_cat=&promo_cat_id=[/URL]
Recommendations for outer/windproof layer: Patagonia Figure4 Jacket $180 (i know a lot! but there is a lifetime satisfaction guarantee!!!)
[/URL]https://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTION=PRODUCT&merchant_rn=7385&cgrfnbr=365993&sku=84965&ws=false&promo_cat=&promo_cat_id=[/URL]
Recommendations for a single layer to do all of the above: Patagonia Wind Shield Top $125
https://www.patagonia.com/za/PDC?OPTI...&promo_cat_id=
For bottoms, I wear these (probably too often): Mountain Hardwear Transition Featherweight Tights
[/URL]https://www.mountainhardwear.com/Product.aspx?top=1&prod=1361&cat=36&viewAll=False[/URL]

And in regards to going to a store to try some of these on before purchasing, Paragon is worth checking out, but just don't listen to any of the garbage that their sales(wo)men tell you. Definitely not outdoor enthusiasts working there. Nonetheless, I would highly recommend going to Tent and Trail on Park Place
[/URL]www.tenttrails.com[/URL]

Man, I love talking outdoor apparel. If anybody is going to be attending the Outdoor Retail Industry convention in Salt Lake this January, PM me. I'm already here. We should ride.

^thatpostishardtoread

Lots of good info on this thread. Some random musings of my own:

No need to sweat when cycling in the winter. Just open vents or take off layers. Sweating is no biggie if you're stepping straight into an office, but its seriously bad news (hypothermia?) if you are going to be outside for a while after you stop. Espescially if you don't have proper clothes. (Like, if you're wearing cotton.) I sweat like crazy too, but if i'm sweating when its 35 degrees outside, i'm wearing too many clothes.

Good polypro stinks way less than the old-fasioned kind or the cheap kind. Underarmor or patagonia works best for me. I've got old stuff that never smells good, but goes nuclear as soon as it gets warmed up with body heat. Wool is always good, but heavier/bulkier/scratchier. Then again won't melt onto your skin when you accidentally fall into the fire.

No need to spend lots of money but i did just spluge on a softshell jacket which works amazingly well for biking.

Happy riding

Try thinner sinthetic layers and a very thin windbreaker. It works for me. pretty well.
When below 30 the polar fleece is on.

I think I'm just going to copy & paste your post onto my Christmas list. Thanks!