Bat56

I keep two items in my bag for extra insulation: plastic grocery bags and bubble mailers.
I cut up the grocery bags and put them over my toes before I stick my foot in my shoe. I find this adds at least 10 degrees F to my shoes. Meaning I can wear my road shoes into the 20s.
I will also shove some grocery bags down my pants on those really windy days below 20F. You know the ones that literally frost bite a penis. I have tried various solutions, including various technical underwear options, and a plastic bag does a great job of insulating, blocking wind, and staying in place.
I slip a bubble mailer between my shirt base layers and tuck the bottom into my waist band, I do this on the windy days that dip below 10F. The ones that frost bite my stomach. This is a solution born out of necessity on a particularly nasty ride that forced me to empty my bag and put everything in there on my body. The bubble mailer earned a permanent spot in the load-out that day.

CliffordK

Each person is different.

I found winter cycling shoes recently. I have a pair of Shimano MW-81 which seems well suited for northwest weather. But, there are some designed for cold weather too.

As a commuter, & rain commuter, I use a rain slicker a lot. Slicker over fleece is usually good enough down to a bit below 30. Open if I get hot, zip up if I get cold.

Slicker pants also help for cold weather riding.

wolfchild

I prefer proper clothes and proper winter boots rather than dressing in plastic bags and bubble wrap.

BobbyG

I'm sure this causes quite a scene in the checkout lane at the supermarket. Very clever, thanks for sharing.

I know from experience that store-bought, purpose-made gear lacks the added warmth that comes from the self-satisfaction and smugness of designing or bodging something together yourself.

TimothyH

I've used grocery bags and a piece of Tyvek house wrap across the chest in an emergency.

Castelli Sorpasso 2 Wind bib tights block wind from the knees to the lower abdomen and are warm into the teens. The Polare 2 are even heavier.

GripGrab Race Thermo or Arctic shoe covers with chemical warmers are toasty.

The word "Winter" means different things to St. Paul MN and Atlanta GA. Either way, do what you gotta do.


-Tim-

Bat56

Bat56

FBOATSB

No, proper gear has adverts emblazoned all over them. If your freezing to death anything will do. Kudos.

_ForceD_

rumrunn6

thanks for the bubble mailer tip! very clever!

mcours2006

Interesting ideas. If I were to design cycling wear that's suited for winter riding I'd certainly put more pudding in the front than the back. In fact, the back could be fine with minimal insulation. I haven't used bubble wrapping, but I have used a vest inside my jacket on occasion when it's super cold. Again, the problem is that the back gets sweaty because of the extra and unnecessary insulation.

As for plastic bag for the feet, I haven't had to do that. I bought a pair of Spec Defrosters. They are sufficient for most conditions.

wipekitty

My first "pogies" were old bubble mailers covered with duct tape. For extremely cold days, it was pretty effective.

Shimagnolo

Jump to 5:53 where he talks about ziploc bags:

BTW This is the commercial product he mentions: https://exotogg.com/

TimothyH

Obeast

I ride the winter with vintage golf shoes (metal spikes) so as soon as my foot touches the ground, those sharp metal spikes dig deep into the ice.

madpogue 

Sounds messy....

Removable option - https://stabil.implus.com .