Formatting stolen from kokomo61
Today I wore....

Head:
No name poly skullcap, Specialized MTB helmet

Torso:
Underarmor cold gear long sleeved mock turtleneck and cheap Old Navy fleece

Legs:
Underarmor compression shorts under nike running pants and Bergalene medium weight long johns in between

Hands:
No name brand fleece glove liners

Feet:
Plain black tube socks and my new Time Geo MTB shoes

Weather:
32F (you figure it outC) with 4mph N/W winds and partly cloudy

4 mile ride was just fine. Thought to myself as I pulled into my complex, "I didn't even think about how cold it is out once during that whole ride, wierd."

35degF
Wind 15mph; wind chill 28deg
30 miles

Head: Helmet, ear warmers and thin balaclava

Torso: Craft base tank base layer, med thickness LS jersey (windproof in front )

Legs: mid weight tights; thin Duofold undershorts

Feet: Smartwool socks, chemical hand heaters inside under toes, and outside shoe above toes; Sidi Genius Mega's (1 size large for cooler months), 2 pairs toe covers, 1 pair thin slipstream full booties over that

Hands: Outside Research Mittens (1st time wearing them)

Result: Ride was with wind going out; on return, sun going down, against wind, it was predictably a bit cooler. Hands were very toasty, but breathed quite well! Everything was just about perfect except feet I believe got a little sweaty on the way out, and a little cool on return trip. Not sure I'd have done anything differently; really did not NEED mittens today, but had been waiting for a chance to try them. Nice and light, braeth well. Wow were my fingers comfortably warm!

Weather:
35° F, 10% humidity, winds 10-15mph


Head:
polypro balaclava, helmet

Torso:
Performance longsleeve polypro baselayer, Ibex Ampara longsleeve Merino wool jersey, Canari windproof vest


Legs:
Performance winter tights


Hands:
Louis Garneau polyester glove liners, Specialized fingerless cycling gloves


Feet:
Wigwam Merino wool hiking socks, Specialized MTB shoes, Performance neoprene toe warmers


Definitely seemed brisk, but not objectionably so. Wind was a headwind, dammit! Still need a better solution than that Canari windvest; it doesn't breath fer *****, so my torso was steaming, sweaty, & overheated...but if I took it off, the wool jersey & polypro base layer weren't quite enough warmth. Thinking I should get one of those windvests that's just a big mesh back.

Weather: 17 f.; cloudy.
Torso: nothing, just pasties.
Booty coverage: Victoria's Secret, white lace thong--scrumpscious.
Leggings: nothing but a tan.
Petite feet: nothing, just French tips, in white.
Hands: pink, extra tight gloves.
Face: a smile.

Working in construction all day makes a fellow want the difference, okay???

32degF at start down to 30 at end of ride
Wind negligible; sun going down at end of ride
35 miles

Head: Helmet, ear warmers and thin Pearl Izumi skull cap

Torso: Very Thin Duofold polyester long sleeve base layer; Giordana 20yr old wool jacket that's wind protected in front, breathable in back

Legs: mid weight tights; 2 pair thin Duofold undershorts (to protect personal area from freezing)

Feet: Smartwool socks, chemical hand heaters inside under toes, and outside shoe above toes; Sidi Genius Mega's (1 size large for cooler months), 2 pairs toe covers, 1 pair thin slipstream full booties over that

Hands: Pearl Izumi amfib gloves

Result: Everything felt just about right. Torso was a bit warm the whole ride so a little sweaty. Feet a bit chilly toward end of ride. When taking off shoes, my HEELS (bottom of rear feet) were pale; they pinked up quickly. Toes were fine though. This is a first. The Sidi's are Lorica leather in the forefoot. My rearfoot did not have much insulations as the Sidi's are all hard plastic and conduct cold right through. See foot covering above. I purposely don't put much covering over rear foot so foot can breathe, thus avoiding sweat/freeze cycle. I have Lake Winter boots, but prefer to wear the Sidis. Guess 30 degrees is about my limit for the Sidis :)

Clearly it feels warmer when the sun is shining on you!

Today I wore:

Head:

Helmet, Ear band over ears and one over mouth/nose. Two lightweight balaclava's worn under ear bands.


Torso

Performance Winter Cycling Jersey, Lightweight unlined vest, Performance Gore Tex Cycling jacket.

Legs

Nashbar Epic Cycling shorts, Foxwear Powershield tight, lightweight tights underneath.

Feet.

Two pairs heavy wool socks. For shoes I wore a pair of size 12 Wolverine, Thinsulate hiking boots. (I normally wear a size 11. Bigger sizes allow for warmer feet.)

Hands

LIghtweight fleece gloves from Target, Glacier Glove Flip Mitts.

Conditions
15 F, South Wind 15-20 mph and gusting. Started out in the dark. After sunrise sky was clear. Rode 1 hour 55 minutes. (22 miles) Dirt, gravel, roads were covered with snow/ice most of the way

Notes:
Slow going in wind and icey, snowy roads.

Today (actually, yesterday) I wore:

Head:

Helmet, lightweight balaclava, sunglasses.

Torso

Polartec base layer, Canari long sleeve cycling jersey, Gore Windstopper jacket.
Legs

Cannondale cycling liner shorts, polypro long underwear, Road Runner sports running tights.

Feet.

Smartwool socks, SealSkinz oversocks, Lake MTB shoes, Gator neoprene shoe covers.

Hands

Sealskinz gloves, Pearl Izumi wind blocker gloves.

Conditions
24 F, Wind 10-15 mph (17 "Real Feel") . Rode 1 hour 30 minutes. (21 miles). 43 RT. Afternoon ride was uneventful.

Notes:
Head was a bit cool, but not bad. Balacava was bothersome over my mouth, so that only lasted about 2 miles. Used lots of Chapstick. Feet were fine, as was body, although torso was a bit cool towards the end of the ride.

Hands. Frozen. Gloves. Don't. Work. I got a pair of PI lobster gloves, but dropped one, and couldn't find it in the garage in time to leave. Switched to backup plan, but had to stop 1/2 way at a gas station to try and warm up my hands. 2nd half of the ride was better, but I've got to get better gloves, or switch to the trainer.

I left at 7:20 AM, as it got light enough to go to work. The afternoon ride was at 3:30, and it wasn't uncomfortable at all.

I hope I can find the PI glove. I don't know if I dropped it in the house, the garage, or if it fell behind something, etc. They're brand new, and I'm kind of torqued that I made a bone-headed move like that. Anyway, if I can't find it, I'll probably be at EMS/Hudson Trail/Dick's to get a pair of mitts this weekend.

The 2nd pair of socks is a good idea - I've got the Sealskinz, which are neoprene, and do a good job of holding heat in....but you definitely need a wicking inner (e.g. wool) layer.

I've got a pair of Answer Kashmir's on order, but they won't arrive until next week.

I didn't go out bicycling today so I can't answer the thread properly.

Conditions: no wind thank goodness. 6-9F. 15 miles. Ride time 1 hr.

Feet: shimano spd shoes. Champion wool socks. Old wool skiing socks I have had for 15 years.
Legs: triflex tights, champion poly long john underwear, and sugoi blur shorts.
Torso: heavy weight champion poly long john top, my merino wool New Belgium cycling jersey, and the J&G cycling jacket.
Head and neck: seirus neck gaiter \ face mask, novara skull cap, and my helmet.

Feet were cold after 1 hr as usual. Everything else was nice and toasty... almost too toasty. The merino wool and heavy long john top may be a tad too much for me. Next time I will swap out the long john for a lighter version. That and 6F is the lower end of my no goggles tolerance. I may need to purchase a pair of clear goggles since I can not stand the safety goggles or my day tinted ski goggles (can't see a damn thing).

DataJunkie,

Try these insoles. I used them yesterday for the first time and was very suprised by the result. I did add a layer of aluminum furnace tape to the inside of the shoe before I put the insole in it. I not sure it helps much but it does seal up the bottom of the shoe.

Also go to Performance now (if you don't have them already) and get a pair of their neoprene shoe covers. They make a huge difference too.

I have the orange thermal insoles that I picked up at Walmart. Those look much better.
My other problem is that my shimano shoes are a bit narrow and cut off my circulation a bit, especially when I am standing in the light rail. I rock forward on the ball of my foot as the train stops and starts.
I have a set of PI booties that ruined the concept for me. I think I may give it another chance with performance's booties.
I was planning on hitting Home Depot this weekend for home items. The furnace tape may "accidentally" fall into my cart. :p

Thanks for the ideas.

I sure hope it warms up soon. I miss 15F....so much easier to ride in the 6F. I'm going to find old man winter and give him a peace of my mind. :p

Today I wore:

Head: skullcap, helmet

Torso: cotton t-shirt, rayon/silk sweater, hi-viz shell

Legs: poly/wool slacks

Hands: Swix XC ski gloves

Feet: poly/cotton dress socks, PI Vagabond shoes

Conditions: 32F/0C, calm, clear

Notes: I must be getting acclimated because today it was just about perfect.

The Performance booties are better...and cheaper... then the PI's. Currently about $20. While there check the flush bin for some cheap slightly wider, longer shoes. I saw a whole bucket load of shoes last time I was there. Not many in my size (I'm Joe Average ;) ) but you might get lucky.

25degF; snow started in last 5 miles
30 miles

Head: Helmet, thin helmet cover; ear warmers and thick balaclava

Torso: Thin Duofold polyester long sleeve base layer; Giordana 20yr old wool jacket that's wind protected in front, breathable in back

Legs: Performance Triflex bibs; pair thin Duofold undershorts

Feet: Smartwool socks x2 pair, chemical toe heaters inside under toes, Sidi Genius Mega's (1-2 size large), hand heaters outside shoe above toes and behind heel; 2 pairs toe covers, 1 pair med weight full booties over that

Hands: Pearl Izumi amfib lobster mitts; very thin liner glove

Result: Everything felt just about right. Nose a little chilly.

temp +5, very slight breeze (wind chill 0), bright sun, hardpack snow/ice road surface.
i wear pretty low tech clothes.
medium weight cotton longjohns for base layer, top and bottom.
middle layer was- nylon/cotton basketball shorts on bottom and wool vest on top.
outer layer- bottom was heavyweight cotton jersey pant and top was bright yellow
heavy hooded sweat shirt- extra long body and sleeves.
feet- two layers of socks; base cotton wicking, upper heavy wool.
shoes- LLBean snow sneakers with long johns overlapping socks inside the shoe and
elastic pant cuff pulled down over the sneakers and sort of stuck between the middle
and upper velcro fastener.
on top- a doo rag and ear covers with the hood up. a silk scarf around my neck and
brought up to cover most of my face all held in place by the hood.
eyewear- a pair of wrap around shooting glasses.
on hands a pair of heavy weight mittens.
i'm sure i looked pretty goofy- i don't care; i was comfortable, didn't get over heated or
cold and rode for about 45 min.

Set my own personal best (or personal stupid, depending on your POV) for low temp riding this weekend: Sunday it was 23°F when we started out. I am now confident and will go on record as saying I am all set for legs and torso down to the coldest imaginable temps: a Sahalie/Early Winters polypro "Furnace Shirt" as baselayer, some generic long sleeve polyester jersey, and finally my 10-year-old Performance fleece jacket with the windproof panels on the front. And 10-year-old Performance Thermastat tights over whatever cycling shorts du jour. That's it, I could probably ride down below 0°F and my legs & torso would still be cozy in that combination...almost too cozy. (Anyone know of a current cycling tight made from Thermastat? This stuff is amazing...but Performance no longer makes these.)

The problem is, I still don't have an acceptable solution for fingers & toes. Bought some new Specialized Sub-Zero gloves. Didn't work, fingertips still numb. Tried combining the outer shell of the Sub-Zeroes over my old winter gloves (Performance neoprene w/ leather palm), nope, fingertips still numb. Guess I gotta go with mittens, or lobster mitts?

And I've got Wigwam Merino wool socks inside my MTB shoes with Gator neoprene booties...uh-uh, toes are numb. Tried 2 pairs of wool socks, that was *worse*! Maybe I should try neoprene toe warmers under the booties? I hate to resort to plastic bags around my socks, I'd like my feet to stay somewhat dry. And I'm kind of opposed to chemical or electrical warmers on principal. Are winter cycling shoes, like the Lake's or Sidi's appreciably warmer than regular cycling shoes?

Head: Sugoi skull cap, helmet

Torso: Lowe Alpine base layer, PI wool LS jersey, Gore wind jacket

Legs: Lowe Alpine base layer, Road Runner Sports mid-weight tights

Hands: PI lobster gloves

Feet: Wigwam Wool ski socks, Sealskinz, MTB shoes and Gator neoprene covers

Conditions: 32-34F - clear, some snow

Notes: It was a welcome change to have warm hands. The PI lobsters were great. Legs were fine, but core was too warm. I had to unzip halfway to get some cooler air in, which made things much better. Feet felt a little cool, but not uncomfortable. Hardest part was dealing with some of the surface ice...

I've got a pair of Answer Kashmir's on order - hopefully they'll arrive soon, so it doesn't take 15 minutes to get my shoes on....

Head: Helmet, Baklava

Torso: T-shirt, thermal shirt, fleece jacket, waterproof wind jacket

Hands: Cotton glove liners, full finger bike gloves, socks with a thumb hole as makeshift mittens

Legs: 2 pairs of pajama pants, Water proof wind pants

Feet: Dress Socks, Cotton Socks, Shoes, Izuma Booties

Conditions: 9F(RealFeel -1F) 10MPH head wind, light snow, packed snow on 3/4 of the roads.

Temperature: 0F, -17 with wind chill (but I didn't really notice much wind), dry roads

Head: Headsock (finally adjusted helmet strap longer so it didn't squeeze my nose too tightly)

Torso: Regular flourescent windbreaker over thermal undershirt over flannel shirt over t-shirt (probably a little much, sweated a little)

Hands: Glove liners with mittens and "Grabber" hand warmers from my neighborhood hardware store

Legs: Jeans only! (Briefs, of course, but no long johns or anything)

Feet: Thermal socks under cotten socks with boots (platform pedals)

My only minor problems were the poor lonely thumbs, but even they were not too bad.

(I'm kind of opposed to chemical or electrical warmers on principal)
Sometimes you have to set principal aside and go for a little common sense,chemical heat packs are great for winter riding,

Actually, I felt the same way, but these warmers claim to be "non-toxic, environmentally friendly". The ingredients are "iron, water, cellulose, vermiculite, activated carbon and salt". The only one I'm a little hesitant about is vermiculite, but I admit I don't know anything about it except hearing something bad about the mining process recently.

Additionally, the company donates to a bunch of non-profit and conservation groups, so that makes me feel better about it too.

Finally, as you say, a little common sense is order at 0*F. That is the primary reason I "broke down" and bought them today, for the first time ever. But no matter how non-toxic they may be, they are still disposable, which I don't care for. :(

I used to have a couple of homemade rice-filled fabric squares that I could stick in the microwave, that would provide a good 10 minutes of heat. Unfortunately, I lost one of them and haven't gotten around to making another yet! And I think that after a year of use, the other is losing its effectiveness, so maybe it's just time to just make a whole new set.

Wool jeep cap
Wool scarf
Dickies blanket lined jacket, flanel shirt, union suit, jeans
wool socks and hiking boots
German Luftwaffe gloves
-7º F (-22º C) Yesterday was -11º thankfully my commute is short, and I stop to pickup coffee halfway.

Mountain Hdwr Balaclava
Neoprene face mask
Skull cap + Helmet
Goggles
Plypro gloves under Swix Windstoper lobsters
Beyond Fleece Cold Fusion, WB-400 jacket over 2 Performance Century Jerseys, over EMS Techwick T
Thermal plypro johns,
Btwin bib tights
Neoprene booties over heavy wool sock over Sidi Genius over wool sock
-1F, windy, out for 1.3 hours, ~20 miles, feet got irreversably cold only in the last 15 minutes (not bad for road shoes!).
Boston area