Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Winter Cycling
Reload this Page >

Temperature-Clothing chart

Search
Notices
Winter Cycling Don't let snow and ice discourage you this winter. The key element to year-round cycling is proper attire! Check out this winter cycling forum to chat with other ice bike fanatics.

Temperature-Clothing chart

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-11-09 | 08:47 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 4
From: Peoria, Illinois
Temperature-Clothing chart

This is my second winter commuting so I decided to make a chart of what I wore that works at various temps. I used increments of 5 degrees Farahenheit. Now that spring is coming, I find the chart very useful in seeing what to wear when the temps dip low sometimes...I suspect the chart will be very useful for the next winter. I get a lot of anxiety fretting about what to wear sometimes... here's what I have, though it probably won't make much sense without seeing them. But you get the idea:

10F - Full mask, merino , cashmere, wool pants , double socks , double gloves, neck warmer
15F - Full mask, cashmere, wool pants , double socks , double gloves
20F - 3/4 mask, merino, wool pants , single socks , double gloves
25F - 1/2 mask, merino, wool pants , single socks , single gloves
30F - 1/2 mask, merino zipper half down, wool pants , single socks , single gloves
35F - 1/2 mask, merino zipper 3/4 down, , single socks , single gloves ( thin liner )
45F - 1/4 mask, merino zipper 3/4 down, , windbreaker pants no under thermals, single socks , liner gloves
duke_of_hazard is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 09:50 AM
  #2  
AEO's Avatar
AEO
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

to make it more complete, you'll need to factor in humidity and wind chill.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 09:53 AM
  #3  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 4
From: Peoria, Illinois
Originally Posted by AEO
to make it more complete, you'll need to factor in humidity and wind chill.
Any rules of thumb on humidity, I never thought about that one?
duke_of_hazard is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 11:19 AM
  #4  
flipped4bikes's Avatar
ROM 6:23
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 0
From: Coastal Maine

Bikes: Specialized Tricross Comp, Lemond Tourmalet, Bridgestone MB-5

Humidity in Maine during the winter is either really dry or really wet. Until it gets above 45F, I don't really pay attention. I agree with wind chill. I very rarely wear any kind of face mask, and only a bacalava if the wind is howling or wind chill is below 0F.

My one big weakness is extremities: hands and feet, with my toes being the worst.
flipped4bikes is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 11:27 AM
  #5  
rogerstg's Avatar
Fred-ish
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
I do something similar. I keep a spreadsheet of my rides, noting information important to me. Part of that is a comment about the temperature, the clothes I wore and other things that I think might matter later. It's pretty simple, usually just copy, past and edit a couple things.
rogerstg is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
Roody's Avatar
Sophomoric Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24,192
Likes: 13
From: Dancing in Lansing
Cold air holds so little water vapor that humidity will not be much of a factor.
__________________

"Think Outside the Cage"
Roody is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 03:05 PM
  #7  
AEO's Avatar
AEO
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON

Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin

yeah, unless you live near a pond.

higher humidity will have the same effects of sweaty clothing during winter, only not as drastic.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
AEO is offline  
Reply
Old 03-11-09 | 09:28 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,431
Likes: 44
From: Minneapolis, MN
Huh - I don't worry about windchill or humidity during the winter either, the humidity only gets noticeable when it's warmer, and when I'm already going 15mph on my bike it's only very rarely that the wind gets strong enough to even notice it. Plus I'm already wearing windproof-ish clothing...
PaulRivers is offline  
Reply
Old 03-12-09 | 08:17 AM
  #9  
Pig_Chaser's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, AB

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

Originally Posted by AEO
to make it more complete, you'll need to factor in humidity and wind chill.
Windchill is irrelevant on the bike imho. It's better to factor in wind speed and direction. If the wind is at your back it will actually negate the windchill you would've otherwise faced. Conversely if it's in your face you need to account for the 'extra' wind you generate when moving.
Pig_Chaser is offline  
Reply
Old 03-12-09 | 08:22 AM
  #10  
Pig_Chaser's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, AB

Bikes: '07 Giant OCR3

A clothing chart is a good idea. I find myself 're-learning' how to dress every year of course for me so much depends on perception/conditioning of cold. ie 10F in fall is freaking cold. In spring 10F is warm!
Pig_Chaser is offline  
Reply
Old 03-12-09 | 09:10 AM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 549
Likes: 4
From: Peoria, Illinois
Originally Posted by Pig_Chaser
A clothing chart is a good idea. I find myself 're-learning' how to dress every year of course for me so much depends on perception/conditioning of cold. ie 10F in fall is freaking cold. In spring 10F is warm!
Is this just perception or reality? Does the human body slowly acclimate to cold temperatures as the winter progresses? Are there any specific physiological changes that occur? I hope I wont have to modify my chart for this Fall/Winter!
duke_of_hazard is offline  
Reply
Old 03-19-09 | 07:14 AM
  #12  
degnaw's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 2
From: Bellevue, WA
Originally Posted by duke_of_hazard
Is this just perception or reality? Does the human body slowly acclimate to cold temperatures as the winter progresses? Are there any specific physiological changes that occur? I hope I wont have to modify my chart for this Fall/Winter!
I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure it's reality - In the fall I would wear a long sleeve shirt over a t-shirt when it was 45 degrees, and i was freezing for the first few minutes. Now, I wear a T-shirt and shorts and don't feel cold at all.
degnaw is offline  
Reply
Old 03-24-09 | 03:12 PM
  #13  
scoatw's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 4
From: central ohio

Bikes: 96 gary fisher 'utopia' : 99 Softride 'Norwester'(for sale), 1972 Raleigh Twenty. Surly 1x1 converted to 1x8, 96 Turner Burner

I do the same thing. I keep a clothing log of what I wear in different temps. Makes for a quick reference when the next winter season comes around. That way I know what works and what does'nt. Good idea. Pass it along.
scoatw is offline  
Reply
Old 03-27-09 | 08:53 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Glove choice seems to need the most fine tuning. I have a couple pairs of winter gloves that seem to do alright in the 40's, but below that I put on a pair of shell over mitts (3 finger type). Sometimes I have to cram so handwarmers in there as well. I need to make a chart to show when I need what hand protection. And under 40, I always need booties and double socks.
WoodsterSS is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-24 | 06:00 PM
  #15  
timtak's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 92
From: Yamaguchi City, Japan

Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2 SL 2007, Scott CRI team Issue 2005, ok KG386, R022 Re-framed Azzurri Primo, Felt Z5, Trek F7.3 FX

I have made 1 degree (Celsius) chart.
Temperature Clothing Chart - notebook
timtak is offline  
Reply
Old 11-24-24 | 07:25 PM
  #16  
Forum Moderator
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22,919
Likes: 10,338
From: Kalamazoo
This simple chart has worked well for me.


__________________


Carbon: Fuji SL2.1 Di2.......Aluminum: Cannondale Synapse 105........Steel: Vintage Specialized Sirrus
...
cb400bill is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.