AcornMan

When the temperature drops below the mid-50s or so, I find that my ears often get uncomfortably cold. The worst part is the inner ear pain from having cold air rush past my ears, like being outside on a cold windy day. What are some inexpensive ways to cover my ears when riding?

SlimAgainSoon

Balaclava, if good and cold, or roll it up into a headcap when not so cold.

A most versatile piece of gear, and cheap.

Cosmoline

I use a Giro G10 ski helmet during winter rides. It has built-in ear muffs.

larue

There are plenty of cycling caps made for winter use that extend over your ears. Rapha has one for instance https://www.rapha.cc/winter-hat-1/
but so do a lot of others.

JasonC

I use a Pearl Izumi headband for temps between 15F and 35F. Below 15F I use a Pearl Izumi balaclava.

Above 35F I haven't felt the need for a headband... your experience may be different. Either way, those products are two essentials for me.

By the way, the PI stuff does the trick... it seems thin, but works. You don't need much for biking and the main thing is keeping the wind out.

tdreyer1

They're goofy lookin', but I love my 180's.

Tequila Joe

https://www.pearlizumi.com/product.ph...uct_id=1455282

Machka 

Balaclavas are too warm for above-freezing temps. I use one of many thin headbands which I picked up at my local $$ store for $1 each. They're great!! And I combine them with a neck gaiter if I start to feel the breeze down my neck.

See the three photos ... these are the neck gaiter and headbands I'm talking about.

.

a1penguin

$50 for a hat?!

Cyclist0383

Lou over at Foxwear makes some great and affordable cold weather gear. I use a headband if it's not too cold, and a beanie with ear flaps when the temps really drop.

https://www.foxwear.net/products_small_articles.html

Teemu Kalvas

I've got a range of hats which all cover the ears and fit under the helmet. On a bike the ears are pretty much the first bit of your head to get cold.

deanp

You just need a thin beanie type stocking cap.

Hezz

In addition to all of the good ideas mentioned. You can also put cheap foam earplugs into your ear. This keeps cold air from entering the ear canal and is very light and effective when combined with the usual cycling head wear.

I would recommend doing this if you have problems with inner ear cold sensitivity.

cyccommute 

Way too hot for anything above about 20 F. An ear warmer would do the trick. I don't wear anything else on my head until around 20F. Serius is the best one I've come across.

jefferee

Headband works for me down to 0 F.

But I have long hair and grow a big beard in the winter.

xtrajack

Another vote for the 180's

eshvanu

Headband works well for me. Got a few at REI during a sale, and have used them for years. Quite cool for today's commute, and ears stayed warm the whole time.

Leebo

+1 for head band and or thin beanie. Below 30 F , I also use a wind and waterproof J&G helmet cover, works great.

bent-not-broken

Aother one for 180's. They keep the ears warm w/o overheating the rest of my head. Below 10F I wear them over the bavalaca.

mikewille

This may not work for everyone, but my over-the-ear headphones
go a really long way towards keeping my ears warm. I never realized how much
until my mp3 player died on my way to work in November and I stopped to take
'em off. I stopped a few minutes later to put 'em back on. Cold ears suck.

scoatw

V-Muffs
Cool Weather Riding Comfort ~ Maximum Warmth Without the Weight

• Lightweight and Convenient
• Windbarrier Fabric
• Moisture Wicking Layer
• Easy Care 100% Polyester
• Easy to Attach and Remove
• Fits Most Adult Helmets
• Available in black
• https://www.mapleshademercantile.com/cycling/vmuffs.html

gerv 

I vote for a very light balaclava. It allows me to get by with fewer layers on the torso and feels so comfortable in wind. Through most of the winter here (10-35F), I wear a light shell with baselayer and light wool sweater underneath. If I didn't have the balaclava, I'd be looking for another layer.

When it's colder I have a poly scarf/mask, much like Machka's, that really helps with the wind.

I have a heavier balaclava, but find it too hot for just about any weather.

JonathanGennick 

Scoatw, those vmuffs look interesting. The approach is clever. I might have to order a set to try out. Thanks for posting the link.

AcornMan

After seeing several recommendations for the 180s, I bought a pair and tried them for the first time this morning. It was about 36 degrees, but my ears were plenty toasty. If anything they're probably overkill for that temperature, so I'm sure they'll work when it gets substantially colder. Now if I could just figure out how to keep my toes warm...

AcornMan

Very intriguing idea. But I'm concerned about this disclosure on their web site: "Once you pass 20 kph the effectiveness begins to diminish due to air penetration at the front of the muff.. For more "severe" riding conditions we offer a headband made from the same windblock fabric as our V-Muffs."

20 kph is less than 12.5 mph, so basically it sounds like these would have very little effectiveness. I like the idea, but I have a feeling they're just too loose to be of much use.