Thulsadoom

Usually about this time of year someone weighs in and asks advice on how to keep the "equipment" warm. This is actually a very serious issue for winter riders and it's a shame that the thread usually ends up getting pulled by the mods because someone gets a little crude.

So I'll try and get it started. Personally, I've not found anything that works better than just carefully placing a hunting sock down in there for the insulation. Wind-shield shorts only work down to about 30 F or so. I can ride with no problems right down into single digits with the sock. The trick is to get it placed just right so that you're not adding pressure to the perineum and at the same time getting it down there far enough to do it's job.

I wonder why no one makes a cycling specific pair of shorts to deal with this issue? How do you winter riders deal with it?

alan s 

An old pair of padded cycling shorts does the trick. The padding cuts the wind, without adding too much bulk. They go on as a final layer over what I'm already wearing (bibs, tights, etc.). Also helps keep wear away from newer cycling clothes.

Wilbur Bud

Buy some cheap winter snow bibs ($20 or less). Have them altered to cut the legs off above the knee and move the elastic seal upwards as well. Optionally remove more of the bib front of back (I tend to remove the back but leave the front, due to the recumbent bike, because I like the windsheilding/overlap at the beltline on the front). Put them on over everything else you normally wear when its cold enough (for me, when its below 15F, like today!).

dcrowell

I hope I don't get the thread pulled...

I pretty much don't have an issue, but maybe it's because it "retracts" in the cold.

DJ Shaun

Boxer briefs + cycling tights + water/wind resistant cycling pants. This combo those the job keeping my lower half warm when it is below freezing.

.Cricket

They make wool shorts for women.. surely they have something like that for men? :bowing out of the man thread:

.Cricket

A quick google says yes, but jeez! How could you afford them?

ThermionicScott 

So far, wool boxer briefs and jeans have done the job down to about 20 degrees F. Sooner or later, I need to invest in some good winter tights.

freediver

I used to use a set of these for XC-skiing: https://www.backcountry.com/patagonia...ind-brief-mens
There's a wind panel in the front to help keep things warm.

These days I use a nice pair of winter tights and have no issues with wind. I would think padded shorts would work as well, but I no longer use mine since I switched all of my bikes over to Brooks saddles.

Jon

mprelaw

Tights over padded shorts.

david58

I find my REI Headwind pants over cycling shorts work fine down to 25F (haven't ridden colder, yet). The block the wind and seem to be fine. Never considered a sock or whatever...even when I used to run around the soccer field at stupid cold temps, never an issue.

Bekologist

Cut a piece of nylon fabric or softshell fabric about 9 inches square ; stuff below the belt when you need some extra protection for the pants yabbies.

Myosmith

Poly/cotton sport trunk underwear. Polypropylene long johns. Good denim jeans. I have worn this down to below zero F for 30-60 minutes at a time with no problem riding at 12-15 mph + some wind. I find that as long as the feet and torso are warm, the legs and nearby parts stay adequately warm as well. I don't wear cycling shorts when it's that cold and haven't found a need to as the sport trunks hold the man parts in place fairly well and the extra layer of polypropylene provides insulation and reduces friction so chaffing is a non-issue. I wouldn't want to do a century dressed like this, but for an hour of general fitness/pleasure riding or commuting, it works just fine. Wool pants would be even better.

dcrowell

Slow topic this year with many areas seeing unseasonably warm weather...

bikenh

Other than one problem with frozen nuts back in December that I posted about I haven't had any trouble since and the only thing I changed was adding the wind shell pants. I had the problem on a day when the temps started in the teens and I was out riding 100 miles. Since then I've ridden 117 miles when the temps in the morning started out below zero F. I think as long as you have on adequate wind protection you won't see much trouble with that area getting cold. At least I haven't been. I'm out riding on average 50 miles a day.

Thulsadoom

took what bait? Do I need to take a picture?

cyclezealot

REI does make a special padded bit of underwear, double padded where it counts.. These past couple days, I"ve had the coldest rides of my life.. Actually below freezing.. I wore this REI underwear. I was OK.. My clubs thermal tights are well padded but descents 28-30 degrees ,I need a little more protection... Above I wore our winter jacket and two layers below that.. A long sleeve jersey and thermal T Shirt for the cold.. . Still. one set and winter gloves , My hands were still cold.. What piece of gear that really helped is a neck gator.. You can pull it up over your mouth and ears..

triumph.1

Showers pass roadie pants are superb for keeping it all at a decent temp at least down into the 30's. I do the trainer any colder.

ThermionicScott 

Is she hot?