Hello, I'm riding in 35-50 degress here in the dry desert. Online I see both base layer, and jackets. Do people wear both a base layer and a cycling jacket, as well as base plus some kind of pant, at the same time?
Can anybody recommend an example of a single layer that would handle 35 to 50 degrees?
My sweatshirt and sweat pants aren't cutting it...

Thanks
Jim

I add a layer of cycling specific clothing for approximately every 10 F degrees drop in the temperature, so I would need an additional layer for riding in a temperature range of 15 degrees.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...clothing-guide

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...oday-I-Wore...

Clothing for cycling at 35F for me would involve a long sleeve tech fabric base layer like UnderArmor Cold Gear or equivalent both top and bottom, a short sleeve athletic t-shirt, my pullover tech fabric hoodie, long pants (I don't have winter cycling tights yet), merino wool socks, good shoes, and full finger gloves with some Thinsulate (Wells Lamont makes some nice insulated work gloves with padded leather palms for about $10 at Walmart). The hoodie is actually a runner's hoodie, but it fits close but not tight and the hood is just large enough to pull up over my helmet blocking most of the air from entering the vents in cold weather.

Colder weather means more layers which might include in various combinations: a second pair of wool socks with insulated boots, a tech fabric long-sleeve turtleneck, a merino wool sweater, a fleece vest, a synthetic knit hat, light balcava or heavy balcava with face mask, a windproof shell jacket, long-cuffed Thinsulate Extreme Condition Ice Armor mittens with wool glove liners, heavier polypropylene long-johns or wool/poly blend long johns, neoprene knee warmers. I've cycled in actual temps down to -10F with windchill of -20F not counting the speed of the bike. My avatar shows me with frost on the outside of my heavy balcava and icycles forming around my face.

Here is another shot from that same day:



and at the end of my ride this morning:

35-50F, I'm wearing shorts, wool boxer-briefs, and a T-shirt.

Rode a 43F'er yesterday:






*got both for $120 = check out Gottaridebikes.com and use their 20% coupon for your first order

+

Pearl Izumi knee warmers (fleece lined)
Under Armour Cold Gear turtle neck
Under Armour Extreme Cold running Gloves
Reg cycling shorts + reg socks


I was overdressed. I'd still be toasty with some Heat Gear UA turtle neck + regular full finger gloves (I'd keep my shoe covers though since I hate when my toes are cold).

If it was 10F less then I'd probably throw in an extra beanie underneath my helmet to keep my noggin' warm.

PS
some chic passed me and she was just wearing a hoody + knickers. I was semi-embarassed

Two words, Merino Wool. This stuff is superior to any modern technical fabric. Breathes better, maintains heat better, is more comfortable in a wider temperature range, doesn't hold odor, etc, etc....

Honestly, all last winter I used the UnderArmour type stuff and did ok. But this year I pieced together a few layers of wool and it has been soooooo much better. Even adding heavy merino wool socks have made a big difference. I've yet to experience any day were my feet get cold on a ride this year.

Jamesdak, again, can you point me to specific wool products such as you mention in this thread and the other one?
Thanks.

I get all my merino stuff from here.
Not all merino is the same grade or quality and you just cant get good, cheap merino.

Thanks, looks like great stuff. Definitely going to be a go-to for my motorcycling and gifts. I need my cycling stuff cut for cycling though so that won't work for me. Maybe when I'm skinnier :-)

Thanks
Jim

I have a mix. My socks are the expedition weight socks from REI

I have an Ibex jersey, Minus33 baselayer, a REI Hoodie, and Icebreaker vest. The REI product is certainly a step under the others in overall quality but still serves it's purpose. The stuff is not cheap but I expect it to last a long, long time.

You just need something that will cut the wind better than sweat shirt/pants.

Legs - I'd recommend cycling pants. At 35F my legs get warm enough after 10 minutes that a base layer isn't needed.

Top - A base layer (doesn't have to be cycling specific) and a windbreaker jacket for running/cycling. Look for a jacket with pit zip vents and that has a tail long enough to cover the rear end.

I like the REI Headwinds pants. Below 40ºF I add leg warmers. As for top, I have a wind jacket and long sleeve jersey underneath. That's also good to about 40ºF. At lower temps I add a long sleeve light weight base layer. Long finger gloves, but not heavy thermal gloves. That's good to about 35ºF for me. Dress in layers. I commute to work after 10am in the morning when it's warmer and I stow the legwarmers and base layer on the ride in to work. I also wear short finger gloves. The secret to riding in cold weather is to start off being cold so that you don't overheat and sweat and get a chill.

For winter gear, I went with cross-country ski clothing. Its light and warm. The brand I have is Sport Hill. Look at their Infuzion pants. I have a pair that keep me comfortable from 25f to 55f. One single layer does it all. They're windproof also. Do a search for the best price. I got mine at Amazon at about 30% off. In the really cold stuff I wear their XC pants. Those are top of the line. For the top I have a Sport Hill Symmetry jacket under a Showers Pass 2.0, this combo is my main winter jacket set-up. It keeps me warm from 45f down to the single digits where I may add a fleece shirt. But the temperatures you're talking about, the Infuzions would fit the bill. Splurge on a decent cycling jacket and that should get you thru anything you're talking about.

This is what I wear at 25f;



Double boot covers;



gloves & mitts;

stick to cycling specific clothing. some pants have proper liners and all you need is cycling shorts. I like my novara headwind pants. on bad winter days I wore snow pants made for sledding or skiiing, maybe a couple days I used a base layer under those.

for the top i used a cycling rain jacket and played with base layer and fleece shirt layering depending on temps.

for hands it was glove liner and loose fitting winter glove, sometimes with chemical hand warmers. not sure what I would do with brifters, those you can't operate with big gloves

At 35
Top Wicking T-shirt
over that adidas long shirt
over that northface hoodless fleece*
over that a thin wind breaker mostly because it isn't black like the north face.
And thats it. layering works very well.

Bottom.
Several pairs of sock.
Padagine baselayer
over that a pair of sport hill running pants.
Face- googles ski mask and a bennie also Ill put a pair of headphones in my ears to keep the heat from getting out.

I don't really have a good pair of gloves right now I'm in the market. Tho rubber gloves work great under winter gloves.