Cold/wet weather clothes

[Moby Jones]

Just thought i would post this question to see what people recommend.
What would you guys wear to commute to work (either 15mins or 30mins) when it is tipping it down, windy and cold. I am worried about being wet and then being frozen by a strong cold wind. How can i keep my torso warm and dry ????

 

[400bhp]

How cold is cold? What time of year are you thinking about?

sub zero/0-5 deg/5-10 deg

Most important is to keep dry.

 

[Riding in Circles]

I recommend a car.

 

[400bhp]

How do you wear a car?

 

[rowan 46]

I use a goretex jacket and drop my speed a little as I hate getting sweaty

 

[Moby Jones]

Probably from about 0 - 5 deg but it will feel a hell of a lot colder with a cold wind in my face.

A gore-tex jacket sounds like an option, a nice lightweight waterproof jacket would be ideal, but which one

I don't mind getting sweaty, i usually do. I always get a shower when i get to work

 

[400bhp]

Layer up.

 

[Moby Jones]

I understand about layering up, but if it is raining hard won't i get wet and then freeze with the cold winds,

 

[The Horse's Mouth]

in winter. i just wear a water proof jacket over my usual shirt and a good pair of gloves. For the last two years i have stayed in 3 quarter length shorts all winter.

i got both my jacket and gloves at Decathlon. No complaints on either. I've also got a skull cap to go under my helmet and cover my ears.

I have found that providing my ears and hands are warm the rest of my body soon warms up.

I have a pair of waterproof trousers but find them more of a hindrance then a help.

 

[DrSquirrel]

I have been out in -17c in nothing more than 3 thin layers on top - none of them water proof! If its windy or slight drizzle I will put a thin water proof on, but usually I need to lose a layer underneath so I don't sweat like mad.

Just thought i would post this question to see what people recommend.
What would you guys wear to commute to work (either 15mins or 30mins) when it is tipping it down, windy and cold. I am worried about being wet and then being frozen by a strong cold wind. How can i keep my torso warm and dry ????

When it's really cold, it doesn't tend to be wet.

Layers - multiple thin layers are warmer, easy to regulate (take one off, put one on) and dry out quicker.

If your core body is slightly cold, your toes and feet will suffer first - you don't want to sweat and then be cold due to it, but you want to have a slight sweat on. For 15-30 minutes sweating isn't such an issue though.

Putting on cold/wet clothes is not a good start (yes sometimes it cant be avoided) as it takes heat away from you straight away.


Being wet for 15-30 minutes isn't the end of the world, I wouldn't be bothering with super water proof gloves for that sort of distance. Invest in some overshoes - they aren't water proof, but insulate you. Personally I don't like full overshoes so now I have some half ones (mid season) that only cover the toe and front - its really your own trial and error with this, just make sure you have good blood flow in your feet (read: no big socks or tight shoes).




I have some dhb waterproof trousers - for the last 2 years - I have only worn them once, never again. Better to get your leggings (or legs) wet, legs dry faster than leggings, and generally stay the warmest overall.

 

[YahudaMoon]

If it's freezing cold I wear, Bibbed shorts with a pair or even two pairs of bibbed tights. Tight base layer, long sleeve jersey, Windtex or Gore jacket, hat/ gloves. You can't get any warmer than that can you ? You will obviously get damp. I mean its a phisical exercise is cycling.
Or if you do get to hot you could try not breathing as this may bring your heart rate down and so cool you down ?. Someone told me that not breathing and doing exercise aint recommended though.

 

[YahudaMoon]

Oh if its under 20 minute commute Id be debating if its tights or civvy clothes ?

 

[400bhp]

When it's really cold, it doesn't tend to be wet.

Layers - multiple thin layers are warmer, easy to regulate (take one off, put one on) and dry out quicker.

If your core body is slightly cold, your toes and feet will suffer first - you don't want to sweat and then be cold due to it, but you want to have a slight sweat on. For 15-30 minutes sweating isn't such an issue though.

Putting on cold/wet clothes is not a good start (yes sometimes it cant be avoided) as it takes heat away from you straight away.


Being wet for 15-30 minutes isn't the end of the world, I wouldn't be bothering with super water proof gloves for that sort of distance. Invest in some overshoes - they aren't water proof, but insulate you. Personally I don't like full overshoes so now I have some half ones (mid season) that only cover the toe and front - its really your own trial and error with this, just make sure you have good blood flow in your feet (read: no big socks or tight shoes).




I have some dhb waterproof trousers - for the last 2 years - I have only worn them once, never again. Better to get your leggings (or legs) wet, legs dry faster than leggings, and generally stay the warmest overall.

Agree with most, if not all of this.

I couldn't hack half overshoes though. My shoes don't dry particularly quick so prefer full ones.

 

[Moby Jones]

Thanks guys, i think i am worrying about it too much. I haven't commuted in the winter before and i hate being cold, don't mind being wet so much. I like the idea of overshoes and i will try and keep warm.

 

[Bicycle]

Just thought i would post this question to see what people recommend.
What would you guys wear to commute to work (either 15mins or 30mins) when it is tipping it down, windy and cold. I am worried about being wet and then being frozen by a strong cold wind. How can i keep my torso warm and dry ????

The below based on the 70-mins-each-way I used to do:

1. When the weather is poor, visibility is usually also poor. So lights, bright colours etc...

2. I dislike rain capes and I get just as wet from sweat... I wear a long-sleeved lined lycra cycling top, often with a gilet to take the edge off the cold/wind. A gilet is God's way of keeping your torso warm and dry without cooking you too much.

3. Cycling tights.

4. I have a pair over overshoes (galoshes?) that velcro over my shoes but still allow me to clip in and out and walk. They made a huge difference. I dislike having cold and wet feet. I also dislike putting wet shoes on after a day at work.

5. I usually wear fingerless gloves, but I commute in slightly warmer full-finger MTB gloves in the cold.

6. I wear either a beanie (cap comforter?) or a helmet with one of those headband things under it.

7. I always have eye protection, but it is particularly useful in wet conditions.

8. If on a road bike, it is sometimes worth taking a few psi out of your tyres.