Is it possible to be too obsessive about winter clothing?

[Twanger]

I have a basic Altura waterproof. The cheap yellow one with the black vented sides. Yes, the zips suck big time, but it cuts the wind and now things are cooler, over a t-shirt it works fine on the daily commute. Not too sweaty. A bit colder, and a thinnish fleece or old tracksuit top underneath should do. Do I actually need a flashy new £90 night vision evo or a £150 gore jacket? Will I be happier? Warmer? Drier? Are good zips everything?

I bought overshoes, and they made my feet sweat something awful. So I use hiking socks, and my feet are adequately warm in the chilly Crystal Palace October dawns, despite all those holes they punched all over my shoes. Maybe 5 degrees downwards, and the overshoes will come out again.

Talking about shoes, I use a pair of Diadora touring shoes I bought in the mid 1980s. Leather (with holes, as I said). Lace up. Comfortable. I have restuck the soles a number of times, but they are still bearing up. All the modern shoes seem to be made of recycled Sainsbury's carrier bags. Are there any leather cycling shoes still made?

And what about trousers? I have a pair of Altura summer something or others I bought off the sale rack at Evans a couple of months ago. Still warm enough, but I foresee the time when they will no longer keep the chillblains away. Do I get some kind of long underwear, or is there something better?

This is a commute. I'm not setting out to ride to the North Pole. I ride ten miles there, ten miles back. 50 minutes there, 1 hour back (it's uphill). More a long range pootle than a training run.

So, I'd be interested in hearing of any nifty corner cutting, involving the imaginative use of stuff you got from the 99p shop, from anyone who has done it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HJ]

Is it possible to be too obsessive about winter clothing?

Yes...

 

[Alan Whicker]

I was toying with the idea of getting an Altura nightvision jacket, but I decided to make do with my decade-old Craghoppers 'Pakka' waterproof shell with a hi-viz waistcoat with proper Scotchlite bits that I was given by my bus driver father-in-law. The Pakka is very breathable and very windproof - it's so good I doubt the nightvision could be any better than this combo. If it's cold I stick a fleece on underneath. If it's really cold, I stick on my old faithful, thicker Berghaus fleece which is so old it was made in the UK. It's made of some sort of slighty coarse superfleece that seems impossible to either stain or wear out.

I did have some cycle clips, which lasted precisely one ride before they fell off. Now I just roll up the bottom of me jeans when I ride the 6-7 miles to work. Nothing cheaper than that. If it rains I wear the nylon leggings I got for my scooter.

I would imagine the pukka stuff might make things more comfy, but I doubt it would be significant on my commute. The important thing is staying warm and dry, and my kit seems to take care of that alright. I wish my Karrimor trekking shoes were properly waterproof though - the next purchase is some decent footwear. I don't scrimp on that 'cos I do quite a lot of city walking on our trips away.

 

[BentMikey]

Errr, no. But then I not only ride to work, but work outside in the cold.

 

[ttcycle]

Twanger my answer is no, you can't be too obsessive about the cold weather and clothing.

I think a jacket is definetely worth spending bucks on - i find the fit and the wind/waterproofing much better on them - less boil in a bag!

The other stuff is down to you really but make sure you layer up - if you want some cheapish cycle gear get down to Decathlon in Canada Water and pick up some reasonably priced stuff there - not exactly 99p shop cost but cheap and decent quality. For the length of your commute I'd definitely get some stuff in and it should hopefully last a while.

I've heard people mention Lidl and Aldi too but I think their bike ranges might have sold out by now - I've found the quality just ok (and questionable in terms of gloves) and the fit is sometimes a bit weird.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Twanger,

It's one of those "each to their own" issues I think.

I am kitted out in pretty low tech stuff myself...10 year old shoes, Decathlon shorts with Lycra inner, ill fitting Aldi fleece for those really cold mornings (unworn "all the way" as yet) standard Boxers and socks….can't believe I discussing my underwear with you, that's normally a second date topic at least!!

But

I did spend some cash on a decent jacket (As TT suggests). Its an Endura brand and is a good fit for me. It's totally waterproof (tested in the most "persistent" of rainstorms), really breathable and the massive benefit is it has removable sleeves, so doubles as a gillet which, now its got a little chilly, I wear every time I ride (in one configuration or another)

The only down side is its black, so I am thinking of getting a fluorescent version if one exists (with all the money I've saved in Petrol)

I am sure I will dig out my endura bib's in the real depths of winter and may invest in some decent overshoes, other than that I think my spare cash will be spent on Lights this winter

 

[Wheeledweenie]

Last year I wore high-denier back tights with the feet cut off as 'leggings' underneath shorts into November rather than buy expensive leggings. I have one expensive pair now (birthday pressie) and my other pair were £10 in a sale, they're Karrimor running leggings and work fine.

 

[garrilla]

Twanger my answer is no, you can't be too obsessive about the cold weather and clothing.
.

+1

The winter weather aint here yet. You'll see on December 12th. BRRR

 

[Trevrev]

I have the same jacket as you Twanger, 40 quid touch, nothing flashy, i'm on my second winter with it. The side vents stay open always....I just wear a long sleeved base layer under it.......Again nothing flashy, just an umbro football baselayer......Tenner i think.Got a couple of them. I wear a pair of Umbro shorts, and when its raining i've cut the legs off some cheap waterproof trousers and use them as over shorts. As for keeping my feet dry........I don't !!! Spare socks at work, put my shoes on a radiator or infront of a fan.
I do it cheap.......And its fine.
The only thing i do is keep my jacket maintained by washing it in soap powder and re-proofing with Nik-Wax every 6 months.

 

[summerdays]

No you can't be too obsessive ... not if you feel the cold as I do. I now own I don't know how many pairs of gloves and still haven't found the perfect pair - there is always a compromise.

 

[Campfire]

If your feet sweat with overshoes have you tried the Carradice 'spats' or whatever they call them in waxed cotton which fit more loosely. I was going to buy some but think I could possibly make some.

 

[ttcycle]

I was going to buy some but think I could possibly make some.

Campfire - don't admit to that too freely, you'll have a cc order soon!

 

[andyfromotley]

I have to be warm. If i get cold it sets my asthma off. Some days i overdo it and end up in work drenched in sweat but its ok as i have showers there.

I too am an altura wearer, reproof once a year, dry in all but the very worst of it.

However the single most inpotant item i own is a buff. On really cold mornings i put it over my mouth and it seems to warm the air up before it hits my lungs. Generally a great bit of kit. Be warned though i tried to take it off whilst cyling the other day and it slipped back down off my helmet to make a perfect blindfold! Not advised on a nice busy rural road!!

 

[Twanger]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, people. I am going to wait a bit longer before I splash out on a jacket. Trousers I may go for, but the jacket is a thing of the future.

The really interesting thing is the degree to which people have thought all this through. So I guess the answer to my question actually is "no".

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, people. I am going to wait a bit longer before I splash out on a jacket. Trousers I may go for, but the jacket is a thing of the future.

The really interesting thing is the degree to which people have thought all this through. So I guess the answer to my question actually is "no".

I lived a couple of years in Sweden where the weather never stops them from going about their business. They used to say "No such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing". Same goes for cycling. The right kit (for you) makes the journey so much better. Remember though, everyone is different in their needs and what they can or are prepared to endure weather/comfort wise. I could never do waterproof trousers, I'd sweat to death after a few miles... Lycra or bare legs and get wet for me!

Buffs however are brilliant. Overshoes are a worthwhile investment too. Cold/wet feet are a misery for me at least.