What winter clothes do you wear for your commute

[markharry66]

Now the cold has finally got here just wondering what winer clothes you wear on the bike to keep warm. I thick walking socks that could proabably walk to the wash by themelves once spring comes, over shoes (halfords cheap and cheerful) just about keep the cold out, cycling gloves I got on ali express suposedly keep you hands warm down to minus 4 ( i wear inserts as relise this is bull) and wollen hat with built in light just and extra so I can be seen or in most cases ignored on the road.

 

[fossyant]

Bottom layer, bib shorts and either bib tights (one pair has a windproof section) or MTB trousers on the commute.

Top, then I have base layer then just a top layer. Above freezing, then it's a softshell with windproof front, below zero then I have a Decathlon Thermal Windproof which is really warm. Down side of that is it's black, so I pop on a Gillet which is hi-viz for commuting.

Feet, just socks and winter boots (best invention ever).

Hands, either MTB gloves or thicker night vision ones for very cold days. I also have some Madison windproof ones via Decathlon - cheap and seem to do the job.

Head, windproof skull cap under the lid.

Note, some people get colder extremities like hands and feet, so one person's suggestion won't work for others.

 

[biking_fox]

Even just a buff over the head makes a huge difference in keeping the windchill off the ears, and you can still hear traffic through it.

Gloves - biggest tip is make sure your hands are warm before you put them on! They insulate heat in, but don't generate it for already cold hands, and there's little hand movement on a bike to get the blood flowing. Long cuffs over the wrist (where the arteries are exposed) also helps. I've got the expensive but lovely sealskinz Fring.

Otherwise as above, just a longsleeve top and leggings. If it's severely below zero I add a thin fleece but often its too hot. Windproof outer fully zipped up including the pitzips left open all summer.

Another useful tip is to switch down a gear or two, and then spin faster. Going slower reduces the windchill dramatically. Spinnign faster generates more core temperatures quicker.

 

[All uphill]

Long socks, two layers on my legs, M +S merino pullover, fleece, buff, windproof jacket. Silk gloves plus thin gloves, woolly hat.

I don't cycle if temperatures are close to freezing, and I only get chilly if I have to stop to repair a puncture.

 

[wafter]

Unfortunately it seems I really feel the cold so have to hammer the layers when the temperature drops.

For the cooler 6-9 months of the year my legs see the same thin synthetic walking trousers, same MTB shoes all year round with normal socks / merino socks / both depending on the temp.

Top is anything from a single 150wt short-sleeved merino base layer when it's warm to a 200wt long-sleeved alternative, then the same with a zipped neck, then fleece on top, then any combination of two base layers underneath and finally my battered Brompton (not at all) waterproof on top of the lot which works well as a wind break... as I find the wind will cut through two layers with ease; less-so with three.

Depending on the neck situation (i.e. wearing the crew-neck base layers rather than the zipped job) I'll add a merino buff which is fantastic value in terms of size / weight versus the heat it keeps in.

My hands get some medium-weight gloves acquired years ago from fap knows where - they do the job but struggle when it gets really cold.

Finally my cycling cap keep the chill off my slaphead in moderate temps, while the beanie gets cracked out if it's really cold. I also find sunglasses (or obviously just glasses in the absense of sun) are good for keepinng the windchill off the face - missed these this morning and my eyes were streaming for the first leg in.

It's not perfect but just about does the job - I'd like to build on this with a better quality waterproof (functionally would prefer Gore-tex but have reservations on environmental creds) and ideally some waterproof shoes. Also considering a waterproof cap and could do with some waterproof gloves too...

 

[MichaelW2]

I commute across town in normal clothes and try to moderate my pace up hills. My route going in has a big hill at the end when warmed up, so a big descent , cold on the return leg.
Usually wear a polycotton T shirt but may break out the NZ merino ones in really cold spells. A fleece or wooly jumper with a sleeveless body warmer. Polycotton hiking trousers.
Wool socks, buff, gloves, helmet.
Footwear is either leather shoes or leather chucka style boots.
Outer layer is a windproof jacket with high collar and waterproof trousers if needed.

 

[roley poley]

tops with a full length zip so you can undo to heat dump and zip up to stay warm no stops to remove a layer

 

[Alex321]

I don't feel the cold as much as many people do, so for most of the winter it is bib shorts with leg warmers, and a long sleeved top, with decent gloves. It hasn't yet been cold enough to want the leg warmers, though I think it will be for the commute to work this Wednesday.

When it gets below freezing (so long as it isn't icy enough to be dangerous), I'll add a base layer under the top, and the gloves will be ski gloves.

 

[slowmotion]

Uniqlo Heattech Ultra base layers.

£12 for four pairs of eBay ski socks.

Cheapo Mountain Warehouse ski gloves.

 

[Arjimlad]

A light long-sleeved vest, winter bib tights, a long-sleeved jersey and a Galibier jacket.

Gloves .. usually Galibier deep winter gloves with Decathlon liners, but I have some battery-heated gloves for when it is zero or below.

A buff around the ears plus cycling cap helps keep my head warm enough.

Got some Planet X Das Boot winter boots which I wear with thick merino socks.

 

[Ridgeway]

This is my full winter layering set up. This morning with -1 i still have 1 layer to go until it gets cold😂

 

[winjim]

Remember when we all bought those Altura jackets for cheap? Still wearing mine. Plastic on the zips has degraded which is annoying, might have to get some replacement pulls.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

From the ground up...

Waterproof socks, spd shoes, additional overshoes as well only if well below zero.

Long bibs, long sleeved base layer, long sleeved warm cycling top, plus outer shell.

Glove liners (heated ones if close to zero), outer gloves, pogies.

Buff round neck, buff on head too if freezing, casquette otherwise or if raining.

Helmet with light which has forward and rear lights.

I think that's it. Takes me nearly a long to get changed as to cycle the 10 miles!

 

[roubaixtuesday]

This is my full winter layering set up. This morning with -1 i still have 1 layer to go until it gets cold😂

View attachment 793217

Double trousers. Respect!

 

[Mazz]

Not for everyone, but if you suffer from cold hands, handlebar mitts make a world of difference.