Winter Clothing - Where do i start?!

[bbdp]

Been cycling to work for about 7-8 months now and been getting out on longer and longer rides as my fitness has improved so i've been treating myself to the proper kit (i.e. cycling shorts, jerseys, gel gloves, etc).
Now that the weather is set to turn and its going to be dark when i'm out and about im wondering what clothing to select from the bewildering array of choices.

Not a fan of anything skin tight unless its hidden under something a little less form fitting as i dont have a fantastic body and still have to sit on the train for the last part of my journey.

I currently have some altura night vision gloves and a black night vision jacket for when it gets cold and wet but that's about it.

So, what is everyone else out there wearing and has anyone got any tips for me?

 

[XmisterIS]

What I've found works best for me is lots of thin layers.

I don't like skin-tight either, so I ride in winter with a pair of Ronhill Bikester tracky-bottoms.

On the top I just wear layers of those ultra-thin long-sleve running vests, like this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Run-Me...sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1252402710&sr=8-4 or this: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nike-Runnin...sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1252402710&sr=8-6

You can mix and match too - when it's very cold I wear a couple of running tops over a skin-tight lycra cycling jersey. (The jersey makes a great base layer, and is hidden by the running tops).

You'll also need gloves and a thin head covering (ears get freezing otherwise!).

 

[garrilla]

Likewise its layers all the way.

On the very coldest of days I'll wear (1 or 2) l/s base layer, l/s fleecelined jersey, night vision w/p jacket, padded shorts and bikesters or padded bib tights and night vision w/p trousers, thermal socks, night vision w/p overshoes, shimano road shoe, Neck buff and, finally, thermal skull cap.

That will see me through the coldest of Liverpool days. So between now and then I'll just start adding layers as per the weather. Somedays I'll be too warm, but I'd rather that than cold.

 

[BrumJim]

Layers and warm gloves for me.
Base layer, then either one or two layers on top (jumper and fleece) saw me through days so cold that I fell off on the ice last year, but it was the gloves that did a lot of good work.

If you get too cold, just cycle harder!!

 

[XmisterIS]

Another thing to consider is, how fast do you ride?

When I am really hammering it in Winter; riding flat-out, I tend to only need a single running top and a pair of bikesters, with gloves and a thin hat - even at -1 or -2 centigrade, otherwise I get far too hot.

 

[bbdp]

This is good stuff, thanks guys.

Speed of attack varies on the situation....on the way to work its a more leisurely pace, on the way home i tend to gun it, as is the case when im not doing the commute.

I'd certainly agree that i dont feel the cold on a longer run when im pedalling hard so layers sounds like the perfect solution.

What's the story when it comes to getting wet though?

I get the impression that most people dont bother with waterproofs even if its hammering down??

 

[XmisterIS]

Google search for Montane Featherlite H2O - I have one, it rolls up to the size of an orange (I kid ye not - it comes in a pouch that is the size of an orange), it really is featherlite, it's windproof, breathable, etc, etc. I have one and I can't rant and rave enough about it!

EDIT: Have a look here: http://www.roughgear.co.uk/Product....base&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=productfeed You can see how small it is when it's rolled up. You will probably look at it and think "that little thing is never going to keep me dry". But believe me, it does!

 

[J4CKO]

Dont worry about what you look like, I did for ages and since I went for Lycra have had quite a few positive comments, sometimes baggy stuff makes you look fatter rather than hiding it, after the initial self concious feelings you get to a point where you dont care, I cant look that bad judging by the way ladies tend to have a crafty leer, they may puke afterwards but at least they hold it back for a few seconds for my benefit.

 

[dub-no-bass]

Merino wool tops. One if it's chilly, two if it's cold, and two with a jacket on top if it's cold, wet and windy. Merino gets warmer as it gets damp, so it's perfect insulation for a ride on a cool day where you get a bit sweaty.
Merino is also naturally smell-resistant - bacteria find it hard to cling onto the fibres so it tends to get less ingrained with smell than polyester tech fabrics.
Icebreaker do a huge range of styles in various weights and you can usually find 'em cheap on eBay.

I would also advocate merino wool socks inside a pair of Gore-tex lined cycling shoes for keeping feet warm/dry.

As far as staying dry goes, it's hard to stay dry - most "breathable" waterproofs aren't, although those wth pit-zups and vents are a little better than most, so you end up getting wet by sweating from within. I would focus on staying warm instead - unless it's wet and windy, in which wind-chill can be a factor - even a cheapo windproof jacket over the top of your layers will help with that.

 

[MacB]

like everyone else, layers, I have merino base layers and then put on top what I think works. Personally I like the micro fleeces from Craghoppers, roomy, longer in the back and very soft, also can be worn off bike. The Nightvision jacket is only reserved for the coldest of times, I've only used it once since March and that was a night ride in April.

I have the Montane jacket and the gilet but have only worn them once each, in 6 months. Commutes I'll just get wet and socially I've been lucky with the weather.

 

[Bollo]

Don't forget your feet, as these are often the first to get chilly when its wet and horrible. A basic pair of overshoes aren't expensive and can make the difference between toasty comfort and numb misery.

 

[BrumJim]

+1 for Merino.

Get mine from Howies

Keeps me cool when I am hot, and warm when it is cold. And doesn't smell much even when being worked hard. As long as I don't let it fester on the bathroom floor at night.

 

[normskirus]

Hi

First post ever!! Just been lurking till now.
Been commuting for the past 2 years. Started off with mainly hillwalking stuff and added cycling stuff as I got the money. Going with the layering principal is always good:

• shell is an altura nevis jacket - keeps the wind off and the warmth in.
• thermal top of some kind underneath - icebreaker/lowe alpine/ patagonia. I prefer the synthetic tops even though they can smell after relatively short use - they dont absorb water like the icebreaker. I can sweat a lot so the icebreaker can get a bit cold.
• gloves - these are neoprene sailing gloves, but i may get some cycling ones with gel padding for this winter. Use these for winter walking and I find they keep hands warmish when holding my ice axe.
• leggings- full length trousers made of ripstop fabric - were sold by specialized complete with lycra shorts. Bum has now worn out so Ive bought a pair of gore profi trousers in the edinburgh coop sale.
• feet- Merino hiking socks and/or sports socks. My feet are the only things that really get cold.

I dont wear anything under my helmet, I run quite hot even in the coldest weather. I also wear protective glasses, to help stop my eyes running when pelting downhill in the cold.

Normski

 

[al78]

Been cycling to work for about 7-8 months now and been getting out on longer and longer rides as my fitness has improved so i've been treating myself to the proper kit (i.e. cycling shorts, jerseys, gel gloves, etc).
Now that the weather is set to turn and its going to be dark when i'm out and about im wondering what clothing to select from the bewildering array of choices.

Not a fan of anything skin tight unless its hidden under something a little less form fitting as i dont have a fantastic body and still have to sit on the train for the last part of my journey.

I currently have some altura night vision gloves and a black night vision jacket for when it gets cold and wet but that's about it.

So, what is everyone else out there wearing and has anyone got any tips for me?

Get a warm hat for when it is frosty. The windchill on your head can be substantial, and you can end up with a nasty headache if you are not careful.

Other than that, it depends on what your tolerance to the cold is. I can get away with just a base layer and a cycling jacket on all but the coldest mornings, but you might need an extra layer. What you need to do is wear enough so that you are a little too cold when you set off, so that the heat generated from the cycling doesn't make you want to stop and shed clothing.

For wet weather, these are quite good for shortish distances and light to moderate rain:

http://www.rainlegs.co.uk/

Combined with a pair of overshoes you will stay reasonably dry in steady rain for up to about half an hour.

Reflective ankle bands will help make you more visible and will stop your trouser legs getting snagged in the chain.