Winter kit - what's the happy medium?

[Scotmitchy]

Following on from my ''my ears are freezing'' thread, which you guys solved for me so easily by inspiring me to pinch my son's buff lol, what about the rest of me.

At the moment I am layering up, cos I hate being cold. However, I find I am too hot, but not ready to take off a layer.

What's the best solution/fabrics etc for me to wear. It's only August and alredy feels like Autumn here in Scotland, and this year I want to keep cycling later in the year than I did last time.

Then I stopped in late September and didn't start again till APril

 

[NormanD]

Base layers Here .. Gloves Here ... Socks Here for winter use is pretty much all you'll need, apart from maybe a light / medium fleece jacket for when it gets really cold.

I don't tend to over-dress on the bike in cold weather, as I'll heat up once my muscles being working, so don't want to end up having a "boil in the bag" type of ride.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Hah, boil in the bag would cover it - I got home last night and my hair was damp, and it wasn't even raining! lol.

Okay, will have a look at the links and see where I am going wrong.

Was thinking of buying the socks at Lidl on Monday, I may pick up new gloves now too.

Jackie

 

[jimmys]

Tend to just wear a fleece and have a waterproof kept in my rucksack.

 

[zizou]

It is all about personal preference and finding what works for you - i know some people who have wore their bib longs and long sleeve tops all through the summer with only a day or two in shorts, whereas others are fine in shorts at anything above freezing!

I find arm warmers, knee warmers and a gilet are great for Spring and Autumn riding where it can be chilly to start off with but gets a bit hotter during the day and they are small enough to take off and put in a back pocket. You want to avoid fabrics like cotton as it will just get wet with sweat and make you feel cold and instead have something like merino for a base layer then an outer layer then something that is windproof

 

[Globalti]

You need something that breathes but blocks the cold wind.

dhb clothing from Wiggle is excellent value and well made.

 

[Norm]

Windproof is the key, IMO. Even if it's below freezing, I'll just wear a t shirt under a windproof outer layer, I soon warm up with the exercise.

I only discovered arm warmers and thin gilets a few months ago, but I'd already say that they have transformed my riding kit.

 

[Dilbert]

Aldi normally do winter kit towards the end of September. A mate commuted all last winter in one of their windproof jackets with a t-shirt underneath and swears by it. I have been using their bib longs for two winters now and think they are great. The trick I find is to not try to be warm when you set off, as you will warm up quickly even on cold days. Its a bit of a leap of faith to go out when its freezing in a t-shirt and a windproof, but there is nothing worse than being soaked with sweat when its cold, especially if you get a visit from the p fairy and have to stand by the road for 10min while you fix it. Also everyone is different, I wear one more layer than a couple of other guys in the office seem to wear for the same weather. As Zizou says its a case of trying different things to you find what works for you.

I commute in early and I can see me having my knee warmers out next week if the weather keeps on like this.

 

[Friz]

I'm already wearing touring trousers and long sleeve tops. It makes me think I've softened over the summer. Back in Feb I recall commuting, in shorts, through a frost covered forest..

 

[gaz]

The key is having layers which do different things. So my outter layer is a windproof jacket. my middle layer is a normal jersey just for a bit of added warmth around the corner and my base layer is a merino wool long sleeved base layer which keeps the warmth next to your skin.
If i'm too hot then I undo the zip on the windproof jacket, if i'm still too hot then I can easily take it off and stuff it in the back pocket of my jersey. I never wear a backpack as that restricks how easily you can remove and add layers as you cycle.

 

[Scotmitchy]

Thanks guys - I popped out at lunchtime and it was ROASTING! Good grief, four seasons in one day is the case here - I even had to take the buff off lol!

 

[jay clock]

This my winter jacket http://www.ukbikestore.co.uk/product/62/e9044/endura-air-defence-jacket.html which is perfect below about 10 degrees and down to zero or a bit below. Down to 5 I use with a short sleeve merino base layer, from zero to 5 I use a long sleeve base layer, below zero I use two layers!. Overshoes help a lot and I always have gloves, plus liner gloves (merino or silk) and a buff and or skull cap.

Jacket will cope with light showers but I use an Endura Helium for rain, coupled with more Merino

Jay

 

[Arsen Gere]

One of the best buys I made was a thermometer that hangs out the window - ebay £6. I use it to judge how many or how thick the layers need to be.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

At the moment I am layering up, cos I hate being cold. However, I find I am too hot, but not ready to take off a layer.

What's the best solution/fabrics etc for me to wear. It's only August and alredy feels like Autumn here in Scotland, and this year I want to keep cycling later in the year than I did last time.

I find I can't get on with non-natural fibre waterproof gloves or shoes.
For some reason I just end up hot and bothered.

With leather gloves / shoes I'm much more comfortable and as warm & water resistant (if the leather is well treated, anyway).

The windproof jacket trick is great unzipping the front / opening up any vents you have when you're warmer. Also ditching gloves / pulling the buff down etc.

 

[400bhp]

Aldi normally do winter kit towards the end of September. A mate commuted all last winter in one of their windproof jackets with a t-shirt underneath and swears by it. I have been using their bib longs for two winters now and think they are great. The trick I find is to not try to be warm when you set off, as you will warm up quickly even on cold days. Its a bit of a leap of faith to go out when its freezing in a t-shirt and a windproof, but there is nothing worse than being soaked with sweat when its cold, especially if you get a visit from the p fairy and have to stand by the road for 10min while you fix it. Also everyone is different, I wear one more layer than a couple of other guys in the office seem to wear for the same weather. As Zizou says its a case of trying different things to you find what works for you.

I commute in early and I can see me having my knee warmers out next week if the weather keeps on like this.

+1, I have one and (for me) it is warm enough with one t-shirt underneath. For very cold temperatures (below freezing) i might wear 2 t-shirts.