Winter riding - what do you wear?

capoz77

Hi guys,

In the minefield of choosing some winter apparel for my bike. Went out for a ride yesterday in my usual x2 layers of cotton T shirts, long sleeve cotton jersey and none breathable waterproof coat! Cotton was ok in summer but yesterday was an uncomfortable and sticky ride :- (

I've already bought an Altura Crosslite waterproof coat
I'm about to buy a wicking jersey (something like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=18870)

Now i'm not sure how warm I would be wearing the above? Do you tend to wear a base layer as well or a fleece to stop the cold? Don't want to be weighed down by excess clothing but want to be prepared for Uk winter weather.

Ps. Not keen on Lycra!

dhxcme

First what do you ride? E.G. DH, XC.

Personnally when i ride DH and FR in the winter I wear the following.

Royal Future Combat Pants.
everyday undercrackers.
royal socks (just because I like royal race kit)
661 knee guards.
cotton t-shirt
L-S Jersey
661 CG gloves
Troy Lee Full Face
Utopia Goggles
skate shoes

Stays warm going up the hill
lets the breeze blow through on the way down.
[/list]

z000m

i just wear baggy jeans and a cycling jacket, i have goretex sox but my feet are still cold.

omegas

All depends on what type of riding you do and for how long.

You have purchased a quality jacket so it’s now about finding what works best with it, even with the cold winter upon us now you might find all you need is a single layer under your jacket.

Most of the supermarket chains now sell quality base layers; have a look in Asda, Tesco or Tk Max in the underwear dept, you should find that they will stock thermal high wicking sports base layers. Pick one up from Asda for £8 try it and if it works go back and purchase as many as you need to get you through the week. Tk Max have Campagnolo base layer thermal cycle tops in stock for £9.99

http://www.campagnolosportswear.com/jsp ... =60&acc=-1

It’s a fact that you can spend a fortune on branded base layers and find they are no better than a cotton t-shirt and don’t wick away moisture.

forgotrafe

I just bought a set of Tresspass long johns & top from ebay (Hike Bike & Ride seller). Very impressed, and "only" £20 for the set. Wore them under my regular cycling clothing last night and was nice and warm.

Same seller also had a Trekmates long sleeve top which I bought for £13.49. Not as nice as my Polaris one but it's well under half the price - good for a second top.

Also bought a new pair of Seal Skinz waterproof socks. They're well worth the money IMO. Get them from your LBS as the sizing is completely shot.

You should avoid cotton as it absorbs moisture - yuk.

Rafe

willy b

shorts or lycra trousers
breathable top (gill)
breathable jacket (depending on temp)

milese

Today on Dartmoor I wore:

'Running bear' socks, nice in the dry but I got saturated today with feet down in bog moments, nearly up to my knee! Just added seal skins to Xmas list.

Lycra cycling shorts with a pair of old long football shorts over the top. Going to get some proper 'baggy' cycling shorts.

An old football shirt with a long sleeve nylon type top I got from Wiggle for less than a tenner. I'll link to it when Wiggle is working....

Altura Nevis waterproof jacket.

Was cold to start with, but as I warmed up I opened the jackets air vents and all was fine.

Only my feet that went numb, but as said there was lots of bogs and stream crossings.

Running bear make some nice fleecey tops, warm, windproof and wick well.

http://www.runningbear.co.uk/product_in ... cts_id=110
http://www.runningbear.co.uk/product_in ... cts_id=430

milese

This is the one. Not very warm on its own but its all about layers they say!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... hnical%20T

ride_whenever

Full wicking lycra base layer (ankles to wrists) with sealskins for hands and feet. then baggies over the top, gilet or DMP gore-tex waterproof jacket, neck warmer and some sort of beanie under my helmet. Normally that's fine for riding. I wear more if i'm going to be standing round lots

Father Faff

Ride-whenever has got the right idea. Avoid cotton like the plague. For sub-zero I have Sealskin socks and those jolly excellent Shimano winter boots with the elasticated tops. Bib lycra longs from Endura, PIle/Pertex Buffalo top, warm gloeves, balaclava, and that's it. No need for a wicking baselayer with that kit and the Buffalo has plenty of pit-zips if temperatures edge up towards zero.

supersonic

The layered method is the way to go. Start with a good base layer that wicks (ie not cotton!), use a windproof, waterproof and breathable top layer, and use whatever mid layer you need for the temp.

Andy B

Howies Merino Base Layer (short sleeved with long sleeved over the top if it's really cold)

Howies 8miler soft shell, or Berghaus RG1 if it's really peeing it down.

SealSkinz thermal liner gloves with SealSkinz waterproof gloves over the top

Thin thermal socks, with Merino socks over the top & SealSkinz socks if it's wet.

Regular riding shorts (Humvee 3/4 length)

prophet_1000

I ride naked, All the Kool Kids are doing it

nferrar

Go for layers rather than a do-it-all thermal waterproof jacket etc. (unless you're cycling in extreme cold and need the warm of insulated top layers).

Key is a good base layer, merino if you can afford it. I generally go for a short-sleeve base.

Mid layer I go with normal cycling tops either short or long sleeved depending on the conditions

Top layer I usually just keep a breathable waterproof in the backpack. If it's raining when I head out I'll wear a bit better quality (but less packable) waterproof jacket.

On the bottoms I've still been jsut using padded boxers + baggy shorts until now. Will start wearing lycra bib tights over the boxers + under the baggy shorts soon though (once it gets frosty cold...). Also have waterproof thermal bib tights for night road rides and baggy waterproof overtrousers for really wet off-road rides

papasmurf.

Gold thong and nipple tassles...and if its really cold I might add a pvc gimp mask

prophet_1000

papasmurf. wrote:

Gold thong and nipple tassles...and if its really cold I might add a pvc gimp mask

Oh, you live further up north! It's not that cold down here, but I have seen a few fair weather riders in that getup.

RichMTB

Good base layer is the key,

I wear a howies NBL merino base layer, its not cheap but due to the magical properties of merino it never seems to smell even after 4 days commuting! On top of this an Endura Event Jacket. This is warm enough once I get going, if its proper cold I take a fleece as well but its not been cold enough yet.

For bottoms Ive got a pair of Endura Humvee trousers, these are suprisingly warm, if its wet ive got Endura Event overtrousers. if its proper cold i've got endura lycra bibs which i can wear under 3/4 baggies.

I've got endura gloves for and seal skins socks, i've also got some overshoes but I've never used them

dave_hill

Layers are deffo the best way.

This season, I are mostly be wearing (from the inside out) -

Bib-shorts with pad
UnderArmour ColdGear long-sleeved top
Thin cotton socks
Seal Skinz Mid Light socks
Micro-fleece lined bib tights
Sombrio freeride shorts
Troy Lee Designs long-sleeve moto jersey
661 Duallies
Cotton Bandana (or thin knitted beany if it's really cold)
Endura waterproof/breathable jacket

Then depending on how cold it is (or where I'm going)

661 Nasty or Endura Cresta gloves
Race Face leg and fore-arm armour
Swap the Endura jacket for a German army Goretex parachute smock and liner.

Giro Hex helmet
Clear, yellow or orange eye-wear depending upon light conditions.

Toasty warm and waterproof watever the weather!

miggillicuddy

I ride XC.

I've got a Helly Hansen long-sleve, zipless thermal base layer. It's the fucking dogs'. Expensive but totally worth it - it would have to be seriously cold for me to need anything else over the top of it.

3/4 length endura humvees get worn all year round.

Thinking of getting some lycra 3/4 leggings

Bandana under the helmet. (keeps me warm and keeps my hair under control)

New/better gloves are next on the agenda.

capoz77

Thanks guys some top advice!!

Omegas went to Asda tonight and bought one of the £7 thermal vests they look great for the money, have bought a Helly Hanson Cool Lifa mid layer top and my Altura Crosslite for the outer.

Will test this out and report back on the warmth and breathability!