Winter warming recommendations

DonDaddyD
DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
edited January 2009 in Commuting chat
OK its FARKING cold out there at the moment. So I figured what better way to hep contribute to the topic of commuting (Spen :wink: ) by creating a central place where we can asks questions, offer advice and recommend products to help better fend off the cold during our winterly commutes.

Ok I'd personally recommend wearing:

Skull Cap/Head warmer
Buff

Base Layer
Jersey
Suitable visible cycling coat

Thick full length gloves

3/4 length shorts or bibshorts

Full length track pants

2 - 3 pairs of socks
Food Chain number = 4

A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
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Comments

  • Hey Jax
    Hey Jax Posts: 107
    yes the socks a good idea... the coldest place at the end of my commute is usually my big toes!!
    FCN 8 in winter
    my very first bike..ever..
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/b-twin-5-34963455/

    my new gorgeous-one
    http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... DOLCE_2009 I
  • Mog Uk
    Mog Uk Posts: 964
    Pedal Faster....
    Manchester Wheelers' Club
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I'd go for less socks and wear overshoes. If your feet are crammed into your shoes - its gonna cut down blood flow.

    And gear down a bit - pedalling a bit faster than normal seems to get me warmed up quicker.

    Something worn around the neck - like a buff is also good at keeping chins warm.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    OK its FARKING cold out there at the moment. So I figured what better way to hep contribute to the topic of commuting (Spen :wink: ) by creating a central place where we can asks questions, offer advice and recommend products to help better fend off the cold during our winterly commutes.

    Ok I'd personally recommend wearing:

    Skull Cap/Head warmer
    Buff

    Base Layer
    Jersey
    Suitable visible cycling coat

    Thick full length gloves

    3/4 length shorts or bibshorts

    Full length track pants

    2 - 3 pairs of socks

    Mmm, I'd swap the bib shorts for tights and just wear baggy 3/4's over the top. Full length baggies aren't a great idea - running the risk of clothing getting caught in the chain. Also rather than 2/3 socks I just use overshoes.
  • Clever Pun
    Clever Pun Posts: 6,778
    lining gloves help the fingers a treat

    less socks, use winter or overshoes instead

    proper roubaix(sp) tights

    other than that pretty spot on DDD
    Purveyor of sonic doom

    Very Hairy Roadie - FCN 4
    Fixed Pista- FCN 5
    Beared Bromptonite - FCN 14
  • simple_salmon
    simple_salmon Posts: 457
    I had four pairs of gloves on this morning but my fingers were still so painful I felt sick. What else can I do?
  • Hey Jax
    Hey Jax Posts: 107
    simple_salmon wrote:
    I had four pairs of gloves on this morning but my fingers were still so painful I felt sick. What else can I do?


    heated gloves...?
    http://www.betterlifehealthcare.com/pro ... 3godGk8hCw



    what are overshoes like? will they go over clumpy trainers, and are they easy to get on/off?
    FCN 8 in winter
    my very first bike..ever..
    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/b-twin-5-34963455/

    my new gorgeous-one
    http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/product/ ... DOLCE_2009 I
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Extremities are kept warm by layers of air warmed by your body heat and trapped by whatever materials you're wearing. If you wear too many or too tight layers this air doesn't have any place to be and so there's no warming layer. So 4 pairs of gloves, or 3 pairs of socks, will squeeze all this air out leaving you without any warmth to keep you comfortable.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Mittens are better than gloves for keeping warm. Surface Area to Volume ratio and all that. Bit harder to change gear though !
  • Mog Uk
    Mog Uk Posts: 964
    Snowboarding gloves.... seriously, best thing I ever bought......
    Manchester Wheelers' Club
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I did the Isle of Wight ride in my motorbike gloves and they did a pretty good job, better than my winter cycling gloves (which Attica was using, with middling satisfaction).
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • jonginge
    jonginge Posts: 5,945
    biondino wrote:
    Extremities are kept warm by layers of air warmed by your body heat and trapped by whatever materials you're wearing. If you wear too many or too tight layers this air doesn't have any place to be and so there's no warming layer. So 4 pairs of gloves, or 3 pairs of socks, will squeeze all this air out leaving you without any warmth to keep you comfortable.
    +1
    Also there are gloves and there are gloves. Make sure the outer layer is a decent windstopper. This week I've been using some dhb windproof gloves. They're toasty with their inbuilt fleecy liner. Last week on leisure rides I was using the less bulky but fantastic Assos Early Winter gloves (expensive, though)
    FCN 2-4 "Shut up legs", Jens Voigt
    Planet-x Scott
    Rides
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    biondino wrote:
    Extremities are kept warm by layers of air warmed by your body heat and trapped by whatever materials you're wearing. If you wear too many or too tight layers this air doesn't have any place to be and so there's no warming layer. So 4 pairs of gloves, or 3 pairs of socks, will squeeze all this air out leaving you without any warmth to keep you comfortable.

    Eh? When I was doing my Ski Instructors course in Canada - in temperatures of minus bloody freezing (minus 25 or minus 35 with WCHILL was common), the first thing we were told was "dress like an onion - lots of layers." It worked a treat. My motto in this weather is layers layer layers, all of technical wicking fabric. So today = base layer, long sleeve jersey, short sleeve jersey, windproof jacket, I was toasty toasty.
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I do agree though that too many socks is a bad idea as these will be too tight, overshoes are key here as they allow air to become trapped in your shoes and warm up.

    Gloves wise I use Castelli Max Due which are superb.
  • iain_j
    iain_j Posts: 1,941
    All what DDD said (except just biblongs and one pair socks+overshoes) but still freezin' this morning. I'm reluctant to buy loads of stuff for this extreme cold cos we get it so infrequently. The stuff i have has been fine for the last 5 years.
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    I've been wearing merino wool jumpers and socks which so far have done the job nicely but yesterday my toes we're so cold they didn't thaw out for at least an hour and that's with winter overshoes.

    Cheap cycle gloves http://www.cycle-clothing.co.uk/Product ... ipora.aspx

    Still -4 here at the moment :shock:
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Layers are fine as long as they're not too tight! Which you agree with in your very next post. You tart.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • simple_salmon
    simple_salmon Posts: 457
    My outer glove was a windproof Altura, I then had three pairs of thin running gloves underneath. The point about them being too tight may well be a valid one.

    Have any of you tried the Lobster style mittens?
  • hondafanatic
    hondafanatic Posts: 213
    MTFU the lot of you.

    Speedo's (red and two sizes too small), Flipflops, and a pair of Aviators...
    <insert witty comment here>

    Also, I have calculated my FCN as 12...although I have no idea what that actually means.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Now evidently I'm not cycling right now, but I did manage (somehow) to clamber into mother's plane this weekend to go to a do. Bear in mind, if you will, that air temperature decreases by 2 degrees per thousand feet at the least, and we were at about 2500'.

    But you're in a plane, you say, it's closed off and insulated like a car...

    WRONG. Open cockpit, plane made of wood and fabric.

    I can now personally recommend the products made by these guys. If you're really struggling with the cold, it's great kit.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jjojjas
    jjojjas Posts: 346
    I was thinking of this today at 7am on the way in. I used to ride bike (motor) and you could get two fingered mitts, they were great for keep the fingers warm. I think I'll get some again.
    Jas
    it looks a bit steep to me.....
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Bib shorts, bib tights, DHB bamboo base layer, Nike thermal layer (with ridiculously long arms, who do they make this gear for) and long sleeved top with windproof front.

    And still bloody cold this morning. Frozen toes in the shower :shock: :shock: I believe the screams could be heard all over south London

    And why do I always need a pee just after I've layered up :evil: :evil:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    edited January 2009
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Now evidently I'm not cycling right now, but I did manage (somehow) to clamber into mother's plane this weekend to go to a do. Bear in mind, if you will, that air temperature decreases by 2 degrees per thousand feet at the least, and we were at about 2500'.

    But you're in a plane, you say, it's closed off and insulated like a car...

    WRONG. Open cockpit, plane made of wood and fabric.

    I can now personally recommend the products made by these guys. If you're really struggling with the cold, it's great kit.

    Oh come on!

    Whose Mother has a PLANE!!!???!!!

    Jaysus!

    You write it so casually as well.

    "Oh yes just this morning on *cough* mothers plane *cough* I was eating quail eggs cooked and blessed by the Pope on the way to see the Queen, absolutely spiffing!!!".

    Lol! :lol:
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • fatherted
    fatherted Posts: 199
    when its -4 or -5° ....
    hat,
    long sleeved base layer,
    long sleeved winter jersey,
    gilet.
    Full length Assos bibtights.
    Sock liners, winter socks and oversocks
    Chiba winter gloves with Gore liners,
    and make sure you cycle at an average of 18mph.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Well we've had that one since before I was born, to be fair.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • hondafanatic
    hondafanatic Posts: 213
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Well we've had that one since before I was born, to be fair.

    LMAO...That statement doesn't help....

    I mean that in a nice way. :D

    Cheers
    David
    <insert witty comment here>

    Also, I have calculated my FCN as 12...although I have no idea what that actually means.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Well we've had that one since before I was born, to be fair.

    Which implies there's more than one :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    lost_in_thought wrote:
    Well we've had that one since before I was born, to be fair.

    Oh! So they bought it during the private Plane buying boom......

    That's ok then!

    (I'm only messing with you).
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    has anyone tried those little bags of magic stuff that you microwave to reactivate, crack them (like a glowstick) and they heat up?
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Cee - I used to put those in the pockets on my mittens when snowboarding - they were great! Don't know how they'd work cycling, I guess you could put them in the palm of your gloves! I struggle more with cold feet than hands though.

    Do people make windproof breatheable trousers, like the brilliant windproof jacket y'all recommended to me last year?

    [hijack] aviation is the family business, having planes helps! [/hijack]
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.

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