Winter warming recommendations

JGS

Rich158 wrote:

, Nike thermal layer (with ridiculously long arms, who do they make this gear for)

I tuck my base layer into my gloves so that if I get a particularly violent gust of wind I don't feel it on my wrists.

As for clothing all I use is:

Helly Henson long sleeve lifa base layer
2XU Winter Jersey, Sub-Zero Bib-longs, Gloves
Gore Bikewear Gore-Tex Overshoes

The 2XU gear is exceptionally breathable and windproof (and to a point waterproof), the chamois is lovely and it all costs half the price of the top end Assos stuff it's comparable with.

I do however ride a road bike and average about 19.5mph on the way to work, so all that effort will be keeping me warm too. The fact the 2XU gear is very windproof stops any breezes cooling me down.

cougie

To be fair - its only an open top plane..... ;-)

We have a couple of those hand warmer things that you recharge in boiling water. Dont think they are much use out cycling though - where would you put them ?

cougie

To be fair - its only an open top plane..... ;-)

We have a couple of those hand warmer things that you recharge in boiling water. Dont think they are much use out cycling though - where would you put them ?

itboffin

cee wrote:

has anyone tried those little bags of magic stuff that you microwave to reactivate, crack them (like a glowstick) and they heat up?

Thanks I'd totally forgotten that I have two of those

Rich158

JGS wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

, Nike thermal layer (with ridiculously long arms, who do they make this gear for)

I tuck my base layer into my gloves so that if I get a particularly violent gust of wind I don't feel it on my wrists.

I'm not talking slightly long here, i do the same. The sleeves on my top are at least 6 inches longer than the tips of my fingers :shock: they must be a very odd shape in Niek world :?

iain_j

My gloves (specialized radiant) have pockets on the back of the hand for putting those handwarmer things in, never used them though, can't see them being that effective - it's my fingers that get icy cold not my hands. Maybe they'd warm the blood flowing through my hand enough to keep my fingers warm?

JGS

Rich158 wrote:

I'm not talking slightly long here, i do the same. The sleeves on my top are at least 6 inches longer than the tips of my fingers :shock: they must be a very odd shape in Niek world :?

That does sound rather excessive! However I wish I could get some biblongs that actually fit my legs. I'm 6' 3" with a 36.22" inside leg (properly measured) and find most bibs are too long in the body and too short in the leg.

cee

cougie wrote:

. Dont think they are much use out cycling though - where would you put them ?

don't know.....

reckon the smaller ones would fit in your shoes on top of the toes.....as long as 3 pairs of socks aren't worn....and then depending on the shoes of course.

I saw them in the shops at lunch today and some were really quite small (square tea-bag size.)

cougie

Not seen the small ones ?

I find wiggling the toes more useful than cramming stuff into the shoes though. You can get battery powered shoe warmers - but they're like £160 !

Clever Pun

Glovewise I'm giving a test to the sealskinz winter ones... very good so far

jimmypippa

Hey Jax wrote:

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?

I wear these over my gore-tex trainers.

They *just* fit, but my feet are nice and tosty -9°C according to the met-office (and a friend) this morning.

Mind you the rest of my clothes look a bit "eccentric":

Balaclava worn as a beanie and a Buff

Ronhil tracksters, and a pair of microfibre shorts *over* them (keeps nether regions windproof)

A thin wicking layer (my summer top) and a thin (polartec 100m) fleece underneath a high-vis jacket (with the pit zips open).

Sealskinz gloves.

Seems adequate for cycling in this weather for me.

chronyx

DonDaddyD wrote:

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

That's ok then!

(I'm only messing with you).

LMFAO

fatherted

JGS wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

I'm not talking slightly long here, i do the same. The sleeves on my top are at least 6 inches longer than the tips of my fingers :shock: they must be a very odd shape in Niek world :?

That does sound rather excessive! However I wish I could get some biblongs that actually fit my legs. I'm 6' 3" with a 36.22" inside leg (properly measured) and find most bibs are too long in the body and too short in the leg.

I'm 6' 3" , inside leg 35".
Go and try some Assos bibtights for size , they're quite stretchy
so will give a little.

Rich158

fatherted wrote:

JGS wrote:

Rich158 wrote:

I'm not talking slightly long here, i do the same. The sleeves on my top are at least 6 inches longer than the tips of my fingers :shock: they must be a very odd shape in Niek world :?

That does sound rather excessive! However I wish I could get some biblongs that actually fit my legs. I'm 6' 3" with a 36.22" inside leg (properly measured) and find most bibs are too long in the body and too short in the leg.

I'm 6' 3" , inside leg 35".
Go and try some Assos bibtights for size , they're quite stretchy
so will give a little.

I'm 5'7", inside leg 27"

I always end up looking like Nora Batty :?

I've come to the conclusion I'm just a bloody odd shape

coffeecup

i was sceptical about splashing the cash on these socks but...unbelievably.. they are warm as toast. They seem to be the common denominator for cosy feet

woolie boolies rock!!!



i wear them with a pair of shimano winter boots, no over shoes

_Brun_

I must be some sort of freak because once I'm out and moving I just don't feel the cold at all. Longsleeved HH base layer plus lightweight jacket, bottom half is jeans tucked into socks and SPDs with the mesh uppers. Full fingered gloves, but nowt special. Given the concern over dropping the bike on some ice I even left the beanie in my pocket and stuck me helmet on instead, those who've met me know how much insulation that leaves me with on top. I might only do 4 miles to work, but I'm unzipping stuff by the time I'm three quaters of the way there cos I'm too hot.

I notice loads of people at the moment with helmets sort of 'perched' on top of hatted heads. I imagine it being how East 17 would wear a cycling helmet. It's a rather comical appearance to say the least, and I can't imagine it's gonna do much for the effectiveness of the helmet in the event of an accident. Still, I'm sure they feel safe.

_Brun_

I should add that I'm watching highlights of Spurs vs Burnley from last night when it was about -10 kelvin or something in London. The majority of players are wearing shorts and t-shirts, but some of the softer ones have a long sleeved base layer. A few are risking dressing room ridicule by wearing gloves, which is quite pathetic.

DonDaddyD

_Brun_ wrote:

I should add that I'm watching highlights of Spurs vs Burnley from last night when it was about -10 kelvin or something in London. The majority of players are wearing shorts and t-shirts, but some of the softer ones have a long sleeved base layer. A few are risking dressing room ridicule by wearing gloves, which is quite pathetic.

I won't deny that its cold. But a packed stadium (modern one) works like a Cauldron and doesn't let a lot of wind blow into it - if its one of those without the gaps between each stand. Plus there is the heat generated by the lights aimed on the pitch, fans and heated undersoil pitches. The players would have warmed up indoors before warming up outdoors before the match and are running up and down as well. Practically roasting.!

pedalo delgado

.

layering up is best :-)

even so I only use a kalenji longsleever I got cheap in Decathlon (Gap) (for paragliding) and an altura night vision jacket with a Buff neck warmer
downstairs i just have a pair of knee length baggies and ankle socks with an old pair of merrells
gloves are windstoppers I use to fly in

if its nippy i stick a beany under the helmet (a cheap specialized with zero heat properties)

actually find that stuff i use to fly in is great for cycling and vice versa - windproof waterproof breathable wicking fleecy are my watchwords :-)

btw I only do 11k to the office and back in glasgow but what you southern* softies have had the last few days is pretty common :-)

pd

*no offence intended to hard southerners with karate training

.

blackworx

If this thread had happened before crimbo I'd be asking what the hell a Buff was, but I was given one as a present and by the gods these things are the bollocks.

+1 for Assos Early Winter gloves (my other half thinks they're rubbish, but then she gets icicle fingers all year round anyway). I think next year I may invest in the "lobster claw" outer mitt too.

For winter shoes, my Northwave Fahrenheit boots are keeping my toes nice and toasty with a minimum of sockage and no overshoes to faff with.

Also liking the new De Marchi biblongs. They don't have a padded insert so you have to wear shorts with them, but they are very nice and toasty. The stirrups are a bit of an afterthought, but at least they're there for us taller chaps.

-1 for Lizard Skin Blizzard gloves btw - useless imo.

edhornby

Ride faster, that'll get you warmed up !!!!

:roll:


I have a wide headband that keeps me warm (esp ears and forehead), but the uncovered head bit allows excess heat to escape so you don't get sweaty - top bit of kit (£10 from Decathlon)

jimmypippa

pedalo delgado wrote:

.

layering up is best :-)

even so I only use a kalenji longsleever I got cheap in Decathlon (Gap) (for paragliding) and an altura night vision jacket with a Buff neck warmer
downstairs i just have a pair of knee length baggies and ankle socks with an old pair of merrells
gloves are windstoppers I use to fly in

if its nippy i stick a beany under the helmet (a cheap specialized with zero heat properties)

actually find that stuff i use to fly in is great for cycling and vice versa - windproof waterproof breathable wicking fleecy are my watchwords :-)

btw I only do 11k to the office and back in glasgow but what you southern* softies have had the last few days is pretty common :-)

pd

*no offence intended to hard southerners with karate training

.

That's how I work:

Most of my kit (except cycling jacket and overshoes with big reflective bits) is what I wear hillwalking/running.

blackworx wrote:

If this thread had happened before crimbo I'd be asking what the hell a Buff was, but I was given one as a present and by the gods these things are the bollocks.

They are aren't they? I asked my kids to get me one togetherclub together and get me one for Christmas.

boy on bike

Just after the first cold snap in December, I splashed out on a pair of Endura Strike gloves: they have a fleecy inside layer then an outer windproof layer - but still slim enough not to hamper the fingers at all. If anything they're almost too warm: I've used them on >0deg days and have boiled!

I also reackon overshoes are a must: I've tried the neoprene ones in the past but have just got some Endura "luminite" ones: these are less bulky than neoprene and v waterproof. Possibly not quite as toasty as the neoprene ones, but don't make you feel quite so much like a deep sea diver.

simple_salmon

I bought a pair of Aldi skiing gloves for <£5 yesterday. With a pair of Altura windproof gloves on underneath today my fingers were fine - it was much harder to get to the brakes in a hurry though :oops: because they're quite long. Not too serious on my commute as I'm pootling along but I wouldn't use them on a training ride.

c12345

Christmas pudding and brandy butta for breakfast
Brought about by an excess of leftover, and a dephicit of bread. Warmed me up a treat this morning though.