Winter Cycling Clothes

Soni

Guys, what do you wear during the winter months?

I've noticed the mornings are getting a little nippier now, i normally go out around 5:30-6.00am, and its been noticeably colder over the last week or so.

I was wearing Gortex leggings last year with a Altura waterproof jacket, however i've lost 3 stone since last winter and the jacket is way too big for me now, it looks like i've borrowed it off somebody else!

So, i'm wondering what to get...

I've got a cycling jersey and bibbed shorts that i've been using throughout the summer, would this be any good for the winter if i was to invest in some arm warmers? Or Not?

Also, can you get leg warmers to go with my shorts?

Or would you suggest proper winter clothes?

Anonymous

Proper winter clothes.

Congrats on the weight loss.

careful

At least get some bib-tights and a good base layer. You might also need overshoes.

nferrar

Skull cap (balaclava if bitterly cold)
Merino base layer
Endura Stealth Jacket (breathable and waterproof)
Bib tights (thermal ones if bitterly cold)
Pro Tarmac H2O overshoes
Merino socks
Specialized sub-zero gloves (if really cold otherwise seal skinz MTB tech ones)

The only thing I found is sometimes my kidney area got cold/numb on really cold days so might try a Gore kidney warmer as well this winter if it happens again.

mike ives

Most important pieces of kit for winter - neoprenes overshoes, warm baselayer and windproof gloves. I like Craft gear; it's works well and is good value for money.

hopper1

+1 for Craft...

Chip \'oyler

Layering is best.

I find a good thermal wicking base layer, with a Roubaix long sleeved jersey and a windproof gilet can cope with just about anything the British winter can throw at me, However if we do get a very cold Siberian snap - then my Rapha Softshell is superb.

Roubaix bibtights (without insert) bib shorts underneath and some merino wool socks with windproof overshoes is all you need for below!

Wappygixer

Bibtights with a windproof membrane are great as is a matching top.
Thin layers work better underneath

redddraggon

A decent winter jacket comes in handy - Assos Airblock 851 is my pick - I can wear mine with appropriate layering from about October to March.

Although I do cringe at the price of that jacket now, condsidering I bought mine from Wiggle back when they were nearly half the price.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Assos ... 360031005/

Takis61

Got a good thermal jacket from Decathlon, between £50 & £60, then got one for my birthday from Foska, £70.
Gloves also from Decathlon.
Use Arm & legwarmers in autumn, but "true" winter not warm enough.
TBH, I use my normal shorts, long socks, and Ronhill bikesters that I get for a tenner - not "Roubaix" whatever but I'm rarely that cold, then I do live on the South Coast !
Overshoes & skullcap essential under 0 degrees, wear the skullcap pretty much all the time due to the wind.
Sometimes gilet as well for wind protection.

Soni

careful wrote:

At least get some bib-tights and a good base layer. You might also need overshoes.

Hi mate, i have bibbed tights and overshoes, but i bought a Liquigas jersey this year and just received the matching bibbed shorts, but not going to get much use out of them now this year, was wondering if i could still wear them through the winter.....

Do some people not wear cycling shorts over the tights?

Was also thinking about the jersey - no way of wearing this during the winter as well is there?

giant_man

If you are going to be warm enough, wear your bib shorts with some decent leg warmers which imo are very insulating. Any colder and you wanna go bib tights really. With an insert or without and over bib shorts if not too cramped.

Footwear wise, you want to either go for overshoes over your existing cycling shoes or get some winter boots. Socks such as woolie boolies or similar are ideal for winter use.

Jacket wise, you want something insulating, like a layering technique or a dedicated winter jacket such as the Airjack or Airblock 851 from Assos. Expensive yes, but not to be regretted.

Skull cap under your helmet too.

Soni

giant mancp wrote:

If you are going to be warm enough, wear your bib shorts with some decent leg warmers which imo are very insulating. Any colder and you wanna go bib tights really. With an insert or without and over bib shorts if not too cramped.

Footwear wise, you want to either go for overshoes over your existing cycling shoes or get some winter boots. Socks such as woolie boolies or similar are ideal for winter use.

Jacket wise, you want something insulating, like a layering technique or a dedicated winter jacket such as the Airjack or Airblock 851 from Assos. Expensive yes, but not to be regretted.

Skull cap under your helmet too.

I like the Airblock 851, just been looking at pictures of it, i see its also available in yellow, which i would prefer due to its 'be seen' colour...

Do you reckon my Gortex bibbed tights will be ok for the winter? I have Altura overshoes allready.

I have £240.00 put aside for winter gear, do you reckon i could get all i need for this amount?

giant_man

240 quid could be enough if you shop keenly. I don't know what the Gortex bib tights are like but I'm guessing they have an insert? Are they warm on a day with normal temperature?

The Airblock851 can be bought from various suppliers but Ribble are usually keenly priced.

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... SSOZJAC500

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/productde ... SSOZJAC505

redddraggon

They have the 851 jackets on ebay "buy it now" for £130 ATM

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

James_London

Airblock 851 jacket, Assos legwarmers and armwarmers and some Craft baselayers should do you. Oh and Pro Tarmac NPU+ overshoes if it's cold and risks being wet (though they get seriously damp from the inside after 3 hours).

Depends a lot on your bodyfat level and how hard you ride however. No more than two layers and be prepared to be chilly for the first 15 minutes riding or you're overdressed!

giant_man

redddraggon wrote:

They have the 851 jackets on ebay "buy it now" for £130 ATM

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories

Yeah great as long as you're a Medium eh? I personally wouldn't buy any Assos from eBay myself. I can't see them swapping it for a different size somehow.

redddraggon

They've got XL and XLG too

page23

redddraggon wrote:

A decent winter jacket comes in handy - Assos Airblock 851 is my pick - I can wear mine with appropriate layering from about October to March.

Although I do cringe at the price of that jacket now, condsidering I bought mine from Wiggle back when they were nearly half the price.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Assos ... 360031005/

seconded. i also snapped one up when they were on a very good deal.