What to wear for Winter biking

mea00csf

i used to try and economise but have really given up recently. hate shopping so constantly chucking out old cheap stuff to buy new cheap stuff was tedious. I also enerally found it didn't fit very well and was nowhere near as comfy. I now take the approach of buy something that is right and exactly what your after with little to no compromise (whether that's a bargain or not). I've personally found it to be far more comfortable because you've bought the comfiest regardless of price, much harder wearing, and i last for ages.

Shaggy_Dog

IDave wrote:

Hi Folks,

I'm new to MTB, and I have enjoyed the relatively nice summer we have had, however it's starting to get colder now and shorts and T-Shirt are just not suitable attire any longer.

I remember starting out in everyday "sports" wear, cotton Tees and tracky bottoms, once you discover propers sports kit you'll never go back!

IDave wrote:

What do you guys wear when you are out on the trails in the winter?

(Some links to places to purchase would be nice too)

Many Thanks

I like my Endura stuff as it's cracking value for money and it's a Scottish brand, the industry benchmark is Gore but it's about twice the price for an equivalent item. I generally pay a bit extra for Gore softshell kit but I definitely prefer Endura for lycra and baselayers, it's loads better than the competition at twice the price.

So I use, depending on the severity of the weather and how long I intend to go out for, Endura Thermolite 3/4 bibs http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9289 which are very comfy on the bum for long periods of time and are a thermal lycra so very warm, if you want you can chuck a pair of baggies over the top but I find they just get weighed down by mud. If it's really cold I'll pop a pair of these over the top http://www.evanscycles.com/products/gore-bike-wear/fusion-so-3-4-trousers-ec020031?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle which are very expensive but really, really good. This combination will be fine in the highlands in mid January.

Up top I'll wear a lightweight base layer like a Helly Hansen Dry longsleeve or endura frontline http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=125&prod_id=57 with a midlayer such as this http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Satellite/PROD_STXENO?landingid=1212722558031A or this http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=126&prod_id=245

If it's especially chilly or windy, or I'm expecting light rain then I'll use a softshell windproof like this http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218 or http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Satellite/PROD_JWOXYU?landingid=1212722558082A. Last winter it got so bad that I was wearing a base layer, a mid layer and a soft shell and was still freezing!

If it's p!ssing it down then I use a Merino baselayer like a Baabaa http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=124&prod_id=368 with a high quality breathable waterproof, the best you can buy is this http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=122&prod_id=354 Goretex is not as good and quite a lot more expensive so it's no contest on that front really. I may wear my Helly Hansen fleece mid layer between if it's really cold and really wet. These keep your bum dry and really, I don't think anyone would ever need anything better http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=133&prod_id=114

I still haven't found a combination that is satisfactory on the footwear front, I've tried winter boots but after stripping a cleat thread and realising they can't be replaced I had to chuck them away which was very disappointing. I'm currently using some bontrager overshoes with my current summer shoes and Defeet Wooly Booly socks http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=36282 these are the pooches privates! The best gloves I've ever had were a pair of Cannondale 3 seasons http://www.cannondale.com/gbr/eng/Products/Apparel/Mens/Gloves/Details/2366-0G453-3-SEASON-GLOVES A skull cap, merino beanie or a Buff finishes it off.

Yes, this is rather a lot of kit and rather a lot of money but you are going to need it if you intend to ride through a Scottish winter. To start off, I'd go for the Thermal 3/4 lycra shorts, a decent baselayer like the Frontline and a decent softshell like the Windchill

Bar Shaker

I have various shorts and bibs, some cheap ish (Nike), some mega expensive (Nalini and Pearl Izumi). By far the best and most comfy are my Decathalon ones with their competition gel impregnated chamois.

Atz

For goretex, you can buy army-surplus. I know a few people who have the trousers for riding as they're a cheap, reliable option.