what autumn and winter clothing do i really need?

ianbar

quite a simple thing really, what do i really need? seen lots of articles in mags for winter clothes but to copy would cost a fortune! so what do you really need? i have lots of tops so thought could layer up there just need waterproof i thought on top? also good pair of gloves and hat under helmet? and i guess some new bib shorts that are full length? probbaly answered my own question now!

Zoomer37

Good base layer
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Fold away jacket
Gloves

Wooliferkins

Just about. To my mind the best wind and waterproof jacket you can afford and some windproof bib longs make life so much better. Wind and waterproof gloves are also a good call

meanredspider

Buff

It's about the only bit of kit (nearly) all commuters can agree upon in their winter kit.

Focus upon "warm" rather than "dry" - windproof & merino are your friends. I haven't found anything yet that claims to be waterproof that actually works (either because it lets water in or drowns you in your own sweat)

InSituTravel

Layers, layers, layers.

Use what you have and layer up! My personal preference is to switch to at least 2 long sleeve jerseys rather than arm warmers once it's starts getting really cold.

A good hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears.

Gloves, I prefer to go on the warmer side.

Booties. Again on the heavier side

Leg warmers.

Wind jacket or vest (but be sure it's breathable.)

Hope that helps.

Jace

godders1

I couldn't do without my merino skullcap in winter (I do have what you might call a lack of natural coverage up there though).

MrChuck

As your list, but with overshoes. Unless you plan on going out in the rain a lot I'd go for something that swaps absolute waterproofness for breathability- something that'll keep the worst off but won't have you boiling in the bag when it's not actually raining (which is most of the time).

ddraver

Gilet, arm and leg warmers are the most versatile clothes I ve got, you ll use them all through the year so are wortht the outlay. Plus as companies can't really muck them up, you can go for a lower priced brand and they ll be fine...

Warmer stuff is fine if you feel the cold, but usually they make me too sweaty in all but sub zero conditions...

Edited on a proper computer not a stupid phone!

nickel

I'll second what ddraver said, I really am suprised how much I use my gilet, its brilliant for keeping your body warm and dry without causing you to overheat, to be honest a full length jacket makes me sweaty in all but the very coldest weather but it depends how much you feel the cold. A long sleeve base layer, good gloves and a beanie hat to go under your helmet are my main reccomendations. Oh and thermal socks too, cheapo ones from tk maxx will do the job perfectly.

ddraver

If you get a long sleeved jersey, make sure the sleeves are loose enough so that you can roll them up too...

KnightOfTheLongTights

overshoes
bib longs
s-s base layer (helly hansen?) and arm warmers
l-s windproof jersey - I''ve got this:
http://www.kenellerkercycles.co.uk/m3b7 ... RS_GB/3602
and it's very good
v thin beanie or buff
semi-waterproof foldaway jacket like Montane H20
good windproof gloves (waterpoof ones rarely work and make your hands clammy)

rhext

Your answer's about right. Lots of layers, plus warm bib tights. I use a softshell rather than a waterproof. Last year in the real depths of winter, I put two pairs of trousers on!

Worth spending a bit on keeping your extermities warm: socks, gloves, buff or skullcap for ears....... It's those bits that take a real beating when the temperature drops below zero.

Garz

Lots of stuff mentioned here I agree with so I wont re-list them however the key pieces you can't overlook on the colder days are the overshoes full length bibs and gloves. Most peoples extremities play up and for me having cold hands or feet can ruin a ride early on.

MichaelW

Arm and leg warmers are good at intermediate temps where you can stow them easily if you get too warm. If you wear them all the time, you will be more comfortable in full length leggings/tights and full arm jersies.
A set of Ron Hill Bikesters will see you though a lot of the winter at low cost but are not as warm as most bib tights.

Mark Bom

Go for a short ride early one morning and after ten minutes, before you've warmed up, you'll feel where the cold is biting. Then buy what you need to keep those areas warm.

For me, a gilet is very versatile, good gloves, overshoes or socks, winter hat and layer up.

ineedalager

I agree with most of what the guys are recomending make sure you have a wind proof jacket for the realy cold days and good gloves and overshoes cause if your feet and hands get cold it becomes hard to ride. I had to stop once as my hands got so cold I lost feeling in them. Stopped and took my gloves off and breathed on my hands to bring them back to life again. I got a better pair of gloves after that.

I use neoprene over shoes for the sub zero tempretures keeps my feet toasty. From my motorcycling days I have long jonhs I put on over my cyclings shorts and then put on my cycling tights for sub zero riding.

mikeyboy12345

ineedalager wrote:

I use neoprene over shoes for the sub zero tempretures keeps my feet toasty.

Only when it hits sub-zero?! Blimey, I'm jealous! I'm on the neoprene overshoes already and can't feel my feet after 10 miles. When it hits sub zero later this winter I'll probably use four pairs of overshoes (not kidding either).

craker

Gillet wearers, what do you do when its wet? Wear it outside your waterproof or not at all?

Come this time of year I ditch my gillet & arm warmers combo for a LS windproof shell / LS base layer and that'll do my torso down to -5 or so.

MattC59

Woolie Bollie socks !!!!

Stone Glider

At present, long sleve jersey & base or long sleeve jersey plus gilet. When the cold is truly with us, then soft shell jacket & l/s base. A good softshell jacket is toasty and fairly showerproof, carry a lightweight rain jacket to deal with heavier weather.

Glad I bought another pair of gloves from Aldi as last year's has served me well. The cuff on the glove covers the joint with the jersey sleeve and keeps the wrists warm

sloppyschleckonds

MattC59 wrote:

Woolie Bollie socks !!!!

And nothing else? :shock:

MattC59

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

MattC59 wrote:

Woolie Bollie socks !!!!

And nothing else? :shock:

No, that would just be stupid ! How would you clip in with out your shoes ? 8)

Wirral_paul

For me there's nothing worse than cold fingers and toes. I'd not be without a skull cap to go under the helmet either. Merino base layers are really good, as are the long sleeved Nike base layers for £16 from DW Sports.

Other than that, bib longs and assorted layers dependant on wind / rain / temperature. As said - this is where layers are great. Mix n match the layers to suit whatever conditions you are likely to meet on your winter rides (ie i wear totally different kit on those cold, sunny days with no wind when compared to wet n windy ones)

oceheb

About base layers, I thought that any sports shirt is a base layer, but only recently I tried dedicated base layer and amazed about difference, in usual sports tshirt It feel cold, but in base layer its actually warm and feels different. So suggest to try good base layer.

Spent more that hour in evans tried all jackets available until found really well maid in terms of details like higher collar and proper fit, unfortunately its expensive.

Also, in colder days its good idea to have knee warmers over long bibs, knees love warm. Cannot look at riders who cycle in shorts whole year long. Windproof gloves must have as well.