Winter clothing - sorry to ask...

nickyhoward55
nickyhoward55 Posts: 148
edited October 2011 in Road buying advice
I realise crap loads of people are asking the same question and ive read through the replys but i have no idea where to start looking for some good deals on warm stuff!

People mention layer it up for winter but i dont have a clue what to buy for each layer. If someone would be so kind as to link a couple of items that you would recommend i think i could work it out from there.

I have to say, bike shops really havent caught onto the online 'shopping for clothes' thing yet have they. There all pretty useless and link clothes like bike bits.

Thanks in advance

Comments

  • ajb72
    ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    Start with a good quality merino base layer - Endura baabaa or Rapha to name but a couple and there are cheaper versions at Planet X. I personally prefer to wear short sleeve base layers unless it is very cold, as I hate over heating.

    If you then get a good quality jacket this may see you through the whole of winer but recommendations will really depend on your budget.

    At the top end of the market the Assos 851 or Rapha softshell jacket are excellent and you wouldn't need to wear a mid layer unless it was a super cold day, but if so a normal cycling jersey would be fine for a mid layer and you could opt for short or long sleeve depending on your preferences. The 851 isn't fully waterproof but you could add a waterproof jacket if required.

    So many choices at cheaper prices, too many to list. What is the budget?
  • Cheers for the quick reply. I didnt really have a budget in mind at the mo, Couple of hundred would cover it i guess? The cheaper the better but i know quality comes at a price ;)

    I tend to very hot most of the time, as i prefer to push myself over say 20 miles than pootle about over 50. I dont really feel the cold as much as most. Stuff being wind proof rather than water proof would be more important to me (im a dry weather rider only :D) i think.

    So a base layer as you listed + a long sleeve jersey and a decent jacket for top half? A full leg set of bibs for bottoms + full finger gloves and a beanie of some sort for the rest?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Wiggle do some decent DHB tights for winter.
    Gloves are personal taste.
    Beanie ? I prefer a buff under my helmet.

    If its just twenty mile rides you do then I'd not fork out for assos or rapha kit - there's plenty of cheaper options out there.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    Assos 851 jacket seems to have been around for ages but I'd still recommend it for winter riding. With that on, you don't have to be too specialist with the layers beneath as it does a great job at cutting out the wind chill without cooking you.

    For bib longs I've only experienced Assos and Rapha. Some of the Assos versions are really only for extreme cold - too warm for 80% of UK winter cycling. I have a pair of 851 leggings from a few years back which are a brilliant compromise. The Rapha leggings I have provide a good level of thermal performance but the material used is not half as durable around the seat as Assos - very disappointed with them.

    As my commute is now only a few miles each way, I'll be interested to see what budget options are recommended for leggings as cheaper gear should more than suffice for the daily grind.

    Peter
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I'm not a big fan of merino base-layers when riding hard - they simply hold the damp too much which can chill on longer rides.
    A windstopper jacket which combines a windproof layer with some insulation is best for outer-wear - you can add extra mid-layers if it gets really cold.
    I rarely use a waterproof except when it's raining hard - even the best jackets don't provide sufficient breathability when working hard.
    My preference is for a decent fleece-backed tight rather than windstopper on the legs - the vast majority I've tried felt restrictive and too warm.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • nferrar
    nferrar Posts: 2,511
    I ditched all my merino stuff last winter, got fed up of the slight itchiness (although it doesn't wick very well it does stay warm when damp which is the important thing). I use Craft thermal base layers now with either a windproof softshell or an Endura Stealth softshell if it's really cold (or cold + wet). Basically just open the jacket zip(s) to regulate temperature. It's easy to start cooking in the Stealth though as it's not very breathable, hence why I only use it on very cold days. For the windproof softshell I find an Altrua Nightvision and a Pearl izumi one I have work equally well (the PI is cut a bit better though), preference though is the Gore Phantom which has the advantage of using the windstopper fabric all-over (rather than just front panels of the cheaper jackets) so it's shower proof as well (and the removeable arms come in handy occasionally).
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    There is a big variation in the grade and comfort of Merino. The best stuff is very good. I have used chocholatefish T shirts for years and recommend them as very soft, stretchy, comfortable and durable.

    In winter, you dont need the "cycling" features of rear pocket, bright colours, zippers etc since you wear them underneath other layers.

    If you are sweating profusely in winter, then consider your outer shell. These range from clammy nylons, permeable polyester and polycotton, softshell warm jackets and clammy waterproofs. You can wear a sleeveless gilet style outer and one with windproof front only.

    Midlayers are less critical than base or shell. You can use any long-sleeved jersey but one with a high zippered collar is useful. In mild conditions you can ditch the shell and wear base and midlayer only. Your system should be flexible enough to cover a wide temp range with as few items as possible.

    In really cold conditions, I like a padded gillet, worn over my shell. This is good for slow riding, repair stops etc.
    Other useful items include neck tubes/buffs, winter socks, sealskins socks, overshoes and some decent gloves.
    Arm and leg warmers are good for changeable conditions but when you wear them all the time, they are not as comfortable as full leggings or sleeves.

    Your bike in the ikon has no mudguards. In winter the roads are almost always wet and kick up dirty, scummy water over your clothes. Mudguards mean you can wear less waterproof gear when riding in the dry, over wet roads.