Clothing....
johntheboy84
Posts: 39
Only starting out myself and waking up and opening the front door to see the miserable morning yesterday led me to knock an early AM ride on the head as I couldn't see me keeping dry or comfortable in a pair of shorts and a hoodie. Can anyone advise me as to what's best or a best of both worlds for:
Summer - when it's wet or looking to rain. I don't want to boil in a bag but want to be able to still get through my ride.
Autumn/winter - I was expecting to be looking at wearing a pair or leggings with shorts to keep my legs warm and then maybe this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_271454 I always like adidas gear but I don't think I'd be too visible in it which is my only worry. Also would it work in warmer conditions or just boil me?
Many thanks!
Summer - when it's wet or looking to rain. I don't want to boil in a bag but want to be able to still get through my ride.
Autumn/winter - I was expecting to be looking at wearing a pair or leggings with shorts to keep my legs warm and then maybe this: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_271454 I always like adidas gear but I don't think I'd be too visible in it which is my only worry. Also would it work in warmer conditions or just boil me?
Many thanks!
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Comments
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Rainproof jackets make you sweat, but at least you'll be warm. Softshell jackets will keep you dry for a short time, but eventually wet, although warm enough. Your skin is waterproof already so stick with shorts and wear overshoes to keep your feet reasonably dry and warm. Your local Aldi may still have some shower proof jackets that pack into a ball about the size of your fist (just checked mine for size). It'll fit into your pocket.
If your early morning ride is a commute think about spare shorts for the trip home - my shorts, gloves and socks were still wet yesterday evening and it was horrible.
Mudguards to keep some of the splash off your back and feet.0 -
Depends what the ride is for ...
if it's a quick round trip back home then shorts & jersey - perhaps with the softshell jacket if it's just damp or the rainproof jacket if it's raining. As already mentioned overshoes help keep your feet dryer and warmer. If it's tipping it down then generally it's going to be miserable so I wouldn't bother. Shower and change when you're home.
If you're going somewhere then that's different - although similar to the quick round trip back home requirements, you need to consider what state you'll be in when you arrive, and what facilities there are to make yourself clean & tidy again. I have waterproof trousers to add to the mix as well as a rainjacket, overshoes are a must - even if the roads are just damp - the spray will quickly make your feet wet and shoes take a long time to dry.
I'm lucky in that I've got an area at work to hang up clothes and I can direct a fan onto them to dry them more quickly - but even then I'll tend to avoid commutes to work in downpours.
The boil in a bag jacket is fine if you're caught out or you think the temperature may dip, but it won't keep you dry.0 -
You are going to sweat no matter so you will be wet. Its more important to keep warm and out of the wind, especially with wind chill factor. Overboots are a must in autumn and winter and a decent soft shell. I find waterproof jackets completely pointless as they dont breath and you just sweat more.0
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Some days you just have to accept that your going to get wet. If I'm due to ride and its going to be wet I tend to take the mountain bike up to the woods rather than hitting the roads.
If you're going to get soaked you might as well enjoy it!I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.0 -
A hoody would be awful for cycling in - once thats damp - its staying damp.
We are in Summer now - so I'd not go out in Longs. If you get wet - you wont be that cold - and your legs dry quicker than longs do.
Check out the DHB range, or planet X or look at Aldi or Lidl kit.
Arm warmers, jersey, undervest, shorts. You're good to go. Take a gilet if it looks showery.
Enjoy the warmth - autumn and winter is a whole new challenge to clothing.0 -
I'd rather be wet than overheat in this weather.0
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I basically bought the Adidas response range from Halfords with my C2W vouchers. I spent far more that I would with real money but the jersey is great, two jackets brilliant and the bib shorts and bib leggings are very comfy.
I would advise bib shorts and a waterproof but breathable jacket for now along with a jersey.0 -
Avoid anything with cotton as it soaks up water like a sponge and wont retain any heat.0
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Hi all, I've tried to get the following jacket in time for when the chillier months come but it's out of stock and looks like other people have stopped selling it.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/clothin ... ter-jacket
It's I the right price band for me so if anyone could advise as to where I could get one from or a similar jacket for the price band I'd really appreciate it.
Many thanks!0 -
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Initialised wrote:Some days you just have to accept that your going to get wet. If I'm due to ride and its going to be wet I tend to take the mountain bike up to the woods rather than hitting the roads.
If you're going to get soaked you might as well enjoy it!
When I see that photo of you I always think of an old promo photo for an album called Scatology by a band called Coil. The pic is for a "song" called The Sewage Worker's Birthday Party:
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johntheboy84 wrote:Hi all, I've tried to get the following jacket in time for when the chillier months come but it's out of stock and looks like other people have stopped selling it.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/clothin ... ter-jacket
It's I the right price band for me so if anyone could advise as to where I could get one from or a similar jacket for the price band I'd really appreciate it.
Many thanks!
personal view
but in my humble opinion that new adidas cycling line stuff is rubbish, the fit is terrible as the sizing is just bizarre, and the material feels really horrid & cheap, Id imagine the winter jacket is more boil in the bag than able to keep you comfortably warm.
there are far better clothing brands around IMO, dhb, craft etc0 -
A basic, fag-packet sized Pertex-type windshirt is far and away my most useful bit of kit. Though it lives unnoticed in the jersey 90% of the time it is useful when:
- Setting off cold on winter mornings
- Getting caught out by showers in the summer
- Boosting effective warmth of your gear in winter if it turns cold (assuming it wasn't so cold that you set out in windproof gear) or gets wet
I'd take the windproof option simply because waterproofs seem to present a choice in as much decently breathable ones aren't compact and compact ones are sweaty. Keeping the wind out and slowing the rate of saturation works better for me, though I appreciate some people love their armour...0 -
Cycle clothing is always a compromise. Don't over-think it. I just wear something similar to this if it's cold or wet. You're just going to have to make a decision and see how it works out for you, then adapt your kit as you get experience.
PS is there any reason why you want to buy from Halfords?0 -
My preference to cold and wet is a warm base layer, a warm jersey and a waterproof gilet. Full waterproof cycling jackets just make me really hot and uncomfortable unless its absolutely freezing and then i dont tend to go out due to ice.
On my legs again i always go for bib shorts as opposed to tights and use neoprone overshoes to keep my feet dry and warm. Personally if i keep my core warm and dry my legs and arms tend to be fine. Skin is water proof so tend to leave it to do its job instead of covering it with materials.
As others have said trial and error will get you to what works for you but i would def suggest a packable gilet or jacket foir when the weather turns and you are out0
