Winter clothing

TheEveryman

I normally put the bike up around October due to the change in weather conditions but now I'd like to start commuting again from January.

I'm equipped for summer riding but not winter so what should I be wearing ? Light & warm is what I'm going for.

I already have a balaclava which is designed to go under a motorcycle helmet but it's very warm and breathing isn't a problem so what about layers and gloves ? Maybe some glasses aswell, I get watery eyes even on summer mornings, I set off at 6:30am.

Thanks.

priory

no-one has replied probably because there is no correct answer. What you wear depends on all the variables; like how far is your commute, how fast will you ride , will you sweat,do you change and shower at work, what style of bike, weather , rain , temperature below 15 or 10 or 5 etc etc..

eye protection I always wear something like this :https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vented-Safety-Goggles-Glasses-Eye-Protection-Protective-Industrial-Lab-Anti-Fog/132143849964?_trkparms=aid%3D555019%26algo%3DPL.BANDIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20151005190540%26meid%3D80bde50399dd490dae56138b208874f7%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

but I have commuted in normal blazer and shiny shoes with briefcase strapped to the carrier, boiler suit , rugby kit , full lycra club kit, ski jacket etc, it depends .

Rossos

priory wrote:

no-one has replied probably because there is no correct answer. What you wear depends on all the variables; like how far is your commute, how fast will you ride , will you sweat,do you change and shower at work, what style of bike, weather , rain , temperature below 15 or 10 or 5 etc etc..

eye protection I always wear something like this :https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vented-Safety-Goggles-Glasses-Eye-Protection-Protective-Industrial-Lab-Anti-Fog/132143849964?_trkparms=aid%3D555019%26algo%3DPL.BANDIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20151005190540%26meid%3D80bde50399dd490dae56138b208874f7%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26&_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226

but I have commuted in normal blazer and shiny shoes with briefcase strapped to the carrier, boiler suit , rugby kit , full lycra club kit, ski jacket etc, it depends .

Glasses are a little outside my budget pal.

Pippy aston

I had a yellow 'Once' jacket for years, it was made out of neoprene style material and I found it on the bargain rail at parkers mail order. It kept me warm for years but the inside layer was peeling off and I was getting cold so I looked around and ordered a Lusso windtex jacket from Merlin Cycles, went out in a north westerly cold wind with just a helly hanson Base Layer underneath, did 40 miles and I was sweating. Lovely fitting jacket, I had the yellow one, black sleeves and cuffs so it doesn't show the dirt! Lovely to wear and made in Manchester.

lakesluddite

Glasses are pretty much a necessity, especially as the colder air can lead to watering eyes, plus there's probably more crap on the road that can be thrown eye-wards. Only downside is when it rains it can be like driving without windscreen wipers! A peaked cycling cap with the peak turned down is best for this, although it can restrict your vision if pulled too low.

My winter wardrobe includes (but not exclusive to):

Buff(s) - worth their weight in gold, can be used as beanie, neck protection or full face.
Rapha 'Belgian style' winter cap - a Xmas gift from previous year - only for the coldest days as it's very warm. Cheaper versions obviously available.
dhb ASV windslam long-sleeve jersey. Warm, water resistant and good reflectives (sadly no longer available)
Thermal bib shorts - more versatile than bib-tights as can be worn with leg warmers, knee warmers or on their own.
Knee warmer and leg warmers (Sportful NoRain are good) for use as above
Northwave GTX winter boots (expensive, but worth it) - but then again I do tend to get cold toes.
BBB Neoprene shoes covers - best thing for me to keep the worst of the wet off, and my toes warm(ish). Falling to bits somewhat after a few years use, but still work despite this.
Gloves - very much a personal preference. Personally my hands get very warm after 20-30 minutes, unless it's hovering at or below 0c. For the very coldest days dhb Rain Defence gloves - not only good for wet, good for warmth as well.
Baselayers - I have more than I can mention, but I have different weights of merino BLs for temperature, and can be picked up fairly cheaply these days. Also have a stock of cheap Aldi poly baselayers that work well, back from before they phased out size small!
Morvelo Hemisphere gilet - one of the best investments I have made, the most versatile thing in my wardrobe, and this specific gilet has the added advantage of having three pockets in the rear, which a lot of other gilets do not have, meaning you can carry more when paired with a jersey. It also keeps the rain off your torso very well.

Good lord I have a lot of stuff. To be fair I have built this lot up over quite a few years.

cgfw201

Top things to have to survive the winter are
- Buff - cheap and amazing what a difference they make, and very versatile
- Windproof top layer - wind & showerproof is more important than full waterproof. Find something which keeps the wind off and you should be able to stay warm. I have a few, including this which is really good. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/morvelo-destruc ... ve-jersey/
- Shoe covers. Wet feet are not nice.
- Leg/knee warmers. Castelli ones are cheap and good.
- Gloves. You probably need two pairs, one for -5C - +2C and one for 2C to 10C (roughly).

Most other things are nice to haves, but if you have the above you'll be fine. I've commuted in London every day for last 4 years and only missed some when not possible due to work location issues.

homers_double

As per my list I got a pair of DHB Deep Winter gloves for Christmas, used them on a ride where over the tops it was well below zero and my hands didn't suffer one bit.

keef66

Woolie Boolie socks and shoes with neoprene overshoes. Or winter boots if you're feeling flush. Most importantly, enough room to wriggle your toes in the shoes / boots so the socks can do their thing and trap a layer of warm air.

Decent gloves, best to have a selection for different temps. Consider liners

Winter cap with ear flaps to wear under helmet. I like the Castelli Difesa - windstopper fabric. Others available. The peak is handy for keeping rain off glasses and for the occasional knobhead with his lights on main beam.

Buffs for round your neck and up over your chin. You can't have too many.

Decent bibtights. I like those with a brushed, roubaix lining, which keep you warm even when wet. Extra material over the knees. Reflectives are also a good thing this time of year. I have Sorpassos which tick all those boxes but are a bit pricy. DHB stuff is also good.

Softshell jacket. Typically something like windstopper fabric front and sleeves, then a breathable back. Keeps you warm but not too sweaty. Some have a DWR treatment to resist a shower.
Base layers of varying insulating and wicking types. You'll soon learn what works for you in what conditions.

If you plan on going out in serious rain, consider a properly waterproof shell. I have a Goretex one which does actually breathe quite well. And also consider tights / jackets with a DWR treatment like Nanoflex or No-Rain

TheEveryman

Thanks for the replies, I'll get some of those glasses, I wear prescription glasses but they steam up and I can see OK without them.

Commute is only 6-7 miles each way, 20-25mph there with a downhill section where I might get 35mph. Much slower coming back of course but it's mid afternoon by then and the weather is nicer.

I have some thermal under layers already and I've been wearing those with 4 thin layers over the top. Then thermal leggings and a pair of shorts on my legs! It's not too bad, tested as low as 4 degrees C.

TheEveryman

Will safety glasses like that steam up if I wear a balaclava ? Which I will be.

As I breathe the warm air comes up and out of the balaclava.

lakesluddite

TheEveryman wrote:

Will safety glasses like that steam up if I wear a balaclava ? Which I will be.

As I breathe the warm air comes up and out of the balaclava.

There is a tendency for glasses to fog up in cold weather if warm breath is channeled upwards. I know its a matter of preference, but I try to not wear anything over my mouth and nose as they just become wet with condensation, and can become more of a problem than a solution. If it is cold enough to have to cover the face, then I try and do it as loosely as possible - I then find myself invariably pulling it down below the mouth after 10-20 minutes anyway.

Having said that, I have a hipster beard all winter which helps!

TheEveryman

LakesLuddite wrote:

TheEveryman wrote:

Will safety glasses like that steam up if I wear a balaclava ? Which I will be.

As I breathe the warm air comes up and out of the balaclava.

There is a tendency for glasses to fog up in cold weather if warm breath is channeled upwards. I know its a matter of preference, but I try to not wear anything over my mouth and nose as they just become wet with condensation, and can become more of a problem than a solution. If it is cold enough to have to cover the face, then I try and do it as loosely as possible - I then find myself invariably pulling it down below the mouth after 10-20 minutes anyway.

Having said that, I have a hipster beard all winter which helps!

I'll give them a go for 99p.

lakesluddite

TheEveryman wrote:

LakesLuddite wrote:

TheEveryman wrote:

Will safety glasses like that steam up if I wear a balaclava ? Which I will be.

As I breathe the warm air comes up and out of the balaclava.

There is a tendency for glasses to fog up in cold weather if warm breath is channeled upwards. I know its a matter of preference, but I try to not wear anything over my mouth and nose as they just become wet with condensation, and can become more of a problem than a solution. If it is cold enough to have to cover the face, then I try and do it as loosely as possible - I then find myself invariably pulling it down below the mouth after 10-20 minutes anyway.

Having said that, I have a hipster beard all winter which helps!

I'll give them a go for 99p.

Okay - 50p from Homebase!

https://www.homebase.co.uk/eyeshields-s ... es_p374366

TheEveryman

LakesLuddite wrote:

TheEveryman wrote:

LakesLuddite wrote:

TheEveryman wrote:

Will safety glasses like that steam up if I wear a balaclava ? Which I will be.

As I breathe the warm air comes up and out of the balaclava.

There is a tendency for glasses to fog up in cold weather if warm breath is channeled upwards. I know its a matter of preference, but I try to not wear anything over my mouth and nose as they just become wet with condensation, and can become more of a problem than a solution. If it is cold enough to have to cover the face, then I try and do it as loosely as possible - I then find myself invariably pulling it down below the mouth after 10-20 minutes anyway.

Having said that, I have a hipster beard all winter which helps!

I'll give them a go for 99p.

Okay - 50p from Homebase!

https://www.homebase.co.uk/eyeshields-s ... es_p374366

Gutted, I just spent 99p plus 20p postage on eBay!

joey54321

I've been commuting through winter in the Castelli Alpha jacket, 11 miles each way. Its been absolutely fantastic, nearly always the right temperature with just a base layer on underneath. I bought it in the summer at a very good discount though. It's been great only having only one outer layer to put on/take off/dry/look after at work.

Other things I use is big neoprene overshoes (would like dedicated winter boots but can't justify the cost to myself, the overshoes work well enough, just a hassle). I have a box full of buffs and nearly always grab one, also have an under-helmet-hat and very thin ear bands for the coldest days. Also a pair of Rooster polypro glove liners have been absolutely great in making sure my hands are always toasty, even under fairly 'basic' winter gloves from Planet x.