Wardrobe advice for newbie

I should preface everyone will have different details but it allis usually base, mid & outer layer. When its sub zero I use a warmer mid layer than when in single digits. Some people use a warm winter jacket; I prefer a light wind breaker ... But I'm also in thermal tights until its over 10 degrees out!

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I highly recommend investing in good thermal tights. I have a pair of assos (non bib) that I've used for 7 winters now. worth it for warmth & comfort. They have an outlet web site with last years stock for about 50% off. For work commute I just wear fleeced running tights. No chamois.

It looks like you could use a warm mid layer. Skiing or running is fine. No need to be cycle specific.

For the rest I go relatively cheap -- warm base layer (like your ski one), a men's Rapha winter jersey got on sale years ago but any decent warm mid layer will do as mentioned; and a cheap nike wind breaker that can take light rain (otherwise I use a rain jacket). I spent crazy amounts on cycling winter jackets and found that a simple wind breaker w vents was perfect for me as kept the heat in at my core -- and the vents meant I could regulate temp. I can ride in up to about -5 in this as long as don't stop.

Topped with a beanie, warm gloves & wool socks & toe covers. I hate booties so if it's really cold I wear sealskinz thermal socks. Sun glasses actually help-- or rather sun glasses w clear or yellow lens to keep wind out & protect from grit.

Luck with the 100 km. trick is building up mileage in your legs -- even spin class is good.

Some cycling specific bib-tights would be a must. Alternatively, you could wear cycling bib-shorts with some leg warmers. In my opinion, bibs trump standard shorts/tights for comfort, and you won't see pros wearing anything but bibs.

Layering works best, so my winter wardrobe (from bottom upwards) goes like this:
- Shoes w/thick cycling socks - Specialized shoes, Endura socks
- Waterproof(ish) overshoes - Endura
- Bib-tights/bib-shorts with leg warmers - Team issue, if it was my money I've always bought Sportful, but dhb are good too.
- L/S base layer - Mavic
- S/S base layer - Nike
- L/S winter jersey - Team issue again
- Gilet - Team issue
- Rain jacket if necessary - Endura
- Bulky long finger winter gloves (Sealskinz in my case)
- Skull cap - Castelli
- Helmet - Team issue, Giro are nice, as are the Bontrager ones we'll use this year (not a shameless plug)

I don't go outside if the temperature is less than 0, excluding the wind. However, I've only missed one training session due to weather this winter. This turns into a Spring/Summer wardrobe quite well.

I would say that you can get a good pair of bib-tights for £50 using sales; I would rather pay more for a comfortable chamois than pay less and find it's uncomfortable.

Also, I'm not sure if this is relevant but it's worth saying all the same, don't wear underwear beneath your cycling shorts/tights; the chamois is designed to go against skin and, paired with some good chamois cream (or Sudacrem, which is a lot cheaper!), will be very comfortable. Try to get female-specific clothing if you can, particularly for shorts/tights.

(EDIT: Included brands)

Re underwear under padded shorts or bibs - absolutely fine to wear if you have your period, but if you do, don,t use chamois cream. Else , better no underwear, and with chamois cream, as directed on the pot.
I find shorts by Rapha and Assos are fine, bibs are a pain to go to the loo in, shorts are fine for anything under 60 miles. but then , I am a woman, so don't have the same ease of weeing that a man does.
Do not get Assos bibs, as they have a special garrotting feature in a clip that is supposed to make it easier To go to the loo, but doesn't.
Other than that, you have all the info you need.

In order of priority:
1) Waterproof warm gloves. (Cold, wet hands are awful.)
2) A pair of bibshorts with padding for year round use (without leggings in summer, with leggings in winter.)
3) A beanie hat for under the helmet.
4) A short sleeved summer jersey (for summer riding on its own, as a midlayer/baselayer in winter)
5) Windproof Jacket/Gilet to keep the warmth in on dry days.
6) Overshoes to keep rain out of shoes. (I can cope with my body being wet, but my feet get cold if they get wet)
7) Waterproof jacket to keep the water out on wet days. Proper waterproofs tend to make me sweaty, so I try and avoid them unless it is properly raining.
8) Bibtights for winter (more comfortable than bibshorts + tights.
9) Baselayers

What you buy should depend upon budget, and use frequency. but nicer padding in shorts and better windproofing are worth paying for.
Zips in the front will enable you to cool down easier, keeping kit useful over a range of temperatures.
If you are going to ride frequently (daily) I would prioritise having duplicate kit over expensive kit, so stuff can be in the wash, while you still have stuff to wear.

I use a cheap nike running wind breaker most of the time. It vents (the sleeves come off) & it was a big rear pocket. I also have expensive Rapha wind jackets -- and think cheap can be better here.

Jersey wise I'm all about good pockets as that's what you basically carry everything in. I prefer ones that include one small zipped pocket so i don't lose money/keys. Rapha have by far the best pockets in the women's classic jersey as well as a full zip . Yes jerseys crazy expensive but can go on sale. And they will last.

Layering is preference. You can layer with them -- in spring most people wear a jersey, gilet and arm Warmers. I prefer wearing a base layer under a jersey up until about 17. I was out last weekend like that & with thermal tights & everyone else seemed to be in shorts & short sleeves!

I agree that evans is pretty poor. I've only purchased women's jerseys from Rapha. Otherwise I buy men's -- I prefer the look of the classic campagnolo jerseys. Sportful and castelli look like they make rather inoffensive women's jerseys.

Perhaps try wiggle, as they have a huge selection of women's tops. There's a women's specific site in the us -- team estrogen -- and perhaps use that to browse & if you see anything you like to find it in the uk.

Quite honestly I wasted money in that it took me awhile to figure out what worked for me. For shorts/tights & shoes I think worth paying up. For the other bits I don't think it matters.

nuggiebok wrote:

Surely if something is suitable as an outer layer you would want it in any other colour than black!?

Try wiggle or evans online for more colour choice, you can try it on and if it doesn't fit, send it back. Repeat until you get the desired item. You are right though, I have a black l/s jersey that I always wear a white team gilet over the top of, just for safety's sake.

nuggiebok wrote:

Talk to me about jerseys. Are these meant to be base layers or what? I see people riding around in what looks like a normal jersey but how are they not cold?

I bet they're cold! Generally a standard zip up jersey will be worn over the top of a base layer. For spring, I'd recommend a base layer like this from dhb. I purchased the lighter version except in the men's (obviously!) before my training camp *hahaha*. I really like it, and it's a great base layer for 15 degrees+. The heavier version would be a good one for between 10 and 15 degrees. For lower temps, I generally use my mavic l/s base layer, but if the dhb one is anything like the rest of their products, I'd use that too!

nuggiebok wrote:

I'm making do with some cheap 3/4 length padded shorts at the moment. I bought a pair of Adidas response leggings and they were awful! Massive around the waist so they kept falling down, slippery on the saddle, poor padding comfort.

My tip would be to stick with a company like dhb, who are well used and have a dedicated women's line and won't break the bank! Rapha are great too, however they smash the bank right open!

In case you're wondering, I'm not affiliated to any of these companies! I ride for Richardsons-Trek RT and we have Italian-made kit from Giessegi and accessories from Bontrager. It's great but custom ordered, so not great for individuals.

From a quick search:

dhb Women's Vaeon Roubaix padded bib tights 4.7/5 stars from 90+ reviews - Roubaix is generally for colder temps. In fact, there's a hand little guide at the bottom of the description.

OR you could go for some heavier shortswith leg warmers (as I do this time of year) meaning you would only need to buy the shorts and leg warmers to suit weather from Spring through to Autumn. Lighter shorts like the dhb Aeron range would work too, if not better, now the weather is warmer.

How much are you looking to spend on shorts/tights?

Decathlon always seem to have something fairly priced.

I also believe sports direct not to be total trash and very cheap but their womens' cycling range is limited but ok for simple stuff