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winter riding gear questions

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Sebastian:
I'm on my bike for 4-8 hours a day during the (lower) Midwest winter, so I can probably offer some advice.  The hardest things to keep warm are hands, feet, and to some extent face.  Core is important but if you have a good jacket or two and maybe some base layers, you should be fine.  Legs are whatever.

For hand coverage, I wear light winter gloves or even work gloves for any temp over freezing.  For <25-30, I just use these Celtek lobsterclaw snowboard mittens.  Anything warmer and my hands start to sweat uncomfortably, the mittens are THAT warm.

For the head, usually just a normal wool cap.  I don't usually feel like I need face protection unless it's <25F, in which case a neoprene balaclava is great.  If your eyes get really fucked up by the cold, you can get some snowboard googles, too.  edit-- I also generally pack some basic shop glasses if it's going to rain or sleet, because squinting through that shit sucks, but I also don't care enough to pay for real ''cycling eyewear.''

For foot coverage, I switch to less ventilated shoes (right now, Chrome Kursk Pros), and neoprene booties over those if it's <25F, or cold and wet.

For the core, any combination of these, depending on temp/conditions:

-Merino wool or synthetic jersey base.
-Pearl Izumi soft shell for most days, hoodie under that if it's <35F.
-Slightly heavier, but still light Marmot shell if it's <25F, hoodie under that if it's even colder.

For legs, usually just merino leggings and regular-ass work shorts or pants over that, depending on the temperature.


tl;dr-- Marmot and Pearl Izumi make good shells and snowboarding gloves work well.  Get a balaclava if your face is cold.

RighteousBMX:
I use an imitation Underarmour long sleeve with a thin sweatshirt or two over it, jeans and long johns underneath if it's super cold. Any dollar store gloves work, just depends on whether or not you want ones with rubber on the palms for extra grip. Thermal cap with wooly inside. Jock strap and cup for protection/support with butt plug wrapped in one of those travel hand warmers shoved up my ass for maximum heat absorption and comfortabilities.

badlight:
I think my fullcut helmet was the best winter riding purchase I have ever made. That plus a hood keeps my head and neck warm at an elite sauna level.

Stoked:
Base layer like long sleeve under armour tucked into pants are the best thing for me.  Not bulky but provides insane warmth

boneskid1:
Cool I am in the Midwest so...... I wear vans so my feet are not too much of a problem I am going to look this week for a windproof jacket of the sorts

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