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The Street => The Bike Shop => Topic started by: boneskid1 on December 26, 2014, 12:49:59 PM

Title: winter riding gear questions
Post by: boneskid1 on December 26, 2014, 12:49:59 PM
I am wondering what those of you that ride in the winter use for a jacket and gloves when  riding in the winter. I am currently using a pair of knit gloves and whatever jacket I can find. It works, but I am still freezing my ass off on the ride.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Prodigal Son on December 26, 2014, 01:25:12 PM
Sometimes a hoodie. That's usually too much when I start pedaling around.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Narcoleptic Insomniac on December 26, 2014, 02:00:14 PM
I wear a soft shell jacket that "breathes" enough so i don't overheat but still protects me from the wind so i don't freeze my ass off. It's also stretchy so you don't feel your movements are restricted.

As far as gloves i wear theses Giro http://www.giro.com/us_en/products/men/gloves/winter/ambient.html
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: boneskid1 on December 26, 2014, 02:45:00 PM
Alright I found some gloves that are similar to the giro ones. Now to find a jacket. Alo I have another question, do you guys wear a hood or anything over your ears?
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Brooklynrider on December 26, 2014, 03:22:38 PM
I wear a merino wool or uniqlo heattech base layer. After that, you can wear any jacket you want if its even remotely windproof. I'm not sure where you are located and perhaps its colder there but im perfectly fine wearing a good base layer, t-shirt, hoodie, and light jacket in ~20 degree weather.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Sebastian on December 26, 2014, 03:53:09 PM
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.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: RighteousBMX on December 27, 2014, 11:49:36 AM
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.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: badlight on December 27, 2014, 05:01:20 PM
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.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Stoked on December 27, 2014, 06:42:31 PM
Base layer like long sleeve under armour tucked into pants are the best thing for me.  Not bulky but provides insane warmth
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: boneskid1 on December 27, 2014, 07:48:37 PM
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
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: metalbmxer on December 28, 2014, 11:24:56 AM
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.

Wow that is some very well thought out info!!! Good to know

Yeah hands getting cold is the worst.

I keep my core warm with a tight fitting thermal shirt
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: meathead on December 28, 2014, 01:16:09 PM
northface thermal top, wolly hat , hoodie, normal winter gloves, animal bikes parka.

oh and not to forget the flask of tea.. us brits love that shit!
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: peggiesmalls on December 28, 2014, 04:36:01 PM
northface thermal top, wolly hat , hoodie, normal winter gloves, animal bikes parka.

oh and not to forget the flask of tea.. us brits love that shit!
i always wanted on those parkas bitd 
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: meathead on December 28, 2014, 04:49:53 PM
northface thermal top, wolly hat , hoodie, normal winter gloves, animal bikes parka.

oh and not to forget the flask of tea.. us brits love that shit!
i always wanted on those parkas bitd

got mine of ebay a few months back , turns out i brought it of Marv aswell
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: hugh. on January 01, 2015, 06:40:45 PM
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.

+rep. Great post.

Are you a courier?
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: Sebastian on January 01, 2015, 09:56:01 PM

+rep. Great post.

Are you a courier?

Thanks, and yessir.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: locomotive on January 03, 2015, 06:01:09 PM
To add to what has been said already, I sometimes resort to wearing long johns when it get really cold. It keeps me warm, plus gives me extra padding. Lets face it, falling in the cold hurts more. Also make sure your jacket can cover your neck and even the lower part of your face, and make sure it has vents you can open with zippers. Getting a scarf is never a bad idea. If you get hot put that shit in your pocket. Ive had friends even resort to ski/snowboard goggles in the coldest of nights. Also a boot/sneaker hybrid is ideal, because who ever said vans in the winter are fine, hasn't really faced real winter.

Lights are also more important in the winter, huge snow banks and other snow factors make a rider even harder to notice. Plus people don't usually expect people to be biking in the winter which makes them even more oblivious to the fact you're there.

 :'( :'( the winter sucks
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: meathead on January 03, 2015, 06:10:20 PM
another little tip , grow a beard.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: locomotive on January 03, 2015, 06:55:38 PM
another little tip , grow a beard.

LOL good post. I can't handle that it tho, probably because i look like a fool with one and I cant stop touching it.
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: dude... on January 03, 2015, 07:16:30 PM
hoodie, beanie, and if its really cold, 1 pound magic gloves. since i moved to australia however, it hasnt really come up
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: sans.terre on January 12, 2015, 09:33:13 AM
canada hurrr

if you wear longjohns you can get away with much less on the upper body. IMO you get way more mobility like that.
dont think just cause your legs dont hurt when they're cold that it doesnt matter. that's dumb.
the cold spreads out to your body. keep them things sweltering and you wont need a coat (as much).

something i learned from working outside is (if you need a heavy jacket) you'll (probably) want something without a hood on the thing.
A heavy hood attached to your jacket will just get in the way and fuck with your vision hands down. its why cowboys dont use them.
something with a heavy, tall cordorouy collar works great to POP and keep the wind off your neck while still being dextrous.
wear a soft hoodie underneath it. (pending no extreme fucking cold) hoods are great - they just need to be lightweight and not a part of your outer most layer. (or they will fuck with you).

longjohns and extra socks are the fucking key to mobility mang. dont let those things fool you!
Title: Re: winter riding gear questions
Post by: dude... on January 13, 2015, 06:45:52 AM
id wear a pair of sweatpants/joggers under my jeans, 2 pairs of socks and 2 hoodies. just layer up with what youve got