Author Topic: Apparel for winter bike commuting  (Read 9158 times)

afictor

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Apparel for winter bike commuting
« on: October 10, 2013, 04:49:15 PM »
Hello everyone, I'm shopping for winter biking apparel to help make the commute as comfortable and practical as possible. I was browsing jackets on REI and it looks like there are some quality options, but they are expensive. Despite this, I can justify the cost since I'm an avid bike commuter and will definitely be getting my money's worth.

I wanted to see if anyone on here has any recommendations or suggestions.

AnonymousCoward

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2013, 09:28:28 PM »
There's a pretty thorough blog post on this topic.

I personally wear a snug long sleeve UnderArmour jersey if it's cooler than 45°F (7°C), and I'll add a knit hat and maybe gloves if it gets closer to freezing. It doesn't ever get much colder than that here during the day.

Hamster

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2013, 09:58:21 PM »
What is your winter like?

Winter in northern Minnesota, winter in Atlanta, and winter in Seattle are all very different and call for different clothes for biking.

As a rule, you generally want less insulation (but maybe more wind blocking) than what you'd need just walking around under similar conditions. You should feel a little chilly when you start your ride, and you'll get to a comfortable temp as you warm up.

My personal experience for wet/cold weather biking jackets is that adequate unzippable venting (pit zips, vented back, vented pockets, etc) is far more effective (and less expensive) than "breathable" waterproof fabrics like Gore Tex. The humidity from intense exercise quickly overwhelms the capability of breathable fabrics. Even in the northwest where we get rain all winter, I'd choose breathability over waterproofing on all but the shortest rides.

GuitarStv

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2013, 09:45:42 AM »
Most of the winter here is around the -10 to -15 C.  Typically I'll wear:

HEAD (No exposed skin)
- helmet (with a small blinky light attached to the back) with the air vents taped over (makes a HUGE difference not having wind blast through your helmet)
- toque
- face mask

TOP (Key here is to not overheat!)
- windbreaker with pit zips
- mid weight sweater (heavy fleece sweater when it dips below -20)
- sweat-wicking long sleeve shirt

BOTTOM (Legs need surprisingly little to stay warm)
- track pants/sweat pants
- long johns
- Occasionally a pair of underwear under the long johns . . . for some reason, when the wind is really blowing my legs will be fine but my crotch gets really cold on the bike.
- reflective ankle straps (keeps pants out of the chain)

FEET (windproof with plenty of room for socks is the way to go)
- Insulated low cut hiking boots (water proof, wind proof, warm, and still somehow breathable!)
- Wool socks (sometimes I'll throw on two pairs if it's really cold)

HANDS (Keep a bunch of gloves for slightly different conditions)
- Gloves . . . I've got a light pair of glove liners, a slightly heavier pair of work gloves from home depot, a medium weight pair of ski gloves, and a heavy pair of snowmobiling 'wizard gloves' that are always a bit too warm.


cyclevillian

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2013, 09:57:34 AM »
i'll second the recommendation for under armour.. specifically the cold gear line. I have several 'fitted' long sleeve shirts, a hood, and fitted leggings. I ride year round (down into the low teens) and have found this stuff to be amazing. its warm, lightweight, and comfortable.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/ua-coldgear-hood/pid1223223-001
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens-coldgear-fitted-mock/pid1215483-400
http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens-ua-evo-coldgear-fitted-legging/pid1212287-001

to save some money i bought most of mine on ebay (new even). but they are worth it. also check out the "outlet" section for some cheaper stuff.

I also have a mix of random gloves, socks, jackets, neck covering, etc.. the important thing is to experiment and find what works. I'll often bring 2 sets of gloves and if i'm cold ill switch. If something isn't working then fix it and try again. It takes a while to get it right. its challenging because a 10 degree change may mean way different clothes. good luck!

calicuervo

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2013, 06:52:51 PM »
#1 thing you can do: Cut the Wind

Wear gloves.

Warm socks, If you have vented shoes the air will flow in them, or possibly through your lace area.

Put fenders so you don't get slop thrown on your back and face.

Put Knobby tires on your bike so you don't eat shit too suddenly.

Personally I want to get a fancy vent jacket so I can improve airflow once I warm up, I tend to get too hot in my torso area.

I also like to wear something like PJ pants or Flannel Lined pants. They help keep warm in all weather. My legs never feel cold, but I will get too hot if i wear them + my regular other clothes.

Stay Warm!





Mlkmn

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #6 on: December 04, 2013, 06:21:18 AM »
My first time riding to work it was 10F. I just used my ultralight backpacking gear, so I used a bunch of wool gear with a down jacket for the mid layer under a light windbreaker. Everything was fine except for the wind on my crotch. I am pretty sure i got windburn in a terrible place to get windburn. I rode home that morning with my scrub shirt stuffed into my pants.

I now have windproof underwear.

Nothlit

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2013, 08:22:08 AM »
The one thing I haven't fully figured out yet is the right combination of layers for my torso. I'd rather not spend a lot of money on a fancy bike jacket with all kinds of zippers for ventilation, but I'm thinking I might have to. I usually wear a synthetic undershirt, my normal short-sleeve button-down shirt for work, and a light polyester and nylon windbreaker over that (non-insulated). I start out cold for the first 5-10 minutes but usually warm up quite nicely after that. If it's below freezing then I add a thin jacket (cotton, unfortunately) under the windbreaker for insulation. This helps me be less cold at first, but by the end of my 6-mile ride I'm usually drenched, and I know cotton is the worst material for that since it just traps the moisture next to my skin. I know I need to get something made of wool, but I haven't found the right thing yet that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

My goal is to not have to change clothes at work. I'm okay with removing a couple of layers upon arrival, but I don't want to have to go strip down in the bathroom to change into my work clothes. I'd rather just wear my work clothes under whatever outer layers I need to stay warm.

Cinder

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #8 on: December 04, 2013, 09:28:17 AM »
The one thing I haven't fully figured out yet is the right combination of layers for my torso. I'd rather not spend a lot of money on a fancy bike jacket with all kinds of zippers for ventilation, but I'm thinking I might have to.

I found a decently priced windbreaker shell with all kinds of zippers/vents at the local resale shop (Plato's closet).  Keep an eye out!  I think it cost me $12

acroy

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2013, 09:44:44 AM »
I was browsing jackets on REI and it looks like there are some quality options, but they are expensive.


LAYER UP!
Protect the extremities
Cut the wind
I use a $20 windbreaker over a tshirt, this is good to below freezing, biking is warm work. If under 20F, long-sleeve cotton shirt goes on in addition. I've had no problem keeping the core warm. No need to spend $$ on the fancy stuff.
Snowboarding gloves are cheap and effective, waterproof and very warm
Balaclava for the face at sub-zero temp

cycle on!

GuitarStv

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #10 on: January 28, 2014, 12:17:16 PM »
My first time riding to work it was 10F. I just used my ultralight backpacking gear, so I used a bunch of wool gear with a down jacket for the mid layer under a light windbreaker. Everything was fine except for the wind on my crotch. I am pretty sure i got windburn in a terrible place to get windburn. I rode home that morning with my scrub shirt stuffed into my pants.

I now have windproof underwear.

OMG


I thought I was the only one with this problem . . . but somehow, the wind seems to funnel directly into my crotch from about -20 and below.  I've been using a strip of duct tape as a ghetto wind blocker.  Did not know there was such a thing as wind blocking undies.

sheepstache

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #11 on: January 28, 2014, 02:03:49 PM »
Personally I love this thing and it's cheap:
http://www.workwearusa.com/men-s-fleece-2-in-1-headwear.html



Russ

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2014, 03:06:28 PM »
My first time riding to work it was 10F. I just used my ultralight backpacking gear, so I used a bunch of wool gear with a down jacket for the mid layer under a light windbreaker. Everything was fine except for the wind on my crotch. I am pretty sure i got windburn in a terrible place to get windburn. I rode home that morning with my scrub shirt stuffed into my pants.

I now have windproof underwear.

OMG


I thought I was the only one with this problem . . . but somehow, the wind seems to funnel directly into my crotch from about -20 and below.  I've been using a strip of duct tape as a ghetto wind blocker.  Did not know there was such a thing as wind blocking undies.

Yeah with Polar Vortex 2: Electric Boogaloo coming through today I def put a plastic bag down the front of my pants for the ride to work. Might have to make myself some fleecy windstop underoos if it gets this cold again.

Beaker

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2014, 12:28:12 PM »
This is my first year biking through the Denver winter. So far the one bit of indispensable gear is my Outdoor Research jacket. I think it's a Transfer. That jacket rocks - it's my 3-season go-to jacket. I didn't think it would be warm enough for winter biking, but with proper layering and enough biking effort it's just fine into subzero temps. The key is using the drawstring hem and velcro cuffs to lock out the wind - that makes a huge difference.

I also carry a generic pair of waterproof wind pants that pack down to nothing so they can live in my bag. They were really intended for rain and slush protection, but they're pretty warm, too.

Down to about 30 degrees I wear a basic tech-tee, a thin fleece, regular winter hat & gloves, my jacket, and jeans. In colder temps I replace the tech-tee with a stretchy lycra longsleeve top. Below 15 degrees I replace regular gloves with my ski mittens, replace the hat with a fleece balaclava, maybe add long underwear and/or wear the wind pants. That's been good down to subzero in a snowstorm.

Most of this was either stuff I already had (ski gear), was bought cheap (jacket was 50% off at the REI Garage Sale) or from Goodwill (rain pants, lycra top & fleece, $4 each). I'm only going about 3.5 miles each way, so that works for me. Maybe if you're going 10+ miles it might be worth springing for the fancy purpose-made biking gear.

jordanread

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2014, 09:58:47 PM »
My first time riding to work it was 10F. I just used my ultralight backpacking gear, so I used a bunch of wool gear with a down jacket for the mid layer under a light windbreaker. Everything was fine except for the wind on my crotch. I am pretty sure i got windburn in a terrible place to get windburn. I rode home that morning with my scrub shirt stuffed into my pants.

I now have windproof underwear.

OMG


I thought I was the only one with this problem . . . but somehow, the wind seems to funnel directly into my crotch from about -20 and below.  I've been using a strip of duct tape as a ghetto wind blocker.  Did not know there was such a thing as wind blocking undies.

Yeah with Polar Vortex 2: Electric Boogaloo coming through today I def put a plastic bag down the front of my pants for the ride to work. Might have to make myself some fleecy windstop underoos if it gets this cold again.
I must not ride fast enough. Never had the problem, and never want to. Yikes. Good to know there are solutions.
I never really invested in decent clothing, so I was all about the layers.

Reddleman

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #15 on: August 12, 2014, 11:48:40 AM »
Just a last minute addition.  For year round commuting, my favorite rain/ weather shell is this one

http://www.bicycleclothing.com/Waterproof-Rain-Jackets.html

Designed specifically for cycling, made I the USA, and utlastd any of the "breathable" stuff I've had by a wide margin.

YK-Phil

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Re: Apparel for winter bike commuting
« Reply #16 on: August 12, 2014, 12:50:57 PM »
Essentially, my basic winter cycling attire is more or less the same as GuitarStv. I should say that I wear pretty much the same thing all year round, adding or removing layers depending on the weather. Temperatures in Yellowknife where I do most of my biking are about 12-20 C in summer, and can go as low as -30 to -45 C in winter. I only got cold once, about 1 km into my evening commute on the way home. It was "only" -23 C but the high winds made it unbearable to continue so I had to take a break at the nearest (and only) pub for a cold brew.