Bike Commuting in Colder (but not cold) Weather

[mountains_o_mustaches]

I'm bike commuting to work and as the days get colder I'm finding myself in a bit of a conundrum about what to wear to stay reasonably warm.  Right now it's about 50-55 degrees out when I ride to work in the mornings and I'm comfortable with a long-sleeve shirt, windbreaker, and gloves.  We had one morning in the 40s and suffice it to say - it was a bit uncomfortable.  I started bike commuting last year in January and wore my ski jacket, which worked well when it was cold.  I didn't ride in the spring due to an injury (broke my leg - it's a long story, but basically beware of trampoline gyms), so didn't go through the colder part of the winter-spring transition. 

Here's my question - what jacket would you recommend for the late fall / early winter temps where it's too cold for a windbreaker, but too warm for a ski jacket?  I want 1 article of clothing (not 100 layers of arm warmers, base layers, expensive cycling jerseys, etc).  My commute is short (2 miles) so I don't need to worry about getting super warm from the exertion.  What do y'all recommend?

[jamesbond007]

Sounds like NorCal winters. I bought some inexpensive warm cycling jackets and pants on Amazon some time ago. They work fine for about a 10 mile ride without needing for 10 layers of clothing. Just my regular bike jersey + the jacket and my regular bike shorts + warm pants. I think I spent around $30 or so for both together. I have a slightly high tolerance for cold but if your ride is only 2 miles then it should work.


Look up on Amazon you have tons of choices.

[JJ-]

I think you'll have to figure this out by trial and error because the commute is so short. I find that usually it's not the temperature that gets me, but the wind. If you're wearing a windbreaker and you're still getting cold, you need another layer (or a thicker/heavier windbreaker).

How I approach this: My ride is about 10 miles each way, but a good rule of thumb for me is that if I'm standing outside and am getting uncomfortably cool/cold (before riding) the way that I'm dressed, I'll probably warm up enough after about 10 minutes to make it "perfect." That being said, I have still been riding in shorts t-shirt in the low 50s in Denver which have been a bit cool, so I'll probably go to a long sleeve shirt or throw the sleeves on the bike vest soon.

My setup:
Summer: shorts/tshirt & bike vest
Fall: Shorts/longsleeve shirt & bike vest or bike vest with sleeves
Winter: Leggings, shorts, longsleeve shirt (or warm base layer if really cool), bike vest with sleeves
0-10 degrees: leggings, shorts, warm base layer, puffy layer from ski jacket, bike vest with sleeves (windproof). I also pack an extra layer of warmth in case I get stranded for more than a few minutes at a light.

I find the winter -> spring transition I'm in shorts sooner because I'm used to the cold weather.

Try the ski jacket next time you think it's too cold for the windbreaker. A 10 minute bike ride shouldn't get you too sweaty even if it's too warm in the jacket.

[JJ-]

I think you'll have to figure this out by trial and error because the commute is so short. I find that usually it's not the temperature that gets me, but the wind. If you're wearing a windbreaker and you're still getting cold, you need another layer (or a thicker/heavier windbreaker).

How I approach this: My ride is about 10 miles each way, but a good rule of thumb for me is that if I'm standing outside and am getting uncomfortably cool/cold (before riding) the way that I'm dressed, I'll probably warm up enough after about 10 minutes to make it "perfect." That being said, I have still been riding in shorts t-shirt in the low 50s in Denver which have been a bit cool, so I'll probably go to a long sleeve shirt or throw the sleeves on the bike vest soon.

My setup:
Summer: shorts/tshirt & bike vest
Fall: Shorts/longsleeve shirt & bike vest or bike vest with sleeves
Winter: Leggings, shorts, longsleeve shirt (or warm base layer if really cool), bike vest with sleeves
0-10 degrees: leggings, shorts, warm base layer, puffy layer from ski jacket, bike vest with sleeves (windproof). I also pack an extra layer of warmth in case I get stranded for more than a few minutes at a light.

I find the winter -> spring transition I'm in shorts sooner because I'm used to the cold weather.

Try the ski jacket next time you think it's too cold for the windbreaker. A 10 minute bike ride shouldn't get you too sweaty even if it's too warm in the jacket.

I will also say that it's more important to keep my core warm. Then my arms. Then my legs. (Hands at the top of course, and ears get covered too).

[KCM5]

I wear a puffy vest and gloves in weather like that. This morning it was in the low 40s and I wore a tshirt/cardigan/light scarf plus puffy vest and gloves. I was quite comfortable for my 3.5 mile commute. The important parts I find are the gloves and keeping the core warm. When it gets colder I move to a real jacket.

[GuitarStv]

Everyone's different.  You have different clothes, different tolerance of temperatures, and go a different speed on the bike (which changes how much clothing you need).  What I started doing several years ago is recording the temperature, wind speed, and amount of sun on a big spread sheet.  Then every time I have a ride where I was comfortable I write down what I was wearing.  I do a quick check of the chart when temperatures drop, and am never caught out with too much/too little clothing any more.  If you're just looking for quick suggestions though . . .



For around 50 deg F temperatures, I'd wear:
- Cycling jersey
- base layer t-shirt
- wind vest
- arm warmers
- cycling shorts
- leg warmers
- a headband (that covers my ears)

Below 40 deg F, I'd wear the same as 50 but:
- swap the headband for a warmer beanie (that covers my ears)
- swap wind vest for long sleeve wind breaker
- add light long fingered gloves
- add toe covers

Below 30 deg F:
- Long sleeve jersey
- Long sleeve base layer
- Long sleeve wind breaker
- Insulated winter bib tights
- Warm beanie (that covers my ears)
- Buff to wear around my neck as a scarf/face mask
- Two pairs of light long fingered gloves
- Full shoe covers

[mountains_o_mustaches]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have a nice set-up for longer bike rides (similar to what GuitarStv recommended), but don't want to wear bike gear to work, especially since it's completely unnecessary for the short ride.

I think I'm going to buy an athletic jacket, but not a cycling one.  The thinner windbreakers work for a while, but now it's getting too cold.  I may also play around with trying to fit long sleeve shirts or think sweatshirts underneath the windbreaker to help stay warm.

[FLBiker]

I've got one of those long sleeved dri fit nike shirts, and that's my go to layer for cooler commutes.  Packs down to nothing, too, if I get too warm.

[GuitarStv]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have a nice set-up for longer bike rides (similar to what GuitarStv recommended), but don't want to wear bike gear to work, especially since it's completely unnecessary for the short ride.

I think I'm going to buy an athletic jacket, but not a cycling one.  The thinner windbreakers work for a while, but now it's getting too cold.  I may also play around with trying to fit long sleeve shirts or think sweatshirts underneath the windbreaker to help stay warm.

The basic strategy for all winter outdoor gear is the three layer approach:

- Something next to skin that pulls moisture away
- Something that insulates
- Something that blocks wind

A sweat wicking t-shirt under a thin fleece sweater with a windbreaker over top will work great for cool but not freezing conditions.  If it gets colder maybe use a long sleeve rashguard instead of a t-shirt, and a heavier fleece.

Just stay the hell away from cotton.  It's fine when dry, but add some sweat or any rain, and wearing cotton is worse than being naked.  The stuff pulls heat out of your body.

[frugalsurfer]

For short trips in cold weather it can be tricky as you don't want to wear special cycling clothes unless you have end of trip facilities to change into regular clothes at the end. I usually would wear a pair of pants, long sleeve shirt and a good quality windproof jacket with front and pit zips you can open up to ventilate to prevent getting clammy. I ride at a very moderate pace too to avoid overheating while wearing normal clothes. Winters in Perth, Australia are generally mild, although some trips I had to deal with temperatures around 0 to 5 degrees C and sometimes a bit of rain too. I found that a good quality jacket was the real game changer. The Showers Pass jackets are great and last for years of use too.

[meghan88]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have a nice set-up for longer bike rides (similar to what GuitarStv recommended), but don't want to wear bike gear to work, especially since it's completely unnecessary for the short ride.

I think I'm going to buy an athletic jacket, but not a cycling one.  The thinner windbreakers work for a while, but now it's getting too cold.  I may also play around with trying to fit long sleeve shirts or think sweatshirts underneath the windbreaker to help stay warm.

For a 2-mile cold-weather commute, here are my essentials:

- a 3/4-length gore-tex jacket that you can unzip easily when you get warm
- Ear Bags:  http://shop.earbags.com/en/ but way cheaper locally or on Amazon
- a decent pair of gloves
- a Seirus face mask (when it gets too hot, it can be easily pulled down or removed): https://www.amazon.com/Seirus-Innovation-Neofleece-Comfort-Masque/dp/B0018BGFM2

- a gore-tex poncho and gore-tex shell mitts for rainy days
- some sort of gore-tex shorts or pants (ideally with snaps to go over whatever you're wearing)
- Keen waterproof boots

[mountains_o_mustaches]

For short trips in cold weather it can be tricky as you don't want to wear special cycling clothes unless you have end of trip facilities to change into regular clothes at the end. I usually would wear a pair of pants, long sleeve shirt and a good quality windproof jacket with front and pit zips you can open up to ventilate to prevent getting clammy. I ride at a very moderate pace too to avoid overheating while wearing normal clothes. Winters in Perth, Australia are generally mild, although some trips I had to deal with temperatures around 0 to 5 degrees C and sometimes a bit of rain too. I found that a good quality jacket was the real game changer. The Showers Pass jackets are great and last for years of use too.

Exactly!  Yeah, I can't quite justify the whole cycling get-up for a 10-15 minute bike ride, but I also can't get too warm because I don't have a shower on the other end and still have to work all day.  I'll take a look at those jackets - I've been having trouble finding a jacket that's not so insulating that it turns into a sauna even with moderate exertion.  I may go the route of a warmer jacket and just wear a t-shirt underneath.  I wear a t-shirt in the summer - I just swap it out for my work top when I get to work and do a quick clean-up with wipes so that I don't smell.

I'll also have to look into your recs, meghan88 - any specific recommendations for gore-tex jackets?

[GuitarStv]

Look for a full length front zipper and armpit zips.  Lots of venting (along with dressing a little lighter underneath) is the only way to avoid the sauna effect.

[ender]

I have a merino wool long sleeve shirt which is the best $50 or whatever I've spent on clothing in my entire life. https://smile.amazon.com/Icebreaker-Oasis-Sleeve-Monsoon-Medium/dp/B00AF5JI0S?ie=UTF8&redirect=true It somehow never. smells. ever (which is the weirdest thing in the world to me) which is really great for biking to work. I've actually considered getting more merino wool stuff since I wear the same longsleeved shirt all the time, as I sleep in it and often wear it to/from work. Still never smells. It's black magic, I swear!

I wear that once it gets cooler and depending on the weather, put varying levels of layers on top - a light zip up jacket to a windbreaker.

I wear these for pants, too, which are nice - https://smile.amazon.com/4ucycling-athletic-active-thermal-Xl-gangsuo/dp/B00AQDTTC6?ie=UTF8&redirect=true


I've got about 2.5 miles now (used to be about 5) and this will work well. I actually find that with a shorter and easier commute the cold bothers me more, because I barely get warmed up the way I used to when I was biking 2x as far. It doesn't make sense but psychologically I guess I dislike being cold for a larger percentage of my commute so I find myself wearing a bit warmer stuff.

Also, I sometimes take plastic bags and put them over my shoes when it's slushy out. If it's rained or there's snow on the path in the winter you will really, really be annoyed if your shoes get wet if you are wearing tennis shoes or something otherwise open to the air.

[meghan88]

I'll also have to look into your recs, meghan88 - any specific recommendations for gore-tex jackets?

For gore-tex jackets, as long as it's real gore-tex, you'll be fine.  Patagonia, Marmot, REI, Eddie Bauer are a few names that come to mind.  They're not cheap, so it's best to wait for a sale.  Buying used can also work, though you might have to treat the gore-tex:  http://www.gore-tex.com/en-us/support/restoring-water-repellency
https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/washing-goretex-outerwear.html

And, like GuitarStv says, go with something with a full-length front zipper and pit zips.  I've attached extra strings and large tabs to my zips so that they are easy to zip/unzip en route.

Forgot to mention that I bike in boots, and keep a pair of shoes at the office.

[jeromedawg]

Leg warmers were key when I used to ride into work in the mornings. Wicking shirts definitely help. I've heard good things about UnderArmor. As far as jackets are concerned, I never had to ride with one as it wouldn't get *that* cold but I'd consider a North Face Apex or something similar to it - keeps you warm without major bulk. I would think it would be perfect for biking in cold weather.

[bikebuzz]

I have a fleece-lined bike jacket (Pearl Izumi, bought on clearance at Sierra Trading Post) and a light windbreaker for fall/early winter weather.  The combination keeps me warm down to about 40 degrees F.  I wear these with jeans or leggings for my commute into work and either a t-shirt or long sleeve shirt underneath.  It's great being able to vary the combination for the ride home, which is often warmer this time of year, but will be colder in a month or so after the time changes.