Toasty Winter duds

[thanita]

Now as we enter that frosty season, there's no reason to stop riding! Well, completely that is. I personally hate being cold, and my hands, feet, butt and head are big heat spewers.

In general (yeah, that again) women have "colder" extremities; that's why women specific crap tends to put more insulation in these places (like sleeping bags).

Anyway, to apply this to cycling, you can bundle up in your best winter wear, but I find that limits mobility. So, here are my picks and suggestions for items and techniques that work well for me:

Head: when the temperature drops, I put on a balaclava, hat, headband, something under my helmet. It doesn't need to be super thick (and if it is, your helmet may not fit) but just another layer. I find it key to have my ears covered, so I often wear a hat AND a headband when it's really cold. And, you'd be surprised at how much heat you can keep in if you cover up those vents with duct tape: a plus, use neon orange for visibility. No fashion points, but who the hell cares if you're toasty? As it's attached to your head, necks deserve mention here: cover it up. I personally don't like too much around my neck, as I tend to get sweaty and feel like I'm choking, but I can't stand turtlenecks so maybe it's just me.

Hands: I've tried using my snowboarding gloves, and while my hands were wonderfully warm, I wasn't able to operate my bike very well. I have two sets of winter gloves that work well for riding: I bought a $15 pair of neoprene gloves from Nashbar about 4 years ago, and although they're not what I call soft and comfy to the touch, they keep my hands REALLY warm, and have great dexterity. When it gets colder, I found some women's specific riding gloves from Terry that fit well: a bit bulkier, but toasty. The style is great: they are "lobster claw," which means your first two and last two fingers are in the same insulating sheath, although there is a spot for each finger inside for good control and less sweatiness. Nice.

Feet: I still haven't found "the" winter bike shoe. I have winter bike shoes, but they don't keep my tootsies nearly as warm as when I just wear my hiking boots. Now, I'm a clipless rider, but nothing sucks more than ice cube toes on a winter ride. Almost nothing. So either buy a few sizes up (again, if you're warm, who cares what it looks like?) and pack in the socks (but not so tight that you end up restricting bloodflow and make your feet even colder), or just wear some regular boots and enjoy the simple life. In a pinch, baggies or some plastic layer over socks and under shoes works well (a cut up emergency blanket is a good choice if you're desparate).

Butt: When it's really chill out there, my favorite system is: my Boure winter bibs (full length w/ stirrups, no waistband, thick and fuzzy mmm) and a windproof over layer. My butt does sometimes get chilly with this combo, but a chilly butt I can deal with if all the other bases are covered. And if it's so cold that I get a frozen ass even wearing these layers, I probably wouldn't be out riding. Did I mention I hate being cold?

Anyone have any hot winter tips (ha ha), bring 'em on!
T

[EBasil]

I was just shopping for one of them female-types and happened to be in SuperGo. They've got a new glove for men and women (seperately) called "Outlast" and it's really nice. Now, it's clearly not for bitter cold, but it looks to be good down to freezing or so, and yet fits smoothly and sleekly. Leather-like palms over the synthetic Outlast stuff.

The womens' glove fits like Fox womens gloves do, according to a rider I got to test them for me in the store.

I bought a set for my Boston bro that rides if it's over 20, and for my SoCal girl that night rides all winter in the deep, low 40's we get. ;)

[Divscotty]

I ride with Wind Stopper Gloves and when really cold I use a liner. That does real well for me.

I also ride with a micro fleece Backclava (I have no idea how to spell that) and carry a thin fleece beanie and ear warmers i'ts easy to layer with that combination.

The ticket for me is to break the wind, but allow the sweat to pass off so I don't get soaked. It is a balance. If I can find it then I don't get cold. But if I get sweaty then I'm done.

However, I have never gotten my sun glasses to not fog. EVER. It is so frustrating. We have such high humidity in the winter and the fog makes it quite difficult.

Divscotty

[thanita]

Balaclava!

Have you tried Cat Crap? It really cuts down on fogging, although, as with most things in this world, it's not perfect. But it helps enough that I'd recommend it. It's made by EK USA, campmor and a bunch of outdoorsy places sell it.
T

[RacerK]

Ah yes, winter riding. It's a novelty/adventure sort of thing now, with the first snows here, but in 3 months it will get really old. I'm a cold wimp so good gear is my best friend.

Shoe suggestion: Some of us in the office recently scored some Lake MX-300 shoes, which worked really well on the ride in yesterday (around 30 deg.). They don't make a women's specific version, but the men's fit fairly narrow and have some extra room at the toe end. They also have a nice wool pad in the bottom that makes a big difference.

Glove suggestion: Not to sound like a commercial, but Lake again, the CX Zero model. They have a liner made of Outlast and a wind & waterproof shell with some soft fleece for wiping snot. They are so warm I took them snowboarding instead of my Burton gloves, and thin enough for zipping/unzipping and getting keyes out of pockets, etc.

In my experience, it's best to go heavy on the feet, hands and ears, and not too bulky on your legs and arms. I have a couple fleece sleeveless undershirts I use for below-freezing weather. I only cover my head if it's below 25 or very windy, as your head releases the most heat and you'll get sweaty quicker if it's covered. And having a sweat-wicking kind of layer next to your skin, especially up top, helps a lot.

Oh yeah, in general dress warmer for road rides than for mountain biking, as on the road you'll be more exposed to wind, and going faster with less effort, especially downhill.

If you go on a big group mountain bike ride, you may want to dress more warmly than for a solo ride, as there will probably be more stops. That has caused me trouble in the past - I've dressed for riding, not for standing around watching the 3rd flat get fixed. Take an extra outer layer on a group ride, and don't be afraid to stop to put it on or remove it as necessary.

Bonus - it doesn't hurt as much if you crash with 5 layers on!

[tryandgetme]

yeah I agree, heavy on the extremeties, light on the legs and torso as long as it kills wind. wind is the biggest problem I see, hands down. Just keep your circulatory system from shutting down to your hands and feet and it'll take care of the rest of you. The MOST I wear on my upper body even today, when it was -31C, is a single wool sweater, a tshirt, and a spring wind breaker. Windbreaker pants on the legs with the usual jeans underneith. I keep my neck un-encumbered with 1 or 2 skiiers neck gaiters, keeping it above the top of my sweater to allow it to rotate in my jacket collar when I turn my head. I pull that up over my mouth, nose, and ears, with a touque pulled down over the ears as well.

Shoes are still a problem for me...havnt figured that out yet, probably because of my unwillingness to spend money...this is the one part where just wind breaking alone wont work. Your feet really arnt getting any good bloodflow like you do when your walking, so lots of insulation (as well as windproofness) is important. I've abandoned clipless pedals in the winter since my big sorel boots I wore last year with 3 pairs of wool socks worked SO well...just get big bmx style platforms to use em on so you get the support you're missing from floppy boots. Unfortunately, you get much less agility from wearing those big boots...I pretty much just use them for commuting, and just stick to my hikers with layers of socks for winter mtb'ing

notice I said wool alot? wool is magic. wool is perfect. wool was engineered by nature to protect in the worst conditions. perfect combination of breathability, insulation, and quick drying. WOOL SOCKS INSTEAD OF COTTON MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

I know, I know, I'm not a woman, and I'm posting in the women's forum, and I didnt post anything that might be specific to women...but I figured I'd pass that along, since cold is one thing I'm good at...

[Divscotty]

Balaclava!

Have you tried Cat Crap? It really cuts down on fogging, although, as with most things in this world, it's not perfect. But it helps enough that I'd recommend it. It's made by EK USA, campmor and a bunch of outdoorsy places sell it.
T

I used it with my previous glasses but not with these new ones I'm hoping these fog less. I will know soon enough.

Oh TryAndGetMe... don't worry we like guys.

Divscotty

[tryandgetme]

phew! didnt get beheaded.... :D

[jhl99]

Dry and cold is better than mush temps and wet.--Use fenders if you can or be selective of when you ride. Keeping your feet dry helps keep them warm. Fenders also help keep the rest of your body dry.

There is no crime in riding your ATB on the road. Riding is riding. Plus, roads will be plowed when the snow is too deep on the trails. In some areas, some roads get salted while others don't. Normally, unsalted roads are better to ride because there is less slush.

Don't overdress. You should start off a little cool and warm up.

Don't sweat. Take layers off as you warm up.

Welcome the climbs!

Given a choice, ride on the sunny sides of the mountains.

Regulate your temperature by taking your gloves/mittens on and off and/or switching them between them. I always take mittens (fleece with overmitts) along with gloves on any winter ride. You can shift and brake with mittens, it isn't a big deal.
Mittens will save your butt if you ever have a mechanical problem and need to work barehanded for a little bit.

Don't stop riding. Don't stop riding and go into a store and warm up. It will be miserable when you resume your ride.

If your feet get cold, stop riding and walk a bit. (helps if your shoes are a little flexable)

Drink up before you ride... waterbottles tend to freeze up. If possible, carry them upside down...they freeze from the air side first, so keeping them upside keeps the outlet free of ice. (I think the tubes on hydration packs freeze up... can't suggest anything there.... don't have one...blow all the liquid back to resevoir when done drinking?)

Accept cold feet...

[wooglin]

I'm a big fan of arm and knee warmers. Although it rarely gets cold enough down here to use them like this, putting them on under tights or a jacket makes a huge difference.

What I really like is that they're portable and easy to get on/off. I loop them into a toe strap that's attached either to my saddle or camelback, or wear them around my ankles or wrists and pull them up/down as necessary.

If this was another forum I'd mention a glove or sock down the pants.....

[Cyclenaut]

For really cold weather, I've found that a warm base layer (such as a thin wool layer), plus either the Foska Bones jacket (http://www.foska.com) or the Endura Air Defense jacket (http://www.endurasport.com/air-defence.html) are perfect. Both have a nice fleecy lining and are windproof/waterproof.

I absolutely hate cold hands, and have had very good luck historically with Specialized's winter gloves:

http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqSection.jsp?sid=05EquipGlovesWinter

As for shoes, unfortunately the best winter boot I've ever tried isn't available here in the States. It's the Shimano W100. I do hear good things about the Lake's mentioned above, though. Whatever shoe you get, wool socks are a must, and if it's wet, a good pair of the new Merino lined Seal Skinz.

For headwear, I use the Pearl Izumi microsensor headband with the ear flaps. I have pretty thick hair, so I don't need to cover my head, but anything below 50 and my ears are feeling it. The PI headband never fails me. I've found that a Buff is a great all-purpose headwear accessory. It covers my neck, I can pull it up over my chin, I can use it as a hat, and if I'm really feeling the cold it can be a balaclava.

[quazar76]

I'm not cheap, I'm thrifty. I love to ride in winter. It's so hard to get motivated after work when it's dark and freezing out - BUT - once you get out and ride that all changes. Anyway, here's my list of must have's

Catcrap - I think everyone here agrees that it helps.
Clear frames.
front fender.
turtle fur helmet liner $10 insulates and breaths and is soft.
I buy cheap cotton stretch gloves from the dollar store, they come in lots of colors and cost a dollar. If they get lost or ripped replace em. These I wear underneath a pair of motoX gloves. This seems to work even at 20 degrees.
My neighbor gave me her x's rei vest and it is my newest edition. Again, keeping the torso warm.

The solution that I have most recently discovered on this forum is the vapor barrier concept. I ride cleats like most of you do and the metal on metal tends to get horrid no matter what kind of shoes or how many pairs of sox you have. So...I put thin bike sox on then a plastic grocery bag, then a thick pair of wool sox, then my bike shoes. I went for a ride last week when the temp was +7 and my feet were fine. This works people, try it. I also always carry liuke 2 or 3 bandanas in my pack as they have many different functions both in extreme cold and extreme heat.
Thankfully it's like 65 in Denver this weekend so I get to ski and trail ride. Yee Hawr! :eek:

[tryandgetme]

What's Catcrap?

[Cyclenaut]

http://www.catcrap.com/

[tryandgetme]

interesting...I've never had a problem with fogging goggles...just make sure they seal properly against your face and dont block the vents..I suppose it would be helpful for sunglasses