Cold Weather Apparel - Any recommendations

[mista]

On my ride home last night around 10-11 i froze my ass off. Does anyone have any recommendations for good cold weather gear ie long sleeve wicking apparel. What brands are good, etc...

[tedsti]

Lots of good info here.
http://www.morcmtb.org/wiki/index.php/Cold_Weather_Riding

Wool is really nice when the temps dip, but can get spendy. REI also has a lot of good colder weather gear and their house brand Novara has good stuff.

[flutterbyes]

smartwool! spendy, but well worth the investment. especially the socks.

[Ish]

The word from Q

http://www.civiacycles.com/civiaweather.php

[fallingup]

smartwool! spendy, but well worth the investment. especially the socks.

Just make sure to have a layer over the wool... if you ride like me & crash a lot... your smartwool won't last long... it will be a pile of yarn.

[tedsti]

The word from Q

http://www.civiacycles.com/civiaweather.php

In true MN fashion, they go down to -20F!!!

[mista]

I own more smartwool socks then i can count!!! Unfortunately ill have to buy new shoes in order to use them...hahahahaha

Yeah I'm mostly concerned with the torso. I tend to sweat a lot so really just looking for something that wicks well and keeps me warm.

[gtbikes]

Night lap from 8-9:15 at Leb last night and was actually too warm! Since it was a wee bit chilly I decided to wear my Novara Tempest Bike Jacket (http://www.rei.com/product/771562) which, is windstopper to 60mph and vented in the back for breathability over my jersey and a pair of Novara Tempest Bike Tight (http://www.rei.com/product/754988) over padded shorts. Salsa socks from Salsa 2-4. At X section I had to strip off the jacket 'cause I was too warm. In the winter I wear the same getup, except I wear a patagonia midweight bottom and long sleeved top and layer over, a windstopper hat under the helmet and swap out the jacket for my gore-tex one if it is wet out. I have worn this setup at 0 degrees and been warm but not too warm.

I think that the key is to be able to keep the "wind" off as your usually generating enough energy in motion to keep warm. It's the sweat evaporating that cools you down and if wind chill is involved (which it is on a bike) then that speeds up the process.

As for socks...I was a fan of the pricey Smartwools till I started wearing the the less expensive REI brand (at half the price!) and have not noticed a difference, I think they actually wear better! In winter I layer a polypro sock under a midweight "wool" sock and wear shoe covers and my toes keep toasty.


Another option for rain/winter riding may be the Novara Stratos Jacket

[Pandl]

For cold weather (winter below 40) I like an UnderArmor tneck and a wool jersey. regular tights or thermal tights as it gets coldler. Wool socks rock. For tonite i might just put on a long sleeve regular jersey after the light lap. A good pair of Pearl Izumi Lobster gloves. Haven't been cold in them yet. http://www.eriksbikeshop.com/ride/product.asp?pf_id=PR3C1342&path=Shop&path=Cycling+Apparel&path=Gloves&search_handle=QT1DeWNsaW5nIEFwcGFyZWx_Qj1DeWNsaW5n IEFwcGFyZWx_RD0yNH5HPTY1OV4xfkk9UHJpY2V_Sz00fkw9MX 5NPTJ_Tj0yfg&scid=SearchResults&spoffset=2&s_id=0

For me, so far in the am at 53 and no sun I have been fine on my 5 mile ride in shorts & short sleeve jersey.

[THUMP!]

I got a bunch of long sleeved shirts last year that were supposed to wick but they all turned out to be poly and as soon as you put them on they start to stink(imagine the smell of one of Lundell's gnome's socks). Prices on the wool jerseys seem HIGH for a po' country boy like me...anyone have a line on cheap wool jerseys?

[Gingerdawg]

The word from Q

http://www.civiacycles.com/civiaweather.php

Wow, that seems kinda pessimistic, going to full fingered gloves at 70 degrees? Two shirts and arm warmers and knickers at 60??? I'd roast if I wore that!

[manual63]

My two favorite brands of colder weather gear are Craft (http://www.craft-usa.com/) and Sporthill (http://www.sporthill.com/). Not cheap, but some of the best stuff around.

One of the best things about most winter riding gear is that it crosses over to XC Skiing, and vise versa, gear. I have a pretty good selection of winter gear so I can be ready for all temps.

[Bayou]

I really like Castelli, they r more road oriented but really nice.
On my ride home last night around 10-11 i froze my ass off. Does anyone have any recommendations for good cold weather gear ie long sleeve wicking apparel. What brands are good, etc...

[analoguekid]

Target sells a really good long sleeve wicking/dryfit type shirt for about 20 bucks...I think it's Champion brand stuff...I've been rotating 4 of them all summer and they've held up well...look for them by the exmosize section...

[Ish]

Wow, that seems kinda pessimistic, going to full fingered gloves at 70 degrees? Two shirts and arm warmers and knickers at 60??? I'd roast if I wore that!

yea - I saw that. It seemed to be more for the commuter crowd which travels at a faster pace then mtb, so the wind becomes much more of a factor.

BTW - full finger gloves should always be worn!

[Paul Swenson]

The cold weather Civia guy looks like one of the protesters. Wear that around the TC and you'll be arrested.

http://www.civiacycles.com/images/whattowear/9.jpg

[gopherhockey]

Wow, that seems kinda pessimistic, going to full fingered gloves at 70 degrees? Two shirts and arm warmers and knickers at 60??? I'd roast if I wore that!

I'm the opposite actually. I LOVE cold weather... but it doesnt mean I don't need to dress up. I usually start to bundle up well before Bob, and he loves summer. Its just my body's requirements of protection I guess. Bring on the -8 riding but I will dress for the occasion.

Tonight feels to me like more than just a jersey and shorts... starting in the 60s and going to the 50s by the end, and at night with no sun. Hmmm... this time of year is the most difficult for me.

I agree, always full fingered gloves. There are many that vent well.

[ppgc]

The cold weather Civia guy looks like one of the protesters. Wear that around the TC and you'll be arrested.

http://www.civiacycles.com/images/whattowear/9.jpg

Looks like a hybred between the cops and the protesters!

[mista]

BTW - full finger gloves should always be worn!

Grr...now i gotta get gloves too!!!

Whats the benefit of having full finger gloves? Oh wait are we still talking about cold weather riding or mountain biking in general?

[ctoestreich]

Seems like a lot of online retailers have some good prices on cold weather gear, but not all sizes are available. ie (performancebike, bikenashbar, etc)

[kabbie_cache]

Grr...now i gotta get gloves too!!!

Whats the benefit of having full finger gloves? Oh wait are we still talking about cold weather riding or mountain biking in general?

For biking in general, they protect your hands better.

[soupboy]

Proper winter boots are worth the price of admission.

[berrywise]

Proper winter boots are worth the price of admission.

Hey just got your text message. Yeah I'll be around the house yesterday :cool:

What kind of cold weather boots are you rolling? I'm leaning toward the Lakes.

[soupboy]

I'm leaning toward the Lakes.

Yes..

[tedsti]

I'm leaning toward the Lakes.
Then the wind is blowing you in the correct direction. My Lakes are a big improvement over my Answers in both fit and warmth.

[Yeti-Mclovin']

Socks - P/I cold weather socks remarkably warm
Shoe Cover - Amfib,
Tights - P/I Amfib,
Shorts - P/I microsensor,
Shirts - Long Sleeve Wicking Hind Running synthetic Shirts (layered)
Coat - P/I - Lined wind-proof, water-proof, vented Chart.
Head - descent beanie
Eyes - Goggles if you need'em, usually just wrap arounds.
Gloves - P/I Gavia gloves, they cut the wind well!

I always like to have extra arm and leg warmers around (Fleece lined) for added warmth!

- That's about it for me

[analoguekid]

those of you that have them...which jacket would be best for the Minnesnowta winter? I've been looking at the barrier and glavia, but I'm not sure which one will give the best cold weather protection...

thanks!

[Magic]

Snoshoe Grog, a little of the Dr. M and a shot of whiskey is all that is needed for winter riding in Minnesota. Oh and hand warmers too!!!!!!!!!

[Pandl]

those of you that have them...which jacket would be best for the Minnesnowta winter? I've been looking at the barrier and glavia, but I'm not sure which one will give the best cold weather protection...

thanks!
I haven't used a jacket yet. I haven't riden below 0 either. But, I usually have an Under Armour tneck, and a wool jersey. If really cold, might slip another short sleeve jersey in between. Personal preference.

[KonaDude]

those of you that have them...which jacket would be best for the Minnesnowta winter? I've been looking at the barrier and glavia, but I'm not sure which one will give the best cold weather protection...

thanks!

I have the Barrier and, so far, haven't needed more. I sometimes put on an UnderArmor when it's colder. I usually don't ride any colder than 20 above, though and on a couple of occasions put a lightweight shell over the jacket.