We’ve finally hit sub-zero temperatures here in the DC area, and it’s clear that my current bike gear just doesn’t cut it.
I have windproof but breathable bike pants, and a windproof but breathable bike jacket. My legs are fine, but my torso gets cold, even with something underneath. Should I go for more under-layers, or a heavier jacket, or a light windbreaker on top? I had been wearing a heavier jacket, but it didn’t breathe well, so I’d get sweaty and cold.
Also, gloves. I have a pair of gloves (with fingers), but they’re way too thin. Got any favorites to recommend?
If your torso’s too cold, you’re not wearing enough in the middle layer. I prefer thin wool in layers, but if your activity level is so high that you’re sweating a lot, synthetics like polypropylene - or thin fleece for the middle layer - might be better.
On gloves: If your core is too cold, your hands and feet will be, too. No matter how warm your gloves are. Try layering your core and insulating your head (your head is your body’s most vital organ, and your body will sacrifice everything before allowing your head to cool). If your core is nice and warm, you can get away with pretty skimpy gloves. OTOH, if “sub-zero” is in degrees F, try three-finger “lobster” style gloves. Or mittens if your bike is set up with twist shifters. There’s a ton of difference between five-finger gloves and mittens or three-finger gloves when it’s really cold.
ETA: And no matter what you wear otherwise, make sure your head and your neck is warm. In really cold weather, you lose an unproportional amount of heat through your head and neck unless those body parts are well clothed.
Are you talking about cycling to work, wearing everday clothes with cycling stuff on top? Or is it full-monty cycling gear on, then change at work (or just general city cycling with no work involved)?
Really depends on how you ride. If you like to make progress, you can get by with a couple of layers and a soft shell, say. Some attention to the feet and hands and you’re right. If you’re more civilised in your riding style you need to bulk up a bit - big winter gloves, fleecy head band, that sort of thing.
It helps if there’s a big retailer you can use that does quality cycling stuff for not too much money. We have Decathlon here in the UK as well as Aldi (a cheap supermarket that does good cycling wear for some reason) - don’t know what the US equivalent is. They do own brand stuff that is great at forming the bulk of your cycling wardrobe - base layers, leg warmers, gloves, soft shells etc. You then look elsewhere for areas where you feel you need more quality - a high performance waterproof jacket say.
On a general note, dressing for the cold isn’t difficult as long as you remember some basic principles:
[ul]
[li]Moisture at or close to the skin is the worst. Avoid cotton like the plague. For high activity levels, use modern synthetics; polypropylene is probably the best. Wool is great for low-to-medium activity levels due to its excellent insulating properties when damp/wet. Mesh underwear is perfect, since it provides lots of trapped air and retain almost no moisture.[/li][li]Dress in layers. You need minimum one wicking layer and one windproof layer. Add middle (insulating) layers as required. Several thin layers is a lot better than a single thick layer.[/li][li]Keep your head and neck warm. That’s the last organ your body will sacrifice if heat loss is too high[/li][li]Keep your core warm. If your core loses heat, you won’t be able to keep your hands and feet warm. Your body will sacrifice those body parts if there’s a risk of losing too much heat from the core and head.[/li][li]If your core is warm enough, you can get away with pretty thin gloves (and boots)[/li][li]If unclothed, your head and neck will suffer an unproportionate heat loss. [/li][li]Corollary to the last three points: “If your feet are cold, put on a cap”[/li][/ul]
Stick a newspaper down the front of your shirt (that’s what I did 40 years ago on my paperround!) also look at the Goretex Windstopper vests, really good on the bike but not as cheap as a newspaper.
My winter cycling days are passed, but back in the days I had a system. My key garments were a hooded nylon wind breaker and a ski mask. Nylon gave a perfect combination of wind resistance and breathability. Later, when GoreTex was developed, that made the outfit waterproof too.
The wind jacket you linked to might be over engineered if it has panels in the back to get rid of excess heat. You don’t need that at below freezing.
Under the wind breaker went two or three layers of street clothes. Turtlenecks, thin shirts, light sweaters. I didn’t pay much attention to fabric type, although putting a heavy cotton garment next to your skin would likely be bad. Generally it’s not hard to keep from over heating and soaking your clothes. You just unbutton your jacket if you get warm.
Heavy mittens are good, and usually don’t interfere with riding. GoreTex or similar.
GoreTex or similar boots are also the best idea. Choose socks to match the temperature.
Legs aren’t a huge problem. Warm pants with tights or nylon outerwear.