I’m looking for recommendations for colder weather clothing. The last time out, I wore blue jeans. The legs of the jeans underneath the shin / knee pads got soaked from sweating and then become quite cold.
During the warm weather I wear cycling shorts and a shirt made out of a similar fabric. They work terrific because the sweat is wicked away and I am quite comfortable.
Is there similar clothing designed for strenuous cold weather riding.
Suggestions?
Thanks for any help.
1
O
A quick summary for MUni:
> bib shorts help eliminate binding at waist – LBS
> freeride pants for warmth and durability of upper legs
> polypro zip turtle-neck long sleeve shirt is very versatile - mountaineering store
> fleece vest – LL BEan and the like
> wind (not rain) jacket traps air but breathes for moisture control, loose to go over pads – many sources
> helmet rain cover traps air but breathes for moisture control – hard to find
> wrist guard-gloves
> cover mitts – see REI and the like
for much colder weather (teens and below F), add:
> lycra tights held up with suspenders – have to eliminate binding at waist – LBS
> thin balaclava or thin under-helmet head cover – LBS
> replace fleece vest with fleece jacket
for extremes:
> add fleece mitt liner
> neoprene ski mask and goggles
> warmer boots / wool socks
Eliminating binding at the waist is very important for cold-weather warmth of the lower body so eliminate the tight ties, belts, buckles, and the like with shoulder straps.
Be sure to remove clothing as your ride continues to keep the sweating down. For this reason, it’s often better not to put on the lycra tights unless you absolutely have to, there’s a lot of stripping to do to remove them. You are wearing legs pads with closed cell foam anyway. Tall socks can help insulate the backs of your legs.
MUni is basically a high-intensity aerobic sport like x-c skiing and you can use the clothing guides for that as well.
Drink lots of water and eat carbs to stay warm too. Bonking in the winter is more serious than in the summer.
bike shorts, fleece, and layers. fleece layers.
i wear fleece and if it’s really cold or i’m going on snow slopes, longjohns and fleece layers and a snowboard/ski jacket. basically what i wear to go skiing… except for the bike shorts.
Re: Muni cold weather clothing
One on one wrote:
> During the warm weather I wear cycling shorts and a shirt made out of a
> similar fabric. They work terrific because the sweat is wicked away and
> I am quite comfortable.
>
> Is there similar clothing designed for strenuous cold weather riding.
Try a pair of Ronhill Bikesters (assuming they’re available on your side
of the pond), with cycling shorts underneath.
<URL:http://tinyurl.com/9eja5>
leads to:
<URL:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/Default.aspx?Main=ProductDetail.aspx&W=0&Manufacturer=Ronhill&UberCatName=&Cat=cycle&CategoryName=&ProdID=5360013119&UberCat=0>
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i tend to wear a t-shirt underneith a fleece and then wear my long baggyish pants overtop of my pads. my pads normaly barely fit though and its generaly easier to just put the pads on before my pants, but for riding its great and i’m always warm. dont forget to wear a hat or helmet though because as we all know thats how you loose most of your heat.
Don’t wear anything cotton. Cotton gets wet then makes you cold.
There are base layer undershirts designed for active wear. They’re 100% polyester just like cycling jerseys, but they’re designed to be warmer. You want the base layer shirt to be snug so it traps more air next to your skin and keeps you warmer. REI carries that sort of stuff and your local bike shop also will likely have base layer clothing this time of year.
For Winter riding around Washington state I typically wear:
-regular lycra padded cycling shorts
-long lycra non-padded cycling tights over the shorts
-long sleeve base layer undershirt
-long sleeve cycling jersey
-wind breaker style jacket
-wool socks
-light winter long finger cycling gloves
-winter cycling head band that covers the ears to keep the ears warm
That has been enough for me in Washington even when riding muni in the snow.
The problem with the polyester base layer and jersey is that wind goes right through them. That’s why I wear a light wind breaker style jacket over them. That keeps me plenty warm as long as I’m active and moving. If I’m riding hard the jacket may even make me too warm so I end up taking it off.
In my hydration pack I’ll keep an extra base layer undershirt just in case I need more warmth and maybe some extra socks in case my feet get wet and cold. If you have problems with your feet getting wet and cold you can get waterproof socks at places like REI. Those socks are rather expensive though, at about $30-$40 per pair.
A good longsleeve T-Shirt will do down to about -20 C. I’m not sure if you get Ronhill in the US but their tracksters are awesome for uni and come in 3 different thicknesses. They’re kindof like leggings, with straps that go under your feet to stop them from riding up. http://tinyurl.com/db2lm They’re kindof similar to cycling shorts, but warmer, wind proof, very fast drying and comfy.
I’m thinking about this at the moment, as I’m doing a 24 hour race in Scotland in January. There’s likely to be 17+ hours of darkness, and probably snow, hail or whatever, temparatures of -20C before wind chill aren’t at all unexpected and there’s a lot of exposed to the weather riding in proper mountains.
So, this is possibly an extreme list of stuff for what you’re talking about, but I’m taking 3 fleeces of varying weights, to be worn in combinations depending on coldness. A bunch of long sleeved base layers to wear underneath (get these from hiking shops, they’re way cheaper there). Long johns, big socks, polyester tracksuit bottoms and waterproof trousers. Fleecy buff and buff (www.buff.es) for head warmth under a helmet. Ski goggles just in case of driving snow or hail. Properly waterproof trousers and top (the top doubles up as a windproof layer).
Joe
Better hot than cold.
Longjohns are definately an asset for winter riding. Look for some that are pants and some that are long sleeve shirts. There are certain types that will take moisture away from your skin, and some will even trap the moisture so that your own body temperature will warm it up. Fleece layers in the middle, and a wind breaker for the outer layer. I cut the toes off some socks, and use them on my wrists. This creates a nice seal between your jacket sleeves, and your gloves. If the snow is wet, I put bags on my feet inside my boots. Dry feet are easy to keep warm. Just remember, if you feel hot, don’t start taking layers off. If your clothes are wet, you will get very cold, very quick. Better hot than cold.
Shorts & 661’s. Flannel lined cargoes underneath on the cold days. Shell to a ski jacket, and snowboarding gloves. Unless it’s above 0F, then it’s fleece, harbingers. I’ve yet to need anything for me ears… I over heat, take off my helmet, and my sweaty hair freezes 
Something i forgot, this is a serious suggestion, if you get your hands on fireproof (Nomex) underwear worn by racing drivers it is very warm inded, as it’s designed to be very insulative. It’s not as expensive as it might sound and dries very quickly. It usually comes in the form of long johns and tight fitting long sleeve Ts.