Winter clothing for cyclist

Dippypud

Hi Everyone,

My son is at uni, he cycles everywhere. He has, at the moment, a "Livestrong" outfit. As you can imagine it is a bit cold now, I want to get him some stuff for Crimbo thats a bit warmer, but just as lightweight. Any ideas !!

Pud

tanith

Helly Hensen is supposed to be good but expensive..

babyshoes

I have seen heated vests, gloves and socks in the past, I think Maplin had some last year, as well as Clas Ohlson. Probably available on t'internet. They work on battery power, but not sure if the little watch type or normal sizes.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

The important thing is that he insulates his torso. You don't need much, just a half-decent long-sleeved thermal vest (£15 from Decathlon or similar), and a waterproof but lightweight jacket over that. If the torso is warm, the legs, feet, arms and hands tend to remain warm.

Multi-panel padded lycra leggings are a must. Yes they're thin but it doesn't matter, if it rains they'll dry out within minutes. His legs won't get cold, the blood pumping through them will keep him warm.

Thermal socks etc are a waste of money, plus with thick socks if it rains they get soaked, and don't dry out. Same with gloves. For extreme conditions I have a big thick pair of waterproof skiing gloves, nothing beats them. Yes they look like boxing gloves but who cares, my hands are cosy and dry.

Trust me, you don't want big thick cotton rubbish, its useless. Stick to thin, lightweight layers - much better.

Dippypud

Cheers for the replies,

I've been looking at Endura multitights and a Lusso Windtex jacket, do you think that'll be OK ?

Then I've just got to get 'em at the right price;)

Thanks peeps

magpiecottage

Two thin layers are much better than one big one.

When I was a student, it was my ears and fingertips that got really cold on the bike so ski goves (with silk liners) and a good hat (motorcycle shops sell thermal balaclavas). Ski shops also sell neoprene masks that keep the face warm below the nose.

sheslookinhot

watch out for cycling offers at LIDL & ALDI

avondale

have a look at a site called wiggle, i've bought stuff from them before which is reasonable, also cycle-clothing.co.uk is another site ive purchased clothing from which is good quality and very reasonable. As others have said, layers are best this time of year, you dont see many people on bikes in parker jackets lol
hope this helps

Keith

At the moment,

I'm wearing

Wooly hat
T-shirt
DHB minima waterproof jacket from Wiggle
Waterproof winter tights from Wiggle (Altura Winter)
Trainers
DHB gloves

That's for a 4 mile journey, going to add a base layer in the next few weeks for the cold weather but at the moment it's fine.

One thing I want is better lights as an unlit part of my journey is horrible at the moment.

fred7777

Hi

I cycle 6 miles to work almost everyday at the moment and I am wearing the following in November:

Cycle helmet with the front ventilation holes taped over.
Clear glasses
Jeans or cargo trousers
Shirt
Berghaus waterproof cycling jacket
Gill yachting gloves
Sealskin waterproof socks when it's wet or ordinary socks at other times
Scarf
Exustar leather cycling shoes.

I find I don't need clothing which is as warm for cycling as for walking because the cycling keeps me a lot warmer. Layering doesn't really work for me as each journey only takes 25 minutes, the weather doesn't change in that time and I don't want to stop to change clothing. Clothing with adjustable ventilation where you can open a zip more when you get warm works far better.

The other things you may want to think about are mudguards and panniers. Mudguards mean 90% of the time I can cycle in the clothes I will wear during the day which won't get covered in water or mud. Panniers mean everything I take is transported on the bike so I don't get a sweaty back from a rucksack.

I find that contrary to what other people say my hands and feet do get very cold. Yachting or skiing gloves keep the wind chill away. Most cycling shoes appear to be designed for summer with very little insulation or protection from the wind. I have a pair of Exustar leather cycling shoes which have hidden cleats in the soles the leather provides excellent wind & water protection and they look like ordinary black shoes in the office.

ventureuk

A long 'snood' with a bit of lycra in is invaluable, the longer the better then it covers the neck and head. Cyling magazines often have them free on the cover this time of year, I got one last month from Cycling Plus and last year from MTB Rider.

Shoe covers are great but he may not appreciate the looks from non cyclists he'll get if he is a style conscious student.

Finally I can't praise this jacket enough, very tough, waterproof but breathable with a long extension to cover the lower back and extend over the bum, I did 40 miles with it yesterday off road wearing only a single wool layer underneath. It was only just above freezing but it stopped the wind and kept me warm, you get what you pay for in this case.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/clothing/jackets/product/attack-extreme-33740