Winter cycling clothing suggestions

House_Martin

You certainly do not need clothing from bike shops, any warm woolen pullover, thermal vest surrounded by the best breathable grade by Regatta or Mountain Warehouse or Tresspass will do and warm gloves as well. The Range has some great bargains with a good range of waterproof gloves Of course E.bay is full of bargains but watch out for fake The North Face gear, all of it is fake
Its always colder on a bike than walking, especially with the extra wind chill effects, so I would forget about tight fitting bike clothes and go for the sensible option..The bottom half is working hard and does nt need to be as warm as much as the top half.

Ballard

I've cut right down (to almost zero) my rides when the temperature drops much below 10c but when I did cycle in those temperatures I found thermal socks and gloves an absolute must. The rest of my body could cope but even with the thick socks I could only manage 90 minutes when the temperature dropped to the low single figures. My poor little toes didn't enjoy it one bit.

esuhl

I started off as a "jeans & t-shirt" cyclist, but gradually started getting some more... realistic clothes to cope with all but the coldest/wettest weather.

I got a synthetic base-layer and jersey first. They make a huge difference as they wick sweat away from the body, so you never feel damp and clammy. The base-layer keeps you surprisingly warm, but is breathable so you don't overheat easily.

I saw a Gore windproof jacket that had been reduced from £150 to £60. Still a crazy amount to spend, but it's been worth every penny. It's lightweight, water-repellant, breathable, with a front-zip and detachable arms. It's flexible enough to keep you at the right temperature whatever the weather (to an extent!). And it's so comfortable. I've had it several years now and it's as good as it ever was. I think this is the modern version:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-phantom-20-windstopper-convertible-jacket/

If it's really cold, I wear a synthetic (polyester) jumper under the Gore jacket. The one I got cost £6 at Primark 15 years ago, I think. You just want something to trap a air under the windproof jacket.

The trousers I wear are designed for camping. They're lightweight, (very slightly) water-repellant, quick-drying, and have zip-off legs to change them into shorts. If it's really cold, I wear base-layer trousers underneath.

I got some base-layers at Trespass (the High Street camping/outdoors shop). They had two sets of tops/bottoms. One set were very thin, and ideal for sports. The other were "fleecey" -- fine if you're walking, but no good for cycling. I found they came in handy as winter pyjamas, however!

Some windproof (maybe waterproof?) gloves might be an idea... but I find they make my hands too hot.

zaax

A waterproof jacket means its also windproof - I use this for most rides. After 10 mins cycing you don't need much on. I use a wicking t-shirt; fleece & a waterproof hi-viz jacket; cycling gloves then motor cycle gloves for 5c to 0c. At 1.5c or be low I don't tend to go out as the roads start to get icy. Though saying that I dont have a MTB which I can put spiked tyres on.

My Jacket: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/altura-peloton-waterproof-jacket/

Throbbe

The classic Altura Night Vision is good value. You'll want some warm layers underneath for the coldest days, and it's not particularly breathable, so you can get soggy from the inside out, but when the weather turns really filthy it's what I turn to. Thousands of commuters can't be wrong.


Any warmer and I'll wear a Gabba or Rapha City jacket, depending on how wet it gets. Neither are money saving!


I'd add another vote for shoe covers. Cold feet can ruin a ride. I have a pair of Altura ones that are lasting better than anything I've tried before

gonedownthepub

Hi
Been cycling to work for 40 years just go to Milletts and buy decent Peter Storm Waterproof Kagool and leggings.Might not look the "coolest" but will keep you warm and dry and cost about £25 and will last at least 10 years.
Most important buy a bike with mudguards.

RichardD1970

Maybe a bit late but Aldi's cycling gear is in this Thursday (28/09)

https://www.aldi.co.uk/c/specialbuys/dates/2017-09-28?sort=popular&q=%3Apopular%3AtransactionalStatus%3Atransactional%3AtransactionalStatus%3Anontransactional%3AEvent%3ACycling&page=0

Definitely worth a look.

parking_question_chap

Looks good value.

Do you know if they are in store? seems that most of its online. Would perfer to look at the clothing before buying.

House_Martin

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Looks good value.

Do you know if they are in store? seems that most of its online. Would perfer to look at the clothing before buying.

Good value yes, but far too tight fitting and ridiculous. Those mens tights make you look like Max Wall doing the sand dance, and the jackets don`t appear to even have a pocket..useless ! .
Sir Chris Hoy got it right last month with his comment on lycra tight fitting cycle wear. "unless you are 8 stone you look stupid "
Any top jacket which is a Gortex type waterproof and breathable, therefore windproof, by Trespass ,Mountain Warehouse/Craghoppers/Regatta etc is better, and they will have pockets. .£25 should do it. Similar price for leggings too

Chimpofdoom

Just a note on the waterproof jacket - make sure it's breathable.

When I first started cycling, I bought a North face cycling jacket in a sale, did the job in the rain, but it didn't breath so I ended up rather damp anyway.

Bought an insanely expensive jacket last year in a sale (7mesh resistance jacket), it's labelled as 'windproof' but is extremely water resistant.