Clothing, Winter Commuting

[Greydon Clark]

What do ya’ll wear for winter commuting? I was thinking trail running tights are some nylon shorts to obscure my balls and buttocks. Ploy-pro top or lightweight nylon jacket if its raining. I live in Seattle, so moister in an issue. Also, the ride is pretty easy, half-hour, so proper cycling shorts aren’t necessary.

P.S. If it isn't raining, I wear jeans. I'm not a fruitcake.

[Cornholio]

I wear cycling tights OR my work pants with rain pants over the top.

I usually cover whatever shoes I'm wearing with socks-- looks totally ghey but I've never run across shoe covers that I like enough to drop the coin on.

Top is like you said-- layers of wicking stuff with a top layer of windbreakage. I try to use arm warmers for as long as possible so I can strip 'em after I get warm, but when it gets below freezing or so I have to use a full-sleeve jacket. When it gets truly cold-- below 15 or so-- I wear my puffy.

As in skiing, I've given up hope of my fingerts ever being warm, but I do wear my OR overmittens in an effort to keep them from frostbite.

I wear a helmet over a beanie or balaclava.

It takes me longer to get dressed/undressed than to ride, I bet!

[Greydon Clark]

Where do you live?

[Will]

I live in Ithaca, NY. I biked 3 miles to school every day last winter. Downhill on the way in, uphill on the way back. As I was biking back late at night, it was colder then - so I pedaled harder.

Moisture really wasn't a problem, aside from sweat. Winter time in Ithaca means snow. (though my feet did get slushy)

On top of regular clothes for school (sneakers, Jeans, T-shirt, sweatshirt) I added:
- A windproof balaclava (totally key)
- A patagonia micro-puff pull-over (amazing jacket)
- A pair of shell gloves that had some light micro-fleece on the inside. (With power stretch liners they used to be my ice climbing gloves)
- A pair of windpants with leg zips to about the knee.
(in the spring and fall when it rained I swapped these out for coated-nylon rain pants)

The coldest it ever got was about -10/-15F. Most days my feet, hands, and face were cold during the trip. Once I wore my down parka, it was great on the way in, but it was too hot for the ride back home. Sometimes I wore wool socks.

[Cornholio]

Where do you live?

Cleveland. It's colder here, but I'd rather pedal in snow than rain.

As I'm sure all Seattleites know, a good set of fenders is a big part of a comfortable rain commute. I can't find a front one for my fixie so it generally stays home in the rain.

[Greydon Clark]

Yeah, definitely getting fenders. Anyway, you Great Lakers are way more core than I, when I lived in Michigan I didn’t bike in the snow/below freezing temps.

Are you running a proper track bike or something with equally tight geometry? You can always use a pop bottle/sheet of plastic for a front fender, I did, but expect marginal results.

[Spats]

Fenders, street clothes, full-finger gloves, and a RainShield suit (the regular jacket with the hood, not the cycling jacket). Waterproof, very light, hi-vis yellow, cheap.

Tip: use binder clips from the supply cabinet to keep your pant legs tight and out of the chain.

[Plakespear]

I managed to find a gore tex shell at the Salvation Army for ten bucks. It's ugly gaper neon, but it makes me more visible, plus I don't feel bad about getting road grime on it like I would with a $200 jacket.

[m1e448]

I'd go for some full zip Nordic ski or running pants on top of your jeans.

Something like this:

http://www.reliableracing.com/detail...&category=0111

[SKISC]

I think it has all been covered here but I am rolling at the socks on the shoes. However it seems to be a brilliant idea.

[ninjabirdman]

garbage bags and duct tape

[Cornholio]

garbage bags and duct tape

You'll get wetter from the inside than the outside with that arrangement. Thanks for your contribution, though.

[DougW]

I commute in the winter but real winter so I'm not sure if any help. No street cloths for me all bike shorts and tights. The first year I biked in old clothes that I won't wear to work. Quickly wore out. I also was kidded by family that I looked like a homeless person on a bike. For me I push it on the bike paths and generally work up a sweat and shower at work. So wearing work clothes doesn't work for me.

I guess your winter would be like my spring /fall. Spring fall use light layers as what works in morning in cold going down hill doesn't work at end of day going up. So tights and shorts so tights can fit in frame bag on way home. Also light weight jacket with big zips under arms.

[CantDog]

For gloves, I use lightweight/warm water diving gloves. Give enough feeling for brake levers/whatever and keep your hands dry, and most of all, toasty warm. Plus usually cheaper than bike gloves.

Wooly Booly socks are mighty nice, as are neoprene socks.

for cheapness, yellow fishermans pants work well.

(14 mile total commute here)

[AKA]

I would probably use an automobile of some kind.

[Greydon Clark]

I would probably use an automobile of some kind.

You do need a place for the baby seat.

[cj001f]

I went with loose fighting bike tights or rain pants, a lightweight capilene type top and a fire engine yellow bike jacket. Gloves I went with old XC ski gloves Even with the jacket the milfs almost hit me several times. It worked for PDX.

[Cornholio]

I went with loose fighting bike tights or rain pants, a lightweight capilene type top and a fire engine yellow bike jacket. Gloves I went with old XC ski gloves Even with the jacket the milfs almost hit me several times. It worked for PDX.

Loose fighting tights? I rarely have to kick anyone's ass on my way to work. It happens, but not often enough to justify wearing my fighting tights every day.

[cj001f]

Loose fighting tights? I rarely have to kick anyone's ass on my way to work. It happens, but not often enough to justify wearing my fighting tights every day.

nah, I can kick ass in regular bike pants, the loose fighting ones were to prevent MAX tracks from kicking my ass. That and they were what I had.

[DougW]

gloves, I find that cheap, $10range , ski gloves work well. Dry fast enough so dry when time to go home.

[bfr]

For paddling and open water swimming on cold days in Michigan I picked up a pair of neoprene gloves. I've found they are excellent for cold cycling days too. Not sure of my brand (maybe NRS or Seal Skinz) but similar to GlacierGloves...the full fingered ones made for ice climbing, windsurfing, paddling, etc. A bit pricey but worth it. Depending on what you use for footwear...perhaps the Seal Skinz socks would keep you toasty too.

Enjoy the cold.