Sunday, September 18, 2011

Winter Cycling Clothing -- work in progress

For the last two winters, this has been my default for what to wear.  Thought I would share it with you all.  I borrowed this from http://kbcyclewerks.hubpages.com/hub/What-to-Wear-when-Cycling-in-Cold-Weather--bicycling, just reorganized it to make more sense and tweaked the language for Florida.  There are alternatives, but I didn't list those that most people wouldn't have (i.e., under cool, for legs, you could wear non-insulated full-length tights, but I don't think most people in Florida at least have a pair of those..  at least those with padding in them)

Slightly Cool:  70 to 64
Head:  Nothing
Arms/Body:  Short Sleeve Jersey.  Maybe short sleeve base layer (under armor heat gear if you are cold natured).  Maybe long sleeve moisture wicking jersey?
Hands:  fingerless gloves
Legs:  shorts w/ knee warmers.  I don't like to wear knee-warmers at this temp range, but from what I hear you are supposed to in order to prevent damage to knees.
Feet:  moisture wicking socks

Cool: 64 to 54 degrees
Head: non-insulated/moisture wicking skull cap (i.e., under armor skull cap)
Arms/Body: short sleeve base layer (i.e., under armor heat gear), short sleeve cycling jersey, arm warmers
Hands: fingerless gloves
Legs: shorts w/ knee warmers
Feet: moisture wicking socks

Cold: 53 to 43 degrees
Head: insulated skull cap or non-insulated skull cap & insulated earband (I prefer the latter, as it provides more options if the temp warms up)
Arms/Body: full sleeve base layer (i.e, under armor heat gear), full sleeve jersey, lightweight wind jacket/vest
Hands: thin full finger gloves, or fingerless gloves w/glove liner (the glove liner can be those .99 stretchy thin gloves every drug store has)
Legs: insulated tights/bibs (full length)
Feet: moisture wicking socks with insulated toe covers  (wool socks if your toes get cold easy)

Freezing: 42 and below
Head:  insulated skull cap (windproof).  You could also add an insulated neck gaiter, or just use an  insulated balaclava. I like to have something to pull over my mouth/nose if lungs hurting from cold.
Arms/Body: full sleeve base layer (i.e., under armor heat or cold gear), jersey (long or short sleeve) and an insulated cycling jacket.  The quality/warmth of the jacket will dicate whether you wear insulated/non-insulated base layer and long/short sleeve jersey (i.e., you could also add an extra layer and lightweight windbreaker jacket if you don't have an insulated cycling jacket)
Hands:  insulated, windproof gloves (perferably lobster-claw style.  Maybe chemical hand warmers as well)
Legs:insultated bibs/tights & insulated base layer (under armor cold gear)  (both full length)
Feet:  wool socks and insulated booties

Thoughts/Ideas?  Ways to make this better?  What works for you?

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