Lots of great advice contained in this thread. Biking while adapting to the cold is constantly on my mind, so here's my updated winter apparel list for dressing in subzero weather. Like many others who have contributed here, I believe that layering is the key when it comes to winter cycling wear. The following advice is based on my own personal experience and conditions will likely vary in your own locality so use this as a general guide when planning your own apparel list. Jan/Feb are historically the coldest months of the year here and I plan on staying warm when the mercury dips.
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Base Layers –
I usually dress in accordance to current wind chill values. My base layer starts off with padded cycling or liner shorts as it's no different from riding during any other time of the year. My butt still needs to feel comfy. Over the shorts go a pair of thermal polypro underwear such as ones from HH. If it’s warmer than -10C I’ll forgo the long underwear and just go with cycling shorts and over pants. On top I most always don a long sleeve light/midweight merino pullover to keep my core warm.
Extremities –
Socks that I wear are Wigwam wool blend. My feet have a tendency to get cold so to help I’ve recently enlisted the use of a new pair of heated insoles inside my boots. I’ve gone through a couple of pairs of other heated insoles with the batteries encased within the soles and no longer find these reliable. The last ones I purchased failed within the first month and were subsequently returned. I've now sourced a Canadian company that sells heated insoles powered by external 12V batteries. In fact, it's the same company that I purchased heated glove liners from and have currently been using for several years. I initially acquired the glove liners when I was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity when builds extended well into the colder season. They have never let me down.
I wear the heated glove liners under insulated lobster mitts as I can adjust the temperature in stages depending on the conditions. I find that it's almost always too cold here to wear the mitts on their own if I'm out for over 2 + hours. This versatile combo keeps my hands warm down to -20 C and under and the liners use the same external batteries as the insoles which can last for a few hours depending upon the heat level setting. Using a stickman cable assembly which is connected to the liners and a waistbelt controller, I am able to draw the cables up through the legs of my outer pants and jacket sleeves and connect them directly to the neoprene/velcro belt.
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Mid/Outer Layers –
This is where it gets interesting. Once again, it comes down to layering with respect to ambient temperature so options can vary. I wear a heavier weight thermal jacket/shell combo on days when we see the mercury hover around -10C to -20C. If it’s warmer out I will go with the lighter of the thermal jackets. I can also rotate between shells and jackets depending on the length and complexity of my rides. Three of the four jackets incorporate pit zips which help with ventilation during more rigorous outings. One would be amazed at how much core body heat/sweat is given off even in frigid temperatures.
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Bottoms –
A good pair of outer pants will make a difference on your rides. Weather resistant material is fine for me as I rarely cycle in wet weather. Breathable and insulated softshell versions are available and I highly recommend them. I have two pairs of Arcteryx softshell pants which I really like. One pair is almost 10 years old but still performs well to this day and keeps my legs warm and dry. The other has slightly better insulation value and is what I currently wear when it's colder. I've also chosen to strap on a pair of boot gaiters which some may consider overkill. For me they do an excellent job of preventing slush and debris from accumulating on my pants/boot uppers and add an extra layer of warmth and protection if I’m trudging through deep snow to take pictures.
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Head –
My go to base layer for my noggin is a merino balaclava and choice of lid would be either a lined ski helmet or my regular bike helmet depending on how cold the conditions are. On really cold rides, I wear a Seirus Neo-Fleece mask which has a nose opening and breathing holes around the mouth section. During late fall I’ll simply wear a skull cap under my regular cycling helmet. This is the first season for me for wearing a ski helmet and it's one of the best winter wear additions that I can think of if you are serious about cycling in the bitter cold. A huge thumbs up goes out to
@Stefan Mikes who inspired me to get mine! My Giro 9 has a ventilation tab on the top and I always have it in the open position when wearing my balaclava.
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Foot wear –
Merrell Overlook insulated, Ice + waterproof winter boots round out my outer wear. The uppers are leather but the toe caps and boot sides are made from what appear to be some form of ballistic nylon and rubber. They're tough, durable and have withstood some major pedal scuffing. I treat the leather uppers with a healthy rub of Nixwax from time-to-time.
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Eyewear –
Goggles seem to be a popular choice for many here and I strongly recommend them if you cycle in sub zero, blustery, wet conditions. I require OTG goggles that will fit comfortably on my face while accommodating my RX cycling glasses. I finally settled on a pair of Gordini dual pane, OTG goggles and find them to be more than adequate in preventing fogging and protecting my eyes from the biting, snow and wind. I also rely on my RX cycling glasses which have a dock system that allows me to switch from clear RX lenses to polarized versions eliminating the need for lens replacements for the ski goggles. They easily fit under the goggles and I never feel them pressing against my face.
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Accessories-
Bar mitts. I haven't used them yet but the coldest time of the year is now now upon us. Stay tuned.
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