Winter has already been knocking at our doors. Even in October, the mornings can be quite chilly. So to avoid having frozen buttocks, we have prepared a handy guide to winter wear, from head to toe.
Casual clothing
Yes, the commuters, the couriers, the shoppers, not shredding the trails, but rather moving through cities. Winter wear for casual cyclists needs to be comfortable, fit over the clothes, and be compact enough not to be too bulky and annoying to carry.
Hi-Viz Jackets
These are the jackets that have reflective strips and come in bright colors, to make the cyclist more visible to other road users. Most of these jackets are also waterproof, protecting you from the cold rain.
Waterproof Trousers
To protect your legs during a cold cycle in rain, waterproof trousers are a great companion. They typically can be packed very small and they don’t take up much space in a backpack or a pannier. Some models have reflective strips, making you much safer on the roads.
Gloves
Gloves are an absolute must-have in the winter. Cold wind blowing straight onto your knuckles is not a pleasurable experience, so keeping them warm and mobile with a quality pair of gloves is certainly a top-priority purchase.
Overshoes
These go on your shoes, providing a barrier to cold air and, being mostly made out of neoprene, will naturally keep your feet warm by isolating the warm air inside. Overshoes are a very useful accessory to prevent numb toes and protect your shoes from challenging weather conditions.
MTB
Shredding season never ends and it’s very important to always stay safe on the trails. Safety also means comfort and warmth, so it’s crucial to be prepared for the rapidly changing weather in the mountains.
Mountain Bike Jackets and Trousers
Having a mtb-specific pair of trousers and a jacket will ensure that you have a warm and dry ride. Some of the features include: an elongated back on a jacket to protect your back from cold and mud splatters from the rear wheel; reflective strips for visibility and tight cuffs to prevent mud and rain from getting into your shoes and onto your socks.
Waterproof Gloves and Socks
Waterproof socks, such as these made by Sealskinz are great for protecting your feet from getting soaked in case of a rainfall or the unintended step in the puddle. Waterproof gloves are also very nifty when you want to avoid wet hands. Here are some of our recommendations
Warm Gloves
When the temperatures drop, your hands, especially on a bicycle, need adequate protection and insulation. Cold fingers have limited mobility and make you less precise on the trails. Having a pair of warm, well padded and grippy gloves will make the cold winter rides more safe and satisfying.
Winter shoes
Winter mountain bike shoes are great for the long hours in the saddle in the mountains or on the trails. Most of the models come with a neoprene, sock-like insert that hugs your ankles and a warm inner material that isolates your feet from the cold. Sometimes wearing thick socks just won’t do it, as summer shoes can be tighter around your foot, to accomodate thin, breathable socks.
Road
Roadie season also never ends, although there are much less cyclists on the roads during the winter. Roadies however have different needs and demands than other types of cyclists. With good preparation, winter rides can be very enjoyable, and here’s how:
Base Layers
Base layers fit close to the body, providing good mobility on the bike, warmth and heat transfer between the body and other layers of clothing. These made of natural fabrics, such as merino wool, are super comfy and cozy, and they feel like second skin, giving you warmth when needed and sweat dissipation when required.
Overshoes
Overshoes fit over your road shoes, as these are much lighter and tighter than, for example, MTB shoes, and they don’t provide much isolation and warmth, being they need to be breathable and rigid. Overshoes are usully made from neoprene that keeps your feet nice and toasty.
Waterproof socks
We don’t recommend getting wet, cold and numb feet from the cold autumn/winter rain. It just ruins the experience. Waterproof socks can help with that. By utilizing a membrane-like material, they transfer moisture out of the sock, while not letting water in from outside.These can really save a ride. Keeping them in a pocket, as a spare pair is always a good idea, no matter the season.
Winter shoes
Although road shoes are typically narrow, slick and aerodynamic, there are great options for those who don’t like riding in overshoes (though they can be used on winter shoes for maximum warmth). Winter road shoes are also slick and cool-looking but with an added bonus. They work just as normal road shoes with typical road cleats.