When winter arrives, cycling becomes a challenge of endurance and preparation. From freezing winds to icy roads, every ride can test even the most seasoned commuter. To tackle the cold with confidence, we reached out to the Bike Friday Facebook community for their best advice. Here’s a breakdown of their recommendations.
Materials: Choosing the Right Fabric for Winter Cycling
At the risk of walking an already well-trodden path, we couldn’t address this topic without first emphasizing the importance of your choice of clothing. Different fabrics offer unique advantages, and our community had a variety of different strategies for how they layered up. Here are some of our favorites:
Wool:
A perennial favorite for winter cyclists, wool provides excellent insulation even when damp. It’s breathable and naturally moisture-wicking, making it ideal for base layers, socks, gloves, and even boots. Suggested by Khoa Cao
Merino Wool:
A finer type of wool that’s softer and less itchy, merino is lightweight and highly effective at regulating body temperature. Graham Smith advocates for its versatility as an upper-body layer especially effective in Dry cold conditions.
Synthetic Fabrics:
High-tech synthetic materials are favored for their moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, especially by riders who sweat heavily. These fabrics are often used in athletic gear to prevent overheating and chafing. Cy Berman and Alex Rodriguez both emphasized their role in preventing sweat buildup with Alex giving us a detailed breakdown of his strategy and its seems is tolerance for the cold is leagues above my own!
“Above 60 deg I run shorts, short sleeve shirt, a thin base layer top, and short finger gloves.
50-60 shorts, a short-sleeved shirt and maybe arm warmers, and a light windbreaker jacket.
40-50 shorts with knee warmers. Windproof long-finger gloves. Waterproof jacket with back and pit vents opened.
30-40 shorts with leg warmers. Bar mitts on my bars and the same windproof long-finger gloves. I add a helmet cover to block all wind. A fleece insulation layer under my waterproof jacket with the vents open. I add a neck gaiter to block wind from going down my jacket. I also switch from regular shoes to waterproof, insulated boots.
Below 30 I add a headband that covers my ears and forehead. I lift the neck gaiter to cover my face as needed. I switch my thin base layer to a thicker turtleneck. I might use a thicker fleece insulation layer. I adjust the vents on my jacket as needed. I also carry a thicker pair of gloves in case my hands get cold, wind can sneak past the joints in the bar mitts. below the mid-20’s I switch from shorts with leg warmers to a pair of insulated Pearl Izumi tights that are warmer.
My commute is usually between 1:05 and 1:25 long. After doing this for a few years I am pretty good at getting it right. But I have missed a couple of times and I was miserable. That is why I now carry an extra pair of thicker gloves just in case.”
Gore-Tex:
Well known for being windproof and waterproof, Gore-Tex layers are staples for protecting against the elements. An expensive but highly effective option for those looking for a long-term solution.
Notable Exemptions:
Interestingly no one recommended any poncho designs, and while I have never used such a product myself I have heard that they have a tendency to flap and can be an obstruction to operating the bike however if you do have any first-hand experience on this id be interested to hear it especially because Eugene is blessed with 40-50 inches of rain a year!
Additional Accessories: Gloves, Boots, Scarves, and More
Beyond clothing, the right accessories are essential for surviving winter rides. Our community shared their recommendations for keeping extremities warm and protected:
Gloves and Mittens:
- Sealskin Gloves: Waterproof and wind-resistant, these gloves are a popular choice for cold-weather cyclists (Dennis A. Hudson).
- Heated Gloves: Electrically heated gloves, like those from Ekoi, provide consistent warmth for longer rides. Poul Hansen recommends Ekoi gloves although suggests keeping an eye out for offers for better value.
Boots and Shoe Covers:
- Keen Revel Insulated Hiking Boots: Preferred by flat-pedal riders, these boots offer excellent warmth and grip in icy conditions Susan Bissell
- Wolvhammer Boots: A favorite for clipless riders, these boots are designed specifically for winter cycling. Susan Bissell
- Insulated boot covers are not the most fashionable of wear but they do add an extra layer of protection when it gets really cold.
Neck Gaiters and Buffs:
Wool Buffs are lightweight, versatile, and can be pulled up over the face for added warmth, as highlighted by Nina Sabghir, Alex Rodriguez, Susan Bissell and Kristi DuBois.
Pogies (Handlebar Mitts):
Popular among long-distance riders, pogies provide insulation for hands while allowing flexibility in glove choice (Dom Romer, Susan Bissell).
Safety: Visibility, Traction, and Staying Secure
Safety is a regular topic of conversation and deserves its own blog so for now I will just touch upon some of the specific recommendations we got through relating to winter conditions
Visibility Gear:
Reflective clothing and bright lights are essential for staying seen by drivers. Both High Viz leggings are waterproof, windproof, inexpensive, and as the name suggests highly visible a winning combination in my experience. A more expensive, comfortable and stylish option that was recommended by several of our members was Ski Overalls!
Studded Tires:
Whilst many people stated that they opt for alternate modes of transport in Icy and snowy conditions, studded tires are a sensible choice for these conditions. Marathon Winter Plus came highly recommended by the community for 20” models.
Helmets and Protective Gear:
Keeping the wind and rain off of the old noggin makes all the difference to your levels of comfort. Many people including myself have opted for a helmet with minimal vents during the winter months. Nina specifically recommends the Giro helmet that has an added liner. “It’s like a knit hat but doesn’t keep the helmet from fitting correctly, and my ears are protected too.”
Creative DIY Hacks: Ingenuity on a Budget
Sometimes, resourcefulness trumps expensive gear. Here are some of the community’s most creative hacks:
Bubble Wrap Insulation:
Scott Gilbert suggests using bubble wrap under your shirt to keep your chest warm. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and surprisingly effective. Top marks for ingenuity on this one!
Effort Management:
When pairing extreme conditions with extreme feats of endurance J. Nathan Matias who participates in randonneuring at temperatures as low as 0°F for up to 10-15 hours at a time uses a heart rate monitor to avoid sweating, which can quickly lead to chills. He pairs this technique with “Good cold weather boots. I have a pair of insulated Lake boots, but non-cycling boots could work too compostable chemical hand and toe warmers from Ignik, which I stock by the boxful”
To everyone who contributed their expertise, thank you for sharing your insights and helping us stay warm this winter.
Oscar Hearnden
