Cheap Hacks: Nylon stockings make for great, cheap layers! Ditto inexpensive tights (including cheap wool ones from places like H&M). Fake leather gloves and mittens with fake fur lining from Target (even Walgreens!) are normally pretty cheap, windproof, and really warm! If you put foot or hand warmers in a plastic bag as soon as you’re done with them you can use them for up to 4 days (just keep an eye on their structural integrity they can tear when sweaty). Check out thrift stores for cheap sweaters or wool or synthetic layers Sierra Trading Post and the REI Garage Sales often have cheaper gear (eBay has good stuff, too), City Sports outlet basement in DTX, BNB used parts bins, clothing swaps
Clothing Warmer Cold Coldest
Feet ● maybe heavier ● hiking boots OR ● Waterproof socks and socks? ● shoe covers OR waterproof gaiters will ● knee highs under keep your feet/lower legs socks dry ● if it’s sleeting/snowing ● winter hiking boots ● neoprene “booties” that go over your shoes ● in a real pinch, plastic bags/plastic wrap over socks and/or shoes
Legs ● below 45*, ● below 28* or so, tights ● Wool leggings/long usually long (stockings) under bike underwear (wool, silk), pants tights ● Wind Pants; ● Wool leggings under ● Snow pants jeans
Torso ● Long sleeved ● Long sleeved shirt, ● down coat with raincoat shirt and wool long sleeved on top; ski jacket, long windbreaker/rain shirt, windbreaker/rain underwear baselayer coat coat ● vest ● Jean jacket; light jacket; wool sweater
Face ● Wool neck gaiter OR ● Goggles ● Balaclava pulled up ● a wool neck gaiter OR over the nose and ● balaclava pulled up over mouth OR the nose and mouth ● cheap pashmina/scarf AND/OR (wool is ideal) to wrap ● cheap pashmina/scarf around neck and face (wool is ideal) to wrap (fogs glasses less) around neck and face (fogs glasses less)
Head ● Cycling cap + ● Cycling cap with ● windproof cycling cap helmet earflaps + helmet (neoprene) ● OR ● OR ● spare scarf to cover the ● ‘urban’ helmet ● ‘urban’ helmet with upper back of neck area with fewer air fewer air vents (think vents (think Bern Bern helmets) with a helmets) ‘winter liner’ or earmuffs
Hands ● dollar store ● heavier gloves that are ● down ski mittens stretchy gloves windproof ● leather work gloves with a lighter pair underneath ● hand warmers
Tips for staying warm: 1. If you usually get hot when you ride, then you actually want to start off your ride a bit chilly. The first 510 minutes you should be slightly chilled so that you don’t end up super sweaty (and therefore colder when you stop moving) at your end destination. 2. Look for a windstopper layer in hats, mittens/gloves and pants 3. Waterproof/windproof gloves are imperative! If you have chilly feet or less than ideal shoes you can also find waterproof socks, but heavy wool socks will often do the trick. Avoid “fleece” socks/liners they hold sweat and chill your feet! 4. Extremities are the most difficult to keep warm, and the most miserable when they get cold focus your resources on keeping your hands and feet warm, and know that in all but the most extreme cold, a few layers and pedalling harder will keep the rest of you pretty cozy. 5. Nothing will warm your insides like a thermos with a hot beverage!
Winter Riding Tips: 1. Lights! Reflective tape! Be seen! It’s much darker in the winter and so you want to be visible. In this vein, also try to be predictable and signal your moves, even if it seems excessive or inscrutable. 2. Take the lane! As streets get narrower, cars will want to squeeze you out of your space take it! 3. Find new routes that work for you. Don’t count on your regular routes, and give yourself more time. It will likely take longer to get places as the roads get worse (and take you longer to gear up and down). 4. Keep weight on your back, not on your bike. If you are a pannier user during better weather, winter is a time to break out the backpack again. (Someone willing to explain why? I [KZ] know in theory, but I don’t have much rack/pannier riding experience.) 5. Bike handling practice, practice, practice. The first time it snows, bring your bike to a parking lot and practice riding in the snow. It will help you feel more confident when you get back on the road. 6. Beware of especially slick and icy spots such as crosswalks and paths. If you have the mental bandwidth, watch what spots hold water during your rainy fall rides these will be likely to freeze up. Be especially cautious on slopes (i.e. at crosswalks) and turns, be mindful of black ice risks when it’s misty and cold. 7. If you find yourself on ice keep moving straight as much as possible (avoid turning, braking or accelerating) until you’re clear. 8. You can always walk tricky spots! Don’t be afraid to jump off the bike and scooch around that giant skating rink.