Dress right for winter rides
Our tips to stay warm on colder days in the saddle
Cycling doesn't just have to be a sport for good weather; it can be done all year round with the right equipment. When cold, rain and wind make their appearance, it's a good idea to adapt your clothing accordingly and combine several functional layers. With the right clothing you can easily spend several hours in the saddle in different weather conditions. To continue to perform at your best for as long as possible, choosing the right under layer(s) is crucial. Too many layers can cause overheating; too few layers and you’ll get too cold. Depending on how cold and windy the weather is, and how intensively you train, it’s a good idea to choose comfortable functional underwear. Functional underwear is one of the most important garments, irrespective of the weather. This layer, worn directly on the skin, is comfortable, highly breathable and temperature regulating. It dries quickly, heats up when it's cold and keeps you cool when it's hot. Additionally, this underwear remains odorless for as long as possible and keeps you looking good. Many manufacturers succeed in combining many of these properties in their products by using innovative materials. This allows you to concentrate on and enjoy your training or ride.
Technical underwear on the bike for cold winter days
When it’s warm, many cyclists are able to get away with wearing just a cycling jersey, shorts and short socks. When the temperature drops and rain and wind increasingly dominate the weather, it’s better to wear several layers of clothing. Functional underwear is one of the most important garments. Why this is so, and which functional underwear is best to wear in which circumstances, we’ll have a closer look at here.
Functional underwear for different purposes
1. Intensive training
No matter how cold it is outside, during an intensive workout or competition everyone sweats. Sweating is the body's reaction when it can't maintain its ideal core temperature of 37 degrees and slowly overheats. Sweating starts the body's own cooling process. In this case, the sweat has to evaporate from the skin’s surface to cool you down. Closely fitting underwear that supports this cooling process, wicks sweat off of your body and simultaneously warms you up during less intensive phases is therefore highly recommended. The Energizer MK2 longsleeve from X-Bionic, for example, is such a shirt. The special synthetic material mix of polyamide, elastane, polypropylene and the 3D Bionic Sphere system make this shirt unique. In combination with the lElement WS SO Bibtights+ from GORE BIKE WEAR, you’re no longer at risk of getting super cold while out on the bike.
2. Less intense but longer training rides
If you plan a longer workout at the weekend, or if you include a regeneration phase after an exhausting workout, we recommend a long-armed base layer like the LS skinFoil Winter S7 synthetic fibre shirt from Assos as your first layer. A good alternative to functional underwear made of synthetic fibres are shirts made of merino wool. Clothes made of merino wool are great for regulating body temperature and can warm you up well in colder conditions. Moreover, merino is a natural, sustainable material. It’s not abrasive, it’s breathable, easy to maintain and importantly, odour absorbing. In combination with synthetic fibres, a shirt becomes more durable and moisture finds its way out faster. We recommend the long-sleeved Transtex Merino LA shirt from Löffler or the Matera Wool shirt from VAUDE. These fit perfectly under your jacket or jersey as a base layer during the cold season and can also be worn in warmer temperatures. Both shirts are made of a mix of merino wool and synthetic fibres. The synthetic component makes the merino parts even more robust and therefore more durable. To keep your legs protected in changeable weather conditions, we recommend PEARL iZUMi's Pursuit Thermal Bib Tights.
3. An active weekend away with the family
Even when it gets colder outside, active weekends away with the family are still great fun. With the right clothing, these trips are possible in almost all weather conditions. Despite not riding too strenuously and taking regular breaks, you can still sweat. Therefore a functional shirt that keeps you warm and comfortable is essential. As a first layer we recommend functional long-sleeved shirts made of merino wool, such as the Icebreaker Craft Active Extreme 2.0 or the synthetic Craft Active Extreme 2.0 shirt with wind-stopper membrane. Additionally, it’s a good idea to wear functional cycling shorts under long trousers, such as the Engineered Boxer Shorts with seat pad from Endura. And don't forget warm socks! The Alé Cycling logo merino socks or the Northwave Extreme Winter High Socks are perfect for cold rides!
Cycling through the winter with the 3 layer system
In cold, wet and perhaps even snowy conditions, it’s very important to wear the right cycling clothing. By now, wearing multiple layers of cycling clothing - instead of wearing one very warm jacket – is regarded as the norm in the cycling world. Each layer of clothing has its own function. The first layer is the 'base layer' - functional underwear that wicks sweat away from the skin. You wear at least one middle layer over a base layer. This is usually a cycling jersey with long sleeves and a high collar, made of breathable material that transports moisture from the base layer outwards. The outer layer provides weather protection. For this we recommend a windproof, ventilating softshell jacket, such as the Castelli Perfetto Convertible jacket or the Gore Alp-X Pro jersey. In normal autumn and winter weather, you can usually ignore the multi-layer principle for the legs. With padded inner pants, long cycling shorts are enough for most days on the bike. For very cold days there are both tight road cycling pants and slightly wider MTB pants in thermal winter variations.
Gloves, shoes and headgear
Perhaps most sensitive to cold on the bike are the hands and feet. These are exposed to temperature and wind, but move much less than the legs and upper body. Wind protection, heat retention and a good seal between trouser cuffs and sleeves are therefore very important.
Windproof gloves to protect your fingers
The most important feature of good cycling gloves is how well they protect against the wind. The outer layer should be windproof - preferably 100%. There are different options when it comes to the thermal layer. For normal European conditions, not so much lining is needed; more important is that the gloves are the right size and fit. Gloves that are too small can cause the hands to cool down quickly.
Protect your head from the cold
It’s also very important to keep your head protected from cold and wind. Unfortunately, most ventilated helmets do not provide enough heat. Multi-functional running scarves from P. A. C., BUFF or Endura are therefore extremely practical for cooler days to keep your neck warm and create a ‘seal’ with your jersey collar. Worn right, these microfibre, fleece and merino scarves are transformed into perfect protectors against the cold. When it gets even colder, special hats are the best choice. These windproof hats are very thin, barely noticeable and still offer excellent protection against the cold, especially models that also cover the ears completely.
Overshoes to protect your shoes from moisture, wind & cold
Wind and waterproof overshoes are the perfect companions to the right cycling shoes. They work like a neoprene stocking over the shoe and - depending on the model - keep moisture, wind and cold out. With a space for the cleats on the underside, they can be combined with the clipless pedal of your choice. At low temperatures, thermal insoles are particularly recommended for clipless pedals, so the metal cleats do not make your shoes too cold. Winter cycling socks are also highly recommended, especially those with merino wool and a windproof membrane.
For cyclists who use clipless pedals in warmer months, we recommend using platform pedals in winter and semi-high cycling shoes without cleats. These shoes can keep your feet warmer than traditional cycling shoes.
What you should pay more attention to:
Stay dry and clean with the right mudguards Once you’re dressed right for the winter, it's time to have a look at your bike. For people who use their bikes daily, it’s doubly important not only to stay warm, but also clean and dry. Here it pays off to fit mudguards to your bike - in autumn and winter, protection against water and mud is more important than the appearance or weight of the bike. With flexible mounting systems, every sporty bikes can be easily fitted with mudguards nowadays. If your bike is often outdoors for longer periods of time, a rain cover for the saddle is also recommended.
Make sure you can be seen on dark days It’s not only the lower temperature which makes winter cycling more challenging. Battery power (e.g. lamps or e-bike batteries) is also noticeably reduced in the cold - removable lights should therefore not be left on your bike on cold days or overnight. For e-bikes with a battery in the frame, there are suitable neoprene protection covers available to protect the battery against cold and wet conditions and thus maintain its full range.
Stay hydrated and warm Unfortunately, the contents of a normal plastic drinking bottle can quickly turn into ice in winter. Thanks to thermo-flasks in cycling bottle format, hot drinks can be brought along on a ride and stay wonderfully warm.
We wish you a great winter filled with lots of cycling fun!
Your Bikester team