Conscious Choice: What Should I Wear?

January 1999

What Should I Wear?

by Scott Murrish

Since winter cycling is the most difficult to dress for, I’ll outline the requirements for winter cycling. Most other activities can be outfitted from this same wardobe.

The key to winter cycling is wind protection. Insulation needs will vary for individuals and according to the work-to-wind ratio of the cycling you’ll be doing. Road riding at 20 mph requires significantly more insulation than mountain biking though deep snow at 3 mph.

Starting at the top, I think Gore-Tex helmet covers are the best kept secret in cycling. I take them along in the summer for rain protection, and use them with a wind-proof headband in the winter. There’s lots of under-helmet warmth options but I prefer items that I can use in multiple activities.

At some point along the wind-chill curve you’ll also need some face protection. Balaclavas, neoprene masks, and rolled up turtle necks are some solutions. Be sure to allow your breath to escape without fogging your glasses.

For almost any cold weather riding I use a Gore-Tex cycling jacket with a light fleece lining and an unshelled back. I vary the underlayer depending on the temperature and the work-to-wind ratio. It could be a polypro t-shirt alone or with a turtle neck or a long-sleeve cycling jersey. I also find a hooded cycling jersey to be quite effective for road riding where the higher speeds are likely to expose that one little path down your shirt where the icy wind will find your hot muscles.

The above jacket works equally well for skating, running, and cross-country skiing.

Unshelled fleece jackets and tops work fine when wind is not a factor.

Of course, there’s also wind-proof fleece now, so get creative.

Gloves are a very personal matter and the choices are many. Starting with the least insulation you can add liner gloves over or under regular cycling gloves. These liners are great for running as well.

Next would be full-finger winter cycling gloves or cross-country ski gloves. Cycling gloves offer more padding and wind protection though either will work adequately for both sports. Either one of these gloves is fine for ice or inline skating as well.

Warmer still is the insulated cycling mitten, with a Vulcan (Go Forth and Prosper) split finger configuration allowing proper braking and shifting control. These are generally warm enough to use for downhill skiing or a snowball fight.

Another very flexible alternative is a wind or waterproof mitt shell worn over any of the above. I now carry these in spring and fall on self-supported tours. I would have gladly paid a ridiculous price for such goodies while biking through a fall snowstorm in Yellowstone. My winter cycling gloves let me down when it was just warm enough for the snow to thoroughly soak them. A few degrees colder and the snow would have bounced off harmlessly.

For the legs there’re plenty of options, from Gore-Tex rain suits to fleece-lined tights. With an unlined rain-type running suit I find I’m always putting another layer underneath just to keep the slick stuff off my skin, often giving me more insulation then I really want. I prefer cycling tights, either with a wind-proof front and a breathable back side, or heavy Lycra all around with a fleece lining. Lighter tights also work well for running, skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The heavier lined tights I reserve for cycling or bitter cold; they are warm !

The feet are the hardest to keep warm, especially while cycling, and especially on the road. Unfortunately, regular cycling shoes are designed to keep your feet cool and fresh. I’ve tried Gore-Tex socks and neoprene socks with mixed success. Shoe covers are another alternative if you must clip-in, but since they’re not useable in any other sport I have avoided them. Instead, when it gets too cold for my feet, I go mountain biking, where I can can get by with clunky hiking boots with fleece socks and liners. There are of course, high-top insulated winter cycling shoes. Pricey and sport-specific, but probably a good solution for road riding though a Chicago winter. Now that snowshoeing and trails shoes are all the rage, you can find plenty of boots ideal for winter sports at any hiking boot retailer.

I’ve never had any problems keeping my feet warm while running. Of course, I don’t use skimpy ankle socks when it’s 10 degrees. I use the same socks for skating, hiking, winter cycling, and winter running. Now there are Gore-Tex running shoes available to keep your feet nice and dry. I would only use them (or my Gore-Tex socks) if I had to run in freezing rain or slush.

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