Winter Cycling clothing
Tip: Wear just enough clothes to be slightly cold when you start pedaling. The first few minutes may be chilly, but your body produces a vast amount of heat when riding a bike so you'll warm up quickly.
Base Layer
Here in Minnesota, I often wear a medium-weight Capilene polyester bottom (with rain/wind pants over them) and a long-sleeve wool jersey top. In my bag, I always carry a lightweight fleece pullover as a just-in-case layer for those days when the wind blows strong from the north. Anything more than this is overkill.
Outerwear
- For cold, dry conditions: I have found that a soft-shell jacket makes the best outer layer. A soft shell keeps you warm and dry while allowing a little wind to penetrate—this helps to counter the heat your body produces. In milder conditions, you can get away with just a vest as an outer layer.
- For cool, wet conditions: Riders in rainy areas such as the Pacific Northwest require a good waterproof or water-resistant shell. Look for ample breathability and a longer cut in the back and arms so it won't ride up on you while cycling. Generous vents in the front and along the chest work best, but underarm zips work well, too. Most cycling rain shells come with 2-way zippers, which is a godsend on a bike. They allow you to zip open the jacket from the bottom while covering your arms and upper torso. This is a tremendous way to shed heat.
Head and Hands
A wool stocking cap (or helmet liner) worn under your helmet is sufficient for most days, with a balaclava or a scarf carried just in case. Just make sure the cap you wear is thin enough to fit under your helmet.
In rainy conditions, a cap with a visor helps to keep your forehead warm and water off your glasses.
For milder areas where rain is a factor, wear waterproof gloves. Best are cycling gloves with grippy palms and fingers, since handlebars can get slippery when wet.
Many companies make gloves suitable for cold-weather riding—don't get too hung up on the intended activity of the product. For instance, snowboarding gloves will keep you warm even if you are not snowboarding, but you must make sure you can still safely operate the shift and brake levers.
Tip: I've always had success with cross-country ski gloves that have the lobster claw design. Not quite a glove, not quite a mitten, they have 2 fingers and a thumb so that you have 2 fingers inside of each finger of the glove. You gain the warming properties of mittens by having your fingers together but still have some dexterity since they are not true mittens.
Footwear
If you don't use clipless shoes and pedals, you can wear lightweight, waterproof hiking boots that accommodate thick socks.
Again, avoid cotton. Cotton socks just can't keep you warm when it gets wet, and you will get wet when riding in cold months (think road slush, rain, freezing rain or just the sweat produced from riding).