21.09.2022 | Reading time - 27 min(s)

How to dress for cold weather cycling

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Winter is coming! But that doesn't mean you have to pack away your bicycle and wait for the better weather to appear. Making the right cycling clothing and equipment choices will keep you riding through autumn, winter and spring in total comfort. Here is our checklist of whatto include in your wet weather cycling gear.

A lot of us here at Edinburgh Bicycle Coop have honed our choices for winter riding through a lot of trial and error and we would like to try and help you save time and money by imparting what we have learned about thermal clothing. We will let you know the main benefits of each item of clothing so, as usual, you are armed with the information to make the decision for yourself.

There are winter clothing options available from head to toe and everywhere in between and we will start at the bottom and work our way upwards.

Protecting your Feet in winter

Cold toes are the worst! But thankfully there are lots of great options for protecting your feet depending on the conditions you will likely be riding in and the discipline you ride. Here are the some of the main options below.

Socks

The obvious one - a good pair of socks will keep your feet warm, comfortable and, sometimes, dry. Depending on what sort of layering system you are opting for will depend how thermal or waterproof you need your socks to be. Here are some of the best socks we stock.

Endura BaaBaa Merino II Winter Socks

The Endura BaaBaa Merino socks are an excellent option for keeping your feet warm and comfortable with Merino wool for itch free comfort and high warmth to weight ratio, even when wet.

Assos Ultraz Winter Socks Evo

The key to maintaining warm feet while riding in winter is to combine insulation with the ability to stay dry from the inside and the outside. These socks combine the stretch and moisture-management of synthetics with the superior insulation properties of wool.

Endura Hummvee Waterproof Sock

Here are waterproof socks for when you are cycling in very wet weather conditions or the cold. Dry feet are happy feet with protection from the outside and inside by preventing water from coming in and facilitates moisture getting out with good breathability.

Shoes

Another big choice of what to wear while winter cycling are the shoes. This is not just a question of keeping your feet dry and warm (although these are very important factors) but of the condition of the surfaces you are riding on. A lot of people who use clip-in pedals in summer opt for a flat pedal in winter due to the possibility of ice on paths and roads - with a flat pedal, you can get your foot to the ground quicker and this gives many people peace of mind when there is a possibility of ice. Of course, when it is icy, it's also cold so keeping your feet dry and warm is very important and with shoes you can go one of two ways - opt for winter cycling shoes that are specifically made to be waterproof and warm such as the Shimano MW5 Dryshield shoe that offers supreme waterproofing and wramth or, if you opt for a regular cycling shoe, you can combine these with good thermal socks and a waterproof overshoe to protect your feet.

Overshoes

Overshoes are the perfect option for those that want to wear the same shoes all year round - simply wear the shoes with a light sock in summer to keep your feet cool and comfortable and for winter cycling, wear the same shoes with a good winter overshoe. These will keep your feet dry and warm and there are various thicknesses and styles available depending on how cold and wet the weather you are planning to go out in is.

Protecting your legs

There are a number of different options for leg protection from full length winter bib tights or thermal bib shorts to waterproof trousers to wear over work clothes or leggings. If you are training through winter, a choice for a lot of endurance cyclists is to pair thermal shorts with leg warmers as leg warmers can easily be removed when you have warmed up while cycling longer distances.

Winter bibs

A good set of thermal bib tights will keep your legs warm and comfortable as they are lined with material to minimise wind chill, provide warmth and repel rain while still allowing sweat to leave and keeping you comfortable. Available in various lengths depending on personal preference. Longs for the maximum coverage and warmth for the coldest weather, bib knickers for three quarter length for cold and cool winter cycling and thermal shorts for keeping the thighs and midriff warm and comfortable and can be combined with leg warmers if required.

Giant Podium Thermal Bib Tights - For everyday training or exercising, Podium offers great features in muscle support and heat management. For cold days in the saddle, the Podium Thermal Bib Tights are constructed using ThermTexturaT fleece fabric for heat retention and insulation.

Endura FS260-Pro Thermo Bibknicker - This bib 3/4 is especially recommended for cold and cooler weather rides, thanks to its DWR M™ (Durable Water Repellent) treated Thermoroubaix fabric.

Endura Women's FS260 Pro Thermo Tight DWR - Endura's Thermoroubaix warmth transforms those cold winter rides.

Assos Mille GT Winter Bib Tights C2 - The next evolution in total comfort for winter bib tights, refined with increased insulation and a deeper, plusher insert.

Waterproof trousers

Waterproof trousers are more of an option for commuters and electric bike riders as they offer excellent waterproofing but can cause a bit of overheating on more strenuous rides. If you are an all weather commuter or electric bike rider, you can wear the trousers over your regular cycling gear or casual clothes and not worry about having to change when you get to your destination.

HUMP Spark Women's Waterproof Overtrousers - The Spark over trousers are fully waterproof, getting you from A to B in comfort when the weather lets you down. Available in men's and women's fit.

Endura Hummvee Transit Waterproof Trouser - Simple but effective wet weather protection. Lightweight, breathable 2-Layer waterproof fabric in a fully seam sealed construction.

Endura Women's MT500 Spray Baggy Trouser II - One for the mountain bikers - rugged, performance riding trouser for women with critical seat panel waterproofing. Also available in a men's fit.

Protecting your torso

Winter cycling jacket

Possibly one of the most important areas to keep warm and comfortable is your torso. That is why investing in a good winter jacket is essential. Again, depending on the riding you are doing will determine how thermal, waterproof and breathable you require your jacket to be. If you are commuting or leisure cycling at lower pace, you will require something a little more thermal as your body will not produce the same heat as more demanding training rides. On the flip side, if you are training hard in winter, you will need a jacket that is lower on the thermal scale but higher on the breathable.

Endura Hummvee Waterproof Jacket - The Endura Hummvee cycling jacket brings trail and city versatility - a true workhorse for any rider looking for an all round waterproof at a great price.

Endura Women's Xtract Jacket II - Lightweight, packable and waterproof.

Endura Urban Luminite EN1150 Waterproof Jacket - Lightweight, breathable 2.5-Layer waterproof fabric in a fully seam sealed construction

BASE LAYERS

Base layers are the unsung heroes of winter cycling. They can be combined with your outer layer to take you into sub zero temperatures with ease and provide a wicking, breathable barrier to take the sweat away from your skin and prevent damp chill. We have found that the more you spend on a base layer, the wider the range of temperatures they will keep you comfortable in.

A good base layer will allow you to combine this with other cycling clothing to cater for a very wide variety of weather because as we know, Britain does not keep consistent temperatures.

One of the main factors we have found in Britain is that it is not uncommon, in winter cycling, to be single, or minus figure temperatures in the mornings and then approaching double figures later on. For this reason, it is extra important to build in flexibility so you can dress up in the morning and then leave some layers off for the cycle back. This is particularly pertinent for commuters.

Great examples of these base layers are the Endura Baa Baa Blend long sleeve base layer (available in male and female fit) and for the money-no-object version, the Assos Winter LS Base Layer

Protecting your hands

Another one that makes a massive difference to your winter cycling wardrobe are gloves. There are a number of different options available with neoprene (wet suit) material keep your hands warm but do not keep them dry. In our experience, these gloves are excellent for short, cold rides and if you want maximum finger dexterity but, we find, for longer rides, you end up with fingers that look like you've been in the bath. The other option is for a thermal, insulated glove that is highly warm and breathable but these are generally more bulky. The choice you make will likely depend on the riding you do - for road and mountain, dexterity is a high importance while commuting, e biking or leisure riding, the focus will be on warmth.

Endura Pro SL Primaloft Waterproof Cycling Gloves - The Pro SL Primaloft is Endura's warmest waterproof glove. These premium hand warmers keep roadies comfortable all winter long.

Endura FS260-Pro Nemo II Lightweight Touchscreen Gloves - Thanks to its stretch neoprene outer and wicking terry liner, the Endura Pro Nemo cycling glove is as slim and low profile as it is comfortable and wind resistant.

Endura Women's Strike Waterproof Glove - This Women's Strike glove is a low bulk, waterproof all-rounder with gel palm padding which doesn't compromise dexterity on or off the bike.

Protection for your head

Last but certainly not least in your winter riding protection is headwear. There are a number of options to wear under your cycling helmet to protect your head, ears and full face if you require it. There are thermal skull caps made of merino wool for maximum warmth, synthetic caps or just a waterproof cap for rain resistance.

There are also options for those that find their nose and face cold in the form of buffs or multitubes which, come to think of it, can double as a head covering also if you do not want to buy too many accessories.

Face and head are very important especially when cycling into that cold, driving wind and rain/sleet/snow. We would recommend a good thermal hat and a buff to cover your nose and mouth. The buff is often the forgotten item in winter, but it protects your face from the elements and when it is really cold, sleeting, snowing or raining, it also takes the edge off breathing in the really cold air.

Endura FS260-Pro Thermal Skull Cap - No fuss, just function - add extra warmth to those cool, crisp rides with the FS260-Pro thermal winter skull cap.

Endura Baabaa Merino Skullcap II - A natural fibre winter essential. Merino blend for soft, itch-free comfort, helmet compatible fit, naturally odour resistant and high warmth to weight ratio even when in wet conditions.

Assos Assosoires Rain Cap - Assos wanted the endlessly versatile cycling cap silhouette, but in a fully waterproof version. This cap offers maximum coverage, breathability, and protection in a packable design. Wear it under your helmet in cool, cold, and wet year-round conditions.

Endura Singletrack Multitube - Wear as neck tube, mask, bandana or skullcap. One of the most versatile headwear options due to all the different possibilities.

Endura Baabaa Merino Tech Multitube - This versatile Endura Baabaa Merino wool multitube provides natural insulation when cycling in colder months. A must have cycling accessory that's easily packable- ready to provide extra head / neck warmth when you need it.

LOOK AFTER YOUR CLOTHES

Something that is often forgotten about when washing your cycling clothes is where DWR or Durable Water Repellancy or the equivalent is concerned where the fabrics are coated with an agent that will help bead water and flow off your garment keeping you drier for longer. If you clean these garments in your regular wash then the DWR will just wash off. It is important, therefore, to wash the DWR garments (usually your bib-tights, bib-knickers, jackets and jerseys) with a specific cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash to extend the life of your garments.

We have always maintained that winter cycling can be some of the most enjoyable cycling you can do provided you are wearing the correct clothing so that you are warm enough and comfortable. And from a training point of view, warm muscles are a lot more efficient than cold muscles.

Anyway, we hope this article has inspired you to keep riding through winter by getting you kitted out in the right winter cycling clothing.

Our top points to take from this article

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHORTS/TIGHTS

Dependent on style of riding, how cold/warm a rider you are, how flexible you need your outfit to be (leg warmers etc)

KEEP YOUR CORE WARM

With a base layer, winter cycling jacket or a layering system involving multiple garments

COLD HANDS ARE ALMOST AS BAD AS COLD FEET

Protect those extremities while keeping them comfortable, warm and dry.

BUILD IN FLEXIBILITY

If you find you only need warmth for the start of rides, consider arm warmers, leg warmers or both.

DON'T FORGET YOUR HEAD

There are many options for head coverage - skullcaps, multitubes or rain caps.

Our top cycling winter brands

Endura - Top British cycling brand that produces excellent clothing for Britain and UK weather. They produce any clothing you can think of - socks, Endura cycling trousers, jackets and jerseys, and headwear A strong focus on sustainability and green credentials.

Assos - Premium Swiss cycling clothing company for those that want the best of the best with no expense spared. Incredible quality cycling clothing.

Hump - Providing excellent cycling clothing at a very low price. Waterproof, windproof and highly visible cycling jackets and trousers.

Giant - A powerhouse of the cycling world that now makes their own high-quality range of cycling clothing. One of the main qualities of Giant/Liv is the value - you generally get a lot for your money

Liv - The sister company of Giant that offers products for women, designed by women. Offering all the quality and value of Giant.

Author

Ross Howieson

Content Creator

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How to dress for cold weather cycling

Contents and Quick Links

Protecting your Feet in winter

Socks

Endura BaaBaa Merino II Winter Socks

Assos Ultraz Winter Socks Evo

Endura Hummvee Waterproof Sock

Shoes

Overshoes

Protecting your legs

Winter bibs

Waterproof trousers

Protecting your torso

Winter cycling jacket

BASE LAYERS

Protecting your hands

Protection for your head

LOOK AFTER YOUR CLOTHES

Our top points to take from this article

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SHORTS/TIGHTS

KEEP YOUR CORE WARM

COLD HANDS ARE ALMOST AS BAD AS COLD FEET

BUILD IN FLEXIBILITY

DON'T FORGET YOUR HEAD

Our top cycling winter brands