Winter tackle suggestions?

[AstronautNinja]

So obviously autumn has hit with winter mot far behind and my summer kit will obviously be of little use. After my last substantial ride anything below 14°ish things creep into uncomfortable etc and this really isn't great for concentration. 

 

How does everyone lot themselves out for the cold? I'll never be setting off in rain and do have a set of over water proof stuff to throw on should I get caught out so I don't overly need a rain specific set up but do need to be warm in 5-14° weather. 

 

I am lucky to be a short ride away from both J&S accessories and Sports Bike Shop (next door to each other in Leeds) so I can obviously pop in and discuss with the very helpful staff but figured I'd ask. 

 

Over the winter it'll likely just be daylight rides and I'm unlikely to be out in anything below 5°

 

Without any research I'm thinking a trouser and jacket set that zips together, obviously one rated for the cold. 

 

Thoughts gents? 

 

Should be able to get a ride in tomorrow so I'll just stick the cold out and ride slowly to J&S / SBH in Leeds center to pur-chase a shiznit or two 

[husoi]

I just don't ride if it's cold.

I would be looking at heated gloves and vest if I was riding.

Thermal shirt and long John's are a must

[AstronautNinja]

11 minutes ago, husoi said:

I just don't ride if it's cold.

I would be looking at heated gloves and vest if I was riding.

Thermal shirt and long John's are a must

If I don't tackle up and do a few cold rides I'll be back to complete beginner by the time spring comes my riding days are also limited to 3 days a week so the chances of a suitable day becomes even slimmer. 

[Fiddlesticks]

Mrs. Fiddlesticks has a heated gillet, heated socks and laminated winter textiles. I tend to go with a down jacket under cheapish drop-liner textiles (£350 for the suit) which also have a thermal liner. For rain I've got an outer shell. Bit of a faff tbh, but it stops the textiles wetting out. Add more layers as required. I'll prob. upgrade the suit at some point.

Also have a heated seat and grips, helmet and glove liners and waterproof thermal neck buff.

[S-Westerly]

Laminated textiles as a top layer. ( Decent waterproofs for over the top if it's really wet). Mid layer of a down jacket then a heated vest and finally merino wool base layer. Daytona boots and decent wool socks. Waterproof gloves with heated inners if needed. Merino wool neck tube. Basically that's it. Have ridden in -4C plus wind chill and been comfy. 

[Hairsy]

I have Richa Infinity textile jacket and trousers which are relatively low priced. Both parts have removable liners that add a reasonable amount of warmth (and they're already fitted for this autumn). Depending on temperature, I layer appropriately below that - thermal top & bottom when proper cold, t-shirt, fleece. Good thick socks, decent winter gloves (but not majorly expensive) and heated grips.

My weak point is still my hands. Some sort of wind protection for my hands would be a good idea but I haven't done enough cold riding to motivate me to do something about it. But the above gear means I can enjoy the crisp dry days in winter.

 

The Richa gear is allegedly waterproof (with a Goretex guarantee) but I still take my Oxford waterproofs if I expect rain.

[AstronautNinja]

Cheers chaps. I'll report back with tomorrows purchase 

[RideWithStyles]

Heated vest/under jacket like kies weve had for years , powered by portable battery or and connected to the bikes battery .

 the full sleeve jackets need to be powered by the bikes main battery only.
Makes even a summer leather jacket tolerable in heavy autumn/light winter.

[manxie49]

I'm pretty much a year round rider, and as this rock I live on appears to be one of the wettest places on planet earth, most of my riding is done in the rain.  After years of flitting from one make of clothing to another in the vain attempt at trying to stay warm and dry I discovered the joys of RUKKA.  Not cheap, but there are some good deals to be had at the moment, and IMHO you certainly get what you pay for.  In my experience it's the only gear I've ever had that has, most of the time at least, kept me totally dry, (Apart when I was caught out in a monsoon up in Scotland and the rain leaked down the neck seal).  If you ride in all weathers it's a good investment.  The one area that I always suffer with in the cold is my hands, regardless of having heated grips.  So, I invested in some heated gloves for the winter and love them (It seems the older I get the softer I'm getting ) 

[Pie man]

Rukka all day long here too. Laminated kit is great at keeping me warm and dry. On really cold days I add my Keis heated Gillet and Gloves, feet are kept warm and dry by wearing Sidi Adventure 2 boots. Not cheap, but well worth the investment IMO. I don't think I'd buy anything else. Mind you I cant afford owt else 

[Fiddlesticks]

34 minutes ago, Pie man said:

... wearing Sidi Adventure 2 boots...

Yes, but you have to check the screws every now and again

[bonio]

Layers.

Your favourite warm layers under, like a thermal top and a fleece. Then a thin wind proof top. Then a textile biking jacket with a winter lining. Textile pant with therm long john under. Heated grips and warm gloves. That should keep you comfy down to about 5c. Any colder add a heated vest and perhaps heated gloves.

Oh, and fit a screen. Even a small one make a huge difference.  

[AstronautNinja]

Looking at the frost on the windows this morning I'll be adapting some of my cycling gear for warmth to get me across to Leeds, try on a variety of stuff and due to still not having a tail bag, probably buy the bits I can't wear home online. 

 

Got fleeced lycra bib, a variety of base layers and a wind blocker to fashion into a suitable combination for today's ride. 

Edited October 11, 2024 by AstronautNinja

[RideWithStyles]

Cycling stuff ain’t bad and most are cheaper than biking’s offering, id also hunt out hiking stuff raid the clearance racks.

though the cyclist “extra padding” on the arse/under wear area is a mixed blessing, feels like a nappy and waddling like a duck.… makes bulky and clumsy bike gear even more amusing.

Edited October 11, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[AstronautNinja]

Just stopped off for a brew, cycling undergarments are doing a good job so far 

[Pie man]

19 hours ago, Fiddlesticks said:

Yes, but you have to check the screws every now and again

I wont ask how you know 

[AstronautNinja]

Bought an Oxford "Storm collar" neck tube, RST wind blocker under jacket and trousers along with a set of Rukka thermals. Will see how this combo goes alongside my normal bits. 

[Capt Sisko]

1 hour ago, AstronautNinja said:

..... RST wind blocker under jacket.....

I've got one of these, well the waist coat version and it's cracking bit of kit. Despite it's thermal claim the gilet itself doesn't offer much insulation as such. Not Down, PrimaLoft or other padding, just a brushed backing, but boy does it make a difference. It just keeps your body core warm. It's like putting a warm cosy blanket on. My only complaint is the zip comes up a bit high and you can get zipper pull build up by your throat if your base layer or mid layers also have (or all three have) high zips, or maybe that's just me as I don't like thing on my throat. Definately on my winter got to wear list.

RST Gilet

Edited October 17, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[AstronautNinja]

21 minutes ago, Capt Sisko said:

I've got one of these, well the waist coat version and it's cracking bit of kit. Despite it's thermal claim the gilet itself does offer much insulation as such. Not Down, PrimaLoft or other padding, just a brushed backing, but boy does it make a difference. It just keeps your body core warm. It's like putting a warm cosy blanket on. My only complaint is the zip comes up a bit high and you can get zipper pull build up by your throat if your base layer or mid layers also have (or all three have) high zips, or maybe that's just me as I don't like thing on my throat. Definately on my winter got to wear list.

RST Gilet

Mine has a partial side zip which is actually quite a nice idea for the reason you mention. 

 

Seems decent, feels like it'll do the job. 

[ColinWB]

This is the info I am looking for too. It answers the question I asked on another thread. Thanks all, especially @AstronautNinja for starting it.

[Capt Sisko]

On 11/10/2024 at 06:04, bonio said:

Oh, and fit a screen. Even a small one make a huge difference.  

Just to reiterate the point. ^^^ What the man said ^^^

[onesea]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clearance-Electric-Washable-Clothing-Heating/dp/B0DHZYJF63/ref=asc_df_B0DHZYJF63/

 

For the money you won't look back, I can run mine all day if a single phone charging battery on low. 

 

I have never needed more than low