Winter Road Cycling Clothing: How to Stay Warm Without Overheating
Riding in winter presents a challenge in trying to stay sufficiently warm, but without overheating. Low temperatures, combined with cold winds can certainly make riding uncomfortably cold, but layering too much or wearing the wrong clothing can result in overheating and excessive sweating. Dressing for winter riding is a delicate balance between not overheating and not being too cold. In this guide, we’ll explore how to dress appropriately for cold-weather rides, from head to toe, with a focus on optimal gear and clothing choices to keep you warm this winter.
Layering for Temperature Control
One of the main principles to follow with winter cycling gear is layering of clothing. Layering allows for countless different combinations of clothing, which means you can fine tune your layering depending on the conditions you expect to encounter and the predicted effort/intensity level of your ride. There are three key layers for winter riding:
- Base Layer: The base layer is crucial for moisture management and staying comfortable. The base layer sits directly on your skin and should wick sweat away to keep you dry. Opt for technical fabrics like merino wool or synthetic blends, these materials provide warmth while staying breathable.
- Mid-Layer: The mid-layer provides insulation, keeping your body warm. A fleece or thermal jersey works really well for this layer. It’s important to choose something that balances warmth with breathability so you don’t overheat. The mid layer is a layer that can be changed based on the temperature, slightly warmer days would mean a thinner jersey needed, whereas the colder days would require a thicker fleece jersey.
- Outer Layer: The outer layer is your defence against wind, rain, and snow. This is usually only necessary on the coldest or worst winter days. The outer layer is usually occupied by a good winter cycling jacket that should be windproof and water-resistant, while still allowing sweat to escape. When looking for the best winter cycling jackets, prioritise those made from technical fabric, which offer excellent protection from the elements without compromising breathability.
Choosing the Best Winter Cycling Jacket
A winter cycling jacket is arguably the most important piece of cold-weather cycling gear as it acts as the first barrier against the weather, keeping the cold and wet out whilst retaining warmth. The best winter cycling jackets are usually made from highly technical fabrics that are able to keep the rider warm and protected from the elements, whilst being breathable enough that the rider does not overheat. When shopping for a winter jacket it is important to consider the material it is made from, its cut and also the colours that it uses, bright colour will keep you more visible on the road and reflective detailing will help to increase your visibility further.
Protecting Your Hands: Best Winter Cycling Gloves
Cold numb hands are perhaps the least enjoyable part of riding in the cold winter months, hands are particularly vulnerable to becoming cold, due to being exposed to the wind, but also as they are one of the body's extremities. Numb cold hands can quickly turn a ride to being unenjoyable and pertinently, unsafe, losing dexterity which affects your ability to brake, shift gears and properly control the bike. Hence a good pair of winter gloves are a crucial part to staying safe on the bike. The best winter cycling gloves offer insulation, windproofing, and water resistance, while maintaining dexterity. When looking for gloves it’s important to consider their insulation inside the glove and look for windproof fabrics on the exterior. These two features alone will help to keep your hands that bit warmer.
On the coldest rides it can even be considered to use glove liners for added insulation, this will add an extra layer of warmth, helping you to stay comfortable and safe on the bike.
Lower Body: Leg and Foot Protection
Your legs generate heat as you pedal as such the need for warm clothing is not needed as much as your upper body. That said, you still want to protect yourself from windchill and moisture, once the temperature is below 12 degrees it is advisable to look at either a good pair of leg warmers or thermal bib tights. The best option for comfort and warmth is thermal bib tights, these cover the leg entirely to the ankle and are lined with a fleece insulating material, for the coldest days we certainly would recommend bib tights. However leg warmers in combination with bib shorts are also a practical option, although not as comfortable, leg warmers insulate the legs the same as bib tights, but they can quickly be put on and removed. Meaning, they are a perfect option for rides where the weather and temperature is expected to change, for example early morning rides. As the weather warms during the morning the leg warmers can be removed when no longer required.
Keeping your feet warm is another challenge similar to that of the hands, as toes are also prone to numbness. A combination of thermal socks and overshoes is key to retaining warmth. Overshoes, made from neoprene or windproof fabrics, shield your shoes and feet from the cold and wet of winter. Trust us when saying that numb feet on winter rides is not a pleasant experience, so the choice in a good pair of overshoes is critical.
Head and Neck: Keeping Heat In
A significant amount of heat is lost through your head and neck, in fact up to 40% of body heat can be lost through your head, so protecting these areas is essential. A thermal skull cap or a headband worn under your helmet can make a big difference. Look for breathable materials like merino wool or fleece-lined options that fit snugly under a helmet, and be sure that these caps/headbands cover your ears, with limited blood flow to your ears they can quickly become numb and quite painful.
For your neck, a lightweight neck gaiter or warmer made of a breathable, insulating fabric can be pulled up over your face on particularly cold days. This protects your face from wind chill while still allowing you to breathe comfortably.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to winter cycling gear, the goal is to stay warm without overheating, and layering is key to achieving this. Investing in high-quality winter cycling jackets, gloves, and thermal tights will make your winter riding experience far more pleasant, and don’t forget to protect your extremities with proper head, neck, and foot coverage.