Can anyone recommend the warmest gloves and socks/shoe covers/booties they have used ? I need to buy new stuff this year and need the absolute warmest stuff they have out there. Thanks
How cold do you want to go? Above freezing, below freezing, -10C, -20C?
Most of our “cold” riding in NC does not go below 20 degrees (not factoring in wind chill) but I have thin blood inherited from my mother & am a complete baby in the cold so I need the warmest stuff they make.
Thanks
you can always wear plastic bags over your socks - windproof, cheap and your feet will not be cold but they will sweat. maybe not a great long term solution, but I’ve done it before.
Most of our “cold” riding in NC does not go below 20 degrees (not factoring in wind chill) but I have thin blood inherited from my mother & am a complete baby in the cold so I need the warmest stuff they make.
Thanks
Wuss! It all depends on what you want to spend. Personally I say check out Performancebike.com. They have some great stuff and the prices are actually affordable.
the thick neoprene booties for the feet work great, coupled with toe warmers for real cold days…like these:
use a plastic baggie and an extra pair of shorts under the tights for the more private parts.
use whatever thickness of gloves keep you warm, just make sure you can still grip your bars/brakes.
thats what works for me.
stealth,
this site has a lot of useful info on winter riding, including clothing: http://www.icebike.com/.
BBB Parts is now available in the US & makes some wonderful stuff including cold weather booties & gloves. I’ve had my BBB booties for years & they still look new. I have three levels; a rain/cool weather set, an above freezing set & a hardcore thick neoprene below freezing set. I’ll layer the booties if conditions demand.
I terms of gloves I have a great Wind-tex set from Biemme. For colder temps I have a PI “Lobster” set that I’ll use liners with if conditions demand.
I found that a lot of the cold comes through the hard soles of the shoe. I bought a set of sock liners that are made of a felt like material & a kinda foil on one side. I put them in my shoes foil down & that seems to stop the cold from the bottom.
I also invested in a pair of winter cycling boots from Sidi. I think they were Storms. My kids bought me a pair of battery warmed socks last winter that I haven’t tried yet.
got some pearl izumi fuzzy botties, love 'em. probably ridden them into the 20’s but your feet get cold anyway.
gloves, just bought some lobster claw gloves from mec.ca and they’re extremely warm. even in the low 30’s I had to take them off from time to time. Can’t wait for it to get colder!
" Most of our “cold” riding in NC does not go below 20 degrees (not factoring in wind chill) but I have thin blood inherited from my mother & am a complete baby in the cold so I need the warmest stuff they make. "
Get windproof stuff – seriously. I use one wicking layer + thin windproof shell and I’m golden down below 10 deg F. You will be chilled until you start pedaling, of course.
I use a balaclava from my ski gear to keep neck/head/face warm – fits nicely under a helmet.
Windproof shoe covers are nice below ~30 deg (warmer if your shoes are nice and breathable).
Last: I use nice warm glove liners and then (you guessed it) a thin windproof glove. The gloves alone are fine down to 40ish F.
No brainer in my head - buy the Assos Thermax with the Windblock. I found them much warmer than neoprene booties. They’re not very thick, but they are toasty.
Show me as vote number two for the Assos Thermax overshoes and I recommend Pearl Izumi’s Lobster mitts for the hands. The best base layer I have found is Howies Merino wool shirt, but pretty much any merino wool layer is sweet. Wool will absorb more sweat than synthetic wicking layers but it will be warm even when damp/wet and does retain odour under the pits etc.
I have the heaviest PI booties, but they’re pretty much useless when it gets really cold. I made it through the past couple of winters relying on chemical warmers from Grabber. Depending on the temp., I’ll use a combination of toe warmers and full-length footbeds.
Sidi makes a rechargeable heated footbed for their shoes, but it’s pretty pricey. Then again, with what I’m spending in chemical warmers the Sidi beds would probably wind up cheaper in the long run…
Show me as vote number two for the Assos Thermax overshoes and I recommend Pearl Izumi’s Lobster mitts for the hands…
Even better, Assos introduced a 3-layer glove system this year including a lobster mitt. It is definitely warm and versatile, but pricey of course. Good luck and stay warm.
I solved that problem by buying some Sidi winter boots. Their fleece lining makes footbed heaters redundant.
Living in Seattle I see my share of wet…WET rides. Last winter was also a bit colder than normal but not near as cold as your talking about.
I ride with Sugoi Resistor Bike Booties. My feet stay totally dry & warm as can be. They also don’t interfere with cleats or pedals. Another good trick is putting disposable hand warmers in your clothes at the wrist & ankle.
Link
Stay warm,
Travis
www.dumbfocus.com
Does this mean that you’re a complete wuss?
Sidi make heated insoles for their winter boots.
Generally, winter boots (that are big enough that they don’t squash your feet) and warm socks with liner socks will keep feet warm. A decent set of gloves with liners are also essential.
Basically, get layered!
I've had good luck with Performances neoprene booties. Now gloves I just layer and my hands still get cold.
Has anyone ever condsidered wearing multiple socks on their hands to stay warm? It also comes in handy if you get out in the middle of nowhere and need some wipes…