Staying warm without getting bulky?

[ducatilover]

My Norsewear thermals made from stuff keep me warm when it is really cold. But I usually don't get cold under my leathers, or very wet at all.

[Ocean1]

I've heard of some commuters that want to go leather, so dress like...
> Work clothes
> Leather jacket/pants
> 'technical' rainproof/windproof insulated jacket and wateproof pants (ala macpac) over the top.

Thoughts, all?

Works well, as long as the leather fits, which it won't for both wearing over work stuff and not.

Personally I use a perforated leather jacket in summer and Buffalo Endurance composite jacket in the winter: http://bigbikemad.com/buffalo-endura...tile-suit.html

That, and a polyurethane rain suit that lives under the seat is all it takes.

[BMWGSER]

Merino base layers then a soft shell jacket . Beyond brand 3layer from Torpedo7 $39.90 very light and water proof so far. Kathmandu long cycle pants are very comfy and warm and breathe.
Get rid of the jeans and go for Goretex top brand riding pants /jacket, check out trade Me some bargains pop up there from time to time . No such thing as bad whether just bad riding gear.

[Mike.Gayner]

Thanks to the advice in the thread I've been able to fine tune my gear for warmth. I got out to test my new set-up this weekend, but the weather was surprisingly warm so it wasn't a very good test. Still I think I've got myself sorted. Most importantly, I re-discovered the (removable) waterproof liner for my jacket, which blocks virtually all of the wind for my top half. I also purchased this weekend a pair of Macpac tights in special - these are insanely warm and make an EXCELLENT base layer, or mid over merino. These are the ones: http://www.macpac.co.nz/mens/mens-pa...ce-tights.html

My new gettup in the picture below, from the top-left is:

• Jacket
• Jacket waterproof liner
• Jacket thermal liner
• Thermal/wind resistant mid layer
• Merino base layer

And the bottom layer:

• Jeans
• Really awesome Macpac tights
• Merino base layer
• Thick wool socks

And of course my leather boots and balaclava to finish off. The weak point by far now is my gloves.

http://i.imgur.com/bbRgXdu.jpg

[pritch]

A balaclave is not a great idea, they compress the helmet liner so when you wear the hat sans liner it is loose. Might not happen over night but it will happen.
Even if using the Zegna silk version.

I tend to use the "Buff" type of thing over the lower part of my face. Not if it's raining though the water will wick down the material and end up inside the jacket.

[Motu]

So if you let your hair grow a bit long between cuts your helmet is fucked ?

[pritch]

So if you let your hair grow a bit long between cuts your helmet is fucked ?

I haven't got that much hair. Someone with a do like the late Simoncelli may have experienced that problem.

[R650R]

I bought one of those oxford balaclava helmet liner type things.
He's right it does massively tighten helmet fit, so much that if I went that route again I'd have a separate winter helmet.
Also over time it seems to have compressed the liner fabric to point where its not that warm as when first bought it.
Since then I've got a shoei XR1100 and with vents closed seems warmer in winter than the xr1000 was for some reason.
I can be lazy in the haircut dept and find doesn't really affect helmet fit but the balaclava thing sure did, hair on its own seems to deform off into vent gaps etc to some degree where the balaclava thing instantly expands the whole diameter every which way.
Good core warmth and a scarf of some description takes care of the head.

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm not too worried around the balaclava because this helmet has a slightly loose fit anyway - fits much better with the balaclava. I will be getting a new helmet in spring and this one will become my "winter helmet" as R500R suggests.

[Motu]

I've gone from long hair and a ponytail to bald with a No1, with or without balaclava my helmets all fit the same.

[Urano]

A balaclave is not a great idea, they compress the helmet liner so when you wear the hat sans liner it is loose.

actually it would be a better idea to always wear a balaclava...
when i buy an helmet i try it on with my balaclava, so i get the right fit.
in winter is a must, as in your neck run a lot of huge vessels and you can loose a lot of heat if you don't wear a good protection.
on the other hand, in summertime i wear a bandana under my helmet, partly for hygienic reasons (ya, there are fully detachable inner liner, but an helmet gets HOT and i sweat a lot: i can throw the bandana in the washer once every three or four day, if i strip down the helmet and wash it every three days it'll disintegrate in a month...) and partly because, opposite to the wintertime, it's pretty easy to damp it to get refreshment...

my suggestion is to always wear something between your head and the helmet.
(by the way... 85% of the bikers has an helmet too large or incorrectly fitted for his head... )

[Erelyes]

my suggestion is to always wear something between your head and the helmet.

I agree. I wear an Icebreaker merino neck tube unless I'm wearing balaclava (similar thickness).

Advantage of the neck tube is that when it's farkin hot you can wet the thing down a bit and hey presto, it acts to cool you

After all, that's what your sweat is trying to do....

[Juniper]

As a soft fair-weather rider looking to lengthen my riding season, I'm seeking ways to stave off the cold. I don't want to buy big bulky touring gear, and I won't be riding in extreme cold or wet.

Presently I ride in my jeans and a summer jacket that has a thermal liner. That's not quite enough now so I'm adding thermal base layers top and bottom and a balaclava, but I'm still getting a bit cold. Is there anything else I can do without replacing my gear with heavy stuff? Does anyone recommend any particular thermal base layers? I'm presently using polyprop and have some cheap wool stuff that doesn't quite fit me right.

I have found the best mix!!! As a chick I don't want bulk either (that and my leathers wont take much more bulk......I'll have to lose weight next!!)

200+ denier stockings and a pair of merino leggings. Cheaper than those expensive skins you can buy. Stockings are about $15 from supermarket.

Ive found the trick is layers not thickness. The above are basically skin tight with no bulk but leave you heaps of room to move.

[GrayWolf]

I have found the best mix!!! As a chick I don't want bulk either (that and my leathers wont take much more bulk......I'll have to lose weight next!!)

200+ denier stockings and a pair of merino leggings. Cheaper than those expensive skins you can buy. Stockings are about $15 from supermarket.

Ive found the trick is layers not thickness. The above are basically skin tight with no bulk but leave you heaps of room to move.

Stockings??
Welcome to what we 'knew' 40-50yrs ago.... Stockings are good Winter shit!!! (Suspender belt and garter are optional)

[Theantidote]

All really good ideas...but as far as doing it on a budget head to the op shop and hunt out some really good merino shit...got some good branded awesome shite for next to nothing...junichick thingo is right stockings work well but look shit unless you shave your legs and beyond...wife wont let me wear hers coz i leave narly hairs in hers....