Staying warm without getting bulky?

[oneofsix]

Several thin layers.
Look at the clothing worn by serious cyclists.

only if they are female They generate their own heat and raise my temp at the same time

[Erelyes]

only if they are female They generate their own heat and raise my temp at the same time

Google image search 'hot cyclists'. Sausagefest.

[GrayWolf]

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.

There's good advice here, I rode for 9 years in UK Winters,,
Thin layers, several of them. Merino, (we even used to steal the girlfriend/wife's tights in days of old). Layering traps warm air and slows down air loss/movement around the body.
Or if you want an alternative (but bloody expensive) Damart thermal gear, it's used by Everest and Arctic expeditions.

Gloves, Silk lining, or thermal under gloves. You cannot keep hands warm with shitty cheapo/thin gloves in cold weather. Also Over gloves/mitten's will help to keep hands dry and warm.

[ducatilover]

Get fit. Seems to work extremely well

[gjm]

He wants to be warm - not GAY

I said serious, not flamboyant! Lol
Besides, no-one is going to see it under the top-layer protective clothing.

[Urano]

if it's just a "bit" cold you're still feelin', a smart tip could be using the rainproof suit (even if it's not raining...)
it seals you from the freezing air.

normally, in winter i'll go for cotton tshirt, technical underwear (yes, OVER the tshirt...), long sleeve/high neck thick cotton shirt (the ones used under ski-suit), wind-proof polartech jacket, bike jacket.
then i'll keep up the shirt neck, put balaclava over it and close the pile over again.
it's not so bulky 'cause every layer is pretty thin.

for the lower part i use tech underwear and tech pants with alu thermal layer.

with this configuration i'm fine with outside temperatures as low as 0°.

using more layers permits you to add or take away stuff to center your needs.

[Erelyes]

normally, in winter i'll go for cotton tshirt, technical underwear (yes, OVER the tshirt...), long sleeve/high neck thick cotton shirt (the ones used under ski-suit), wind-proof polartech jacket, bike jacket.

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?

[Nat]

quite simple, a heated jacket, wear the same shit as in summer and the jacket does the rest

Any specific recommendations for these? I'm saving up for one of these http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/p...roller-package at the moment, but a bit wary about buying any gear online seeing as I can't try it on or try it out.

Otherwise for the OP: my experience basically backs up what others have said - wool is best, jeans are rubbish at keeping the wind out, and many thin layers are better than one thick layer. I also highly recommend my rev'it wind stopper neck warmer thing that I got from motomail last year: http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/sty...colfreeze.aspx

Also, fully faired bikes stop the wind much better and are therefore slightly warmer than naked ones! (True story)

[Ulsterkiwi]

if it's just a "bit" cold you're still feelin', a smart tip could be using the rainproof suit (even if it's not raining...)
it seals you from the freezing air.

normally, in winter i'll go for cotton tshirt, technical underwear (yes, OVER the tshirt...), long sleeve/high neck thick cotton shirt (the ones used under ski-suit), wind-proof polartech jacket, bike jacket.
then i'll keep up the shirt neck, put balaclava over it and close the pile over again.
it's not so bulky 'cause every layer is pretty thin.

for the lower part i use tech underwear and tech pants with alu thermal layer.

with this configuration i'm fine with outside temperatures as low as 0°.

using more layers permits you to add or take away stuff to center your needs.

I am always wary of cotton. I SCUBA dive using a drysuit. The adage there is 'cotton kills', the reason being if cotton gets wet (likely underwater) then its thermal qualities rapidly go into reverse, it actually draws heat away.
Given that the best of wet gear will fail at some point I would always suggest steer clear of cotton.
Polyprops are good, Merino is king. Even if damp or wet will retain heat.

[R650R]

Merino base layer is the only real option if your going to do it halfway without proper gear.
And you get what you pay for there are various weights of merino items out there. And some kind of windproof outlayer.
I often keep a polar fleece stuffed under back seat of GSXR as a last ditch outer layer over racesuit, makes just enough difference to be worthwhile but no sub for proper gear.
Soon as you make one part warmer you then realise how crap your boots or gloves are next...

[Big Dog]

Polyprop is shit. You wanna go merino man, trust me. Same or better thermal performance, except they won't stink after wearing them for two hours. Infact they won't stink after wearing em for two days

I got some merino thermals from the Warehouse, they do the trick. If you have the money I would recommend investing in Icebreaker though. Expensive but very good.

Beyond that, you also need something to block the wind. Some rainsuits will do a good job of this. Jeans won't!

In theory at least they have better thermal properties the more you wear them. I can confirm they are noticibly warmer in day 2. Very noticibly I you go on tramp and wear them for 5 days was them then wear them for another 2. The first day after a wash It is like you are only wearing poly props.

Poly props are only effective if you are moving. Merino due to their pour ours nature are effective as long as there is no wind or you have a wind breaker layer.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

I would also suggest if only slightly cold wearing a vest. Wool is best but micro fleece works. Theory here being if your core is warmer than your arms your blood flow will slow as your body is designed to do, this means your arms that are out in the wind lose less of your body heat.

I find this super effective.

And when really cold I wear a snug or similar loose around the neck. The uneven surface breaks up the airflow and stops you losing body heat out your neck. The size o my head prevents me wearing over my face but when I had a custom helmet I found ok silk scarves from the Salvation Army shop very effective.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Mike.Gayner]

Heaps of good info here, thanks.

[Urano]

I am always wary of cotton.
[...]
Given that the best of wet gear will fail at some point I would always suggest steer clear of cotton.
Polyprops are good, Merino is king. Even if damp or wet will retain heat.

i understand your position on cotton.
in my opinion though, unless you are going to ride in a monsoon for hours, it is pretty unlikely that water would soak you through the rainsuit (which you should put on as soon as it starts raining), the technical jacket, AND the windproof polartech.
on the other side, if i use synthetic tech underwear directly on the skin i'll smell like a merino sheep after 30 secs...

merino is good. really.
i tend not to use it thoroughly only because a) it's normally thicker than others material (even if not dramatically...), b) it suffers repeated washing and c) it's pretty expensive.
beside these points i can totally endorse its use...

[husaberg]

Best i say Layers and merino.....

What the heck does a XXXL head look like!

below i think they are in season too approach with caution.......