Winter cycling gear means something different depending on your geographic location. In some parts of the country and world, it means adding nothing more than a long-sleeved jersey or a light shell. But here in Minnesota, we ride all year, in all conditions, in all temperatures. This makes us more qualified than anyone to give unsolicited advice on essentials for cold-weather cycling to prevent hypothermia, frozen appendages and noses, and slips and falls!
Pearl Izumi Versa Softshell Hoodie
One key essential to cold-weather cycling is keeping your core warm. The Pearl Izumi Versa Softshell Hoodie offers warmth and water-resistance while being an impenetrable fortress to the winter winds. You’ll be able to hear the wind. See evidence of the wind. But you won’t feel the wind. For the commuter cyclist, it has reflective elements strategically placed on the sleeves, chest pocket and rear drop-tail for good visibility. Storage capacity is outstanding. It has a zippered wide rear pocket across the lower back that can hold a bike tool, wallet, phone, iPod, gloves, balaclava, etc. It’s also amazingly versatile. We’ve used it for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and trail running in addition to cycling. At taprooms and coffeeshop stops its relaxed fit, longer cut and drop-tail doesn’t scream bike tool. Pearlizumi.com | $175
Abus Urban-I 3.0 Signal Helmet
While the Abus Urban-I 3.0 Signal helmet won’t keep your head warm, it’s an essential that it will keep it fully illuminated to cars on those dark commutes. I love this helmet for winter commuting for so many reasons: It’s comfortable, it has exceptional head coverage, it’s adjustable on the fly and it looks rather cool on my head. But most of all, I love the integrated LED tail light that offers two settings: Solid and blink—all easily set while wearing the helmet. Mobil.abus.com |
Icebreaker Oasis Balaclava
Another key essential to cold-weather cycling is keeping your head warm. The Icebreaker Oasis Balaclava provides full-head warmth on cold rides. It fits very well under helmets and is super breathable. Thanks to its merino wool construction, you can literally get several weeks of wearing this balaclava before it needs to get washed. That’s the beauty of merino wool. I also love that on very cold days, when the wind is blowing, I can pull it up to just under my eyes. Icebreaker.com | $35
reTyre Ice Racer Tires
In the winter, when the roads and paths are icy, it’s essential to stay upright. Winter cyclists often confront the dilemma of needed to swap between studded and slick tires. After storms, when roads and bike paths are cleared, they find themselves riding studs on dry pavement. The reTyre Ice Racer is a zip-on, zip-off modular tire that eliminates the need to alternate bikes or change tires. You can attach the studded skin and in a matter of minutes be back to slicks. The skins also roll up nicely and can be stored in your pannier or backpack. Retyre.co | $191
GORE C5 Windstopper Thermo Overshoes
The GORE C5 Windstopper Thermo Overshoes are essentially insulated soft shell jackets for your feet. Insulation is outstanding. If your budget doesn’t allow you to spring for a pair of winter cycling boots in the $200 – $400 range, the GORE C5 Windstopper Thermo Overshoes are our choice. They are water and windproof and, when paired with wool socks, work really well in temperatures down in the high twenties. Sizing is spot on for length but if your cycling shoe is on the bulkier side, consider ordering the next size up. Gorewear.com | $80
Kora Shola Tarn Gaiter
The Kora Shola Tarn Gaiter is made of 100% Yak wool. According to Shora, it is “40% warmer weight for weight, 66% more breathable and is 17% better at transporting water vapor away from the skin” than Merino wool. I couldn’t validate that the neck warmer is “40 percent” warmer than comparable Merino wool neck warmer but it makes sense, all things considered. Yaks live at high elevation (up to 19,000 feet above sea level). Snow, wind, sleet, hail, rain, yaks are unfazed by Mother Nature’s wrath. They’ve adapted to their surroundings by growing a soft wool under their shaggy outer coats to keep them warm and comfortable all year. Merino sheep, on the other hand, generally live at 3,200 feet above sea level. It makes sense that the animal that lives high in the Himalayas is going to produce warmer wool than the Merino sheep that gets to enjoy the temperate climates at a reasonable elevation.
What I can validate is that the Kora Shola Neck Warmer keeps my core warm by sealing off any air gaps from my neck and no matter how much bike commuting I did outside in temperatures that hovered between five and twenty-five degrees, I never felt drowning in perspiration. kora.net | $50
Outdoor Research Stormbound Mitts
Because hands are usually not moving when you ride, they tend to be the first appendage that gets cold. Unfortunately, I’ve never met a pair of cycling-specific winter gloves that offer enough warmth for winter cycling. Hence the reason I love the Outdoor Research Stormbound Mitts. They are insulated with 800-fill down to keep fingers optimally warm and have a water-resistant outer shell to keep the snowflakes from penetrating. They provide just enough dexterity to manipulate shifters and brakes and they can be used for any winter activity beyond cycling. Outdoorresearch.com |$99
