What do you wear to commute in winter?

[GorgeousLadyofWrestling]

Finding myself freezing for half the journey, then baking hot as I warm up. Commute is about an hour from south London to central London - very hilly at times so a bit of a workout.

I’m not too bothered about rain as I have a good rain coat and waterproof trousers. It’s more those freezing frosty mornings. I wear cycling leggings, sleeveless base layer that wicks away sweat, long sleeve cotton top, and fleece, gloves, headband. Jacket when extra cold coming home in the evening.

I was SO cold this morning. I thought layering would be good but realistically, I am not going to stop to remove layers. All my stuff is in my side bag - I don’t carry a rucksack.

What do you wear in winter? I see people in shorts or full Lycra and feel cold looking at them!

You do an hour's walk in all weathers every morning and night?!! That is so impressive that you're my new hero. 😍

It sounds like you might need a windproof layer? You only mention a fleece.

Yesterday I commuted, it was freezing (literally), very hilly route and temperature wise I was perfect. I’ve been doing this a long time, so I always get clothing choices spot on. It does take trial and error.

Yesterday I had fleecy winter bib tights. I’d suggest investing in bibs if you don’t have them as they keep your middle snuggly in a way that vase layers and jackets can’t. I had a long sleeve base layer. Long sleeve Castelli Gabba (wind, shower proof but fabric top - lots of brands do their own version including DHB) then a proviz gillet. I was wearing sealskinz gloves and thick neoprene overshoes (not winter boots - not quite cold enough for those). I had a fleecy buff which I pulled over my face initially. I always wear a thin buff under my helmet. When I got a bit warm I just unzipped my gillet a bit. My Gabba has side venting zips. If the conditions are more variable, I’ll ensure all my layers have zips from the neck.

It’s worth noting I suffer with reynauds so have to be really careful with my hands and feet. If it’s even colder I wear wind and waterproof shell mittens over my gloves. I picked them up from TK maxx for buttons.

Which bit of you is getting cold -- everything?

My weakest areas are feet & hands, sometimes ears. I can get pain in my sinuses without covering my face, too.

Feet: neoprene booties help, plus up to 4 prs of socks

Hands: 3 prs of gloves (yes really). silk full finger pair under cycling mitts under neoprene lined gloves. Old socks as wrist warmers.

Ears: I have fleecy headband I can wear under helmet. Some ppl have complete helmet cover (fabric)

Neck buff of course, fleece is warmer than micro-fibre

Even all that won't keep me warm for 17 miles before 8am, though it could do up to 10-12 miles probably (that's an hour for me).

DS is using a balaclava for cycling home on country lanes (9pm, 6 miles).

Thanks everyone! @madisonbridges I cannot take credit for being a hero, I only do the cycle commute 3 times a week.

I have good gloves and never had a problem with cold fingers beyond normal cold initially, but then they warm up. Feet seem to be a major problem. I have mountain bike cleats and wondering if there is a warmer cycling shoe or boot I could get, specifically for winter.

Yesterday I cycled in wearing a sweat wicking layer that was a long sleeve running top. Then DH’s long sleeve Merino wool base layer and then a cycling jacket from Muddy Fox. Felt a lot warmer generally but not horribly over heating.

So thinking I get my own base layers to layer up. I also ended up using a face mask to act as a balaclava- was thinking of getting one of those neck scarves that can be pulled up over your face but in a breathable sweat wicking material? I can’t think what they are called.

Fleecy Lycra leggings from Sportsshoes. Then a Rab down jacket over a base layer.

Yes, there are specific winter cycling boots. I don’t wear them on my commute but I do own some shimano mw7 and they get my feet dry and warm at weekends. During winter commutes I just wear nike trainers, they’re quite padded trainers….no idea of the model but never had cold feet.

A snood?

Feet always suffer the most in cold weather as they're the furthest point for blood to be pumped to

Some ppl wrap tin foil round their socks but it eventually breaks up. I would just try a thick pair of specific socks and maybe two pairs of gloves then take one pair off if too hot

Altura and Endura are some of the best brands for cycling clothing

You could also try overshoes but I've tried everything and I don't think it's possible for the cold to not eventually get to your feet. Cleets will make it worse but they're needed imo

I wear overshoes and woollie boollie socks but my friend swears by her heated socks so you could research those.

I layer 2 merino base layers with a Castelli Aloha ROS Jersey/Jacket that has an internal gilet (this can be unzipped) and waterproof winter bib tights. Then a neck buff pulled up over my face with a hat to cover my head and ears.

Another tip is thin socks, thin plastic bag (freezer bag) followed by another pair of socks

I get really warm when I'm active except for my feet. Thin socks under merino wool socks plus neoprene liners in my footwear helps me.
And may sound daft, but socks which are made for left and right are better than generic pairs, fit snuggly and no irritating bunching up or seams in the wrong place if you're layering.

What are you actually wearing on your feet, when cycling?
A lot of cycling shoes are made to not insulate, only treat them as wind barriers I find.
There are extra thick neoprene booties to try.

If you are looking at winter boots - I have northwave arctic gtx’s. I have a road pair and a mountain bike pair. When it’s really chilly I wear thick neoprene overshoes over them. I usually just wear bog standard cycling socks. Again, if it’s really cold I wear a liner sock and a thicker sock over the top. As I mentioned earlier I have Reynauds. I pop them all in the airing cupboard so they are warm to put on. With this combo I can happily manage 3-4 hour rides without my feet going numb/ white in sub zero temps.

Northwave bring out a new model of their winter boots each year, so if you shop around you can pick up previous seasons for a lot less. I got my latest pair of MTB ones for £60 off eBay (new). Especially if you have smaller feet, as in 4-7. I’m on my 3rd and 4th pairs of these boots (wear pretty much daily through late - spring), that’s how well they work for me, that I’ve replaced them twice.

I’ve never done it - but I know of cyclists who’ve used that squirty foam filler around where the cleat bolt goes in on the inside of the boot, for better insulation/ keeping water out.

I use two layers of socks: silk socks followed by "ordinary" socks. I've inherited some possum wool socks from my mum which are fab!

I wear long pulled up to the knee burton snow socks and neoprene over socks and my feet stay toastie (be warned if there's not much wriggle room in your shoes they are quite thick socks)

I do 10 miles each way in all weathers. I have waterproof overtrousers for when it rains, deep winter cycling hat under my helmet, neck warmer, a windproof deep winter cycling jacket and I alternate it with a waterproof commuter jacket depending on the rain. The only thing I'm not happy with are warm enough gloves but I'll sort that eventually.

Wool socks for keeping your feet warm! If pure wool they won't get sweat either.

If you're cold at the very beginning then I'd suggest what my mum used to do before we walked to school in the winter , and warm up your clothes in the airing cupboard or over a radiator before setting off.