[Fishman393]

With the colder weather beginging to show its face around here, I was wondering what type of gear you guys are using to keep you warm for winter commuting. My commut is a short 10 miles each way but a mornign ride at 28 degrees was a bit cold. I plan wear my carhardt insulated bibs under a recently purchased Tourmaster Elite jacket with some military mittens and ATV insulated hand guards I picked up from a garage sale for $8. My MX Helmet probably need to be replaced because my face freezes off (any suggestions) and how will I keep my toes warm for longer rides around town? I paln on riding unless ther is snow on the rode. Any and all opionions appreciated. Also I have been using some hunting raingear and it is not so good. Seems wind drivews the water right through the stuff. Any suggestions on rain gear? as you can read I am pretty cheap but dont really care about looks only function.

 

[Fishman393]

Man sorry for all the errors I will edit next time.....

 

[admiral]

In cooler weather, I also wear a balaclava mask under my helmet. One of the thin ones so my helmet will still fit, though snuggly. Just a thought.

 

[bogey72]

If you are going to ride in the cold, nothing beats heated gear. I made a diy ghetto looking electric shirt a few years ago with a simple on/off switch and it is fantastic. If you have the money to spend, warn-n-safe, gerbings, etc are other options. I'm new to the TW and don't know how much electrical doodads the bike can support, but a simple DIY electric vest or jacket liner will keep you toasty warm on a 10 mile commute in sub freezing temps. Also, a neck gaiter and a full face helmet is required. Full face helmets can be had for cheap or even free if you don't mind buying used and washing the liner. What size helmet do you normally wear?



Look on ADVrider for diy heated liners and or vests and you'll find a lot of info.



As far as rain gear, cheap frogg toggs are awesome.



BTW, check your PM.

 

[mtkd]

If you want relatively cheap rain gear, check out http://www.froggtoggs.com/. They have models designed for bikes and they are wind proof/waterproof so the air wont push the water through. I have the pants and they are pretty easy, large zipper cuff on the bottom lets you put them on over pants/boots

 

[jckosnow]

leather coat with the wrist cuffs strapped tight & has a collar that zips right up under my chin, light rubber rain coat over that. leather thinsulate gloves. rain pants with normal pants under them. I ride about 5 miles to work, never been too cold

 

[crjanow]

I wear some of my older snowboard gear. Really warm,breathable,not binding,and waterproof.

 

[peruano]

Fishman, I think you have it covered, but I'd consider a good neck warmer (polarfleece or wool). 'Something that can be pulled up over your chin like a bank robber, or just bunched around your neck (its the ecotone between your helmet and your body that gets cold. I bought mine at REI. Tom

 

[Fishman393]

Thanks all, I will keep my eye out for a full faced helmet and pick up a neck gator. The rain gear may have to be the priority though after todays commute.

 

[Tiny-Wheel-200]

Hey bud heres some advice from the frozen north:

Head: Fleece balaclava and neck gaiter. I wear a regular moto-x helmet and have no problems staying warm down to -20.
Body: Any windproof jacket with elastic cord closures for neck, wrists, waist. Layers of fleece, merino wool long underwear
Legs: Goretex chest waders (cheap as 60 normally 90 dollars) (typically have neoprene feet)Fleece pants, merino long underwear.

Most of this stuff is carried by costco and sams club and is not the least bit expensive.

With this setup Ive been nuts deep in icewater and rode the rest of the day in -15 weather. Ended the day as warm as I started it. Also this gear is very useful for staying warm for lots of other activities, so its more worthwhile than it might initially seem. Money well spent. watch some of my videos and see this setup in action going through seat deep icewater.

 

[Weebles]

Great info.

I have been eyeing Cycle Gears sale on Freeze-Out which is promoting itself as being windproof and breathable.

My experience with wind block gear has come from hiking, where it absolutely makes a vital contribution to preserving body heat, but breathability is key.

If anyone uses this brand, but I would be grateful to hear if they recommend it. From a hiking gear perspective, the sale prices are very good.

 

[peruano]

Yes, but breathability is not as important on mc as pedal bikes or exercise acts, neck, wrists, ankles and fingers are key points to protect from air flow.tom

 

[stephenmarklay]

Great suggestions here.

My experience is commuting about 10 miles down into the negative numbers. Right now I am using from bottom to top:

Leather ADV boots. (not great for cold)
Firstgear Kathmandu pants, jeans, long underwear
Firstgear Kathmandu coat, Klim Inferno Jacket (just polyester really), normal street clothes.
Klim Neck gator, (Cheap and pretty long to cover neck opening and nose
Full face helmet with pinlock shield of for fog
Windjammer helmet accessory that keeps wind out $20+-
Gerbing heated gloves (nice)

The heated gloves are new this year. They are nice. I have the kind that takes a LI battery just so I could run a heated liner on the TW and gloves on the batteries. Last year I ran my heated grips with snowmobile gloves. It was OK but not great.

I have a Gerbing liner on order. I do run and LED light that about half the current draw from the stock so that helps a little. I will run the coat on a lower setting too. I need to get a controller.

Overall it allows me to commute and not be cold. I am not super warm but I am doing 60mph and not working at all. If I were off road at 25mph I would be hot.

 

[Borneo]

In an effort that will assist absolutely nobody, here's my winter gear thrown on the sort table in the warehouse.

View attachment 11573

(big file, click it a couple times if you want to scroll around)

 

[Ebbanflood]

Yuengling black and tan, thats my winter riding gear! I also have the same boots as you.

 

[Borneo]

Gaerne Balance Oiled. Boots of Kings. Only off road boots I've ever owned where I could ride all day and then sit around drinking beer with no desire to even take them off.

 

[Padilen]

I saw gun, brew and chew.

 

[Borneo]

Yes, Paddy. Borneo is a hillbilly.

 

[Ebbanflood]

Gaerne Balance Oiled. Boots of Kings. Only off road boots I've ever owned where I could ride all day and then sit around drinking beer with no desire to even take them off.

So true, I could wear them with my pajamas! That being said, while riding this weekend we got to a wooden bridge over a small creek. The bridge was no more than 10' wide but in was in a semi tight turn on the trail. I didn't notice that it was covered in ice until my front tire went sideways. It was only 10' wide so the front tire regained traction and I was able to save it. While doing so my left foot went down and hit the bridge hard enough that I am sure that I would have snapped my ankle had I not been wearing them. My nephew pulled up next to me and commented on a great save but I am happy that I am not in a cast right now.

 

[Borneo]

Simply one of those things that are truly worth the money if you use them enough to justify them. Like good waders.