Dressing for Cold Weather Rides

Cyclists like me are anticipating the warmer weather and are already hopping on our bikes for what we like to call training and commuting, but the truth is, we want to play. The minor challenge presented to us is this little thing called the weather. It continues to snow throughout most of my state. One day, the top layer of snow melts in the sunlight on a breezy 40 degree (Fahrenheit) day. The next, there is a wind chill of 9 degrees and there is a fresh four-inch layer of snow covering the ground.

I read a guideline in a forum that I feel is a good rule of thumb: don’t ride if it feels like it is below ten degrees. Personally, I don’t feel like riding if it is that cold. Pay attention to wind chill as that will greatly affect how it will feel outside. It can be 15 degrees but can feel like five with a wind. For the days that are suitable for riding, it is important to find the right clothes. After you’ve done that, your ride will feel just fine. You may even break a sweat.

Luckily for me, I live in an area where Nordic skiing is the norm. I didn’t have to buy additional clothing for winter riding. All I had to do was look at my ski stash.

Everyone has a different idea of what works. I’m willing to bet it’s because we own different things. Therefore, I will share with you what works for me. Since I live in a little peninsula surrounded by Lake Superior, you may find that my opinion is worth noting.

Method Behind the Madness

The first rule of thumb for winter riding is layering. The layers should be slightly loose to allow heat from your body to settle between the layers creating warm air pockets. These pockets are what will keep you warm. Add another layer, create another pocket. If it’s too warm, get rid of a pocket by removing a layer.

The second rule of thumb is the type of material used. Cotton will soak up sweat causing your clothes to become wet creating the perfect environment for hypothermia. Breathable clothing has become quite popular over the last ten years. I’m sure you’ve heard of COOLMAX®, Nike Dri-FIT, Columbia Omni-Dry®, and Patagonia Capilene just to name a few. These fabrics are all designed to wick moisture away from the skin to the surface of the garment to promote evaporation of sweat. This keeps you dry. All of these companies produce quality clothing. It is up to you to find the brand that fits you best. Just make sure the label says breathable.

Check out the plethora of sports equipment web sites out there and you’ll find that these fabrics are used to produce garments that are intended for use as different layers, for example: base layer and shell.

Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Unless you are buying clearance, which I highly recommend, you’ll find that breathable clothing is usually quite expensive. Now consider this: I’ve been using most of my winter cycling wardrobe for over four years, for different sports, and quite religiously in the winter. With the exception of the reflection material slowly peeling off of my ski tights, everything is holding up well. All the stitching is top notch and there are no holes. The best part is that most of these garments are stretchable for maximum comfort and they will fit you well through quite a weight range . . . just in case you’re planning to lose weight.

The last thing to note about breathable fabrics, and the most important, is care. Breathable fabrics should be washed in cool water without fabric softener and should be hung to dry. Keep in mind that these are polyester fabrics. Plastic can melt in the dryer. Melting clogs the pores of the fabric rendering it useless in the breathable category. Fabric softener also clogs the pores of these fabrics rendering them useless, however, this can remedied simply by rewashing the fabric.

The Layers

Unless you’re a man who needs little support, this first part pertains only to women. The layers are only as good as the base layer. For women, that base layer begins with the sport bra. There is an abundance of sport bras out there waiting for you to buy them. However, not all sports bras are created equal. Aside from finding the one that fits you best, make absolutely sure it is made of a breathable fabric. The other layers can’t wick if the sweat stops at your bra. Underwear could be an issue, but we’re all cyclists. We don’t wear underwear. If you don’t wear a cycling short with a chamois, then you may want to consider buying breathable undies as well.


Clockwise from top: 1 – Nike Dri-FIT cycling jersey; 2 – Columbia Titanium base layer; 3 – Pearl Izumi ski jacket; 4 – Columbia Titanium wind jacket; 5 – Pearl Izumi ski pants; 6 – Nike cycling shorts.

I like to start out with a base layer. I currently use the Columbia Titanium layer shown in the picture above (2), or a blue Patagonia Capilene base layer that I like equally as much. Throwing a cycling jersey (1) over it allows use of the rear pockets while helping to keep the torso warmer. I wear these two layers on most spring rides in temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to the upper 50s. In the 50s and low 60s, I may use a light wind jacket (not pictured) for really breezy days. If it is in the lower 40s and below, I will throw on my Pearl Izumi ski jacket (3) or my Columbia Titanium wind jacket (4) depending on the type of weather. If it’s cold enough, I’ll wear both. It’s better to have too many layers because you can always take them off and throw them in your tool bag or CamelBak.

The legs are much easier to work with. In colder weather, it is very important to keep the knees covered. I wear ski pants (5) over a traditional cycling short (6) through the 50s and in the 60s if there is a cold wind.


This outfit is perfect for mild spring and fall weather that is above 50 degrees. The cycling shorts and ski pants are worn in the wintertime as well.

Accessories are equally as important as all the layers you wear on your body. Without the accessories, your ride could become miserable because your toes are numb or sand from the road is blown up into your eyes.


1 - Trek Interval WSD Sport helmet; 2 – Mountain Hardwear Gore Windstopper Dome; 3 - Kona gloves; 4 – Dakine inserts (came with Dakine Women’s Camino gloves); 5 – Swix Women’s Cross Gloves; 6 – Columbia neck gator; 7 – Optic Nerve sunglasses; 8 – Nike mountain biking shoes; 9 – Planet Bike wool socks; 10 – Wigwam Ingenius ski socks.

In Trek’s helmet owner’s manual, it specifically states that hats should not be worn under the helmet to ensure proper fit. In reality, if you don’t wear a hat during part of the year, your ears will fall off. I use either a headband or a snug-fitting cap like my Mountain Hardwear hat (shown above, 2). You will need to readjust your helmet when fitting it over a hat or headband. Make sure it has a snug fit. I know people who have gone down on the ice and hit their heads. If you experience a fall like this, it will be one of the hardest falls you will encounter as a cyclist, and you will be grateful you were wearing a helmet after the pain the rest of your body experiences. Don’t be afraid to readjust your helmet midway through the ride.

Gloves are an area of debate on some mountain biking forums. I usually wear my ski gloves (5) and they do a great job keeping my hands warm while riding. Recently, I couldn’t find them and chose to wear my Dakine inserts under my mountain biking gloves (4 and 3 respectively). Due to layering, I can see how the second choice can be warmer than the first, but the difference is negligible. If you’re looking for a single pair of gloves for winter riding, Swix makes a perfectly adequate cross country ski glove. I’ve laughingly heard others say, “yeah, but bikers travel faster than skiers.” That may be so, but cross country skiers are also found on the trails in below zero weather wearing those very same gloves.

Riding is not fun when your face is freezing. For skiing and for biking, the odds are good that you will find me wearing my neck gator (6). Sometimes I keep it around my neck, sometimes covering my face, and many times I move it back and forth. It has made what could have been the most unbearable ride into a perfectly enjoyable ride.

One of my bike shop guys says, “Glasses are the second most important piece of safety equipment.” I agree. As a mountain biker, I wear glasses to keep bugs, dirt, and tree branches out of my eyes. Having mud or sand flung up into my eyes and sticking to my contacts isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. I always bring my glasses with me (7). I prefer the clear lenses, but the amber lenses are ideal for sunny days. They’ve offered protection from the wind and the sand on my road rides.

I don’t have the fortune of owning winter specific cycling shoes or neoprene booties to put over them. I wear my regular cycling shoes with packaging tape (8) over the vents to help keep the wind away from my toes. I always wear two pairs of socks for that layering effect – cycling socks or something similar (9) over ski socks (10).

When you step back and look at all the gear you need to keep comfortable during a winter ride, it seems like a lot of stuff. It is. However, all this stuff will make your ride much more comfortable and enjoyable so you, too, can join the rest of us nutcases out there on those cold, slushy roads.