[OldHouseMan]

Following on the coattails of the "Winter shoes...What'cha using" thread, I thought I'd add the sophomore addition...Winter clothes...What'cha wearing.

Right now my go to winter kit...

Sugoi Firewall Jacket It's way to warm for summer, works ok for fall and spring but really shines in winter. I wore it all last week when the temps dipped down to 12 in the am and through the downpour we're having this week.

For tights I use the Sugoi Sub Zero with the wind block front panels and fleece inside. The crotch is pretty much wore out and need to be replaced, but I'm still pretty happy with them. For spring and fall I use the Ibex knickers and love them.

My winter jersey is a hooded Sugoi with fleece liner. The hood fits snug under my helmet.

Up until starting this thread, I didn't realize all my layers are Sugoi.

I'm looking to replace my tights, any suggestions?

 

[GlowBoy]

Top outer layer is one of two Gore-Tex shells: one Nike (for commuting), one from Performance (for mountain biking. Both are good. Under that is usually a wool jersey if it's below about 40-45 degrees (I have two of these from Nike, no longer made) or a synthetic long sleeve layer if it's warmer. If it's really cold I'll add another layer over the wool jersey. Last week when it was 12 degrees I wore a light fleece layer over the wool jersey, and it was almost overkill.

Down below, tights on the outside. I have a pair of Nike running tights that weren't too expensive, good down to near freezing but too tight to wear over another layer. I also have a pair of Performance IllumiNite tights (lots of reflective stuff on them) that I got for $15 on clearance this fall. They're just loose enough that I can wear long underwear underneath if it's cold. For long underwear I have a midweight synthetic pair from REI and a heavy SmartWool pair. The combo of Performance tights over SmartWool longjohns was very nice last week. So far I'm a big fan of the Performance tights.

Base layer on the bottom is either a pair of synthetic briefs, or bike shorts on mornings when my boys need extra insulation.

On the feet: midweight wool socks, year round. Been wearing the cheap Costco ones for years, and they last a long time.

 

[ORwoodsrider]

Lets see... I wear a Helly Hansen base layer (works great with warding off the sweat), my dakine 3/4 sleeve jersey, a Helly Hansen shell (it's called the Seattle I believe), and my Dakine "Highwire" gloves for the top. And Since I haven't bought any good riding pants yet, I still wear my Specialized "Demo" shorts. As for father down south, I wear the thickest wool socks I can find with my 5.10s. To top it all off (put intended) I wear my Specialized "head warmer", which is like a spandex swimcap for my head and ears, under my helmet and glasses. It works out surprisingly well, and at the start of last weeks cold front I went riding and actually had to take off a layer :thumbsup:

 

[ImaKlyde]

Most of my baselayer stuff is generic wicking pieces bought from big-box stores (Target, Costco, WalMart). I have some expensive baselayer pieces, but have not noticed a difference in terms of performance (re: staying warm). This will scare GlowBoy, but I'm the same with my wool: Costcos are lasting a long time...so far, as long as my SockGuys and longer than DeFeet. I have a couple of Adidas thermal type mid-layers that are extremely warm for how thin they are (from their running stuff; got them at the outlet in Woodburn); my Adidas thermal bibs are super warm...too warm often, great when it's wet. I've yet to find a "great" all-round winter jacket that fits me right (6'3" @ 260; long torso and arms) so I have several "specific jackets...one that breaths really well and not too warm (Columbia;sucks if it's more than a light drizzle), one that's water-proof (Adidas; doesn't breath for sh!t; tough as nails though); etc... Gloves: I've been having good luck with some Castelli's meant for roadie stuff (wind blocking ones).

Overall, I focus on staying warm and don't worry a ton about remaining dry. I'd rather be warm than dry and chilly. I've yet to find a way to 100% keep my hands dry *and* warm *and* have great grip.

Brock...

 

[cazloco]

Smartwool, Ibex, Craft, Sporthill and Burley. Never bought at MSRP.

Caz

 

[LeeMan]

Pearl

I use the Pearl Izumi Barrier Pant. It's not cheap, but it's almost too warm. (yeah)

Check them out here.

For when it's coming down cats and dogs, I wear a lighter tight then I add my Gill Gortex riding pants. (They're rated pretty high ... see here ).

I also have a couple of hooded jerseys from Performace. They are not very expensive, and you can use them as an under-layer.

My problem is that I dress too warm in some places (like my trunk) but my hands or feet can get cold. (We've already discussed how to keep feet warm.)

When I dress too warm then I get all sweaty, then when I stop I freeze.

 

[Guest]

I wear the same stuff I wear the rest of the year; all of it, at the same time. Sugoi or Descente long sleeve jersey over a long sleeve cotton shirt and under a Pearl Izumi Barrier jacket. Adidias fleece-lined tights. Wool socks with a baggie over the toes. Old school Solomon ski gloves. Arm of an old T-shirt over my ears.
Wood stove and Deschutes Inversion when I get home.

 

[Kook91]

I wear the same stuff I wear the rest of the year; all of it, at the same time. Sugoi or Descente long sleeve jersey over a long sleeve cotton shirt and under a Pearl Izumi Barrier jacket. Adidias fleece-lined tights. Wool socks with a baggie over the toes. Old school Solomon ski gloves. Arm of an old T-shirt over my ears.
Wood stove and Deschutes Inversion when I get home.

Really? You wear cotton as your base layer? That stuff has zero wicking capabilities, and when it gets all wet from sweating, it STAYS wet. For survival riding you need some kind of wicking and quick drying fabric next to your skin. Wool is the best.

 

[Sparticus]

... Wool is the best.

I agree that cotton is dangerous and wool is the best. Unfortunately many people have wool allergies so it makes them itch. I'm one of them so I can't wear wool as a base layer. But I do wear wool as a mid-layer or outer garment.

One of my favorite wool outer layers is an old Pendleton dress shirt with snaps instead of buttons. It's fairly thick, more like a soft shell jacket than a shirt. It's red plaid and I look like a hillbilly when I mountain bike in it but if it's not raining, that thing is awesome. It breaths well but insulates well, too, so it covers an amazing range of temps. The snaps are easy to work even with gloved hands.

I also have an Ibex vest that I consider one of my most versatile winter garments.

A good head of hair works well in winter, too. I'll never forget the time I shaved my head back in the spring of '01... how cold I got on that ride in spite of wearing all my usual winter gear. Won't ever do that again.

--Sparty

 

[Guest]

Really? You wear cotton as your base layer?

Sometimes, because many times I wind up wearing a regular T-shirt. I've got thermastat polyester shirts and a really nice Nike Dri-Fit shirt; whatever that's made of; but I usually save those for snowboarding; when you can go from freezing to full-on sweating in five minutes.
Bottom line: I might be too cheap to buy a $25 undershirt.

 

[GlowBoy]

Assuming you're not allergic, another advantage of wool as your base layer (besides not being cotton - aka "the fabric of our deaths") is that it doesn't smell.

OK, it does smell -- but like wet wool, not B.O. I can wear my wool base layers numerous times without washing and they still don't stink. With a synthetic base layer (which I would always recommend versus cotton) it's one ride and they need to go in the washer.

 

[OldHouseMan]

I'm not a big fan of wearing cotton, mainly because I sweat a lot, and when cotton gets wet, it rubs my nipples raw. Plus cotton is kinda uncomfortable to me when it's wet.

I do have an older Ibex jersey that stinks. I'm sure it's not the wool that stinks, it's that damn 5% lycra that smells.