Please recommend clothing layers for touring in the winter time

[Flo]

Hi ! I have an Scott ebike and i do around 30-40km daily at 25 - 35km/h speed. But in the winter time i need to know what layers i should put on me. The weather is around 0 - 10 celsius and sometimes below 0. I already have an Endura Mt 500 freezing point jacket and trousers but i don't know what specific layers to put underneath. I hate to put many clothes on me and also i hate to keep the sweat inside. I need some recomandations like brands and the specific models. I heard about Under Armour cold gear range but they are 2,3 and 4 different models. I don't want to spent a fortune and also i don't need to buy some layers who will need special treatement. Please help me with an advice. Thank you very much in advance !

 

[alancube]

I used to ride 7 miles each way to work and just used to wear 'work clothes' worse part of journey was coasting the first half mile downhill but once peddling I kept warm!

 

[Flo]

I understand your point but i sweat when i ride 30-40 km at high speed. I need something eficient for sweating and cold management. Thanks for your post !

 

[irie]

Odlo or similar skiing base layer plus multi layers and a rucksack. The rucksack is so that that you can strip layers when too hot, or put more on when too cold. What I do.

 

[Zimmerframe]

I generally find merino stuff works the best for heat management.

You're riding consistently at a high speed so your heart rate will be up and your body will get warm and want to sweat. Merino always seems better at regulating temperature for me than anything else. Other materials might feel warmer quicker, but then normally feel too warm.

D4 (Decathlon) do a few bits which work well and aren't stupidly expensive, but there's also lots of other really nice stuff out there. There was a thread somewhere with some recommendations. Maybe search "Merino" in the search function.

 

[VWsurfbum]

As @Zimmerframe says, Merino is your friend.
I use a thin base layer and a mid layer if its properly cold or either one depending under my jacket.
I have an Alpkit mid-layer and I would marry it if i wasn't already married.
Mine has a hood (which i've used once or twice) but this is the same.

Milford [Mens] Merino wool midlayer

Luxuriously soft pure merino wool men’s midlayer. Naturally warm, breathable and odour-resistant for days of wear. 260gsm ultrafine merino wool fabric from non-mulesed Australian merino.

alpkit.com

 

[Flo]

Thank you for your sugestions ! I'm waiting a new ones. I understand that merino it will be the best but also that she needs special treatment , washing and drying. That's why i ask about Under armour like technical fabrics because i understand that they are very easy to care. Please excuse my poor english....

 

[VWsurfbum]

Thank you for your sugestions ! I'm waiting a new ones. I understand that merino it will be the best but also that she needs special treatment , washing and drying. That's why i ask about Under armour like technical fabrics because i understand that they are very easy to care. Please excuse my poor english....

I treat my merino as I do any other technical clothing, wash and drip dry.
Your English is fine

 

[Type1]

As @Zimmerframe says, Merino is your friend.
I use a thin base layer and a mid layer if its properly cold or either one depending under my jacket.
I have an Alpkit mid-layer and I would marry it if i wasn't already married.
Mine has a hood (which i've used once or twice) but this is the same.

Milford [Mens] Merino wool midlayer

Luxuriously soft pure merino wool men’s midlayer. Naturally warm, breathable and odour-resistant for days of wear. 260gsm ultrafine merino wool fabric from non-mulesed Australian merino.

alpkit.com

++1

 

[Mikerb]

As per your first suggestion I use Under Armour....coldgear long sleeve tee and leggings. UA not only provides warmth but wicks sweat.....plus it provides mild compression which controls muscle oscillation and that prevents or minimises muscle fatigue. UA or similar brands is what most sports people wear as first layer. Second layer needs also to breathe and best choice for that is a thin or medium fleece. Both layers are non bulky and easy care.....just a 30 degree wash and drip dry. Third layer needs to be windproof and waterproof......and I recommend also wearing a Buff and using neoprene gloves.

 

[N.R.G.]

Merino is antimicrobial/bacterial and does not need washing as much as normal materials as it doesn't hold onto sweaty smells as much

 

[GeorgesEBike]

As per your first suggestion I use Under Armour....coldgear long sleeve tee and leggings. UA not only provides warmth but wicks sweat.....plus it provides mild compression which controls muscle oscillation and that prevents or minimises muscle fatigue. UA or similar brands is what most sports people wear as first layer. Second layer needs also to breathe and best choice for that is a thin or medium fleece. Both layers are non bulky and easy care.....just a 30 degree wash and drip dry. Third layer needs to be windproof and waterproof......and I recommend also wearing a Buff and using neoprene gloves.

This is exactly how I do it! I also use the Under Armour Heatgear in the summer which really helps with the heat!

 

[Flo]

As per your first suggestion I use Under Armour....coldgear long sleeve tee and leggings. UA not only provides warmth but wicks sweat.....plus it provides mild compression which controls muscle oscillation and that prevents or minimises muscle fatigue. UA or similar brands is what most sports people wear as first layer. Second layer needs also to breathe and best choice for that is a thin or medium fleece. Both layers are non bulky and easy care.....just a 30 degree wash and drip dry. Third layer needs to be windproof and waterproof......and I recommend also wearing a Buff and using neoprene gloves.

Ok ! What Under Armour level do you recommend ? Because i found 1,2,3 and 4 and i'm stuck here becaude i don't know what version is ok for my need : moderate activity and from 0 to +10 Celsius. Thanks for your help ! Maybe you can give me an advice to choose the right Cold Gear version.

 

[Swissrider]

I’m a mountain guide and have worked outdoors all my life, sometimes in pretty bad weather so here is my ha’p’worth; I’ve used Marino base layers for years (icebreaker is the best known brand and one of the original ones but there are lots on the market now), mainly for ski-touring, which has the same problems as biking - hot on the way up and cold on the way down. As well as being warm for its weight, merino’s ability not to smell is astonishing. Artificial fibres wick better but can smell after hours, whereas merino can last for days. Some people find merino a bit itchy. Fleece is best for mid and top layers. Zipped jackets allow ventilation, so more versatile than sweaters. Unless you are brand conscious, cheap fleeces are fine. Outer layer is tricky. Goretex works best but is expensive and one crash can easily put holes in it. There is a huge range of prices from £800 to top of range from well known brand down to a £150 or so for less well known/on sale items. There are a lot of alternative breathable fabrics which work almost as well as gore tex but can be quite a lot cheaper. One interesting new fabric is RAB’s kinetic which is a waterproof soft shell. Although not claimed to be as waterproof is a hard shell, those that have tested it in wet conditions have found it to be perfectly adequate. . Because it is stretchy and flexible it is very comfortable to wear. Current price is £250 but I got one on sale for about half of this (I don‘t work for RAB BTW!). Once the DWR coating has worn off any breathable fabric (and it will wear off eventuall) and it becomes wetted out, it will no longer breathe so you will get condensation on the inside. Whatever they say (ironing, warm tumble dry, wash-in, spray-on), it’s never as good as the new DWR coating which makes the water bead off and allows the material to breathe. So, I keep my newest goretex for when I know conditions are going to be really bad and use an old one for the rest of the time.

 

[Mikerb]

Ok ! What Under Armour level do you recommend ? Because i found 1,2,3 and 4 and i'm stuck here becaude i don't know what version is ok for my need : moderate activity and from 0 to +10 Celsius. Thanks for your help ! Maybe you can give me an advice to choose the right Cold Gear version.

sorry, not sure what you mean by 1,2,3,4. In the UK Under base layer options are all described in terms of fit.........Loose ( like a T shirt), Fitted ( a more tailored fit), and compression. I think UA used to do a very tight compression fit as well which was for muscle injury recovery but I do not see any of those items on their website now.
So in terms of Coldgear I use the compression fit options...........compression fit is like a second skin. When layering up it also provides the least feeling of bulk and it makes whatever you use as a mid layer very easy to put on and take off. (I use the Heatgear version in the summer as a base level under my soft armour jacket). The downside is you really do not want to be wearing a compression tee all day!! It is the best option for sweat wicking however. "Fitted" is really the other option.
Coldgear is also anti bacterial.

 

[Flo]

sorry, not sure what you mean by 1,2,3,4. In the UK Under base layer options are all described in terms of fit.........Loose ( like a T shirt), Fitted ( a more tailored fit), and compression. I think UA used to do a very tight compression fit as well which was for muscle injury recovery but I do not see any of those items on their website now.
So in terms of Coldgear I use the compression fit options...........compression fit is like a second skin. When layering up it also provides the least feeling of bulk and it makes whatever you use as a mid layer very easy to put on and take off. (I use the Heatgear version in the summer as a base level under my soft armour jacket). The downside is you really do not want to be wearing a compression tee all day!! It is the best option for sweat wicking however. "Fitted" is really the other option.
Coldgear is also anti bacterial.

Cold gear has version 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. 4.0 is for extreme cold weather but for no activity. 3.0 is just for cold but for moderate activity and so on.... i read an answer from one Under Armour agent long time ago and i'm asking if in reality those specifications are available.

 

[Mikerb]

Cold gear has version 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0. 4.0 is for extreme cold weather but for no activity. 3.0 is just for cold but for moderate activity and so on.... i read an answer from one Under Armour agent long time ago and i'm asking if in reality those specifications are available.

No such descriptions on the UK UA website............just the 3 types of fit.......and coldgear is one specific dual layer material so the same material but with 3 different types of fit.

 

[GeorgesEBike]

I use these coldgear long sleeve shirts =

Coldgear pants =

Coldgear socks =

Coldgear Mask =

Coldgear Gloves I wear under my Fox Gloves =

 

[motmcd]

Wool and performance fabrics are best approach. Gauge the temperature and wear minimum gear you think you need to be comfortable. Add a layer if you are cold. This avoids overheating, sweating, peeling off a layer, and then you’re left cold and uncomfortable. I have a larger hydration pack for winter riding so I can carry the extra layer cycling jacket or shirt, warmer hat, and heavier neck warmer. I advise getting a good pair of cold-weather mtn. bike boots. Your feet will thank you.

Cheers!!

 

[darwink1]

I live in northern Ontario Canada and ride in up to -25 during the winter. Out of all the high tech fabrics I've tried I always fall back on good old fleece with a wind proof layer over it. It wicks the moisture away from your body and is warm even if it does get wet. Depending on temps I either wear a mid weight fleece top with a rain jacket over it, 2 fleece layers/jacket if it's colder and a fleece with a puffer jacket over it for the coldest days. A rain/puffer jacket with armpit vents/zips is key to regulating your temperature.

For bottoms I have a pair of Ennef winter pants that, in conjunction with some knee high wool socks, are usually warm enough. I add fleece long underwear for the coldest days.

Ski helmet is a must as is a good pair of ski/snowboard gloves. Ski goggles help a bunch.

The "merino" thermal tops/bottoms all end up soaking wet half way through a ride in my experience.

For footwear I run my 510 impact high tops as long as possible (still wearing them into December) then switch to Blivet flat pedal winter boots.

D

 

[2WheelsNot4]

Just bought a Sealskinz Beetley head gator(a balaclava to you and I)
Im actually finding it a bit of a sweatfest. I suppose because its waterproof, but wasnt expecting it to be as breathable as a plastic bag.
It's to replace a Gore windstopper one I've had for at least a couple of decades.

Maybe if it was seriously cold it would suit better.

Other than that it's pretty good. Adjustable with a face covering bit you can fold away.

 

[Vfour800]

Try these:

Underwear Archives - Halvarssons

halvarssonsmc.com

Not cheap but excellent

 

[Swissrider]

If you really value warm extremities then heated kit can be a revelation. I use heated socks (controlled from my phone) which can have many other uses. Heated gloves are great as well and if you want to go the whole hog go for a heated vest, which has advantage that you can have it off for going up and turn it on for the down or whenever you feel chilly.