To The Point - Staying Warm

Feb 11, 2014
by Mike Levy  
It's winter for many readers, meaning that there is a good chance you're dealing with either snow, rain, cold temps, or any combination of the three if you want to head out on the bike. Summer can seem so far away during these deep and dark days, but that doesn't mean that you have to sit inside and sulk about it, only that you'll have to employ some common sense to make the most out of your time on the bike. Yes, you're likely going to be cold at some point regardless of how well you prepare, but you most certainly don't have to end up shuddering like a dog shitting razor blades just because you're riding a bike in cold weather. Rule number one: don't lick any metal poles. Rule number two: prepare properly.




If you could only give riders one tip for riding in cold weather, what would it be?

It would take a few dozen hands to count that number of times that we've been out on riders with others who haven't prepared properly for the conditions, and we're not only talking about under-dressing, but also about putting too much on. Seriously, how hard is it walk outside and take stock of the day's conditions before heading to the hill so you don't discover that you still need to be dressed by your mother? Go stand outside and think about the type of ride you're planning; shuttle runs? If so, you're going to need to dress warmer than if you were going to spend an hour grinding up a steep climb. Going out with a group that might be moving slower than your usual pace, or one that will likely stop to re-group every few minutes? Again, wearing more than usual might be in order. With this in mind, your best option is to layer up like a Russian nesting doll, a strategy that means you can adjust to the pace accordingly. You'll also need to keep in mind that dressing too warm will lead to you sweating more, which can then be trouble when that moisture cools off after you've shed layers at the top of a big climb.



Besides the mostly obvious tip above, is there anything that can make a big difference?

Obvious? You might not say that if you knew how many people we see riding with a cotton t-shirt as a base layer that quickly becomes soaked with sweat and then begins to mimic how wrapping yourself in a wet towel and making snow angles might feel. But, if you have the basics down, the next step is to pick up some smaller items that will can make the difference between being chilled and being chill. We're talking about keeping four key areas warm: the ears, the knees, and both the your hands and feet. The last thing we want to do is to inject science or facts into the discussion, but we will say that keeping those four zones toasty, or at least from being chilled right to the bone, helps immensely in the battle for fun. A simple headband will work wonders at taking the sting of any windchill off of your ears, while a good set of lined knee warmers will help to keep those joints from getting stiff (no, we're not ninety years old, thank you very much). The hands and feet are a little more difficult, and you can end up spending some serious coin if you want to go all out. No one really wants to do that, though, so why not head to your local supply store and pick up some fleece gloves for about a quarter of the price of something brand name. So long as it isn't raining or cold enough to freeze the water in your bottle, those $10 USD gloves will do the job, plus they're thin enough to let you still "feel" the controls, unlike some of the over-stuffed winter gloves on the market. Really wet out? That's where the high-end options will come in handy, with their ability to keep you both dry and warm. A simple set of winter booties, waterproof or not, will keep the chill from passing through your vented clipless riding shoes while being far less expensive than true winter shoes, but booties obviously aren't a good choice when it comes to running platform pedals. If you don't clip in, you're best off investing in some warmer shoes that offer a good amount of water resistance, as well as some warm socks.


way up to vedder after heavy snow


I like this penny pinching theme as I don't ride in the cold that often. What else you got?

Using tape to block off the vents on the helmet that cost you extra because you wanted more vents might make you look like a dorky commuter, but keeping the wind off of you will keep a smile on your face. The fogging up of glasses or goggles is also more likely to occur when things get cold and damp, and it's one of the more annoying issues to have happen to you right before you roll into a tricky section. No, you don't need uber-expensive glasses or goggles to put a stop to this, just a ghetto anti-fog treatment that can work better than a bunch of vents that claim to keep your sight unobstructed. A quick wipe down with regular Windex or WD-40 (yes, WD-40) before heading out can make all the difference in the world, especially if you are stopping often during your ride. Doing shuttle runs and don't want to spend the extra coin on a spare pair of gloves? Just place your gloves on top the de-frost vent at the base of the truck's windshield to have them toasty warm by the time you get back up to the top of the trail, but we take no responsibility for the dead animal smell that will fill the vehicle when you do so.



Do I need to bring back-ups of anything?

The only item that we bring duplicates of are gloves, and we'll sometimes even leave home with two extra sets stuffed into our bag. This is especially true for days when you expect to see Noah's ark float by, with the thirty seconds that it takes to swap out for a dry set being well worth the effort. Speaking of spare gloves, having a jacket or even a jersey underneath that sports some pockets will not only allow you to keep your spare pair of gloves dry, but also see them warmed up by body heat so that they aren't already freezing cold when you slide them on.


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Should I be eating or drinking differently than normal?

Your body is working to keep you warm while you're out there, and there is a good chance that you're burning more calories than when you ride at the same pace on a warm day. For this reason it certainly doesn't hurt to take an extra snack with you, or at least eat the one that you usually bring but never touch, when the temps head south but you can't do the same. It's also worth thinking about what kind of food you have with you when it's really, really cold, as some bars turn into cinder blocks if they can't be kept at a decently warm level, and we've found that we usually prefer more normal food when out for a chilly ride - think PB and J sandwich instead of that peanut butter flavoured energy bar. Likewise, having some tasty juice to sip on will make you more likely to drink during the ride than if you had plain water, and the fact of the matter is that you're less likely to be drinking as much as you should be if it's cold outside. And the best part of a winter ride? It has to be the hot tea or coffee waiting for you in the insulated mug you left in your car.


Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles

113 Comments
  • 91 1
 Why is the dirt white?
  • 8 0
 Hahaha, that made me laugh!
  • 3 0
 Does anyone make a flat bike shoe with the grip of 510 that is waterproof and warm.
I know 510 make the Element now, but that is about as waterproof as a sponge.
Anyone know of a good brand???
  • 3 0
 shacky: I've always liked them Karvers, they're not exactly waterproof, but close enough, I rarely ever got my feet wet with those. I've tried other shoes, Tevas were probably as close as it gets to the grip (though still not quite there), but not sure if they made any waterproof shoes, not to mention they don't make bike shoes anymore Frown
  • 3 0
 My only recommendation is to stay away from 510, they're sponges.
  • 3 1
 Thanks, haven't tried them. Yeh I have a pair of teva link highs and they are the closest I have come but the grip is no where near as good as 510.
  • 2 0
 Sealskinz socks in combo with 510 Impact Hi is what I use, takes some drying though, and they get heavy. Shimano AM41's have a decent tongue cover, and much lighter when wet, but still far from waterproof. Shimano make some Goretex Vibram soled shoes.
  • 2 1
 Karvers have always worked well for me.
  • 4 1
 @shacky: I use 510 karvers. I concur with MrDuck above. They're also a very warm shoe. -22c and my feet are still warm. At that temp water isn't an issue. But on hotter days 0c and above they keep my feet warm and dry. That being said I probably don't deal with the same amount of moisture that you deal with. My part of the world is a bit drier than your part from what I hear. As long as you're not trudging through deep puddles on foot your feet will be dry.
  • 3 0
 So it may not be cheap put how badly do you want 510 grip on a weather proof shoe? You can get the 510 sole put on any shoe you want by going to a good shoe repair place. I have seen dudes with Etnies that have 510 soles and they saw them in a mag. I put a pair of Vans Rowley XLT soles on a set of Berra DVS shoes, they were magic. Cost me $25 to have it done.
  • 1 0
 Xi11um- that's crazy man! Didn't think you could swap soles like that. Slippery slope with me. I alter just about everything. Its hard to top 510s. I live in Vans when i'm off my pedals.
  • 3 0
 FYI The new Impacts dry really fast, overnight dry. And are warm.

You can't get 5.10 sole put on another shoe unless you are buying a re-sole direct from 5.10. Otherwise, it's a knock off. The chemical compound of the rubber will not be exactly the same.. Unless it was cut off an old shoe or something.

I am using the new Elements here in the rain and my feet have not been cold, aside from last week of sub-zero temps... But I'm a girl! My feet should be more delicate and sensitive, right?! Anyway, I find the (elements) freeridr legit for wet conditions. Best I've used.
  • 21 0
 You should all come to Australia, its nice and warm...!
  • 22 1
 I'm trying, but your government is making it plenty hard!
  • 8 1
 Man, it's 40 degrees c here...gotta wait until sunset to ride. I'm looking forward to some cool weather. ...
  • 1 3
 I hope you mean 40 degrees f... Lol
  • 8 1
 Oh geez, mistook the flag for England again.
  • 2 0
 headed to new zealand brother!
  • 12 13
 Come to the UK, we let anyone in.
Give them a house, money, food and a full health check.
And we pay 20% tax for the privilege of having a "multicultural" country. Smile
  • 15 5
 Entirely untrue shacky.
I'm not originally from here. I have paid thousands in Visa fees, sat tests, paid emergency tax for a good long while, worked withou an form of fallback support such as job seekers allowance. I have two young kids, for which I also will not recieve any tax benefits.

Go back to reading the dail mail for your "informed unbiased informatiom"
  • 6 6
 I'm with you shacky, and we're an island. How many UK's could you fit in the whole land mass of Australia?
  • 2 1
 It's -15c here. Just heading out for a ride.
  • 9 1
 Can I get that measurement in Freedom degrees?
  • 2 1
 should be around 5 degrees Fahrenheit.........
  • 4 0
 About 59 Englands would fit into Australia according to the Internets.
  • 2 1
 But there's an awful lotnof sweet f*ckall in thr middle of Aus, Worm-burner Smile
  • 16 3
 This article is dangerously ignorant of winter injuring preparation. Anyone that spends time outdoors and far from civilization in the winter should be aware of what is needed to survive if there is an accident. A broken leg can result in frost bite or death when the temperature is far below freezing. An otherwise non-life-threatening injury can be very dangerous if you only have enough clothing to keep you warm while generating heat from pedaling. That broken leg could have you lying on the ground waiting for help. It would be a shame to lose fingers, toes or perhaps your life... all due to not being prepared for an injury in cold weather. If riding some place that could be more than an hour from help arriving, it is wise to bring an extra hat and layer in the camel pack. Put another way, if you didn't bring too much clothing, you didn't bring enough clothing.
  • 6 1
 Good idea to have knowledge to go along with it. Space blankets are cheap and light to carry. The issue is some people don't use them right. But some basic knowledge and been well prepared will save lives.
  • 3 0
 Yes yes yes. An extra layer and some small but important things could really make a difference if you're hurt in the cold. I have a little "oh shit bag" that I swap between my ski, hike, and riding packs as needed. It has a little thermal bivy (space blanket sleeping bag thing), lighter, a snack, pocket knife, and a whistle. It's packs up tiny but would be really nice to have if anything went wrong. I almost always grab a headlamp too if it's in the afternoon/evening. It can feel silly putting all this stuff in a pack for just a quick little ride, but if you end up having to hunker down and wait for help it could make a big difference.
  • 4 0
 glow sticks are a good addition too, if you happen to be somewhere over night they might just get you found.
  • 12 1
 good too if you happen upon that rave deep in the woods.
  • 1 2
 Ha ha brilliant SSeanS!!! Made me laugh!
  • 3 0
 I certainly was grateful for a spare sweater and reflective thermal blanket while waiting for an hour for SAR and EMT's in -5 temp a few weeks back. Lucky it was dry!
  • 20 3
 I hate winter
  • 4 0
 Dude do you you live in the wrong country or what!?
  • 1 0
 Sigh...
  • 7 0
 cmon you claim to live on the Shore, I can't see it snowing out here, and the trails seemed quite sweet 3 days ago up on Fromme Wink Now it perhaps snowed a bit up there, but it also got warmer = cry less, ride more!
  • 5 1
 This Is Canada. 9 months of cold and 3 months of shitty snowmobiling.
  • 6 0
 To me Canada is 11 months of proper biking and a month of rather chilly biking :>
  • 7 0
 just drink Jagermeister until u don't give a flying f...........
  • 1 0
 YES^
  • 2 0
 I've been riding almost every day.. It's not Edmonton for f's sake...
  • 9 0
 I can't believe the article didn't talk about the wonders of wool, especially in regards to socks. Staying warm even though completely saturated? $12 might seem like a lot for a pair of socks, but when it means that your feet are frozen solid and you're beginning to regret moments of your ride, it's definitely worth it.

Good tip on bringing extra gloves. I've been doing this for a while. In my area (W. Oregon), one climbs up 2-5000 feet before doing a massive decent. I prefer to have a decent set for the climb up (can be heavier). And two sets of thins for going down. Further, I have another super badass set (gore tex extreme conditions snowboard gloves) just in case my hands ever get to the completely cold and saturated point that makes them so cold and uncomfortable they never seem like they'll warm up. While these gloves are far too bulky and way too hot for riding, I put them on for 5-10 minutes on a ride and my hands start to regain consciousness. This is best for when my hands are so cold initially that when even with gloves that would be idea for conditions don't seem to be working. It fixes this problem. Honestly though, you can never have too many pairs of gloves in one's pack for longer days.
  • 4 0
 ^^ Yes. I don't even use special winter shoes, because a good set of wool socks and perhaps even polypropylene liners really do a great job of keeping you warm and dry. I've found that alpaca wool is especially good at insulating without the itch.
  • 2 0
 Merino wool keeps the feet nice and warm too and can be worn all year round you can get thicker winter ones if you need them.
also merino wool base layer are amazing keep you warm slap on gore tex waterproof and thats got me through so far without being cold Smile
  • 1 0
 Yeah, I'm surprised they didn't spend more time on what constitutes a proper bee layer after the "dude wearing cotton undershirt" comment. I'm completely opposite to this article, I can take cold feet and hands for hours, often shovelling snow in below zero temps without gloves, but I need my core to stay warm and a good base layer is the only way to achieve this when sweating in cold temps.

As for gloves, I find waterproof XC ski gloves with a lea the palm are absolutely perfect for cold weather riding. Not bulky, great grip, keep you dry and they are usually designed to vent well. A bit more than the $10 supply store gloves, but they'll last you for years.
  • 1 0
 For Vancouver Island, BC "winters", pretty well 5 to10 deg C and wet, it's 5.10 Karvers and Sealskinz light neoprene socks. If it's really wet, switch to Gore Tex socks and stick a light liner glove under the riding gloves with an extra set of gloves in the pack. The feet and hands stay toasty and trail ready 12 months of the year. Great tips for cold weather riders here. Thanks.
  • 2 0
 If you're a real cheapie, I know a few few people who simply wear two layers of thin socks, with a plastic bread bag (or the like) in between the layers to keep their feetsies all dry (i.e. foot, sock, bag, sock). Apparently, it's hot as hell as well, so I wouldn't recommend it for a really warm and humid rainy day.

I personally just prefer wool socks as aforementioned, but figured I'd give that tip out for all you teenage dirt bags out there.

Another dirt bag tip is to stuff balled up newspaper in your shoes after you're done riding cause paper will absorb moisture from inside your shoes, getting them all dry for any succeeding sessions of slippy-slope shredding.
  • 1 0
 Also merino wool doesn't smell as bad as polypropylene layers so you can wear it for several days without washing, even if you are excercising... You men will probably read that as "several weeks" I am sure, and feel free to take that challenge and report back with results.
  • 10 1
 Spare gloves - I usually have a couple of pairs in my riding pack. There's no better feeling than slipping on some warm, dry gloves half way through a freezing cold and/or soaking wet winter ride!
  • 4 2
 I'd just put latex gloves under my normal ones. But singapore is too hot for gloves anyway.
  • 3 0
 @bobsuruncle: It's funny to see a guy from Singapore commenting on an article about staying warm. Wink
  • 1 0
 Sexy.
  • 7 3
 I found my limit this year, -22c or about -30 with the windchill. I lasted about an hour.

My recipe for comfort is simple and works really well on hot days [-15 upto -5].

Three layers on the core.

Core: First layer is merino wool long sleeve. Second layer a winter weight long sleeve race jacket. Third layer a gortex shell or waterproof breathable shell.

Legs: Bike shorts [road style] with winter weight leggings. Knee and shin pads over top are a great wind breaker and really keep the knees warm. The pads also protect the lower legs from the inevitable fall in the slippery trail conditions.

Hands: Pearl Izumi Lobster Claw gloves. I can work shifters and brakes with ease and more fingers stay together for better heat retention.

Feet: Defeet Woolie Bullies and 5.10 Karvers. Feet stay warm in all conditions.

Head: Merino balaclava. Helmet of choice [I use the same Bell Helmet as in the video]. Ski goggles. They never fog up.

Back: Big Camel Back with water. Drink and then blow the water back down the tube into the reservoir to prevent the whole system from freezing between the mouth piece and where the hose emerges from the pack.

My experience tells me that as long my core is warm/ hot, the other parts will also stay warm and comfortable. When it is really cold there's no stopping and chatting about features etc. All that talk is saved for the coffee shop at the end of the ride.

Caveat: I'm not sure if any of this would actually work if I was riding Enduro in the same conditions.
  • 1 0
 I wear pretty much the same set.
  • 1 0
 Very informative, wish I read this a month ago. As it happens I found a similar selection to this that worked great for me, accept I wear overshoes on SPDs.
  • 4 1
 Got caught 30 km out on the mountain with a sudden blizzard and 40 mph winds with 2 buddies. Luckily I had my fingerless Fox digit gloves covered by a pair of thinsulate gloves. My other 2 buddy's only had single pairs of regular gloves on. None of us had any thermals or waterproof on of any kind. We only barely made it back, one of the lads went pure green and had to walk the last 5km because he couldn't feel the handlebars. Really scary, another 5 or 10 km out and we would have been found dead up there I think. Lesson learnt
  • 3 0
 Yes! Thank you for posting this. I too have had the experience of not knowing if I'd make it back alive or with all my fingers and toes. (See my rant below about the kind of advice this article should be giving for winter riding.)

If you didn't bring too much clothing, you didn't bring enough.
  • 6 1
 Yet when the product pick had the thermal bivy, so many made fun of it and said it had nothing to do with biking.
  • 2 0
 It's -4 deg F with 10" of snow here in Missouri this morning. One year ago today I shattered my leg riding at a skateboard park (tricks are for kids). We all understand layering, so the #1 thing to bring on any ride, particularly a cold one, is a cell phone. Also, when I take my fat bike out this afternoon, I'll do loops relatively close to the trail head. I hope this combination will keep me safe during this endless mid-West winter.
  • 2 0
 I've ridden in all sorts of conditions across Canada and have now settled down on Vancouver Island. One of the reasons we chose to move here is the lack of cold compared to the rest of Canada but it still gets chilly. Fleece liner gloves under regular bike gloves. I wear the liners under a pair of sized up Mechanix gloves. This is good to -5ish. Thin merino and polypro toques. Again good to -5. Colder and I go with a thicker fleece toque. A buff is good for your neck if clothes don't cover it. I love my softshell jacket with 1-2 thin merino layers underneath. I normally put the jacket in my pack for the climb so I don't get too sweated up. Knee or leg warmers, bib shorts, baggies and my knee pads. Knee pads are great for keeping the knees warm. Wool sock with a thin synthetic liner. Much colder and you will need a thin balaclava, better gloves or mitts, and better shoes. You can cover the vents on your shoes with tape. Spare gloves and toque are nice to have on a longer ride.
  • 2 0
 An old engineer taught me a trick when i had freezing cold, wet hands from lifting in sheet metal that was stored outside under layers of snow an ice! I rode an indoor skate park one weekend an my hands cramped up with so much pain it actualy hurt to let go of the bars! the pain continued for a few days at work until....

in super cold conditions wear latex (or something else if have an allergy) under your regular gloves, this will keep hands dry an dampness out of the bones/joints. seriously your hands will be toasty after aboot 10 mins

they cost about £3-4 for a box of 100 pairs!!!!
  • 2 0
 Three things... That's it.

1.) Legs - Pearl Izumi Amfib Pro winter tights.

2.) Hands - Gore Bike Wear Alp-X 2.0

3.) Core - Under Armour Compression Cold Gear & Gore Tex Shell.

yes, it's expensive. but guess what, you chose an expensive hobby, that you also apparently want to pursue during the winter, so coin up and do it right.

going about this cheaply just seems stupid. like a pair of fleece gloves are really gonna keep the wind out? amazingly bad advice.
  • 2 1
 Long sleeve merino base layer with a Helly Hansen thick mid layer or similar, waterproof shorts, 3/4 tights with knee pads on top plus thick merino socks, head band or skull cap under helmet and an expensive jacket with a hood;-)
  • 1 0
 we don't have winter here, but we have a typhoon season that lasts from may to december. whenever i go out for a ride when there's a storm i wear small plastic bags in between my socks and shoes. and a nice pair of water proof trekking pants. it keeps my feet dry and relatively warm. then a drifit jersey with a jacket with removable sleeves. so if its not too cold, i'll remove the sleeves and just keep my core warm.
  • 2 1
 as an Aussie from tropical Queensland riding 2 winters in the UK (wet more the freezing) I'd opt for a light weight long sleeve merino T under a well vented breathable waterproof shell. I got some 17 quid army surplus gortex paints from ebay and cut them near the knee. Troy Lee knee+shin guards kept legs warm or hid leggings if i wore them. sealskin socks would hold out for a few hours. kept a spare thermal T and a neck warmer stuffed in the pack that made waiting for the train more manageable.
  • 2 1
 Merino or thermal top. Shorts and long socks. If you get cold ride faster. Take a jacket if you are going to stop.

I find waterproofs don't really work if you are sweating, you get just as wet. So you need to have something that works when wet, then forget about it.

I've found that's fine up until -10°C. If it's colder than that put another breathable insulating top on.

Always take spare gloves, ask Maurice Herzog why if you can't work it out. If you're going a bit away from civilisation a space blanket is nice and light and warm in an emergency,.
  • 2 1
 goretex or Event jacket with merino baselayer is all you will need
  • 1 0
 You know, by the time you gear up for a frosty, muddy ride you could be on a flight to Phoenix Arizona and ride Sedona, Black Canyon Trail, downhill runs on SoMo, AZ Trail, Tucson... 3-months of riding! Find a job at a bike shop or something. Embrace your inner dirtbag. People have been ski bums for years. Now its time to be a bike bum. I am.
  • 1 0
 well, i guess Winter is a very subjective word.
Winter Bike ridding for me is mostly done in streets, clycling paths and the local trails when snow conditions are correct.
that is when the right temperature (between -8 and -12 celsius is the sweetspot for packed hard hero snow) and the right amount of snowshoers and hikers have been packing down the snow leaving a acceptably wide trail.
Then comes tire (or bike) choice. Fat bike is obvious but stil just one of the options. Many othe ways to enjoy ridding on snow.

to stay warm?, it's not really complicated. Just do what the XC ski people do, ridding a bike in winter is very similar. It can get expensive to get the good quality stuff. I 100% agree with the article when it says that you need to prepare, size up the type of ridding and amount of exposure.
Ridding in the winter is still what it is...there is some fun to have but most of the time the rides are short to limit the exposure.

please summer...come back! It's been really, really cold here in Quebes this winter.
  • 1 0
 And one last item: fitness... I'd been laid up with an injury for a couple of months, then last week, for my first day back in the saddle, tried to ride up out of Finale Ligure to the NATO base and back down. It was a dumb plan, and by the church of San Rosso I was pretty munted. Then it rained - hard - and I was high on the hills. I'd sweated so hard I was soaked from the inside, and I soon got cold and a bit wobbly... In my daze I then missed a turn and ended up in a neighbouring town, shivering in a bus stop. Luckily, I was able to call my wife to come get me, but it just goes to show that if you do enough dumb things in a row, even in the comparative civilisation of the outskirts, you can still come a gutser. I'm bloody glad I didn't make it to the top of the mountain...
  • 4 0
 -35c on the ride into work this morning.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/10603393
  • 1 0
 If you're going to spend money on anything, it's finding a good first layer that wicks well. It's amazing how much more comfortable that'll make you. I was riding here in Vancouver on Monday - probably 3deg, very wet, still ice and snow on parts of the trails. It wasn't cold, but the combination of cool and wet is a killer and makes things feel a lot colder. I have a synthetic base layer from MEC that really wicks - Merino was a bit pricey. Then a North Face thin zip up shirt I've had for about 15 years, then a fleece lined cycle jacket that feels a bit like neoprene I bought from MEC like a billion years ago, and then a rain shedding layer. Wool socks - 2 pairs - winter weight leggings and a water shedding legging layer over my kneepads. Water resistant gloves that are good to -5. I was pretty comfortable and didn't feel over-dressed. If it's not raining, I can wear the same gear - minus the rain shell - down to -10 or so with a balaclava under my helmet. I would also second other sentiments that you don't go too far afield. And let people know where you're going to ride and make sure you have a check-in procedure established so your significant others know when you're coming off the trail.
  • 1 0
 My tips: If you are about to start riding and you feel warm you've overdressed - once you start riding you will get warmer which means you'll sweat. Then you'll shed the layer you should have shedded before you started. Keep warm AND dry and keeping dry means reducing the amount you sweat.

Therefore, at the bottom of a hill you are about to pedal up lose a layer or undo a zip or whatever. Once you are going to descend, zip up and preserve that heat that will escape on your descent.

The goal is a little forethough about what temperature you are going to be in a few minutes time, instead of what temperature you are now.
  • 6 3
 Purebred Canadian here ..... What is this "cold" you speak of ? I hike in a t-shirt and shorts pretty much year round.
  • 1 1
 latex gloves underneath your normal gloves will keep your hands at a way better temperature, but your hands will look vile (and stink) use climbing chalk or talc if your a sweaty f*cker, before the latex gloves, then put your summer gloves on...

if you put your feet in plastic bags, before putting your shoes on, then your feet won't get too cold even if your shoes are saturated.

merino, enduro specific if you can... is well worth your money, it wicks where compression stuff doesnt.
  • 1 1
 I use the bluey green ones and my hands are just fine. No old lady hands. This works a treat and we were out in 2 foot of snow digging out the local dh track and we were fine for a good 4 hour stint of OTBs and arse drifts. S Paires up with some seal skins and regular dh pants we were fine. Its not getting a wet arse in the mud that needs sorting
  • 1 0
 Careful with using a plastic bag in shoes… they don't breathe at all and can cause you're feet to sweat far more than usual… and if the cold gets in, you're screwed unless you have a wool base sock on.
  • 1 1
 riding bike is always a good thing and it doesnt matter what wether is outside hah ) you can just take your another bike and go ride xc for example after work and school but for dh/fr riding certainly you need time and good lineup...
  • 8 6
 Who is being interviewied? how do I know if that person is qualified to give such advice? I prefered when "To the point" articles were mentioning a company...
  • 3 1
 I wondered the same thing. Based on the video/ interview it looks/ reads like it might be some guy who lives in a much warmer place than me.
  • 2 1
 Windproof base layers and jerseys, waterproof jackets, SealSkinz, overshoes, spare gloves etc etc etc - No two ways about it, you wanna stay warm, dry, with stoke levels high you need the right gear.
  • 1 1
 So, to the condescending prick that wrote this article, I'm stupid am I because me walking outside doesn't help me work out what to wear whilst riding??!

I just moved to Finland and had NO IDEA what to wear to ride in -20c. I know what to wear when snowboarding and I know how to dress when riding in 2c or so. Reading constant reviews on winter leggings helped none, as no one hardly ever mentioned temperature when reviewing winter gear. Useful, not! Here is what I wore...So I bought some 5mm neoprene overshoes, with some average density wool socks. I bought the thickest leggings I could find, and wore another pair of leggings over those with shorts on top. I had a full sleeve Halti base layer of high quality and pretty heavy, 80g/m I think, I also wore my snowboard midlayer micro fleece, and then my Endura softshell. I wore a micro fleece balaclava under my helmet to keep my head and ear and cheeks warm, this is handy as it can be worn under the chin or over the mouth. Hands are a problem, and I had super lightweight silk gloves inside my winter gloves, I easily get cold hands.. I rode a normal xc style route, with people I never met before so I had NO idea whether I would be slow, fast, stopping or not. Well, I was ok, for about 5mins, then I got really hot. So I undid my jacket and I was ok, then I met up with the others and, cooled down, then I got hot again. After a while, we stopped at a garage for coffee, and I took some layers off. My gloves were wet, my balaclava was soaked, and my back was drenched.. When we set out again, I was obviously cold, I warmed up, but didn't get hot.. Result? I still have no idea what to wear! And if the temperature goes up to -5 or so, I don't know what to wear, maybe a thin thirst base shirt, the long sleeve base shirt and soft shell..

Anyway, the purpose of this was to possibly offer information, but mainly to say the it's not nearly as easy as the butthead that wrote this article..
  • 1 0
 What is winter aniway? down here in Brasil we only know what is sweat. I would love to spend some time on a real winter place, I wont even conplain. 100 degrees here
  • 4 2
 I'll take cold over heat any day! WD-40...guna give that a try. Layers, it's got to be layers.
  • 2 0
 I did not really get the WD-40 part. "A quick wipe down with WD-40...". WD-40 makes surfaces hydrophobic, but also greasy. This won't make vision better. Can you explin how did you understand it?
  • 2 0
 I’m assuming WD-40 acts as an anti-fog agent when applied to lenses. I figured when wiped clean it would prevent moisture buildup and would not distort vision. Worth a try. I haven’t had much success with anti-fog specific treatments in the past. I've heard Amor All/banana peel works too, haven't tried. I tried spraying WD-40 directly into my eyes once but it hurt really bad, definitely not recommend.
  • 2 0
 There's no doubt WD-40 repels water, but it is also greasy. I'll try to test it and wipe it and polish some gogles I don't use anymore. If you learn something more please let me know.
  • 2 0
 I often go without eye wear because foggy lenses. My big ole head generates crazy heat. Best solution has been drilling small holes (3 per side) along top rim of lenses. Happy trails brother man!
  • 2 0
 @666 that made me laugh. nice.
  • 2 0
 Rain-X on safety glasses has been working well in reducing fogging and rain as long as you reapply it every so often for me when I'm not using goggles.
  • 1 0
 I use gogles only when planning to ride really fast. Fast passing air makes me cry. It is so sad. Fogging is not the major issue though. It is the rain drops landing on the sheild so to blur eveything out. Some people use rubber wipers attached to gloves. There are the plastic covers to loose when it gets dirty, but I am waiting for real car-like wipers. I've seen 29ers, 650Bs, they are trying to stick iphone in the middle of bar to keep every corner facebooked, it is then the matter of time. They''ll do everything to keep bikers buy.
  • 3 0
 to the point : enduro in cold
  • 1 0
 Always keep a beanie in my pack. Bring dress socks to layer under wool ones also 2 sets of gloves.


Keep pedaling and your stay warm. Smile
  • 1 0
 Don't forget to put a couple of those "instant heat" packages in your tool kit. If you ever have to do repair, those hand warmer are perfect.
  • 2 0
 I rode 250 miles in January in Montana winter and this article left out a ton of info.
  • 2 1
 That is the best "to the point" article for me so far. Great choice of topic, so actual. New knowledge can make some people go outside earlier this year. Props to the author.
  • 1 1
 Agreed it's Canada how can you escape the cold in the winter you can't unless your a hermit or live far west.. me I just wear under armour and a coat and pair o pants.
  • 2 4
 Here in Brazil we have temperatures of 42 degrees in the middle of the day in the shadow and 30 degrees in the night so tgis article is useless specialy couse in winter we dont have temperatures colder than 10 degrees... I live in a perfect place for mountain biking where I can ride the hole year and not fight against the snow...
  • 7 0
 I wouldn't say that 42 C is the perfect temperature for outdoor activities in general, but good for you bro
  • 2 0
 I don't find summer the best season to ride. I am talking about hot summer days of over 30 degress C. Most of my riding is done in spring and autumn. Summer and hot weather makes me lazy, but I am sure people who live in Brazil are used to something else and have a bit different bodies.
  • 2 0
 I find the lack of mentioning a balaclava (or ski mask) disturbing.
  • 1 0
 Sounds like a lot of work, just grab a six pack, throw on the ski/snowboard gear and hit the slopes.
  • 1 0
 Everyone should buy klim gear, pretty much the best stuff out there for cold weather gear
  • 1 0
 "Shuddering like a dog shitting razor blades". Thanks pb I'll keep that one
  • 1 0
 Always awesome watching Wade Simmons shred a bike. Reminds me of the old days with Ride To The Hills and Kranked 3.
  • 1 0
 Thank you PB to choose my picture ! Big Grin
  • 2 1
 I don't ride in the winter, I rebuild the trails and make new ones.
  • 1 0
 "snow angles", they are so acute.
  • 1 0
 Ride harder if you're cold, job jobbed.
  • 1 0
 Ride fast and carry vaseline, why? Chapped lips! hahaha
  • 1 0
 this dude is an asshole.
  • 2 2
 vodSmile







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