January 25, 2024
There’s an old saying in cycling: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Staying warm and dry is certainly more of a challenge in these winter months, but well worth it.
Get your riding gear right and you’ll still arrive at work in good shape – and ready to face the day safe in the knowledge you’ve had an invigorating workout while saving money on public transport.
Our top Winter apparel tips from Blike’s crew, from head to toe, and everything in-between.
Head Masters
A headband, like this bargain number from Decathlon, will keep your ears nice and toasty, fit under your helmet and still allow a degree of heat escape through the helmet vents as you invariably warm up during your ride. Alternatively, Wiggle have decent reductions on a range of headbands right now.
Next stop: the neck. There’s little worse than freezing air pouring down your collar and plunging your core temperature. Again, Decathlon is your friend here, with a cheap as chips fleece number that does the job perfectly well. Our Ian uses a Buff or two – very classy and a lovely range of colours too for those in search of matchy-matchy apparel.
Hands On
Our number one priority, frankly. Warm hands make light work, or something like that…
Ria goes for this seriously good range by Weather Goods Sweden – the clue’s in the name, right? Gloves, mittens, handlebar mitts, all reflective and very warm indeed. Top quality and highly recommended.
On a budget? Ian got these Skytec Argon gloves for a snip. Not perfect for cycling – a tad inflexible, fit can be a bit random – but very warm (and dry) so worth a punt.
Many delivery riders wear handlebar mitts like these. And with good reason. They are very warm indeed. The slight disadvantage is the ability to easily remove the hands for signalling. Worth a look though.
Toe to Toe
Warm socks are an essential item; overshoes well worth the outlay.
These winter Thermolite socks from Prendas have lasted years and done the trick for Ian. Not too bulky, excellent warmth and at a great price too.
At the other end of the price scale, Rapha’s Deep Winter socks are class, as you’d expect: long cut, with a wind-resistant panel running the length of the shin, 52% Merino wool. Who doesn’t love a bit of Merino?
Also in the top-quality department, Sealskinz are excellent, with a wider women’s range than most.
When it comes to overshoes, choices are slightly limited by the ability to fit over everyday footwear and trainers, which are bulkier than cycling shoes. Yet again, Decathlon is your friend. Their City Cycling Waterproof Overshoes 900 use a Velcro fitting at the back and a single strap under the sole. Waterproof too.
Core Temperature
A good baselayer is a great starting point. You’ve probably heard of GoreTex, the waterproof fabric used in many waterproof jackets and shoes. The GoreWear longsleeve baselayer has 40% off right now – a good deal.
Ian’s been a longtime fan of Howies, the Wales-based company making cool t-shirts, jeans and sportswear since 1995. Their merino wool shirts and vests look great so you have the option of sporting the riding wear at the office too. And the excellent wicking qualities of merino mean you’ll not be a sweaty mess at the desk…
Here’s a curveball. Ria sported a heated gilet to work recently that was the talk of Blike HQ. Check out this Ultrasonic tunnel gilet with carbon fibre heated panels, three heat level settings and up to 10 hours of battery life – USB rechargable. Highly recommended.
