Fighting The Elements: Winter Clothing
Fighting The Elements: Winter Clothing
Struggling to get your clothing choices right during the winter? Choosing the right kit can be trickier than you might expect, especially here in the UK where weather conditions can drastically change without notice. Overdressing or underdressing is easily done, but this guide should help you figure out what to wear and why.
Feet
Typically you’ll find that your extremities are the first things to lose their warmth on cold and damp winter rides. Being one of your main contact points between you and your bike, keeping your feet warm will significantly increase your comfort!
Endura BaaBaa Merino Socks
An easy mistake to make during the colder months is to double up on socks. Doing so will restrict blood flow to your feet due to the extra compression and reduced breathing room in the shoe, actually causing you to lose heat much faster.
Finding a good pair of thermal socks will solve this problem. Endura’s BaaBaa Merino Socks are particularly good during the winter, largely thanks to the merino construction providing plenty of insulation whilst retaining the ability to wick away sweat.
Endura Pro-Slick Overshoes
Well vented cycling shoes are fantastic during the summer when the temperatures are up and you’re generating some more heat, however, come winter those vents quickly become entry points for cold air and moisture.
Overshoes mean you can stick with your favourite shoe year-round without compromising on your comfort. The Endura Pro-Slick Overshoes are a great all-rounder, fully waterproof and wind-resistant they’ll keep your feet dry and warm without overheating. Neoprene options perform best in wet conditions, and for those dry days where it’s not too warm but not too cold, toe covers will do the trick.
£36.99
Legs
Your legs take the brunt of the weather when cycling in the winter – leaving them open to the elements will increase fatigue and in extreme cases even cause cramps. Wrapping them up warm when the conditions are rough will dramatically improve your time on two wheels.
Stolen Goat Orkaan Bib Tights
Designed specifically for winter riding, the advantage of these over traditional bib shorts is their ability to retain heat. The fleece lining and windproof panels will ward off cold air, whilst a water-repellent treatment keeps the road spray at bay.
The Stolen Goat Orkaan bib tights are warm yet breathable, and also feature a unique reflective panel on the rear, ideal for low-light riding in the winter.
Bontrager Thermal Leg Warmers
In varied temperatures layering is your key to success, giving you the chance to add or remove should you get too warm or cold. When things are on the mild side, a pair of thermal warmers should do the trick.
The Bontrager Thermal Leg Warmers feature a toasty fleece lining without compromising breathability, and silicone grippers firmly hold them in place.
£44.99
Body/Core
Lose control of your core temperature and you’ll likely have a pretty uncomfortable ride. Too cold and your body will prioritise blood flow to your vital organs, leaving the extremities struggling for warmth, but too hot and your clothes will be saturated with sweat. Layering up right is key.
Endura Engineered Baselayer
Perfect for wicking away sweat whilst retaining heat, the Endura Engineered Baselayer is an excellent layering tool for long winter rides. Even in the cold it’s important to regulate your temperature, as sweaty clothing makes heat retention much more challenging.
Stolen Goat Orkaan Long-Sleeve Jersey
A solid winter jersey is one that keeps you warm and dry without overheating. Created with cold and wet conditions in mind, the Orkaan’s wind and water-resistant construction protects against the elements, complete with Stolen Goat’s snug “roubaix” lining so your core temperature stays just right. Reflective pockets are a welcome finishing touch for those gloomy pre/post-work rides.
Stolen Goat Bodyline Gilet
An often overlooked piece of winter kit is the gilet. Fully windproof, the Bodyline Gilet blocks harsh windchill from hitting your core, so despite a lack of thermal properties you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes. Pair this with a baselayer and a thermal jersey and you’re onto a winner.
Stolen Goat Climb & Conquer Waterproof Jacket
Rain is an inevitable part of winter cycling in the UK, so chances are you’ll need a waterproof jacket. Breathable, waterproof and windproof fabrics with a fleece lining make the Climb & Conquer Jacket extremely versatile, ideal for those faster wet rides where you’re still working up a sweat.
Endura Xtract II Lightweight Jacket
Lightweight jackets are also great for when you’re in a pinch, easily stowed away in a jersey pocket when it’s not needed. If you’re not sure what the weather’s doing, but you want to cover your back, Endura’s Xtract II Jacket is an easy choice!
£54.99
£79.99
Hands
As the primary contact point with your controls and steering, comfortable hands can make all the difference when it comes to completing long winter rides. Each ride will come with different challenges, so it’s worth having a couple of pairs of gloves in your arsenal that cater to different scenarios.
Stolen Goat Climb & Conquer Gloves
Keeping the elements out is the primary concern with deep winter gloves, as water and wind chill is a recipe for numb hands – the Climb & Conquer Gloves do just that. Bulk-free yet fully waterproof and windproof, they’ll keep your hands warm and dry with the added benefit of breathability thanks to their nylon construction, making them an excellent all-rounder. Silicone grippers and touchscreen-friendly fingertips are the cherry on top.
Bontrager Stormshell Gloves
As the name suggests, these heavyweight gloves excel in stormy weather thanks to their thick insulation and waterproof materials. Designed for harsh conditions, these gloves tend to run pretty warm, so opting for something lighter weight on milder days would be advised!
Endura Pro Thermo Gloves
Not every day is a downpour, so if you’re just dealing with cooler temperatures the Pro Thermo Gloves will keep your hands plenty warm. For those chilly winter rides where you don’t need anything heavy-duty, they’re ideal.
Head/Neck
The feeling of cold air being blasted in your face is an experience that most cyclists could probably live without, and luckily there are some great accessory options that’ll do just that!
Endura BaaBaa Merino Multitube
The humble neck warmer keeps the windchill at bay, perfect for filling the space between your jersey and neck and pulling up over your nose on those chilly descents. The BaaBaa Multitube’s merino construction insulates and breathes, ideal for the variable winter temperatures in the UK.
Endura Pro Skull Cap
Cycling helmets are full of vents, perfect for warmer days where you’re working up a sweat, but with winter windchill they can make your lid quite cold! It might seem simple, but the Pro Skull Cap makes a huge difference to the temperature of your noggin, filling in the gaps with thermal panels and protecting against the cold air.
