{"id":335401,"date":"2025-12-09T21:47:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T21:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/335401\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T21:47:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T21:47:16","slug":"want-to-ride-all-winter-long-the-cold-weather-gear-experts-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/335401\/","title":{"rendered":"Want to Ride All Winter Long? The Cold-Weather Gear Experts Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

The winter riding season is now officially in full swing. With temps dipping across the country, some cyclists are firing up Zwift<\/a> and jumping on the indoor trainer<\/a>\u2014Even typically warm spots like Southern California and Northern Florida are getting hit with a cold blast. However, many diehard cyclists brave the cold and get out on the road and trails for their riding fix despite low temperatures.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a lot to consider when picking winter riding kit: temperature, wind speed, humidity, and the intensity of your ride are all important factors. For a deeper dive into the theories and science of winter riding layering technique, be sure to check out Test Editor Dan Chabanov\u2019s excellent how-to guide, \u201cAre You Ready To Stop Freezing on Every Winter Ride?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

With so many brands and choices for cycling clothing, how do you know which ones are actually worth dropping money on? A good way is to ask other riders what gear they\u2019re currently using. And a surefire way to get some great suggestions is to ask longtime winter riders what winter clothing they always rely on. Either question will net you some excellent answers.<\/p>\n

So, I tapped Bicycling\u2019s editors and test team for their winter clothing and gear recommendations. Below are these experts\u2019 well-curated choices based on decades of road, gravel, and mountain bike riding experience in all types of winter weather conditions.<\/p>\n

Insulated Vest<\/p>\n

Best Winter Vest<\/p>\n

Rapha Brevet Insulated Gilet\"Brevet<\/a><\/p>\n

Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips<\/a> certainly isn\u2019t a cold-weather riding newbie. Living at high elevation in Durango, Colorado, he is also very accustomed to variable conditions when riding on the road or trail. Riding in the mountains, it can quickly change from warm to freezing in a few minutes\u2014or even several times during a ride.
<\/p>\n

An insulated vest is a great choice for winter, plus they\u2019re versatile enough to use on chilly rides in spring and autumn, too. While pricey, Rapha\u2019s Brevet Insulated Gilet is a solid choice that will last many years. <\/p>\n

\u201cRapha\u2019s Brevet Insulated vest\u2014sorry: gilet\u2014is one of my favorite winter clothing items ever,\u201d said Phillips. He added, \u201cIt\u2019s versatile, warm, comfortable, stylish, and compresses well. It\u2019s about as perfect a cycling piece as I\u2019ve ever encountered.\u201d<\/p>\n

WOMEN\u2019S SIZES AVAILABLE<\/a><\/p>\n

\"bobbyTrevor Raab<\/p>\n

Bobby Lea tests the Shower Pass gloves.<\/p>\n

\"tokoTrevor RaabLobster-claw gloves (like these by Toko<\/a>) are great for super cold rides.Waterproof Gloves<\/p>\n

Best Winter Gloves<\/p>\n

Showers Pass Cross Point Waterproof Knit Gloves\"Cross<\/a><\/p>\n

As a former professional road racer and three-time Olympian, Senior Reviews Editor Bobby Lea<\/a> has spent countless hours on training rides in all sorts of temperatures. Now, Lea spends a lot of time riding mountain bikes in the woods of Eastern Pennsylvania during the winter months.<\/p>\n

The Showers Pass Cross Point is Lea\u2019s go-to glove. These knit, waterproof gloves have a mid-weight feel but with sufficient insulation for temperatures hovering around freezing. They\u2019re a solid choice for road, gravel, or mountain biking; most riders will find it reaches its limit at about 30-35 degrees (depending on how hard you\u2019re riding).<\/p>\n

In his testing, Lea noted that the Cross Points trap some body heat, so your fingers may be cold at first but will warm up within 15 minutes. However, this also means that when the mercury climbs, your hands won\u2019t feel hot and sweaty. \u201cIf you\u2019re the kind of person who doesn\u2019t like to pass up an opportunity to ride, weather be damned, this will keep your hands from being the weak spot on cold, rainy days,\u201d Lea said.<\/p>\n

Waterproof Shoe Covers<\/p>\n

Best Shoe Covers<\/p>\n

Specialized Neoprene Tall Shoe Covers\"Neoprene<\/a><\/p>\n

Test Editor Dan Chabanov<\/a> learned as a bike messenger that a key part of staying comfortable on winter rides is keeping your feet dry and warm. A way to accomplish this is with a reliable pair of waterproof shoe covers, and Specialized\u2019s tall, neoprene ones are the ones he uses.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe only nice thing about riding in foul weather is getting to use these shoe covers,\u201d Chabanov joked. He said the Specialized models are \u201cridiculously warm and as close to waterproof as a shoe cover can get. They feature a tight silicone seal at the top of the cuff that does an excellent job of keeping water out.\u201d Chabanov adds that the zipper-less design (a common wear point for many conventional shoe covers) improves their water resistance and warmth.<\/p>\n

Longsleeve Base Layer<\/p>\n

Best Base Layer<\/p>\n

Gorewear Windstopper Long-Sleeve Base Layer\"Windstopper<\/a><\/p>\n

When I find good pieces of winter cycling clothing, I tend to ride them until they basically fall apart. This is my fifth season using the same Velocio Alpha Jacket<\/a>, and I\u2019ve had Rapha\u2019s thermal bib tights<\/a> for four winters. So, when I read the news<\/a> that clothing brand GoreWear is shutting down its operations, I grabbed an extra of my favorite Windstopper baselayer.<\/p>\n

For really cold days, especially in blustery Northeast conditions, I reach for the GoreWear Windstopper Long-Sleeve Base Layer. This baselayer and a winter-weight jersey are often all I need for cold-weather rides. Unlike many long-sleeve baselayers, it vents well despite its use of Gore-Tex Windstopper fabric on the front, at the sleeves, over the shoulders, and at the kidneys. It has an extended tail to keep wind and road spray off your lower back.<\/p>\n

MEN\u2019S SIZE AVAILABLE<\/a><\/p>\n

Winter Riding Cap<\/p>\n

Best Winter Cap<\/p>\n

Giro Ambient Skull Cap\"Ambient<\/a><\/p>\n

Similar to me, Creative Director Jesse Southerland also gets many years out of his winter cycling clothing. He still rides some items he bought back in 2015. A prime example of this is his Giro winter cap.<\/p>\n

Fleece-lined, treated with water-resistant coating, and with wind-stopping material on the front panel and ear covers, Giro\u2019s Ambient Skull Cap is a longtime fave. As Southerland describes, \u201cIt fits easily under any of my helmets, and the short brim is perfect for not blocking my vision the way full brims often do.\u201d<\/p>\n

For another great choice, Ornot\u2019s Decadent Cap<\/a>. Made with deadstock Polartec Powerwool, this is my current favorite winter cap worth purchasing.<\/p>\n

\"colinTrevor Raab<\/p>\n

Colin McSherry (left) and Tom Messina (right) test winter gear.<\/p>\n

\"winterTrevor Raab<\/p>\n

We also test winter gear around town and on commutes.<\/p>\n

Thermal Bib Tights<\/p>\n

Best Thermal Tights<\/p>\n

Gorewear Spinshift Thermo Bib Tights+\"Spinshift<\/a>Although Digital Designer and Test Team member Tom Messina<\/a> is newer to riding than other Bicycling staff members, he consistently puts in more mileage than almost any of us, including many outdoor miles in cold and dreary weather.<\/p>\n

Messina\u2019s pick for winter tights is GoreWear, particularly the C5 Thermo<\/a> model. He said, they\u2019re \u201can insane value for how good they are\u2014Super warm and good straps.\u201d Another option that many riders will like is the Spinshift Thermo Bib Tights. Messina said the Spinshifts are equally good, \u201cthey\u2019re less thermal-y, comparing 1:1 to the C5, but the Spinshifts have a side cargo pocket that is perfect for carrying spare gloves.\u201dBig Sunglasses <\/p>\n

Oakley Wind Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses<\/p>\n

\"Wind<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBig glasses with a foam brow cover do way more than you think to keep you warm on cold rides. They seal up that forehead gap and insulate just enough to keep the cold headache at bay,\u201d Senior Photographer Trevor Raab<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

As a cyclocross and mountain bike racer, Raab spends a lot of time each week on the roads near Bicycling\u2019s Easton, Pennsylvania HQ. Whether he\u2018s training and putting in base miles on winter rides, or pushing the pace in a windy \u2019cross race, he knows its secrets like this that are the difference between being miserable or staying warm. <\/p>\n

Winter Cycling Jacket<\/p>\n

Best Premium Winter Jacket<\/p>\n

Q36.5 Gregarius Winter Jacket\"Gregarius<\/a><\/p>\n

A good-quality winter cycling jacket is splurge-worthy and, with proper care and cleaning, will last you many cold and snowy riding seasons. I\u2019ve used a couple of winter jackets for five-plus years and only retired one I owned since the late 1990s about three years ago. <\/p>\n

Italian cycling brand Q36.6 makes some of our test team\u2019s favorite high-performance cold-weather clothing. Senior Art Director Colin McSherry<\/a> is a fan of the brand\u2019s Gregarius jacket. At $430, it is not a cheap piece of kit, but it keeps him warm on long, winter rides in the Philadelphia suburbs.<\/p>\n

This is \u201ca jacket with the feel of a jersey,\u201d McSherry said. \u201dWhile the lightweight materials and insulation would make you think it might not be heavy enough for really cold days, I\u2019ve worn this on some bone-chilling days and never had a thought of being cold.\u201d However, the Gregarius has one downside: No two-way zipper. \u201cI feel like every outer layer should have that standard to help regulate temps without catching a chill up around your neck;\u201d that\u2019s the one detail keeping it from perfection.<\/p>\n

Member Exclusive: Check Out Our Top Cycling Stories\"Chevron\"Chevron\"Headshot<\/p>\n

As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling\u2019s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA\/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media. \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The winter riding season is now officially in full swing. With temps dipping across the country, some cyclists…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":335402,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[445],"tags":[147383,49,48,59474,635,147371,413,147378,147380,147375,147368,147379,147382,147376,147377,147381,82,53202,211,147369,147370,147374,147367,147366,147365,147364,147372,147373,147384],"class_list":{"0":"post-335401","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-bicycling-editors","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-cold-weather-cycling","12":"tag-cycling","13":"tag-cycling-shoe-covers","14":"tag-gear","15":"tag-giro-ambient-skull-cap","16":"tag-gorewear-c5-thermo-bib-tights","17":"tag-gorewear-windstopper","18":"tag-insulated-cycling-jacket","19":"tag-ornot-decadent-cap","20":"tag-q36-6-gregarius-jacket","21":"tag-rapha-brevet-insulated-gilet","22":"tag-showers-pass-cross-point","23":"tag-spinshift-thermo-bib-tights","24":"tag-sports","25":"tag-superenthusiast","26":"tag-test","27":"tag-thermal-cycling-tights","28":"tag-waterproof-cycling-gloves","29":"tag-winter-base-layer","30":"tag-winter-bike-clothing","31":"tag-winter-bike-gear","32":"tag-winter-cycling-clothing","33":"tag-winter-cycling-gear","34":"tag-winter-cycling-gloves","35":"tag-winter-cycling-jacket","36":"tag-winter-riding-tips"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=335401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/335401\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/335402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=335401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=335401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=335401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}