Below-freezing temps, slushy terrain, chilled precipitation: just the norm for cycling in the winter. However, Mother Nature only dissuades the faint of heart. These are my top picks for winter cycling fashion made just for us ladies. Pro tip: it’s all about the layers.
We Started from the Bottom
Remaining road-ready in less than stellar conditions is all about the base. Your next-to-skin layer has to be three things:
- Comfortable (read: next to skin!)
- Warm (it’s cold out there!)
- Wicking (because wet is dangerous)
The old adage “cotton is rotten” applies well here. For my legs I pick either synthetics (like my favorite: The North Face Women’s Warm Tights) or Merino wool (Ibex’s Woolies Striped Bottoms rock!). The same applies to my torso (my picks: the Orage Ecodry Zip or the SmartWool Women’s NTS Mid 250 Zip T).
Styling Outerwear
Next up to bat is outerwear. For cold-weather commutes or rides where I want to look as if I haven’t just cycled over, I choose to pop on a warm mid layer followed by a bombproof shell.
I’ve been drooling over a few fashion forward items that I simply have to share! First up is the Outlier Cowlhood. Its endlessly large cowl fits over anything you have underneath and envelops you in enough warmth for days. I should also mention it is gorgeous!
The shell I’ve been getting slobber on most recently is Nau’s Poncho Via. They took a classic rain poncho and added sleeves, a draped cowl, and belted waist — making it look nothing like a poncho and everything like a runway piece. This thing could easily move from ride to chic gallery opening — or anything else.
We Have to Hand it to Them
The fastest way to hate winter rides is to forget gloves and/or warm socks. For the fingers, you can’t go wrong with the Rapha Women’s Leather Town Gloves. They are incredibly beautiful, super warm, and wear with time to fit just like — you guessed it — a glove!
For the tootsies, I choose a double-punch to sock it to cold weather. I throw on a thin wool base sock (like the Smartwool PhD Cycle Ultra Ligh 3/4 Crew Sock) followed by a heavy duty powerhouse (I can’t get enough of the Sealskinz Thick Mid Length Sock — it’s waterproof, breathable, and windproof all at the same time!).
Pull it Together
As a whole, I try and be prepared for anything the weather throws my way. I also obsessively check the weather — perhaps choosing to leave work 15 minutes early (if I have the chance) to avoid that cloud pocket that will dump chilly buckets of water on me.
In the winter months my Ortlieb bag is never complete without: a plastic bag (to protect my seat from rain), lobster gloves (in case of finger-drenching rain), a buff, my lock, and a change of clothes. Unfortunately, I sometimes still have miserable days on my bike — but when I check the weather and plan accordingly, they are much less likely.
What are your tips for winter cycling? What fashion have you seen on the market that you’re dying to try?
Just keep spinning. — Arielle
*photo by Tejvan Pettinger