Winter on a bike: how to dress when it's cold

The cold season is upon us and many wonder: is it right to ride a bike in winter? Absolutely! There are those who choose to give up the bike for the cold months of the year, but many passionate cyclists decide to continue to the rhythm of the pedals even in winter. In fact, there are many who say that if you have the right clothes, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. That's why today we want to share with you some useful advice on how to dress when cycling in winter.

The Garmin Edge 130 Plus

Before we talk about fabrics and layers, let's clarify an important concept: when you ride your bike in winter, your body produces heat thanks to physical activity, therefore the question is how to manage the heat produced by your body.

There are therefore those who think that dressing "too much" in winter when cycling is counterproductive, because the heat that is produced makes you sweat, and once you stop, the sweat can make you cool down significantly and get sick.

The advice is simple: choose the layers and always be prepared to remove them if you get too hot during the activity. These are layers that you can remove and put in your backpack if you don't need them, or tie around your waist. The base layer should be made of natural fabrics or technical fabrics in both cases they must be able to favor the dispersion of sweat from your skin to the outside.

What to wear in winter to cycle

Here are our tips for dressing well when you cycle in winter:

Lower body:

• thermal under-pants or wool tights to be worn under your pants
• long wool pants or water-resistant trousers
• shoes suitable for winter cycling, in fact they must have a sole able to insulate your feet from the cold ground
• thermal wool socks, possibly high or very high socks to cover the part of the leg

Upper body:

• a base layer in merino wool or technical fabric
• a second layer, such as a wool sweater or a fleece jacket
• a third layer given by a water-resistant jacket that must be windproof

Accessories:

• gloves, preferably waterproof and windproof
• a balaclava or neck warmer made of wool or technical fabric
• a wool hat that fits under the helmet
• sunglasses to protect your eyes from the wind

Winter bike clothing: fabrics to choose

When you buy clothing for winter cycling, it is important to choose the right fabrics. Wool is undoubtedly the best natural fabric because it is able to insulate well and maintain its insulating properties even when wet. Merino wool in particular is a type of very soft wool and very comfortable to wear directly on the skin.

In addition to wool, there are technical fabrics such as polyester, neoprene, and Gore-Tex. These fabrics are water-resistant and windproof but at the same time allow perspiration to evaporate. The combination of water-resistant fabrics and wool is the perfect solution for tackling a winter cycling tour.

In conclusion, if you are prepared with the right clothes, cycling in winter can be an extremely rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to enjoy nature in a different season, away from crowds and discover the charm of winter landscapes.

And if you are curious and want to try a winter cycling trip, at Cyclando you will find different types of winter tours suitable for all levels. So dress well and enjoy your ride!