High Quality Winter Cycling Clothes - And Affordable Alternatives
Freezing on the bike and no clue what to wear?
It’s that time of the year again… But don’t let the winter cold scare you off the bike! Cycling in winter can be a beautiful experience that strengthens your body and mind. I battled my first German winter on the road bike with zero professional winter cycling clothes. Coming straight from LA, that just wasn’t something I gave much thought about - until I arrived at Lake Constance and temperatures started to drop below 0° C!
My first set of “cycling” winter clothes didn’t look fancy and was more like a wild mix of all kinds of thermal clothes that were supposed to keep me toasty. But after some minor tweaks, they did their job. And to be honest: I still alternate between two sets of winter cycling clothes: The cheap set, just for hitting the streets and training, and the more expensive one for pictures and longer rides. I had great experiences with both options and will make some recommendations in this blog post on what to wear for different temperatures, especially between -2° C and +8° C.
Please don’t forget: Everybody’s different. You might stay warm longer than me - or get cold faster. Here’s a good example: While I’m happy with my Grip Grab winter gloves, Mitchell starts to get cold fingers almost every time we go out for a winter ride. They work great for me but are not a perfect fit for him.
Mitch and I on one of our recent winter rides
With that kept in mind, let’s have a look at my two favorite winter cycling kit options! If you have a decent budget to spend on your winter cycling kit, check out my personal favorites in the section “High Quality Winter Cycling Clothes”. If you’re looking for more affordable options and you’re a fan of layering, have a look at the section “Affordable Winter Cycling Clothing Alternatives.”
Full disclosure at this point: I didn’t purchase the Isadore items myself. Isadore decided to support me with their amazing clothes in February 2019, and I’ll be forever grateful. Their cycling kits are high quality, keep me warm to this day, look awesome and are well worth the money. Receiving these was a true game changer!
High Quality Winter Cycling Clothes
Bottom: Isadore Medio Thermoroubaix Tights Women - 205 €
These tights always keep me warm and toasty, no matter how cold it is. They repel water and dirt, and they have some nice reflective protection at the calf and the back of the leg. If you’re trying to figure out the sizing: I’m 170cm tall, weigh about 55 kg and wear size S in all of my Isadore apparel.
Top: Isadore Echelon Long Sleeve Jersey Atlantic Deep Women - 179 €
This jersey keeps warm, but it’s not a wind breaker. In my opinion, this long sleeve jersey works fine in temperatures above 8°C but should definitely be worn with a gilet when it’s colder or especially windy. It seems to repel light rain and dirt, too.
Jacket/Gilet: Isadore Womens Merino Membrane Softshell Vest - 179 €
This gilet is an allrounder - I can wear it in all kinds of combinations and situations. Quick ride to the café with normal sweatshirt underneath? Check. Long weekend ride? Check. Intense training ride? Double-check. It always keeps me warm, it’s wind and water-resistant and it has some added reflective protection. Technically, it’s more designed for cool spring rides, but I feel like it works just fine in combination with the Echelon Long Sleeve Jersey and a base layer.
Base layer: Isadore Women 100% Merino SS Baselayer Grey - 60 €
This one is not a winter base layer per se, but it works for me. A long sleeve base layer would probably be even better for cold temperatures and I can highly recommend getting these kinds of basics for your cycling wardrobe.
TIP: When it’s below 4°C, I like to wear arm warmers under the jersey to make up for the short sleeves. Mine are from Giro. The following is not the exact same model that I have, but very similar: Giro Thermal Arm Warmers
Socks: Personally, I wear regular cycling socks because I haven’t gotten around to buying any others. I heard that Merino wool socks are supposed to be great for the winter, though.
When money is tight… I know what I’m talking about!
I’m well aware that not all of us can spend several hundred bucks on cycling clothes, especially not in one go and for all four seasons. At least I wasn’t able to, and I still struggle to keep up with those prices! That’s why I learned just to be happy with and utilize the clothes that I already have in my closet. I only added a couple of more winter basics and then made the best of it. Layering is king!
Now, the following options might be frowned upon by some roadies that can afford decent clothes or get sponsored. But some people have to worry about scrambling together money just to be able to hit the roads in winter, too. And that’s okay because cycling should be available for everyone. I pass no judgment on whatever situation you’re in; in fact, I respect people who are smart and utilize the clothes they already have, instead of overspending or making debts. If you can’t buy it, then don’t.
(If you can - do it! I highly recommend investing in a good quality set of winter cycling clothes. It might seem expensive at first, but longterm, it’s definitely worth the money. If you choose a great brand like Isadore, Tenspeed Hero or Rapha (my favorites so far) and you treat your clothes well, you’ll get to enjoy them for many years to come).
But for now: You’d be surprised how easy it can be to stay warm during winter on a budget!
Affordable winter cycling clothing alternatives
Bottom: Training/Running Tights, for example: Nike Pro HyperWarm Tights - 60 €
Yes, I still use my Nike Tights on bike rides, and they’re doing just fine, to be honest. I love my Isadore tights, but sometimes, I don’t want to overuse and wash them too often - or it’s easier to quickly slip into my running tights for a training ride. I don’t recommend wearing these without padded cycling shorts, though (see below).
Attention: The model that I linked here is not the same that I have. My own Nike tights are roughly ten years old *cough* and I have no clue what model they are. All I know is that they served a great purpose so far, despite being regular running tights without any thermal properties. Thus, I cannot give a recommendation for the Nike Pro HyperWarm Tights, but I can imagine that something like this should work well. Feel free to try out which one works best for you and look around for other brands as well. I think that Lolë is an excellent and stylish alternative.
Bottom: Terry Actif Short - between 50-60 €
I bought these padded cycling shorts randomly on Sale at REI in Los Angeles for about 40$ about two years ago, when I was desperately trying to find affordable cycling pants. They have not disappointed me so far. I still use them in summer for all kinds of rides, and they’re incredibly comfortable. In winter (or on colder evening rides) I wear them under my Nike tights or similar training pants. That way, I get the comfort of padded shorts and stay warm at the same time. Obviously, any other affordable brand will probably do just fine under your training tights, so make sure to look around for great deals in stores or online!
Top: Training/Running Thermal Long Sleeve, for example Nike Pro HyperWarm - 80 €
Nike regularly offers thermal long sleeves as part of their runner’s collections, and I’m admittedly a big fan. I started buying a couple of those when I was still in LA and needed something warm for those cooler evening rides. The here mentioned example is not the same that I have, but I’d say it comes pretty close. Make sure to look for Sales, too - I got almost all of mine half off by chance.
Vaude Women's Cyclist Padded Jacket
Jacket: Vaude Women’s Cyclist Padded Jacket - about 70 € on Amazon
This Vaude jacket is hands down by far the warmest (cycling) jacket I own. It might not be as sleek and aero as a proper road cycling jacket, but it’s doing an awesome job in keeping the cold out. I bought it on Sale directly at the Vaude outlet in the south of Germany, and it’s not sold on their homepage anymore. Luckily, you can still find it on Amazon for a good price. I was positively surprised by this jacket because it didn’t specifically advertise important qualities like being water and wind repellent, thermal, reflective… yet, this one does it all. One of the greatest assets in my closet!
Base layer alternative: Uniqlo Airism Bra Shirts - 20 €
If you can’t afford a high-quality base layer, I can recommend the Uniqlo Airism Bra Shirts. I find them to be a very comfortable alternative to a sports bra, too. Uniqlo also offers “Heattech” options, but I’ve never tried them (if you do and they work well, please let me know!). Now, I’m not saying that those Bra Shirts are amazingly sweat-wicking and antibacterial and and and, but they sure add another layer of warmth during colder rides.
Items that, in my opinion, are necessary and a great investment, no matter your budget:
Overshoes: Castelli DILUVIO C SHOECOVER 16 - 44.95 €
I seem to have the men’s version because that’s all they had at the store, back then, when I bought them. With shoe size 39, I wear a size L/XL. They run really small.
Headband: Rapha Merino Headband - 25 €
The Rapha Merino Headband is one of the most useful accessories that I own. It’s keeping my ears warm anytime and is soft to the touch.
Neck warmer: Isadore Merino Performance Neck Warmer - 25 €
Literally, the only neck warmer that works for me. It’s soft and extremely breathable. I used to try at least four other neck warmers before I received this one, and I had the same problem with all of them: Whenever I put the neck warmer over my mouth, I didn’t get enough air and had to remove it after a couple of minutes. The result was that I had to breathe in cold air regularly, which cooled down my body significantly. Luckily, I don’t have that problem anymore, ever since I own the Isadore Merino Performance Neck Warmer.
Grip Grab Ride Waterproof Winter Gloves
Gloves: Grip Grab RIDE WATERPROOF WINTER GLOVE - 64.95 €
Winter gloves are a tricky topic because everyone reacts differently to certain levels of cold. Personally, the Grip Grab winter gloves linked here work great for me and keep my hands warm most of the time. You can even fit a set of thin Merino liners underneath, if necessary - make sure they don’t restrict your blood flow, though. These gloves also work with touchscreens and (with a little bit of practice), it’s not too complicated to take pictures during a ride without taking them off.
Cycling Glasses: Isadore x Alba Optics Delta Photocromatic Lens - 199 €
I wouldn’t want to trade my Alba Optics cycling glasses for the world! I had a small crush on the 100% cycling glasses once, but when I tried them on at the ISPO, I didn’t like the look - and worse, my hair got caught at the end of the temple parts and ripped out each time I took them off. That doesn’t ever happen with my Alba Optics! Plus, the photochromic lens change with the light intensity, which means: When it’ sunny outside, they turn into sunglasses and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. If it’s overcast or getting darker outside, the lens stay transparent and keep the wind out of your eyes. Genius! Cycling glasses have been a game-changer for me, especially during winter. Now I can ride fast (and further!) in cold conditions, without my eyes tearing up all the time!
Optional: Hand and feet warmers, for example: WARMPACK Handwärmer
You can buy hand and feet warmers in bulk on Amazon; there’s no specific brand that I can recommend since I’ve only used them several times, but I don’t think there’s a considerable difference among them.
Optional: Winter cycling shoes
Since I only have summer cycling shoes (Giro Giro EMPIRE ACC W), I can not recommend a specific model in that regard. But I heard that winter cycling shoes could help a great deal if you get cold quickly or you want to do long rides below 0°C. I’m okay with the shoes that I have but I might invest in a pair longterm. In the worst case, I rely on thicker socks and feet warmers (see: hand and feet warmers).
A couple of more words on winter cycling…
Just yesterday, I had one big learning: You can be dressed like the coziest fluff monster out there - if you ride slow or take too many stops, you’ll be freezing either way. On my usual rides, I try to choose routes that I know, which means I can ride fast because I’m familiar with the road conditions and don’t have to look up directions. On my last ride, though, Mitch and I decided to tackle a new route, which led partly through the city and slowed us down to 11.5 mph due to poorly paved bike paths, confusing cross streets and tons of red lights. Believe me, after just 14 miles in 3°C temperature, I was FREEZING when I got home.
Here’s a quick checklist for you to stay warm during your winter rides:
Choose familiar routes that allow you to pick up a certain speed
Wear cycling glasses to protect your eyes and part of your face
Keep your ears, neck and hands warm with a headband, a neck warmer and gloves
Bring hand- and feet warmers, just in case (you might get a flat and have to stand in the cold for a while)
Invest in a good set of high-quality winter cycling gear - you will not regret it!
What’s your experience with winter cycling? Is there anything that I forgot to mention that you would highly recommend to your fellow cyclists? Let me know in the comments, on Instagram or Facebook!
Happy winter riding - you guys are troopers!
