There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather: The Winter Cycling Gear Checklist
As we enter the depths of winter, cycling does get a little tougher. You wake up and look at the commute ahead of you, or the cafe ride you’d planned with your friends, and start to consider your choices.
It’s not just motivation that can be affected. Visibility and grip are also compromised so it’s important to have the right accessories and equipment.
As the famous Scandinavian saying goes, “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”, so we’ve picked our favourite clothes and accessories to keep you riding this winter (and enjoy it).
Layer up
Beat the cold and the rain by making sure you have the correct amount of layers, and the correct type of layers.
It’s not a case of piling layers upon layers – you will probably be a sweaty mess by the time you make it to work. Instead, you need to choose wisely and keep the warm air in, while wicking away sweat and keeping moisture out.
Base layers
In the depths of winter, you will want to start with a base layer. Depending on the temperature, you’ll want to look at a Merino wool or thermal base layer. From there, you can look for a warm jumper or fleece.
Tops
Your choice of top will be the difference between staying warm or overheating. A long-sleeved jersey can provide a breathable layer that wicks away any moisture while keeping you warm with a thermal fleece.
Bottoms
Keeping your legs warm but free to move is a careful balance when selecting layers for your bottom half. Leg warmers and bib tights are the perfect solution for this.
Waterproof trousers and jackets
Finally, you will want to defend yourself from the wind and rain, especially in those weeks where it seems to be a constant downpour. Stay dry with waterproof trousers and jackets which can be worn over the top of everything else.
Keep your extremities warm
The hardest part of cycling during winter is keeping your hands and feet from getting cold and going numb.
A good pair of gloves, socks and overshoes can make a big difference in keeping your extremities warm and improve your enjoyment of the ride.
Gloves
When it comes to gloves, you will want to balance dexterity with warmth so you can maintain access to your brakes and while still being able to feel your fingers.
Overshoes
Overshoes are a great way to keep the feeling in your toes. As the name suggests, you wear these over your shoes to beat the windchill, keep your feet warm, and shoes clean.
Socks
Cycling-specific socks come in different styles, with winter cycling socks providing a thermal layer to keep your lower extremities warm.
| Temp (°C) | Upper Body | Lower Body | Accessories |
| 10°C – 15°C | Short Sleeve + Arm Warmers | Bib Shorts + Knee Warmers | Mitts / Fingerless Gloves |
| 5°C – 10°C | Long Sleeve Jersey + Gilet | Bib Tights (Fleece Lined) | Winter socks, Light Gloves |
| 0°C – 5°C | Winter Jacket + Base Layer | Winter Bib Tights | Overshoes, Winter Gloves, Head Warmer |
| < 0°C (Deep Winter) | Winter Jacket + Thermal Mid-Layer + Thermal base Layer | Thermal Winter Tights | Thermal Gloves, Thermal Overshoes, Head Warmer |
Stay clean and be seen
Winter cycling isn’t just about wearing the right clothing to battle the elements, you have to make sure your bike is set up to keep you safe and riding smoothly.
The right accessories and tyres will keep you safe and on your bike.
Lights
A good set of lights allows you to see and be seen in the dark winter months. It’s important to take other riders into account when riding in towns/cities, keep your lights pointed down, the setting to a static beam, and consider the strength of light you need.
Mudguards
Keep yourself, your bike, and your fellow riders clean with a set of front and rear mudguards.
The last thing you or your fellow riders need is to arrive at the coffee stop, work, or home with a face full or backside full of mud from the road spray.
Tyres
Picking the right tyres for your winter ride will keep you upright, avoiding punctures, and maintaining a good speed.
Beat the dirt and grit
Unfortunately, there’s no avoiding the dirt and grit on the roads and cycle paths. Even with mudguards on your bike, it will still pick up lots of dirt and grit, creating wear on your frame and components.
Regular maintenance is key to keeping your bike running all year round.
Cleaning
A clean bike is a happy bike. Washing your bike regularly with bike-specific cleaner and water will remove all the dirt and grit that will cause you problems.
Lubricants
Keeping your chain suitably lubricated and running smoothly is a challenge during the winter months. A wet weather or all weather lubricant will make sure your chain lasts the winter.
Stay in
Sometimes there’s no equipment, clothing, or maintenance that can make you want to brace the winter weather. All you really want to do is stay inside and keep warm and dry.
Indoor trainers
Indoor trainers are the perfect solution to getting a ride in while avoiding the weather outside.
Hook your bike up to the trainer and join your online racing platform, or just go for a casual ride while watching the telly.
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