Dress for Success the Cold!
Oct 15th, 2008 by Leo
The key to winter riding is staying warm. Now if you have a fashion sense your idea of winter clothing is probably a three quarter length wool coat and a tartan muffler. This ain’t gonna cut it. Neither is biker leather, or even those winter motorcycle jackets… But never fear, if documentary filmmakers can brave the coldest seasons in Antarctica to film penguins, and if penguins (for that matter) can survive standing out in Antartica – there MUST be a way for you to stay warm for 60 minutes or so while you ride. So here’s a rough guide to dressing for success – riding success in the cold weather months.
Tip #1 Use the outer layer to stop the wind!
People walked in space in 200 below temperatures back in the sixties…how were they able to do it? The key is to insulate against the cold. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing electric underwear that cooks you at 350 degrees – if cold air can pass though the outer layer, you will freeze at riding speeds. So how do you stop the wind? Wind breakers my friend. Even thin parkas and windbreakers from NorthFace or LL Bean will do wonders! Many people buy winter riding jackets and pants, but I think cold weather hiking or snowboarding gear thrown over your regular summer motorcycle gear works better. It gives you better protection against the wind, and you can unzip a layer or two if the temperature starts to rise.
Once you get the wind off your torso, you need to get the wind from cutting through your pants. Leather, which is so hot and stuffy in the summer actually breathes too much for the winter. If you’re on a budget, you can throw on a pair of PVC coated rain pants (the cheap rain suit kind). The rubber coating is 100% wind proof and usually comes with a little bit of elastic around the ankles. These store easily rolled up and are easy to replace. If you don’t want to go that low-budget, take a look at ski over-pants. They are designed for physical activity in cold temperatures, and often provide some abrasion resistance to boot.
If you’re not that cold yet, you can also try a pair of textile overpants. These are often vented, but if you do everything else on this list I think they’re usually warm enough for New York type winters.
Tip #2 – Use Technical Under-Clothing
We’ve all had long johns the kind Pa Ingalls wore on the frontier, or a waffle mesh kind that is basically the same thing. Those won’t cut it here. Modern “Under Armor” or other winter base layer tops and leggings do a lot more to keep you warm and dry without the bulk of traditional under clothing. Get a set and you’ll probably wind up wearing them all the time under your regular clothing. Modern polyster sport weaves wick moisture from your skin while keeping you warm. Their low profile means you can wear them under anything without showing or adding bulk.
Tip #3 – Neck Gator and Gloves
You need something to cover your neck and at the same time keep the cold air from getting into your jacket. Scarves can work, but if they unravel on the go can become a hazard. Neck gators are cheap and low profile and work well to keep the chill off your neck.
You’ll also want either water proof or winter gloves. If you normally plain leather motorcycle gloves in the summer, try on a pair of leather ski gloves. They’re a step up in protection and high in comfort and funtionality. If you’re used to your kevlar and carbon reinforced Dainese Hell Racers, then there are plenty of winter-motorcycle gloves around, but they usually need a lot of breaking in before they’re comfortable. Often times rain gloves are good enough to keep the chill out for a commute.
Bonus Tip -The Invisible Timer
Most people know this instinctively: that the minute you step out into the cold the invisible timer begins. Depending on how well you are insulated against the cold you can have 10 minutes or 90 minutes… If you take tips 1-3 seriously you can get 60-90 minutes on a cold NY day in regular highway riding before you start to feel the cold. If you start to shiver, your ability to ride diminishes. You can’t move as freely when you’re cold. And if you keep at it, your reflexes slow and your judgment is affected. So if you start to shiver, you should pull over someplace and warm up ASAP.
It’s liberating to be able to ride outside in 10 degree weather, and park and walk around like it’s nothing… All the rest of the city folk may be freezing in their bulky wool coats and mufflers while you zip around in comfort. But if you’re going to try and brave the cold on two wheels, better start getting ready! Cheers!
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