Warm Winters
Way back in my first winter in Massachusetts I commuted by car. It sorta went like this:
It was easy to never be dressed for weather. And easy to misplace things like gloves.
Once I moved into the city that changed. Even before I started biking I found myself walking an average of 4 miles a day to get to public transit and everywhere in in between. It was horribly cold. Then I realized the weather wasn’t bad. My clothing was. All my disposable fashion was just that, disposable.
However, it’s not always easy to find good winter wear these days:
I suspect many fashion designers are drivers. And live in Los Angeles. They’re not designing for my lifestyle.
I need functional fashion. And it doesn’t have to look like this:
There are some warmer winter options out there if you really look. I still make sure to pay attention to the details:
Because there is a difference between looking warm and being warm.
So after several winters in the city I have finally built up a quality winter wardrobe of quality winter items and approach that works for me:
Winter is much warmer now. And I no longer lose my gloves.
Love your post!! I see a lot of people commenting on what they think is perfect winter cycling clothing, but each person to his/her own. I wear whatever I think will be appropriate for my riding style, distance, work agenda, and personal lack of or production of sweat. If my clothing is not exactly right for the particular ride, then I get a little cold or sweaty; doesn’t kill me. What you described in your post was a good place for anyone to start.
I know that wool is supposed to be the best fiber to wear but I can’t wear it! It drives me nuts, even cashmere and all that supposedly non-itchy SmartWool. Any ideas what a good alternative might be? (if any…)
Stretch polarfleece (foxwear.net, makes tights, socks, hats, balaclavas). Silk undershirt.
Also, there’s some really nice high-end merino floating around; I bought a mixed merino/synthetic T-shirt at the Patagonia outlet in Freeport a few months ago, and it’s been very nice.
Try silk!
Alpaca is warmer than wool, and does not contain the lanolin present in wool which irritates some people. Pricey, though. Compensation: it feels great.
I agree with Gary and Steve.
Granted, Portland winters are often more rainy and cool than cold and snowy, but this is what I generally do for the few days of really cold weather (in the 20’s F) we get: http://portlandize.com/2010/11/anatomy-of-cold-weather-clothing/