#Best Cycling Overshoes

[spatzwearltd]

Best Cycling Overshoes are indispensable gears for serious cyclists who are often on the road in all types of weather, using them to protect and warm their feet. For picking the best shoes you should look for such options as waterproofing, insulation, durability, and compatibility with your cycling shoes.

[spatzwear]

Discover unparalleled protection and performance with Spatzwear's curated selection of the best cycling overshoes on the market. Designed to enhance your riding experience in any weather condition, our range of overshoes combines cutting-edge technology, durability, and style to keep you riding at your best. Whether you're battling rain, wind, or cold temperatures, Spatzwear has you covered with overshoes engineered for maximum comfort and performance. Our collection features a variety of options, from lightweight and aerodynamic designs for race day to insulated and waterproof models for winter training sessions.

[tonmoyiou]

Top 3 Best Overshoes For Cycling Reviews In 2020

[elastigirl72]

Potentially a Greek Odyssey...Crossing a continent...there are no rules

(Disclaimer: this whole blog is written on an iPhone)

I wonder if...

Any ancient explorer spent as much time as I have procrastinating about which way they’d travel to cross a continent, where they’d start, where they’d cross waters, which mountain range they should scale and where should be their final destination, how little they could get away with carrying and when was the best time to go and if they should drive to Heathrow and park or figure out the logistics to be able to cycle the whole way.

I could write a book about the dreaming and planning alone, and Ben Fogle wouldn’t have a patch on my stories, never mind the oceans and deserts he’s crossed.  If I’m honest, he does have the job I’d now wish I’d had.  Why has it taken me until I’m approaching the half-century (there are still a few years to go, just in case you thought I was looking REALLY good for my age, yes, I can hear that’s what you were thinking) to finally realise that is what I was destined to do.  But now, where media favours youth and beauty, I wasn’t blessed with much of the latter and youth is a long way behind me.  Accepting my fate, I will continue doing my job, dream about being (with) Ben Fogle, and aspire to challenge Judith Chalmers in my 70s.

If I consider my expedition, I have dreamed about it since I can remember looking at the illuminated globe and dark green, leather bound giant world atlas that adorned a dust-ridden, tar-stained shelf in our family home in Windsor.  I have planned it in detail over 5 years and in countless iterations, and aborted 2 years running.  And now, today, 10 days before I’m due to set off in some direction, it truly appears it might happen. The odds are even, but 10 days is 10 days.  Nothing is certain.

Anyone who truly knows me will question my fitness, I’m sure.  Can I really do this?  Until this weekend, like last year’s abandoned plans to ride from East to West cost USA, I considered that I would again be “winging it”, hoping that the good genes I’ve inherited, and my clear stubbornness will see me through.  My knee remains attached to me by a few stringy threads.  I have worked out that any stray pieces of cartlidge that pop up from the one-time smooth head of my femur aren’t an enemy to stop me anymore.  Like a splinter on a block of wood, provided the kneecap can plane the surface continuously, the pain and swelling will come and go as the surface is smoothed down again.  Grit my teeth and keep moving until I can’t move anymore.  It is a bit bonkers. But as there’s plenty of things that can stop you doing anything, multiplying as I get older. So, whilst I still can, I still will. It’s not a race, and I will make it to Athens. Which is the second flight I’ve booked for the same trip! The goal is to get to the finish line. Other than that, the rules are there are no rules.

April 13: 5 days to go: preamble to the ramble

The name to my expedition came to me this morning. It is the Transcontinental Odyssey and camera course. I am surrounded by photographers in my family. Dad a.k.a. Norm, was a photographer in his day and very talented. My brother-in-law was a professional photographer and till smart phones were invented. By association, my sister Jane is also a photographer. It is quite surprising that I know absolutely nothing about technicalities of photography! Aperture ISO and shutter speed could be part of an engine for all I know. Luckily, I have amazing neighbours who are also photographers. Almost correct: Jane, my neighbour is the long-suffering wife of a photographer and by association to Andrew who is a photographer. Given that all the Janes and Andrews that I know who are married contain at least one photographer, I stand a good chance also by association of being able to take good photographs. This is what I’m telling myself and the reason I’m prepared prepared to consider my new camera as my luxury item. At 300 g, it is my heaviest piece of kit that I will be carrying for over 2000 miles. There is a good incentive for me to make it count! Probably the reason that most people remain amateur photographers and now rely on smartphones is because the lessons on Aperture and shutter speed are very dry to say the least. My first lesson with Andrew on Friday night after work was helped along by two gin and tonic‘s made by Jane she doesn’t drink to make measures were approximately two thirds gin and one third tonic. This is known in photography circles as the rule of thirds. As I’m writing this post, I can tell you that my bod no longer responds to gin particularly well. That said,I had a very enjoyable evening learning about photography.

Marlborough, UK

How many times did I pack and weigh my kit? I sat looking at it for weeks on the kitchen table, packed it, took it out, weighed it again, removed some grams and packed it again. With the experience of a similar trip (albeit 1,300 miles shorter and with a week of planning), this time, I couldn’t have been more prepared. With greatest regret, the following were culled:

Trainers (sacrificed for flip flops)

Belt (improvising with heart rate monitor as my belt. Genius 😆)

Wood lock (a magical Chinese ointment which has legally restored my overused muscles for 17 years)

Playing cards (oh well, I’m sure there’s some app that can replace those)

Class (I have resorted to convertible walking trousers, a t-shirt, a merino base layer and my cycling jacket for my casual evening attire)

My bikini 😢

Butt butter (as I like to call it - one last dose of chamois cream before I left and then utter sadness and regret)

But making the cut:

Puncture repair kit

Glasses and lenses

A handful of toiletries

My luxury item: a camera (the only thing heavier is my backpack)

6 supplements (magnesium, iron, maca, beta-alennine, zinc, L-carnitine)

Small first aid kit

A million usb cables

A million plug converters (don’t you love that each country has designed non-compatible plugs to their neighbours?)

Di2 charger (outrageous that I should need this but apparently the battery lasts only 1500 miles)

A lock

Overshoes, leg warmers, rain jacket, wet weather gloves, mitts (I have an optimistic plan to post these home in Italy and buy a bikini 🙏)

Passport, cards and cash (although I ditched the coins weighing in at a whopping 178g!)

2pairs of knickers

A bra (underwear is a luxury)

An erroneous crop top.

In all, my extra weight amounts to 4kg against my weight of 58kg. I thought I was heavier, and so I set off delighted that mentally, my net gained weight was 2kg (on the basis I thought I was 60kg).

These weight insights are invaluable. So, how is it that on my first day, not flat but hardly mountainous, and into a headwind, I have already started to create a package to send home. I practised carrying my life on my back on a ride to st David’s only 10 days ago and yet somehow, the backpack, aka Monkey has gained weight whilst I’ve lost. The Welsh guy deep in the Black Mountains where I recharged my phone were mightily impressed at my trans Wales trip that day. They’re a friendly bunch. Super chatty when they know you’re leaving, sending me off with a parting statement : “Look out for the green pick up truck about 10 miles up the road, that will be me as I mow you off the road into the bushes! [to which he then laughed to himself a lot]. “That’s where you’ll be staying for the night!” The interesting observation I picked up from this rowdy, bald, heavily tattooed Welshman is his sense of humour. So unique to Wales...

And so to bed. I have made my presence known in Marlborough. If you’re old enough to remember, picture this: Wayne Slob getting chicken and chips from the fish and chip shop. Yep. That’s me. That’s who I’ve become . I’m staying in the Bear Hotel which whilst a lovely room, is more expensive than my flight home from Kalamata that I won’t be taking. And whilst I wasn’t remotely hungry tonight, I have had to remind myself “eat for the ride you’re going to have, not for the one you’ve just had”

[trixies-allstar-crown]

Best cycling overshoes 2022 - Keep your feet warm and dry during the winter months

The best cycling overshoes offer protection from the elements and will keep your feet warm from CyclingNews RSS Feed https://ift.tt/5O9nBxa

[islamfakrul]

Top 10 Best mtb waterproof overshoes [2022]

Top 10 Best mtb waterproof overshoes [2022]

1. GripGrab Ride Waterproof Windproof Road Bike MTB Cycling Overshoes Adjustable Bicycle Rain Shoe Covers Black Neon, Yellow Hi-Vis, M (EU 40-41//UK 7-7.5) Buy On Amazon Tight Fit – These lightweight wind- and waterproof shoe covers are made for slim cycling shoes only (LOOK, SPD-SL, Speedplay, SPD); NOT for winter shoes, sneakers or trainers Wind- & waterproof – The GripGrab Ride shoe covers…

[ridgidfitness]

Can you wear cycling overshoes with trainers? Briefly, yes. Overshoes and trainers are the best couples when you plan to cycle in cold or rainy weather!

[jeffstreet-bike]

Boot Search

My toes are going numb pretty regularly now. Current equipment is MTB shoes with thick wool socks. I reviewed the options, and decided to buy a dedicated pair of winter shoes.

Ordered the 45NRTH Ragnarock

Toe Covers

There don't seem to be many available for mountain or gravel shoes. OMTM says, "Winter boots. Shoe covers are pointless."

Though I'm primarily concerned about cold, OMTM makes a point about rain that's worth bearing in mind: the footwear below isn't sealed at the top. Think of them as rubber boots. Jump in a puddle and you'll stay dry, but water can run down your legs unless pants go over the shoes.

Not Boots, Though

It's possible to buy snow boots with cleat mounts. These seem to be meant for fat tire bikers who ride in the snow.

Specialized Defroster

45NRTH Wölvhammer and Wølfgar

I want something more like a shoe, but wind and maybe water sealed.

Shoulder Season Shoes

Surveys https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/best-winter-road-cycling-shoes/ https://singletrackworld.com/2017/12/reviewed-8-pairs-of-winter-boots/

I've long lusted after the Rapha Explore, and hoped this would be an opportunity to purchase them. Rapha do offer Overshoes, but specifically for road cleats.

Sidi Frost

Specifically mentions an "internal gusset" sealing the tongue.

Their size chart is here https://www.westernbikeworks.com/product/sidi-frost-gore-winter-mtb-shoe

There aren't any detail reviews, though these do show up in the CyclingNews survey.

45NRTH Ragnarock

BikePacking.com noted that several of the fancy plastic spikes fell out during normal riding.

SingleTrackWorld.com discovered the excellent sizing tool on 45NRTh's site

Mavic CrossMax SL Thermo

https://shop.mavic.com/en-us/crossmax-sl-pro-thermo-shoe-d6194.html#1028=3293

Well reviewed https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/shoes/mavic-crossmax-sl-pro-thermo

https://singletrackworld.com/2017/12/reviewed-8-pairs-of-winter-boots/

Mavic XA PRO H2O GTX and Thermo are closer to flat-pedal shoes (though they do have clear mounts). The H2O GTX gets good reviews from PinkBike and SingleTrackWorld.

Shimano

https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/product/apparel-accessories/shimano-series-lsg-2020/SH-MW501.html https://bike.shimano.com/en-US/product/apparel-accessories/shimano-series-lsg-2019/SH-MW701.html

They're asking serious money for these.

Order

Sizing

45NRTH https://45nrth.com/products/size-guide/footwear 48

Sidi size cart US size 13 (Nike) equates almost perfectly to EURO size 48.

[themountainbikereviews]

Top Mountain Bike overshoes Products – V-best Bike Shoe Covers, Outdoor Sports Cycling Shoe Cover.. http://bit.ly/2HIHeu1

[spatzwearltd]

Best Cycling Overshoes are indispensable gears for serious cyclists who are often on the road in all types of weather, using them to protect and warm their feet. For picking the best shoes you should look for such options as waterproofing, insulation, durability, and compatibility with your cycling shoes.

[spatzwear]

Introducing Spatzwear Aero Shoe Covers Elevate Your Cycling

Experience exceptional efficiency as well as wind resistant benefit with Spatzwear's Aero shoe Covers. Created for bicyclists that require the most effective these ingenious footwear covers are syntheticed to improve your rate plus effectiveness when driving. Crafted with accuracy plus focus to information Spatzwear's Aero Shoe Covers include innovative products as well as wind resistant profiling to decrease drag and also make best use of air movement offering you an one-upmanship throughout every trip. Whether you're tackling a time trial, sprinting for the finish line, or simply aiming to optimize your performance, Spatzwear's Aero Shoe Covers are the ultimate choice for discerning cyclists.

[elastigirl72]

Day 24 and 25

71km to go

Day 24, 25 and 26: Trikala>Lamia>Thiva

Thiva: 18:43

The sun came out! Three days ago, I gifted my overshoes to Kastoria. Two days, Trikala’s Airbnb owner now has a beautiful pair of threadbare, elasticity long gone Castelli leg warmers, and has no idea of the significance of this gift. This is a cyclist’s version of a striptease...which can also and was performed on the move in the last few days: the jacket, the arm warmers and then a few miles later, the leg warmers.

It was the first morning I left without having consider any layering choices. I felt an awful lot lighter after being charged €8 for two cappuccinos, and I found a bike shop who pumped up my tyres and sent me on my way with a new inner tube after my puncture set bounced off somewhere in the previous day’s ride. Maybe Hades horrors got THAT close. Enjoy, you savages!

Greece has really surprised me, in a multitude of ways. Firstly, it’s people. I know a few Greeks. In fact, Dmitri who is married to Katherine and currently looking after my house and dog, Nyla (how dogs should be) is from Corinthe. He and the other Greek seem lovely. However, here, if I’m totally honest, on the whole, appear to have a serious attitude problem or a chip on their shoulder. You’ll get what you need from them, but blimey, they won’t make it easy! And on the whole, everything they do for you seems to be a massive chore; they tend to look decidedly pissed off! Yet, despite this, I quite like them. It’s like they don’t really give a hoot what anyone else thinks about them. You’ll do things their way or you’ll go without. Is it because of the long and deep Greek tragedies and history that floods its many mountains and plains? I thought that Italians were expressive, which they are. But Greeks don’t want to be expressive but if you push them, you’ll probably see the wrong kind of expressive!

Take for example, the owner of the hotel I’m in right now. The pool is not in use, it’s in the middle of nowhere and whilst it’s clean, so is a travelodge or Premier Inn, but none typically have atmosphere and are extremely functional. Bed, check in, restaurant and bar if you’re lucky. As I rested for the first time by the lovely looking pool on this trip, the owner came over to speak to me declaring his position as if I should congratulate him. And then proceeded to try and get me to cancel my booking.com booking, drive up to the cash point with him in order to pay cash and get a €10 discount for the most expensive and overpriced hotel for the whole 25 days to date. After telling him I’d think it over for while, and the hassle of getting in a car to go to get cash, and concerned that cancelling the booking after the cancellation period had passed with the possibility of double payment and no recourse, I told him it’s not worth it. I’d also be charged a currency fee for the withdrawal (I haven’t mentioned it, but a few days ago, in supposed trusted company, I was set up and pickpocketed. That in itself was genius how it was staged. Luckily they only got away with coins from 8 different countries and my international card. But that has made the cash process a little tricky). Mr owner, who clearly thought very highly of his negotiation skills, stating Booking.com make billions, and me being a seasoned traveller must play the system all the time. Am I missing a trick here? Maybe, but after much insistence after his persistence, he got the message. But this is my experience of Greeks.

Moving to the cycling. I’d been warned by said Greeks that Greek drivers were about the worst you could find. Be careful, I was warned. The roads are very busy and Greeks don’t deal with cyclists at all well. This really set me up to see Greece as a country I needed to get through to get to Athens and the end of my cross-continent adventure. The truth is I have been totally amazed. It has been, day after day, the best cycling I’ve done anywhere in Europe, including Spain and France. Not only are the drivers considerate, stop and wait at intersections for the cyclist to pass, they indicate, pull out, wait, and many toot and wave encouragement. The roads are empty, generally in great condition and all around, the scenery continuously draws you in. The culture is rich, untouched. I saw my first living snake on one road, the same road I saw many geckos between Kastoria and Trikala. The sides of the roads are dressed with millions of poppies, Aloe Vera, cacti, hemp, olive trees. I’m yet to reach Athens but I haven’t once felt unsafe due to traffic. Wild dogs, yes. I’d rather not repeat those.

Both Lamia and Kastoria were gems on an unplanned route. I don’t feel like seeing Thiva as I’m full of hay fever and possibly a cold, so am uninspired. It does have an interesting past though and was an important as a city and in Greek mythology. But I’m very happy here in my apartment away from everywhere: the calm before the storm, returning to relative reality tomorrow.

I don’t know why this area for cyclists seems to be so undiscovered, but I’m so glad I made the decision to come inland. The coast will undoubtedly be much busier than this incredible, mountainous and flat landscape from Albania to Athens. I couldn’t be happier on my bike than I’ve been for the past four days.😊. The balance of vistas for this trip have been perfect: mainland, coast and now mountains. That pretty much covers it! I later hear from Mr Owner as he reluctantly demanded my card payment as he saw me sat on my balcony because he wasn’t there in the morning, that 30 Hungarian cyclists were arriving the next day. For them it’s a short flight away. They’re obviously in on this secret nirvana that is Greece.

The days have rolled by and here I am, one ride away from Athens. I’m still focused, but also excited. 71km till I pack up my bike, having dipped my feet and maybe even swum in the Aegean in the last few miles of my Odyssey...surely that is classed as a transcontinental bike ride? 😃.

Packing away my winter gear, my shorts and t-shirt for the last time, throwing away all the bits and pieces I no longer need, and counting the hours...one more sleep and Athens...

26 days have past

24 days of cycling (excluding the abandoned day after 10 miles)

11 countries

6 currencies

3414km recorded cycling (2133 miles)

27,345m ascent (climbing)

1 backpack and frame bag - weight 4kg

I train ride (not included in mileage) to avoid snow

Two ferries - English Channel and 500m at Montenegro

Crossed the Severn, English Channel, past the Mediterranean And Adriatic Seas...

Days in order of awesomeness:

1 Librazhd>Kastoria

2 Lamia>Thiva

3 Trikala>Lamia

4 Senj>Zadar

5 Shkoder>Librazhd

The four least enjoyable:

1 Como>Garda - weather and traffic

2 Bellinzona>Como - weather and traffic

3 Venice>Trieste - weather

4 Neum>Herceg Novi - traffic

Favourite people by country:

Albanian

Bosnian

Montenegrin

Croatian

Italian

English

French

Greek

Swiss

Best hospitality: Albania then Bosnia

Best meal: Albania then Greece

Best weather: Greece

Biggest surprise country: equal Albania and Greece

Favourite city: Split

Best hotel: Calais and Albania

Least favourite city: Saint Quentin

Hardest day: Venice - abandoning for the day and the following day prospect of another abandoned day

Favourite person: the elderly cafe owner in Albania

Best vista: over Lake Ohrie, Albania

12 May: 0656 - Thiva

The day has arrived, and still, with only 71km to go, I’m not 100% certain I’ll make it to Athens! I guess I will believe it and relax once I walk into the hotel, and ask for my bike box. Having received an overweight charge relating to my box apparently weighing 67kg heavier than the maximum for my shipping cost (which is 27kg and having weighed it before booking, know it’s actually 19kg), I am expecting to find an adult size stowaway inside. So the very first thing I will be doing on receipt is asking a member of staff to hold my phone and video me opening it as evidence to send to UPS, who will otherwise pursue an additional £146 shipping cost. I tell you this as I don’t want you to fall into the same cunning trap.

A fellow cyclist, Steve, currently pedalling through France, shared this lovely insight with me after I’d shared the view of the Aegean Sea af Lamia’s castle. Around 10k from me, I could have by rights, pedalled over, dipped my toe in the water and got aboard the nearest train to Athens. But didn’t! Steve shared this: In Xenophon’s Anabasis when the 10,000 Greek soldiers saw the Mediterranean after there march out of Persia they shouted for joy Thálatta! Thálatta! The sea The Sea! They knew they were home.

I haven’t got that excited yet, but I’ve placed my Sainsbury’s order...Istanbul tomorrow...by plane 😊

The bells have chimed outside, I’ve eaten two cereal bars, a banana and half a pint of milk for breakfast and I will be hauling my knackered, ageing body on to the bike just one more time here, for up to 3 hours...and then it’s done...hopefully! See you in Athens 😃

[trixies-allstar-crown]

Best cycling overshoes 2022 - Keep your feet warm and dry during the winter months

The best cycling overshoes will keep your feet warm and dry on cold winter rides from CyclingNews RSS Feed https://ift.tt/RFc07Kv

[primaleuropeambassadorsstuff]

Commuting

So the government have started lifting restrictions on lockdown, but travelling by public transport seems too much of a risk and driving too much of a hassle... Maybe now is the perfect moment to consider commuting by bike?

Bike commuting was how I started my journey into cycling and so I thought now might be a good time to share a few tips and hacks I’ve picked up over the years to make commuting by bike safe, enjoyable and healthy.

It’s all about the bike

Probably the first thing to think about is the bike you’ll use for your commute. In an ideal world, your commuting bike would be cheap, light, sturdy, comfortable and corrosion-proof. The reality however is for most of us, there’s bound to be some compromises. Picking the right commuter bike will depend on a few key points; is you commute short (under 30 minutes each way) or longer? Will you need to get on and off trains and if so will it involve peak hours of travel? Does your route involve hills or is it mostly flat? Shorter routes that involve trains etc favour a folding bike, whereas flat, longer routes probably lend themselves to a fixed gear bike with less upkeep. Longer, hillier routes need a road bike or hybrid, often meaning more components and so ultimately more upkeep but way more pleasure in the long-term.

All the gear...

So now you’ve decided on your dream steed, the next part of the puzzle to look at is your gear. As a minimum, everyone needs a good set of lights. This is not an area to skimp on in quality. My best advice; buy lights in the summer as lights tend to be on sale when they’re less likely to be needed. Next, it’s worth thinking about what you’ll carry in case of a breakdown. I tend to have a couple of inner tubes, CO2 canisters and a multitool with tyre levers and a spare quick-link. This will usually make the difference between making it to work or not on the wrong day and is a small price to pay as far as weird is concerned. Pair this with a decent waterproof saddlebag or toolbox in a bottle cage and you’ll barely notice it. Finish off your kit with a pair of quick-release mudguards and a good waterproof bag and you’re probably in a good place to start.

Dress to impress

One of the best decisions I have ever made has been to buy and wear cycle-specific clothes on the bike. I unfortunately sweat pretty heavily and ruined many cotton t-shirts with my commutes. Most modern cycling clothes are made from highly breathable fabrics that are quick-drying, perfect for the odd day when you get caught out in an unpredicted shower. Again, it’s worth thinking about all weather eventualities here in the UK which probably means good waterproof jackets and overshoes in the summer and sleeves/base layers in the autumn and spring. Fortunately Primal Europe have a range of jerseys, shorts, sleeves and waterproofs to keep you warm, dry and riding whatever the weather. My personal favourites recently have been these thermal sleeves, perfect for every season and easy to take off should the sun actually shine too!

[themountainbikereviews]

https://amzn.to/2HvbW8M - V-best Bike Shoe Covers, Outdoor Sports Cycling Shoe Covers Waterproof Warmer Overshoes Shoe Cover for Men Women MTB Winter Rain Cycle Bicycle Mountain Road Toe Cover Elasticized Fabric+PU Smart Size: The bike shoe covers go with a standard size: Length: 11.81”/30CM, Highth: 8.26” /21CM. Please wear together with cycling shoes. Before ordering the biking shoe covers, please measure our cycling shoes or feet. High Quality Materials: The cycling shoe covers, made of high quality PU flannel fabric, soft and comfortable, can effectively protect the foot from frostbite and keep warm the whole winter. The back part of the shoe covers is made of elastic fabric to fit all kinds, various sizes of lock shoes. Waterproof And Comfortable: The shoe covers is made of PU flannel fabric, waterproof and windproof, but please don’t soak in water. Coupled with seamless waterproof zipper without fear of rain or snow days riding feet are wet. You can wear it in windy and rain snow conditions to keep the feet warm and dry while cycling. Special Design: The reflective design on the heel can greatly increase the riding safety factor. The bottom of the hole design, through the magic buckle adjustment, the general ski mountain shoes shoes can be used, the forefoot anti-skid design more secure. Best Choice For Cyclist Lover: The shoe covers are lightweight and wear-resistant. They are recommended for Cycling Lock Shoes,convenient to carry with anywhere in rainy days / road bike, MTB and any other cycling shoe. Subscribe my channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Y0ut2mom5nDuOjoQvQ1SQ Blog: http://bit.ly/2AbMnGX FB: http://bit.ly/2EaCzPn Twitter: https://twitter.com/MountainBikeRe2 Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2WTlnoM Tumbrl: http://bit.ly/2EcmVTC Diigo: http://bit.ly/2WRBQdv Reddit: http://bit.ly/2EcaJlV Blogspot: http://bit.ly/2WRBTWJ #shoescover #mtb #mountainbike

[cycletechreview]

  2019 Winter Clothing Round Up

  Josh Ross

  2019 Winter Clothing Round Up

  Riding outside in the winter, I’m perpetually cold. When other people are out in insulated bib shorts and light jackets, I have bib tights, a jacket, and a vest. Not this year, though, this year has been different. It’s time to discuss some of the great products that have helped keep me warm this winter in the 2019 Winter Clothing Round Up.

  Winter clothing means jackets, thermals and overshoes, right?

  Last time I talked about winter riding gear, it was geared much more towards a wide range of conditions and riding styles. I looked at products designed to stretch from early fall through late spring. Nothing wrong with that, but this time I decided it should be much more focused, both in terms of riding intensity and also temperature. This is the gear that keeps me warm on the coldest days I am willing to venture out, and it’s gear designed for high intensity riding over many hours.

  There are other options that may work well, but the Assos Mille GT Ultraz winter jacket, Assos LS SkinFoil Winter Evo7 Long Sleeve Base Layer, Bontrager JFW Winter cycling shoe, and the Castelli Polare 2 bibtights are some of the items that have been keeping me warm this winter.

  The Assos Evo 7 longsleeve skinfoil

  Arguably, the most exciting pieces in this roundup are the Assos Mille GT Ultraz jacket and the accompanying Assos Evo 7 longsleeve skinfoil. The Mille GT Ultraz jacket is, without even a little hyperbole, the nicest cycling jacket I have ever touched. I love softshell jackets, but in the past, my experience was that they can get overwhelmed when it’s a bit too cold and/or too wet. My experience with other, similar, jackets is that they are too porous when it gets cold, and at the same time, if the rain gets a bit too heavy, while I stay dry, the water will pool in places like the forearms, and it starts to get really cold fast.

  The Mille GT just doesn’t exhibit this behaviour at all. Assos is a company that loves to really flex their design muscle when it comes to different fabrics. They tend to use a lot of different fabrics so that each area of a garment is using a textile with just the right properties. The Mille GT jacket is no different and in the front Assos uses a material called NEOS Ultra Textile. The NEOS Ultra textile is a heavy, though not overly heavy feeling, fabric that is water-resistant and windproof. The windproof nature of the NEOS Ultra that Assos uses on the front makes a huge difference in your body’s ability to build heat even when it’s really cold.

  The Castelli Polare 2 Bibtight

  There are a couple of supporting elements employed as well. The interior of the Mille GT is covered with a brushed material that Assos refers to as RX. It’s nice to have a soft layer against your body, but there’s also a very important air gap between the outside and the inside materials. The ability of the interior to move somewhat independently is one of the things I think is so nice about this jacket. It does make it a bit more difficult to get your arms through the sleeves, but once it’s on, the internal RX fabric moves with your body while the external fabric keeps wind and water at bay.

  The other supporting character in the warmth that the Assos Mille GT Ultraz jacket provides is the integrated neck warmer. It’s not something any of the marketing calls attention to, but it really helps keep your core warm. If you prefer not to use it, there is a place for it to stow, so that it will sit against your upper back, inside the jacket.

  The Bontrager JFW Winter Cycling shoe

  I do find that when it’s really cold, I still like to use a second neck warmer, and for that I employ the Castelli Head Thingy that I discussed previously. You can check out the previous article for more info, but the reason I like to supplement is that I find the integrated neck warmer is difficult to pull up onto my face, and the Castelli Head Thingy can also be used a hat if you’d like. They do work just fine doubled up to keep your neck warm as well.

  The Assos Mille GT Ultraz jacket does work wonderfully when looked at on its own, but Assos is a proponent of looking at your whole system of clothing. They have what they refer to as the Assos Layering System, and it’s designed so that it’s easy to grab a combination of clothing that will be best suited to the type of riding you will be doing. Honestly, it’s not revolutionary, but it is important to think of your clothing as a system.

  Sportful Fiandre gloves

  In this case, I wanted the warmest system possible, and the Assos LS skinFoil Winter Evo7 Long Sleeve Base Layer is the warmest that Assos offers. As a part of the system, it pairs wonderfully with the Mille GT jacket to build warmth from the skin out. There is a thickness to the fabric chosen that accomplishes two main goals. It adds surface area, more surface area means more trapped air which means more warmth, without adding bulk. It also helps pull moisture away from your skin, so that when it’s wet from sweat, you don’t get cold as the liquid dries. I’m not sure how it will perform in the shoulder seasons – when I fully intend to continue using it – but paired with the Mille GT jacket, I have never found myself cold because of drying sweat.

  In terms of practical use, I would say there’s not a need to size down on this base layer. My Rapha summer base layers are extra small, but I’m wearing a size small, same as my jersey size, in the Assos LS skinFoil, and I doubt I’d be able to fit an extra small. With the combination of seamless construction and highly elastic fit, I don’t feel any need to size down anyway. The Assos LS skinFoil Winter Evo7 Long Sleeve Base Layer feels soft and comforting against your skin and the perfectly thick, but still compressive, fabric paired with the high neckline, adds a layer of serious warmth under whatever you might pair it with.

  Assos thermobootie.uno_s7

  Moving down the body, I took a look at the Castelli Polare 2 Bibtight in this winter roundup. Last time I looked at winter gear, I went with a hybrid option that paired unpadded tights with insulated bib shorts. It was a solid solution with a lot of flexibility, but it’s not ultimately the warmest option. This time around, I chose warmth over flexibility and the Castelli Polare 2 Bibtight definitely delivers on warmth.

  It’s interesting to look at it next to the Assos gear, though. Unlike the Mille GT jacket, which feels completely revolutionary, the Polare 2 bib tights feel completely evolutionary in nature. I’ve ridden with other bib tights that were similar, but the Polare 2 is just better. They are far and away the warmest I’ve ever experienced, and from the very first time I tried them, I felt a bit silly that I hadn’t been using them sooner.

  The Assos Mille GT Ultraz winter jacket

  In the front of the Polare 2, you’ll find a generous usage of Castelli’s warmest Gore Windstopper fabric, and it wraps around to the sides for most of the leg. In the rear section of the bibs, there is fabric that feels almost as thick as a light wetsuit, and it does a pretty good job of both keeping road spray out as well as allowing moisture from sweat to evaporate. I don’t run fenders on any of my bikes, and these do a good job keeping you feeling warm even when dealing with road spray.

  This winter has been drier and colder than is typical, so what I have most appreciated is the full fleece lining. At the bottom of the ankle, you will find a quality fit with a good zipper, and from that point all the way to the top where it transitions to the mesh straps, there is a thick layer of fleece. Once you get to the straps, Castelli makes a big deal about the design of the straps being thought out so as to not interfere with whatever insulation you might be wearing. I can’t say I noticed this much however, the straps are comfortable and given that the objective is to not create a problem, I’d say they did a good job.

  Burton Screen Grab Liners

  The last new piece of gear I looked at this winter is definitely a nod to changes in the industry. In the past, I used my road bike in the winter, and although I discussed a Mavic overshoe option in the previous winter article, I later discussed the Assos thermobootie.uno_s7 and that is the overshoe I have stuck with. It’s still the best option I have used for road shoes in cold weather, but this year I spent far more time on my gravel bike during the cold weather. On my gravel bike, I run SPD pedals, and this opens up a whole new range of options for keeping your feet warm.

  In recent years, I’ve seen a couple of winter specific road pedal oriented cycling shoes pop up, but the vast majority of winter cycling boots are designed around offroad pedal options. The Bontrager JFW Winter Cycling shoe falls into that category, and they have been a dependable partner through the cold, the wet, and the mud. I absolutely love boa adjusters, and it’s been with reluctance that I’ve given them up on my summer road shoes in favour of weight reduction.

  Modern fabrics make winter riding bearable

  In a winter environment, weight is the last thing I worry about in my shoes, and when you’ve got thick gloves on, the simplicity of a single boa adjuster is a joy. It’s also worth mentioning that despite the crazy conditions I’ve subjected the boa adjuster, without an issue. Should you ever experience a failed boa adjuster, they are guaranteed for the lifetime of the product they are integrated into, and the process is straightforward.

  One of the big reasons that I run SPD pedals on my gravel bike is that I often find myself following a friend into uncertain territory and hiking with my bike is something that happens often. The Bontrager JFW Winter Cycling shoe, with it’s Tachyon rubber outsole and Nylon composite sole, is easy to hike in. There are also times where I feel like I want to keep my heart rate up even though I’m needing to hike, and in those instances, I have run in the JFW cycling shoes without issues. The neoprene upper keeps your feet warm and dry, but it also allows enough flexibility that you can run if you want to.

  Offroad shoes make a lot of sense on winter rides

  The bottom line is that I’ve had them out in the worst weather hiking, and running, along muddy single track and under every situation, they have kept my feet warm and dry. The Assos thermobootie.uno_s7 is very good, but it’s still an extra piece of gear, and eliminating one more piece of gear is nice. The Bontrager JFW is also generously cut so that thick winter socks and chemical foot warmers don’t leave your feet feeling like sausages in a casing.

  Last time I looked at stretching riding through the three colder seasons(Link). This time around I looked at what I could recommend for the coldest months of riding. I was also looking for products for people like me, who are constantly cold and want seriously warm gear even in the shoulder seasons. For the coldest times, I recommend the Assos Mille GT Ultraz jacket, MSRP $349.00, the Assos LS skinFoil Winter Evo7 Long Sleeve Base Layer, MSRP $105, the Castelli Polare 2 Bibtight, MSRP $199.99, and the Bontrager JFW Winter Cycling shoe, MSRP $199.99.

  Good baselayers are a must

  This stuff is some of the best cold weather gear out there, and I supplement it with a few accessories that I’ve previously talked about. I love the Castelli Head thingy, as low as $13.26 online, and if I’m riding my road bike, I use the Assos thermobootie.uno_s7, currently available from Assos for $62. For my hands, my favourite gloves are the Sportful Fiandre, MSRP $79.99, gloves that I previously reviewed, and I pair them with a pair of Burton Screen Grab Liners, available online for $19.99, that add just enough extra warmth when I really need it without being bulky and also allows for phone usage without taking them off.

  The bottom line is that if you need some serious warmth, these might not be the only options available, but this is stuff that has kept me comfortable when riding for hours in the harshest conditions.

  The Castelli Polare 2 Bibtight

Modern fabrics make winter riding bearable

Good baselayers are a must

The Assos Evo 7 longsleeve skinfoil

The Assos Mille GT Ultraz winter jacket

Winter clothing means jackets, thermals and overshoes, right?

Burton Screen Grab Liners

Sportful Fiandre gloves

The Bontrager JFW Winter Cycling shoe

Offroad shoes make a lot of sense on winter rides

Sportful Fiandre gloves

Assos thermobootie.uno_s7

    2019 Winter Clothing Round Up 2019 Winter Clothing Round Up Josh Ross 2019 Winter Clothing Round Up Riding outside in the winter, I’m perpetually cold.