Winter provides the most wonderful riding conditions. Cold mornings followed by warm but not too warm days allow you to have that ride all day feeling more often than not, but to do that you need the right clothing.
Layering is an often thrown around term, but not always well executed. We have all had days where too many layers has caused too much heat, too much sweat and an unexpected heat bonk on a cold day. It is no fun!
Understanding our own body temperature is important to get layering right. Some people run hot and others stay cold forever, but the basic principles and strategy is close enough for us all that I feel that I can give a basic recommendation that will give most riders a starting point to work from.
How to Layer for Winter Cycling
My real introduction to the importance of layering came when I decided, for no good reason, that a mid-winter 500km ride would be a fun challenge. Here in the KZN Midlands that means a hot day and a very (VERY!) cold night with lots of climbing, and therefore descending, throughout. In 2024 I experienced a temperature range from -5 degrees to 25 degrees. Good clothing and easy manipulation of ventilation really mattered, and thankfully CIOVITA had me covered.
What to Wear for Cycling in 10–15°C
I always start with the basics, a good base layer under my jersey is super important to draw sweat away from my skin. I compliment that with arm warmers and then over the top of it all goes my favourite jacket: The Apex Scope Short Sleeve. I find that keeps me warm but not sweaty in the 10-15 degree range, and with the two-way zip of the Scope Jacket I can easily cool my core on longer climbs without turning into a sail.
What to Wear for Cycling Below 10°C
As it gets below 10 degrees a bit more cover is needed. I am not a knee warmer guy so I go straight to leg warmers, winter gloves and some toe caps, which are a secret weapon as they keep your toes toasty without making your feet sweat when it’s not *that* cold. This is also more or less how I dress for the average early morning ride all winter long.
How to Dress for Cycling Below Freezing
Below zero degrees things get a bit more tricky, especially as we seem to have vast and quick changes of temperature here as you hit different areas with more or less ground water. I double glove in these situations, adding the liner glove below my winter long-finger. I will also add a headscarf and fleece beanie and likely a lightweight jacket over the top to keep the wind off. Lastly the toe covers might be swapped for a set of full booties to really keep the extremities warm.
How to Avoid Overheating While Winter Cycling
Once fully layered up I know I am covered for however cold the descents, or dips, might get and the challenge changes to not overheating. The reason I choose a short sleeve jacket in these changeable conditions is that I find my forearms having some extra breathability reduces overheating, keeping my body cool but not cold. On longer climbs I zip and unzip regularly to get some air on my lower abdomen especially, but try keep my chest covered at all times.
Adjusting Your Layers as the Temperature Changes
As it warms up I uncover my head and feet first, as that seems to help keep overall body temperature lower while not freezing one body part. The same is true of hands and then legs before finally it’s warm enough to take off my jacket.
It’s a process, but an effective one that allows me to be warm and enjoy the beautiful winter mornings and ride all day if needed: though that does require some sort of bag into which I can pack my gear later in the ride too.
When a Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey Is Enough
On other normal ride days that are maybe a little cool, but consistently so, a long sleeve jersey is a go-to for me along with some warmer gloves. I am happy to admit that I quite love being all dressed up for a winter ride, and it’s nice to mix and match kit as opposed to the summer rides of just a jersey and bib shorts.
The Best Winter Cycling Clothing
My two favourite winter kit pieces are definitely the Long Sleeve Thermal Jersey and Apex Scope Rainshell Short Sleeve Jacket.
Best Thermal Cycling Jersey
The long sleeve thermal jersey is perfect for not too cold mornings and allow me to wear just a single jersey, as opposed to layering up. This is especially true when the ride is at a consistent pace, without really hard effort which require a bit more on and off cooling. The fit is one of my favourite things about the jersey as it still feels well-fitted and doesn’t flap at all, while the slightly thicker fabric feels great against your skin.
Best Cycling Jacket for Winter Riding
The Apex Scope is closer to home for me as I had a small role in its development, and I wear it more than anything else in winter other than my Sentiero Bib Shorts. I mostly pair the jacket with some arm warmers, which as I said keep my arms cool but not hot while the two-way zip of the jacket allows me to regulate core temperature as needed. I’ve raced, trained, toured and explored in this jersey and never once has it been a bad choice. I love it, in many conditions and know it is a piece that will fit well into any rider’s wardrobe.
What to Wear for Wet Winter Cycling
Sadly some days are a little wet in winter, even here in KZN. On those days the Apex Hydro Repel Jacket is my go too, often over the top of the previously mentioned kit. In summer it almost always comes along for the ride too, as rain strikes at the most unexpected times here in KZN. When not being warm it folds up easily into a back pocket, or even downtube storage, so it’s no bother to have on a ride when it’s not being worn.
The Right Winter Cycling Gear Makes Every Ride Better
There’s that old saying ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’ and it’s mostly true. With the right kit and an effective layering strategy even the coldest mornings can be enjoyable. CIVOITA has a wonderful and varied range of high quality winter gear to get you through every condition going, so get kitted up and get out the door because winter really does provide the most wonderful opportunity to ride for however long your heart desires.
