My local DOC is planning a trip to Blackwater Falls area in WV the first week of October.
Looks like average temps are around 65 high and 45 lows.
My leathers are fully perforated and I'm not looking forward to cool mornings in the mountains.
Any suggestions from those of you out there that have been in similar situations. I'm not up to date with what is out there.
My thoughts are something that fits nice and snug underneath to block the wind and provide some warmth.
I'd like to stay away from wearing something overtop but I'm not gonna rule out anything just yet.
Thanks guys!
Layers, wind-blocking and getting it all covered will be keys.
In my arsenal
- Thin balaclava from 'Turtlefur'. Fits comfortably under my helmet, adding insulation to my head and a layer to the neck. Covering up the neck will help a lot
- A thicker 'turtlefur' neck gaiter for when it's really cold
- Silk liner socks and glove liner. Low bulk, but warm
- wind proof fleece jacket or vest - with my leathers I've ditched the zip in liner in favor of my Moutain hardware wind stopper fleece. The liner doesn't cover the neck, the tall collar of the fleece does. The fleece also provides an insulation and wind proofing layer at the jackets main zipper the liner does not. WIND PROOF is key here. Just fleece won't do.
- Long johns. I've got a set of normal ones and a set from 'Cold killers' which are wind proof.
It'll be important to interleave the layers as well. Like : glove liners go inside jacket, glove cuff goes over jacket. Or shirt goes over long johns, inside pants. Simple, but does a lot to keep that cold air out. Of course layers will be important for temp management. 45 is pretty chilly, 65 in the sun and you'll warm up a lot - possibly to the point of sweating a bit. Of course damp clothes are bad.
Forcefield/T-Pro as well as a number of othe folks now make wind resistant base layers that you might look up. I've got a micro fleece stretchy top from sugoi that's great in the chill, though I'm not sure if it's made any more.
Panda got you pretty well squared away.
Consider an electric vest.
if your leathers are perfed, wear a rain jacket OVER your leathers. and you wont need to deal with widn ripping heat away from your insulating layers.
Quote from: Speeddog on September 07, 2012, 08:21:20 AM
Consider an electric vest.
If it's a one time or very infrequent thing, you might just go for some of those chemical hand warmer packets. They also make ones for your toes... those are awesome. Electrics are nice, but an investment.
http://www.edzlayering.com/outdoor/mens/all_climate/jackets/product_innershell_windproof_jacket.html (http://www.edzlayering.com/outdoor/mens/all_climate/jackets/product_innershell_windproof_jacket.html)
I love these windproofs because they are VERY thin and add comfort because they are slippery and help snug leathers move easier. Woolen base layer + EDZ do a great job, but on top of my list is always TIGHT interleave/overlap.
Quote from: stopintime on September 07, 2012, 10:05:45 AM
I love these windproofs because they are VERY thin and add comfort because they are slippery and help snug leathers move easier. Woolen base layer + EDZ do a great job, but on top of my list is always TIGHT interleave/overlap.
Ha! I find it a bit ironic you've got the super mod wind layer over wool.
More seriously, those look like some good kit. Layering up can be an issue if your stuff is bulky... like wool
Quote from: He Man on September 07, 2012, 08:24:20 AM
if your leathers are perfed, wear a rain jacket OVER your leathers. and you wont need to deal with widn ripping heat away from your insulating layers.
this
I'd add the rain pants as well. Might even come in handy in case it ..... rains. Some wind proof gloves are probably all you'll need
down to 45F. Barkbusters and/or heated grips would be helpful as well.
Quote from: Slide Panda on September 07, 2012, 10:10:10 AM
Ha! I find it a bit ironic you've got the super mod wind layer over wool.
More seriously, those look like some good kit. Layering up can be an issue if your stuff is bulky... like wool
My wool is also very thin - sport type kind of things...
I would suggest a liner specific for your brand of jacket, a removable liner. I'm pretty sure that this kind of liner is available or sold separately. It will be worth it.
I also have a perforated leather jacket, an Alpinestars, it didn't have or come with a liner. But I also have an old Alpinestars mesh jacket that has (came with) a removable liner. And since it's removable, I can wear it under my perf leather jacket if I need to.
Usually the jacket specific liners have some critical short comings for real chilly weather.
They usually do not go into the collar. If they do they do not go past. Generally this leaves an area, your neck, minimally or not insulated. Two of the biggest blood vessels run through your neck very close to the surface
Next most liners in leathers do not overlap the main zipper. This makes for a very large in insulated, wind permeable area dirctly facing the wind centered over your bodies core.
Two big flaws for keeping really warm. Put someone in my dainese jacket with its liner vs no liner but the wind proof fleece jacket for an hour in the 40s and they as I have will choose the fleece.
The OP (lazyjinglin717) wants something that "fits nice and snug underneath to block the wind" that's why I think a liner will be a good choice for him. The liner is not only wind resistance, it is also water proof. The times I wear it are in rainy season, when I'm too lazy to carry a rain gear. I just bring the liner, it folds nicely and small. When it rains I just pull over, and put the liner on and put the jacket back on, on top of the liner.
But I know nothing about riding in cold condition or climate, I live in a tropical country ... the coldest temperature I ride in is on the twisty road up on mountain, but the temp is only 15C or something.
I often wear this http://www.revit.eu/en/#/products/FTU701 (http://www.revit.eu/en/#/products/FTU701) under an unlined Dianese leather jacket for short rides down into the mid thirties.
I wear one of these under my one piece down to 40 degrees. Colder with a base layer or thin thermal underwear top. My biggest issue is keeping my hands warm.
http://www.taichimoto.com/rs-taichi-windstopper-inner-suit/ (http://www.taichimoto.com/rs-taichi-windstopper-inner-suit/)
DP: That was pretty much what I had in mind but I don't know that I can justify that kind of money. I don't ride often in cool weather so I'd like to keep it on the cheaper side of staying warm.
I found these. If anybody has any feedback
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475)
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476)
They don't get the greatest reviews but they are much cheaper than anything else I've seen
Quote from: lazyjinglin717 on September 08, 2012, 07:58:02 PM
DP: That was pretty much what I had in mind but I don't know that I can justify that kind of money. I don't ride often in cool weather so I'd like to keep it on the cheaper side of staying warm.
I found these. If anybody has any feedback
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475)
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476)
They don't get the greatest reviews but they are much cheaper than anything else I've seen
I understand the reluctance to spend $170.
Better than nothing.
It's still $70 for long johns which seems kinda pricey for what they are.
one piece is a better option just for the fact that you have less area open to the wind.
Hands being warm is a big problem. Heated gloves is the only way to go. But even then, if you are going fast enough the digits tend to go numb still.
Quote from: lazyjinglin717 on September 08, 2012, 07:58:02 PM
I found these. If anybody has any feedback
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475)
I bought these last winter and while they do work, they're horribly shaped. When I get on the bike they pull down at the back and then bunch up. Absolutely hate them and will replace them with something both wind proof and anatomically designed for any position beyond standing straight up.
I just bought a Roland Sands Ronin jacket and it's also perforated. So I just ordered this Icon Hoodie to wear under it for around town and commuting back forth to work, http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-1000-hoodlux-hoody (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-1000-hoodlux-hoody) I'm thinking this will probably work for me into the upper 40s at least. Below that I have a winter jacket.
Hopefully around November I'm going to invest in a heated jacket liner and glove liner. That and wool socks should keep in the bike through the winter commute.
Quote from: bob795 on September 07, 2012, 07:44:11 PM
The OP (lazyjinglin717) wants something that "fits nice and snug underneath to block the wind" that's why I think a liner will be a good choice for him. The liner is not only wind resistance, it is also water proof. The times I wear it are in rainy season, when I'm too lazy to carry a rain gear. I just bring the liner, it folds nicely and small. When it rains I just pull over, and put the liner on and put the jacket back on, on top of the liner.
But I know nothing about riding in cold condition or climate, I live in a tropical country ... the coldest temperature I ride in is on the twisty road up on mountain, but the temp is only 15C or something.
Of the 3 leather jackets I've purchased, none have come with a water proof liner. Similarly, none of their liners have covered the main zipper. Some of the textiles I've had do, none of the leather - what jacket/manufacturer are you talking about there? My 3 jackets from 3 companies is far from a large/complete sample.
I just picked up a RSD Ronin jacket too. Love it. Def gonna need a under layer for it though.
I just priced Under Armour at a Dicks sporting goods and it is ridiculous
I'm not spending $130 on something that is gonna smell like New Jersey after a week of riding in it >:(
Quote from: Steve.In.Atlanta on September 10, 2012, 10:39:02 AM
I bought these last winter and while they do work, they're horribly shaped. When I get on the bike they pull down at the back and then bunch up. Absolutely hate them and will replace them with something both wind proof and anatomically designed for any position beyond standing straight up.
THanks for the heads up. I'll skip it and get something that is comfortable [thumbsup]
This looks kinda sweet
http://www.extremeracing.co.uk/Two-Piece/Two-Piece/prod_5.html (http://www.extremeracing.co.uk/Two-Piece/Two-Piece/prod_5.html)
Quote from: Slide Panda on September 10, 2012, 10:44:22 AM
Of the 3 leather jackets I've purchased, none have come with a water proof liner. Similarly, none of their liners have covered the main zipper. Some of the textiles I've had do, none of the leather - what jacket/manufacturer are you talking about there? My 3 jackets from 3 companies is far from a large/complete sample.
It's Alpinestars Air Flo mesh jacket, their textile mesh jacket not their leather jacket. Just like your jackets, my alpinestars leather jacket doesn't have a liner either.
Quote from: lazyjinglin717 on September 08, 2012, 07:58:02 PM
DP: That was pretty much what I had in mind but I don't know that I can justify that kind of money. I don't ride often in cool weather so I'd like to keep it on the cheaper side of staying warm.
I found these. If anybody has any feedback
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_johns/web1008475)
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476 (http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/long_sleeve_top/web1008476)
They don't get the greatest reviews but they are much cheaper than anything else I've seen
Works great but the sizes are weird. You need to try them on to get the right size.
During the SoCal "winters", when I leave early in the morning (~5:00-5:30am), it can be in the low 30s sometimes. I'll usually wear a Specialized (cycling) winter jacket UNDER my leather jacket. For pants, I'll use my regular Rev'It leather/mesh mix riding pants but use the included rain layer. This stops a lot of the wind. If it's especially cold, I also have cycling tights that I'll wear too.
The reason I don't want to have TOO much on is when I'm on my way back, I don't need to wear all that so it needs to be compact enough to stuff in my backpack along with the rest of the stuff I normally take to work on a daily basis.
For reference, this is exactly the Specialized jacket I have. It's specifically made to cycle in winter months (I got it when I lived in NJ, so winter is COLD). I can ride in 20-30 degree weather for hours wearing this.
(http://www.fortdunlopcycling.co.uk/images/Sale/WinterClothingSale/SpecializedEurekaJacket.jpg)