The Best Winter Cycling Gear of 2024 — Cold-Weather Cycling Gear

Nov 04, 2024

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Stay warm, stay dry, and keep riding all winter long.

I don’t see the arrival of winter as a sign that it's time to stop taking my bikes out. Whether I’m commuting to and from work, or going on a weekend group ride with friends, it’s going to take a little more than cold weather, high winds and the occasional spat of snow or freezing to stop me. When the weather gets tough, I just put on a few extra layers. Start with a cycling jacket, a winter hat, and a pair of gloves, then add more as the temperature drops. Sure, my overall average speed will be slightly slower in the winter, but that’s fine with me. With the right winter cycling gear, you can ride through the coldest months of the year. Here are some of my favorites, just in time for the coming cold.

Riding comfortably in the cold is all about layering. Wearing a few light layers of clothing is more versatile than a bulky winter jacket, as you can add or remove clothes to match conditions. Your outfit will trap body heat more efficiently, keeping you warm, while allowing sweat vapor out so you don’t get soaked from the inside out.

Everyone has their own tolerance for cold, so the specifics of what you want to wear on any given day will vary from person to person. Our colleagues at Runner’s World have a good rule of thumb for cold-weather running, though, which also applies for cycling: Dress as if it will be 15- to 20-degrees warmer than the actual temperature. That’s what you’ll feel when you start working up a sweat.

Of course, once the outside temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you will likely need an extra-warm top layer for the first leg of your ride. If you’re dressed efficiently, though, you should feel cold at the start of a winter ride.

No matter the temperature, you should wear an outer layer that can repel water–whether it's from rain or melting snow. At the very least, you should look for a cycling jacket that’s been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) so light rain and snow roll off you. A lightweight water-repellent jacket is more breathable than a multi-layer waterproof option made from Gore-Tex or another technical fabric, making it a better choice in most cases.

When you need more warmth, make sure to pick a base layer made from moisture-wicking fabric, or a material like merino wool, which still keeps you warm even when it’s wet. Many people consider merino the ideal base layer but, as someone who tends to overdress (and sweat a lot), I prefer something made from a technical, synthetic fabric that will actively minimize the amount of sweat hanging on me. That said, it’s ultimately a personal choice. You may need to experiment with different options to determine what works best for you and your body.

Lastly, you should add a set of fenders to your bike. They’ll protect yourself and your fellow riders. They’ll direct all the grime, gunk, and moisture your tires kick up back down toward the road instead of up onto your butt or the rider on your wheel.

I’ve biked through all four seasons for more than 20 years now. I’m also a seasoned bikepacker, so I’ve traversed vast, windy steppes, and icy trails all over the world. After years of trying all kinds of gear, I’ve found clothes and equipment that keep me as comfortable as possible in very cold conditions.

In addition to drawing on my own riding and testing experience, I spend a lot of time talking gear with cyclists from a range of disciplines–road, gravel, mountain, bikepacking, and touring–to get their perspectives on what winter gear works and what doesn’t. On any of my winter group rides, there is almost always a discussion about cold feet or hands, and who is wearing what gloves and which shoes.

One of the best defenses against wet, windy, cold weather is a quality waterproof jacket that you can layer over multiple garments. The Rapha Core Rain Jacket line features a relaxed fit that will accommodate warm layers underneath, while protecting you from both rain and wind.

It’s waterproof with taped seams, which makes it less breathable than most of my favorite cycling jackets, but it provides exceptional protection for a shell without any inner lining.

One of my favorite things about Rapha jackets is their offset front zippers, which help keep drafts from penetrating through layers. I wear this jacket for warmth while cycling (and running), even when it isn’t raining. It creates a nice, toasty inner warmth, no matter what the weather is doing.

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Made from an insulated, three-layer waterproof material and lined with fleece, Baleaf’s Winter Cycling Jacket delivers warmth and comfort at a reasonable price. There are two zippered side hand pockets and a zippered back pocket to stow your phone, money, and snacks. It also has a decent number of reflective panels, which will make sure drivers can see you in low light conditions.

The elastic cuffs and double layer collar keep the cold out and the warmth in. Surprisingly, this is one of the warmest jackets I own without a ‘puff’ layer.

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I own a few pairs of Rapha’s Core Winter tights, and have been wearing them for years. I’ve tried many other brands but always come back to these.

The “Cargo” version has all the properties I love: They’re matte, stretchy, lightweight, and lined with fleece to keep you warm. The nylon-elastane fabric is also wind- and water-resistant to keep you warm and dry through short bouts of freezing rain. They have wide, breathable bib straps and a comfy chamois, too. The coup de grace, of course, is a pair of cargo pockets for stashing your phone and some snacks.

Never one to adhere to conventional norms when it comes to dressing for a cold-weather ride, I’ll wear these over a base layer on days when the wind chill falls well below freezing. Most riders find it uncomfortable adding a layer under a padded tight, but, somehow, Rapha’s flexible chamois hasn’t ever bothered me.

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No winter riding kit is complete without a trusty balaclava. Keeping your face and neck warm will make you infinitely more comfortable when the temperatures dip close to freezing. This mask from Bontrager sports a water-repellent and wind-resistant shell with a brushed thermal interior to keep all that hot air around your head from escaping, keeping you nice and toasty.

The neck portion is long enough to keep tucked into a collar, even in a bent-over position. The clamshell design allows you to easily pull the front down under your chin if needed or if, like me, breathing directly into a balaclava makes your glasses fog up.

The Gorewear Windstopper is a remarkably warm, cozy beanie. Fully taped seams make the cap fully windproof and highly water-resistant, shielding your noggin from rain and sleet. Elastic binding keeps the hat tight against your head, trapping warmth, and reflective details help keep you safe in less-than-ideal visibility.

For me, though, the standout feature is a pair of slits that let your glasses slide inside to rest on your ears without letting any air in. As a 40-year wearer of prescription glasses (and hat lover), having a hat that’s comfortable and sits flush against my head with glasses on makes such a huge difference.

There aren’t that many road-specific winter helmets. (In fact there aren’t many winter road cycling helmets, period.) Many riders I knew used to swear by Specialized’s now-defunct Centro Winter helmet, but these days most of my winter riding friends simply don a balaclava under their “summer” helmet and call it a day.

If you’d prefer a helmet with a visor and a tail light for commuting in cold weather, the Smith Dispatch MIPS helmet with a rechargeable rear LED light strip for visibility and a ventilation system that helps prevent foggy glasses is an excellent choice. It also features a subtle visor that kept rain and snow from falling directly onto my face when I tested it last season.

To get a comfortably snug fit, it features a 270-degree fit adjustment dial. Having the adjustable inner band in the helmet run across 270 degrees of your head, rather than the standard 180, makes it easier for you to dial it into your exact head shape.

If you’re interested in a helmet that actually keeps you warm, in addition to adding visibility, I like Bern’s Winter Multi-Sport Helmet, which has a fleece liner and ear flaps.

If you aren’t ready to break out the winter cycling shoes or just don’t want to pick up a second pair just for the cold, these shoe covers from Pearl Izumi slip on over your regular cycling shoes and keep you warm.

Constructed with a softshell fabric, and treated with a water-repellent finish, they protect your feet from wind, freezing rain, and cold. They’re held in place by two hook-and-loop flaps on the heel, which require a little bit of pulling and adjusting to get on just right, but give you a cozy fit in the end.

Cold and wet hands lead to all kinds of unpleasant things, like blisters, numbness, and even frostbite. The Bodham waterproof cycling gloves from Sealskinz are made with three layers of fabric, including a polyurethane membrane to block precipitation and a polyester anti-slip lining that eliminates any potential pullout.

These gloves keep your hands dry in any weather and prevent sweat from mucking things up from the inside, out. They’re also smartphone-compatible, so you don’t have to remove your glove when answering a text or looking up the nearest train time.

The Roka CP-1x are remarkably lightweight, only 0.88 ounces, so they don’t cause any undue pressure on your cheeks or nose. Most of the time, I forget they’re even there. Their customizable titanium wire arms are highly flexible, so you can shape and reshape their curves to fit your face, regardless of how many layers you decide to wear. Roka’s Geko grips on the nose and sides also ensure they don’t fall down my nose or press into my cheeks, even over very bumpy terrain.

The full-frame shield lens blocks wind and cold while providing a large, unobstructed field of view. The lens has fog, water- and oil-resistant coatings on the inside and outside of the lens to keep your vision clear in any condition. The lens is also removable and interchangeable, so you can purchase and swap between Roka’s wide array of colors, many of which allow different levels of light transmission. (So there is a technical benefit to switching, in addition to style.) That includes a limited range of prescription lenses.

Roka also makes the CP-1, which is identical save for a slightly shorter lens–52mm versus the 1x’ 56mm.

I’ve tried all sorts of gear to keep my feet warm and dry on cold rides–winter shoes, boots, covers, you name it–and it’s hard to find an option that finds a good balance between warmth and performance. The gear that proved warm enough for rides over 20 miles long and temperatures below or near freezing were often too bulky, and those that offered a svelte profile couldn’t withstand frigid winter winds. Last year, I found these winter mountain bike shoes from Shimano, which finally provided the lightweight shield against winter temperatures I’ve been looking for.

The Shimano SH-MW702s feature a Gore-Tex-insulated layer and fleece insole to keep the cold out, and a neoprene ankle cuff with a Velcro closure that seals in the warmth in. It features a BOA dial closure, but with an overlap that provides a complete closure over the top of the foot. The rubber outsole is sturdy, and won’t let you slip on snowy and icy pavement. The most satisfying part, though, is that all of this comes in a relatively streamlined profile so you’re not accidentally knocking your toes or rubbing the side of the boot against your bike frame or crank arm. They’re easily the best favorite winter shoe I’ve ever had.

Winter road sludge is wet, dirty, and often full of road salt. A set of fenders will block that gross spray, keeping your posterior clean and dry. Made from recycled beverage bottles, Portland Design Works’ “Sodapop” fenders attach to your bike with a frame clip in the rear and a bolt through the front.

Since they’re made from plastic, they won’t add any significant weight to your ride. Together, the fenders weigh in at a little over half a pound combined. They’re also slim enough to fit under a rear rack if you have one, and flexible enough to throw in a bag if you need to remove them.

Alternatively, the company also makes a set of strap-on “Origami” fenders, which are also flexible and easy to remove and reinstall without any tools.

While many experts herald merino wool as the best material for a base layer, I’ve long been partial to Patagonia’s synthetic Capilene crew, which is made from a bluesign-approved proprietary fabric.

Capilene features a hollow yarn construction that delivers exceptional wicking properties and dries quickly. Plus, its antimicrobial treatment prevents odor-causing bacteria from taking root. I’ve owned my go-to Capilene crew for about 25 years and it remains odor-free. With a slim fit and a slightly dropped back hem, it's perfect for cycling – or any other outdoor activity.

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Revelate’s 8-liter Terrapin seat pack is the perfect size for stashing tools, tubes, an extra layer, gloves and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or two). Attaching to your bag via the seat rails and post, it’s compatible with carbon seat posts and perfect for smaller bikes with low tire clearance. (If space isn’t a problem, there’s also a larger, 14L version.) The straps cinch tight to the seat, preventing the bag from swinging at all as you ride.

The Terrapin has two distinct components–A rugged, water-resistant exterior sleeve that you attach to the bike, and a removable waterproof drybag. Having a removable double-layer not only ensures that everything inside stays dry, but it allows you to take the contents out with detaching the bag. (That’s very helpful, because the bag can be tricky to get on and off.)

The bag is remarkably versatile in other ways. The exterior has a stiff plastic panel on the bottom that acts as a fender, keeping your backside dry. Inside, you can use the drybag to keep sweaty clothes from contaminating your stuff, rather than keeping everything valuables safe from the cold and wet. The drybag is strapped in, so it stays secure when you roll over city potholes or bumpy trails.

Made with thermal fleece and Pearl Izumi’s high-stretch AmFIB softshell fabric, these are some of the coziest tights I own. Both materials are used in spots that maximize their benefits: The AmFIB material on the front of the leg blocks both wind and water where it hits hardest. The fleece covers your knees and the backs of your legs, keeping the less active parts of your legs warm. Combined, they offer just the right amount of warmth with minimal sweat/moisture accumulation.

I also love the wide, comfortable waistband that neither pinches nor bunches, and the side cargo pockets, which give you the perfect place to stash an extra pair of hand warmers.

Anyone who rides through the winter knows how difficult it is to balance these two things; too much sweat means you get colder faster when stopping or descending while not being warm enough prevents you from staying out for too long. My only complaint with these tights is that they run small. Definitely order a size (maybe even two) larger than you normally would.

One final thing to keep in mind: These do not have a chamois and are meant to be worn over cycling shorts.

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After commuting on my bike through New York City snows, I’ve learned that picking there is no universal “best” snow tire for every situation. For winter road rides, I like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires. Though they aren’t branded as winter tires, their chevron treads work well on patches of cold snow, and they feature reflective sidewalls that promote visibility in low light.

Moreover, their anti-aging sidewalls and 5mm Smartguard puncture protection layer make them sturdy: Wet roads, road salt, random debris and the fact that colder temperatures make tire rubber stiffer and harder all make punctures infinitely more likely on a winter ride. The Marathon Plus is made with a more flexible rubber compound that stays soft in the cold and helps distribute contact pressure more evenly.

I never like changing flats on the side of the road (I am so much better at it when in the comfort of my own home) but changing a flat in the cold is especially undesirable due to the potential for frozen fingers. These tires always hold up for me, even when everyone else seems to get a flat.

If you routinely encounter slushy snow and ice on your commutes or rides, you may want to consider a tire with knobs like the Schwalbe Winter Reflex Studded. One winter I rode these on a 16-mile ride out to the edge of Brooklyn where drivers had churned the piles of snow lining the streets into slippery swaths of slush and, though I occasionally slipped, I always managed to remain upright.

People often ask me how I’m able to stay comfortable while biking in below-freezing temperatures. My solution has always been to find the right gear that keeps me warm while also being breathable. For reasons I have never been able to find a satisfactory answer to, many riders assume that you must wear clothes made for cycling when you ride your bike. And therein lies the problem, high-performance cycling clothes do limit your ability to ride in cold weather: At a certain point, they simply aren’t warm enough.

If you’re open to wearing warmer athletic clothes made for other sports like skiing or snowboarding, though, you can keep riding even as the temperature drops to uncomfortable lows. The outdoor industry has been manufacturing apparel for days spent outside on the slopes for decades. It isn’t all that aerodynamic, but I’m fairly sure my choice of socks doesn’t impact my rolling speed too much.

I’m a huge fan of Smartwool socks and own a wide range of styles and thicknesses. For winter riding, I wear the over-the-calf ski version, which have mesh zones for breathability and targeted cushioning that add warmth and padding around the toes, heels and front of the legs. I like the added coziness around my calves as well. You may sacrifice a bit of speed, but your legs will thank you when you ride through a cold, cutting wind.

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When is it too cold to bike?

I’ll ride right up until the point when I find it’s too cold to even leave the house without almost instantly freezing. (Remember what New York looked like in The Day After Tomorrow?) Personally, riding in the Northeast, anything below 20 degrees Fahrenheit is bordering on the “too cold to cycle.”

As long as you have the correct gear and properly cover any exposed skin, though, you can safely bike in very low temperatures. Use common sense, of course, and limit your outdoor ride time if temperatures and wind chill are well below freezing.

What are the hazards of cycling in the winter?

Black ice, or any ice, is one of the main hazards of winter cycling, especially in urban environments where the majority of road surfaces have been plowed and you’re not expecting to encounter it.

Cars can also make potentially hazardous cycling conditions worse, especially once your city plows cars in, then the neighborhood digs its cars out. The process leaves random, uneven piles of snow on the road.

I also feel as if I am less visible in the dim winter daylight. I break out a set of flashing bike lights in the winter, even in the middle of the day, to make sure motorists will notice my presence.

Can I ride in the snow?

You can definitely ride your bike in the snow, but you should use caution if you’re cycling near/with vehicular traffic. I’m not necessarily concerned about unscheduled dismounts while in the snow, but I do worry about slipping and falling into a car.

Knobby tires, similar to what you’d use for mud, help tremendously. Fat tires are also great, since their wide treads provide a larger area of contact with the ground. In the winter, I use either 30mm Alpine tires from Ritchey or 28mm Contact Plus tires from Continental.

Vanessa Nirode is a freelance writer who covers wellness, culture, outdoor adventure and travel for Hearst, HuffPost, PopSci, BBC Travel, and Threads, among others. She’s also a pattern maker and tailor for film and television but most of the time, she’d rather just be riding her bicycle.

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