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Aug 22, 2023

Best Winter Cycling Gear 2023

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

Want to keep pedaling through the cold months ahead? Consider these essentials.

I’m a big fan of the age old saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." As cooler weather starts to roll in, I’ve learned to embrace the change in seasons. With the proper gear and know-how, riding in the cold can be something you look forward to, too.

Winter cycling means being out on shorter, colder, and often wetter days, so focus your preparations to meet these conditions. This collection of the best winter cycling gear will help you navigate the options and dress appropriately. Your friends and family will still look stunned when they hear how cold it was on your ride over the weekend, but instead of remembering the chill, you’ll only remember how nice it was to actually be able to enjoy the miles and time spent outdoors.

Riding comfortably in the cold is all about layering. Wearing multiple, lighter layers of clothing is more versatile than one big bulky jacket, because you can add or remove apparel to match conditions. Plus, multiple layers do a much better job of trapping body heat between items yet still let sweat evaporate so you can avoid getting soaked from the inside out.

With proper layering, you can feel confident knowing you won't freeze no matter how cold it is. Although some people have a greater tolerance for cold weather than others, I’ve found the following advice suits most cyclists:

➥ When temperatures dip into the 60s (°F), grab a long-sleeve jersey or some arm warmers. A mesh base layer or lightweight gilet is a good addition if it's windy. Bare legs are still okay at these temps.

➥ In the 50-degree range, consider throwing on leg warmers, a light-weight jacket, and light gloves. Increase your comfort further with an insulated gilet, headband, and overshoes.

➥ When the mercury drops below 45 degrees, grab an insulated jacket, shoes covers, and thermal bibs. Put on thicker gloves and a cap.

➥ Below-freezing temperatures call for the big guns. Pair insulated bib tights and a Merino wool base layer with an insulated jacket. Add heavy gloves and shoe covers to complete your kit. Cover any exposed skin.

Winter weather often brings precipitation. Unlike riding through a refreshing summer rain shower, getting soaked in colder weather can be downright miserable. The first line of defense is to try to stop water before it can get you wet. When shopping for your winter kit, be on the lookout for outer layers that have either a durable water repellent (DWR) coating for light precipitation or a waterproof membrane, like Gore-Tex. Another technology I like to incorporate into my clothing arsenal is Merino wool. Unlike most fabrics out there, Merino wool still keeps you warm when it's wet. Beyond apparel, having a good set of fenders can be a godsend for keeping you and your riding partners considerably drier.

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The Bicycling Test Team has spent many cold days—on the road, the trail, in the dark, at the crack of dawn—riding through wind, rain, sleet, and polar vortexes putting winter cycling gear and apparel through their paces. Combined with my own experience riding and surviving the worst of winter, we’ve tested and used most every product on this list. For any items we haven't tried, we relied on our decades of collective expertise to identify items that are worth the investment, however big or small. This is the gear that's kept us warm, dry, and safe, which is how we know it can do the same for you.

On the coldest days, nothing beats a balaclava. Bontrager's has a brushed interior for added warmth and comfort. The outer fabric uses a windproof membrane to keep the chill away even on the windiest days. The sleek styling doesn't bunch under a helmet, and the clamshell design lets you pull down the front for better airflow when climbing.

France-based brand Decathlon is quickly gaining popularity in the U.S., and for good reason—its clothing and gear are high-quality and reasonably priced. This men's jacket in particular is a delight for long rides in cold temps: The brushed-fabric interior and water-resistant, breathable exterior kept us comfortable through chilly, damp conditions, and the extra-long rear hem offers plenty of extra coverage.

A pair of thermal bib tights is a must for cold-weather riding, and this offering from Pearl iZumi fits the bill. Fleece backing and minimal panels with less stitching ensure all-day comfort. The lay-flat straps accommodate layering without adding bulk, and water- shedding technology keeps you dry in case the weather should turn.

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This windproof shoe cover set is hardcore enough cold-weather rides. Waterproof, taped seams kept our feet dry, and the fleece interior adds warmth. Plus, it's easy to adjust and take off, with an adjustable hook-and-loop closure system. That is, as long as the slightly small sizing works for your foot.

The Crosspoint could be the best $50 investment you make to upgrade your winter cycling kit. This knit waterproof glove is a mid-weight option with sufficient insulation for temperatures hovering around freezing. Better yet, when the mercury climbs, you won't get hot and sweaty. If you’re the kind of person who doesn't like to pass up an opportunity to ride, weather be damned, the Crosspoint keeps your hands from being the weak spot on cold, rainy days.

On colder days, this Merino Cap from Ornot pulls double duty as a cozy winter hat and a traditional cycling cap. A super thin yet surprisingly warm Merino wool construction almost disappears under your helmet for a very comfortable fit. (Some cyclists with smaller heads report it can feel too large.) Extended sides and back help to keep your ears and neck protected, too.

Oftentimes, winter gloves can be too warm and bulky causing your hands to sweat and later get cold when that sweat freezes. That's why we’re huge fans of the layering concept the Ultimate glove system by Dissent 133 adopts. The initial cost is a bit steep, but you get four complete sets of gloves that work in harmony to protect you. With 11 different mix-and-match combinations, this set has you covered from early fall to deep winter. We like to throw the waterproof glove layer into a jersey pocket or bar bag for those surprise winter rains. We found all the combinations breathe exceptionally well so we never suffered from clammy or sweaty hands. The whole system comes in a lovely case which is handy for keeping track of all four pairs as well.

MAAP hit the nail on the head with its Alt Road Thermal Jacket that balances warmth and weight. Warm Polartec Alpha insulation lines the torso. The rest of the jacket is lightweight and breathable, allowing for excellent thermoregulation. Dual zippers keep you comfortable on climbs.

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This sleeveless base layer is made of Primaloft's Alpha insulation—the same stuff found in some of our favorite insulated jackets and vests. It's very light, soft, and comfortable against skin. Even so, it has remarkable insulating properties (and keeps them when wet), wicks well, and dries very quickly, so it doesn't get heavy and soggy like wool can. Available in three sizes, it rarely felt clammy against our skin. The Alpha doesn't look like much, but we were surprised at how effective this piece was at keeping our core warm and dry and how much it boosted overall comfort in a variety of weather conditions and temperature ranges. If you ride in cool to cold weather, you want this in your closet.

On all but the coldest of days, a headband is a great way to balance warmth and breathability. This headband by Smartwool offers a windproof front panel to combat the elements and still allows your head to breathe. The Merino wool construction will keep you warm if it happens to get wet as well. A slim fit keeps things so comfortable under a helmet you’ll barely remember you’re wearing anything extra, unless the seam along the ear begins to irritate.

Don't underestimate the power that staying dry has in keeping you warm. The Monsoon's two-layer waterproof membrane blocks water and wind (and sometimes that's all you need on a cool day). Waterproof zippers at the front and on the pockets add another layer of protection, and two vents let you dump heat if you start to get too warm. The uninsulated waterproof shell has a flattering relaxed cut that can accommodate layers and is available in a wide size range: extra-small to 3XL in women's and small to 3XL in men's.

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Feet are one of the first parts of the body to go numb when it gets really cold. Shoe covers are great for shoulder season, but nothing beats a proper winter shoe when the cold really hits. Fizik found the perfect balance of warmth, performance, and comfort with its Artica R5 shoe. Thanks to tech like a foil-lined insole that reflects heat, a carbon composite sole that improves power transfer, and a fully waterproof outer, our testers' feet were happy as could be. They never needed more than a thin wool sock to stay warm, and their feet never got clammy even when putting in an effort. The speed lacing system makes it a breeze to get off and on and keeps the weight to a minimum.

Versatility is a must for winter riding apparel as conditions change throughout the day, and Castelli's Alpha RoS 2 jacket accomplishes just that. The Gore-Tex Infinium Windstopper 150 fabric is as windproof as we’ve seen without sacrificing breathability. A DWR coating helps shed water and road spray. With its unique double-layer construction consisting of a built-in thermal jersey with a separate zipper, you’ll have all the protection you need to ride on even the coldest days. Our testers only needed thin base layers as temps dropped below freezing. We appreciate this jacket includes the standard three rear pocket layout often missing on most winter jackets. There is also an additional waterproof zippered side pocket for your phone or other valuables.

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Although a frame pack, or any bike bag for that matter, might not be at the top of your winter gear list, we think it should be. This model from Post Carry Co. is an excellent place to stash snacks, an extra dry set of gloves, or stow a layer as the day warms up. Its ample storage space, divided between a large and small pocket, makes it an excellent companion on longer winter rides, but it's still small enough that you can access both bottles. In our experience, the pack is noticeably more aerodynamic than a traditional handlebar bag as well as being far easier to access when riding. The water-resistant exterior shrugs off winter spray with ease. With three sizes available and multiple strap lengths included, this pack will fit almost any bike out there.

Cold feet can ruin a ride fast. Cold air and moisture won't get past Fizik's shoe cover, thanks to an insulating neoprene outer plus a seam-sealed three-layer waterproof fabric. The zipper at the back simplifies getting these on and off, and the reflective dot pattern boosts visibility. Keep in mind that these don't offer the warmth of a full fledged winter cycling shoe.

With six modes, this powerful light maxes out at 1,600 lumens, which it can sustain for over an hour. But we found the 600-lumen medium setting, which lasts up to four hours, is great for everything except fast downhill mountain bike sections. We love that the digital timer takes the guesswork out of knowing how much run time is left, and the quick-charge function gets you out the door faster. According to Blackburn, the Countdown 1600 quickly charges up to 80 percent in 10 minutes. The included universal handlebar mount is rated for off-road use as well.

The Ruckus sunglasses from Smith are available with photochromic lenses to aid with the ever-shifting light conditions of winter riding. With a 20-85 percent visible light transmission rating, these glasses do an excellent job whether you’re on an early dawn ride or out during a cloudless winter afternoon. The transition time is quick and always seems to offer just the right amount of light-blocking. The lens size offers generous coverage without looking like ski goggles. With only a very minimal, slightly narrow frame on the upper portion of the glasses there are no blind spots, even when checking behind. Smith's Pivlock technology, a magnetic quick-change lens system, makes swapping lenses simple and fast so you’ll always have the right coverage for the conditions.

Made with 100 percent Merino wool, this women's base layer insulates as the digits drop. It's also odor-resistant and highly breathable so you won't overheat come spring. Rapha designs the shape, neckline, and stitching to reduce chafing.

Although this helmet isn't a winter specific helmet, we argue it's one of the more versatile options for cold weather riding. The Falconer II features what Sweet Protection calls Aerocovers. These magnetic covers snap on and off the vents. They’re originally designed to aid in aerodynamics, but we found they offer excellent wind blocking in colder weather. The covers are also easy to pop off and stow if the weather warms up mid-ride. Even with the covers in place, there was excellent breathability out the rear of the helmet. With MIPS technology, excellent adjustability, and a very comfortable fit with or without a winter cap, this helmet is one of our favorite cold weather picks.

The Raceblade Pro XL did an excellent job of keeping road spray off my body and bike. The generous coverage of the rear fender has kept my riding partners from getting sprayed as well. With the ability to quickly mount or remove these fenders via the included silicone straps, I’m not stuck keeping them on in drier weather. The set, which works well with rim and disc brakes, fits almost any road or gravel bike out there and tires up to 32 mm.

Chris Pino is a former photographer turned woodworker who discovered his love of cycling after buying a commuter bike shortly after moving to New York City—that commuting turned into all day rides and eventually into competitive cyclocross and crit racing; nowadays, Chris enjoys long, bad-idea bike rides with his friends and all things bike tech. You can follow along on Instagram at @chrispino.

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