Winter biking is both difficult and exhilarating, and not always in equal doses. You’ve got to be committed to the ride. If you’re not ready with the right gear, you quickly lose your resolve. Unlike riding in the spring or summer when the weather is mostly cooperative, winter requires more protection and even better equipment. You have to change up your apparel, as well as how your bike is outfitted.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to be a hardcore cyclist to bike in the colder months. It’s all about getting exercise and fresh air while others sequester themselves inside. Plus, winter biking apparel can easily be worn out of the saddle if you know where to buy. Below, you’ll find some of the best winter biking gear for the everyman, tried and tested.
State Bicycle 6061 All-Road Dune Tan
I do a lot of trail riding, but I also like to hit the pavement. That combo requires a rugged and capable gravel bike that’s equal parts speed and toughness. The 6061 All-Road hits the sweet spot of immense quality and affordability in a truly excellent machine. The 6061 Aluminum frame and standard carbon front fork provide a balance of stiffness and shock absorption. I outfitted mine with the optional all-road suspension fork for even better trail stability and fatigue reduction. There are plenty of mounting points for cages, fenders, and racks. The 6061 All-Road can also swap between 650b or 700c wheels, and you can even go wide for more off-road goodness. The bike is topped off with hydraulic cable actuated disc brakes, a carbon seatpost, and internal cable routing. I personally love the new Dune Tan coloring that manages to be both both unique and subtle.
Buy: $1400
Schwalbe 700c Studded Winter Bike Tires
Knobby tires for winter just won’t cut it, especially when you hit icy ruts on the trail and black ice on pavement. Swap out your regular 700c tires for some excellent all-around winter performance studded tires that can manage snowy, slushy, and icy conditions. The aggressive tread pattern and staggered metal studs provide excellent traction, and you can ride in subzero temps with minimal air loss. The Kevlar lining resists punctures for moments when you can’t see the sharp stuff on your ride. Also, they’re quite affordable for what you get.
Buy: $50
Unit 1 FARO Mips LED Helmet
Not all bike helmets are created equal, and the FARO Mips rises to the top with its high-tech visibility. Not only does it provide multi-directional impact protection, but it also has a vivid LED system in the back that consists of a bright LED strip plus a grid of LED lights beneath the fabric, and a diffusion layer that shows brake lights when you slow down and turn signals actuated from the remote on the handlebars. Pair it with your smartphone, and it will also send a signal to your emergency contacts when the helmet’s accelerometers detect a crash and you’re unresponsive. You’ll be thankful for all that the FARO packs in, especially when winter visibility is compromised.
Buy: $209
Bookman Curve Light Set
A good set of bike lights is imperative, and the Bookman Curve Light set offers excellent weather-resistant visibility in front and back via brilliantly curved housings that quickly attach and detach. The curvature also provides visibility by drivers and pedestrians from the sides, a boon for safety. The front beam offers 220 lumens, and the rear light can emit 37 lumens. They have a max run time of 70 and 32 hours, respectively, so recharging is far from frequent.
Buy: $84
Ornot Handlebar Bag Mini Ecopak
A handlebar bag keeps essential items at the ready. You want it big enough to hold keys, phone, and an energy bar, but you don’t want it so large that it’s cumbersome. The Handlebar Bag Mini is pretty much perfect. It attaches to both drop and flat bars easily with Velcro straps, and its 100 percent recycled fabric gets a waterproof and eco-friendly DWR coating. There’s even an internal security zip pocket. The rigid frame sheet keeps the cylindrical shape intact, so it looks just as good at the end of your journey as it did when you started.
Buy: $54
Icebreaker Merino Oasis Balaclava
I’ve used fleece balaclavas for skiing and biking, and nothing beats Merino wool. Icebreaker is one of the best I’ve ever tried thanks to its medium-weight and very soft 200gm merino jersey fabric. It’s warm, breathable, odor-fighting, and pill-resistant. Even in the coldest of winter cycling, it has kept my face from freezing. The fit is also snug without inhibiting freedom of movement. It fits nicely under a helmet, too.
Buy: $35
Warby Parker Hatcher Polarized Rx Sunglasses
I need dedicated prescription sunglasses when I ride, but I hate getting versions that make me look like the Terminator. Plus, I hate carrying around two pairs of sunglasses. The ones I ride with also need to look good with anything while still being resilient. The Hatcher is made from hand-polished cellulose acetate with polycarbonate prescription lenses. They even do progressive polarized lenses, perfect for my winter rides. The coverage is excellent, and they stay on my face even when things get wet.
Buy: $195
Chrome Industries Urban EX 2.0 20L Waterproof Backpack
A regular biking pack won’t work when sleet is coming down. I bring a laptop with me on my riding commutes, so I can’t afford leaks. The Urban EX 2.0 is right-sized at 20 liters. It holds a 15” laptop, as well as my lunch and clothes. The 100 percent welded waterproof rolltop construction keeps all of the elements out, and the ergo straps fit comfortably over a jacket. It also has interior organizer pockets, a keyring lanyard, and reflective attachment loops for securing gear or a U-lock.
Buy: $84
Louis Garneau Optimum Mat 2 Tights
These are the best non-bib style winter biking tights on planet Earth. They’re warm enough and protective enough for winter but can manage high exertion levels thanks to three different layers of quick-drying and moisture-wicking fabrics. Mesh inserts behind the knees aid breathability. There are also two convenient pockets, a drawstring waist, and reflective logos. They also clean up well, something I can appreciate after winter trail rides. I also love that they’re great for winter running, so you get maximum bang for your buck.
Buy: $70
Ornot Super Thermal Jersey
Layering is the name of the game in winter. You can start your ride frozen to the core, and then you’ve got to peel off layers without totally chilling yourself. The Super Thermal Jersey is warm thanks to a Merino wool blend that stretches, wicks moisture, and resists odor. Its sweet spot is between 40 and 50 degrees. It also sports four pockets, reflective trim, and YKK zippers. It’s been perfect for most of my winter rides this season, and it has held up remarkably well. Added bonus: It’s sewn by hand in California.
Buy: $187
Lake Cycling MXZ-120
A good pair of winter biking shoes doesn’t have to be single-purpose. That’s why I love the MXZ120 for its hiking boot style that I can wear to the office after the ride. It’s also water-resistant, insulated, and SPD-compatible for easy clip-in. The sole is semi-rigid, which helps reduce energy loss in the saddle, but it’s also flexible enough for everyday wear off the bike. What’s more, nobody can tell that they’re biking shoes.
Buy: $289
Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket
My outer layer for biking this winter is the legendary Alpha SV that’s been updated with better, 100 percent recycled face fabric for protection and durability. Intended for alpine sports, I’ve found that it’s my favorite winter biking shell for its excellent breathability by way of Gore-Tex Pro and super pit zips for ventilation. It also has a microgrid backer that resists abrasion should you take a spill. The StormHood fits right over my bike helmet when things get truly nasty. It might be pricey, but it’s seriously worth it for the protection and comfort it provides.
Buy: $900
Carhartt Waterproof Insulated Winter Gloves
I haven’t found a dedicated winter biking glove that’s truly warm when temps drop below freezing. These Carhartts aren’t biking gloves, but they work like a charm. The tough Polytex shell and waterproof lining keep the wet and icy stuff out, while the FastDry lining wicks away sweat. The palm is reinforced for heavy use while riding, and they hold up remarkably well. You lose a bit of dexterity, but it’s worth it for the warmth and protection they provide.
Buy: $30
Swiftwick Pursuit Seven Merino Wool Socks
I like warm socks for cycling that can easily transition to the office. I’ve been cycling with Swiftwick socks during the warmer months, and they’ve been amazing. I tried the Pursuit Sevens for winter, and they’re even better than I thought they would be. They retain warmth without getting swampy, and they’re the right mid-calf height I prefer to close the gap of my cycling tights. The fine-gauge Merino wool is also super soft with zero itch. For $22 a pair, get at least a couple.
Buy: $22
Garmin Forerunner 965
The 965 is the best Forerunner yet, and that’s saying something. The premium multi-sport watch’s best feature might just be its new and super-vivid AMOLED screen that upgrades from the still new Forerunner 955, which makes the 965 incredibly easy to use on a bike. The 47mm 965 also upgrades with a light and tough titanium bezel, a larger screen, Gorilla Glass 3, and USB-C charging. I love the fact that it automatically looks for GPS signals when you choose an activity from its easy menu; the 23-day battery life; crisp mapping; and the superb Body Battery level that incorporates heart rate variability, stress level, sleep quality, and activity data. It also happens to be supremely comfy on the wrist.
Buy: $599
