Even the most die-hard mountain bike addict thinks twice before venturing out when temperatures are close to zero and there’s frost or snow on the ground; the thought of frozen toes and feet is bad enough, let alone the pain felt in the shower afterward as they slowly come back to life.
This article offers tips on what mountain bike gear to wear in cold weather plus tips on how to keep those feet warm and dry.
Mountain Bike Clothing for Cold Weather
My best tip for mountain bike clothing when it’s cold outside is to wear several layers including a warm base layer and a cycling jersey with an elongated back, like the Whaletail seen in the Ground Effect range of MTB gear.
Merino wool tops are great for mountain biking as the pure new wool wicks sweat away naturally and dries fast, so you don’t feel cold and damp when you get to the top of a grueling hill climb. While merino products, like those from New Zealand company Icebreaker, are expensive compared to other outdoor clothing items, I love them as not only do they keep you toasty warm, they also don’t retain that horrid “eau-de-sweat” after you have washed them; and that means you won’t throw them away after just one season.
Cycling Tops for Mountain Biking in Winter
In addition to merino cycling tops, look for jerseys containing wind-resistant fabric to block the biting cold, especially at higher altitudes. Ground Effect, for example, offers several jerseys in their range including the Baked Alaska, a merino biking top with a Windfoil fleece front section, and Frosty Boy, a Windfoil fleece riding top that is so warm, it could even be worn alone.
Always carry a windshell or rain jacket in winter, as even if you don’t feel cold when climbing, you will cool down quickly when descending, and you will surely be grateful for that extra layer.
Keep Legs Warm on a Bike in Winter
Winter months mean you will almost certainly need to wear longs, as they are known in the world of cycling clothing, to keep legs warm on a bike. But that doesn’t mean you need to resort to bib tights, look like a lycra-clad roadie and worry about how you’re going to relieve yourself when it’s too cold to take your entire kit off.
MTBers have a wide choice of long-length riding trousers from brands like Fox and Endura or just opt for a pair of fleece-lined longs like the Daddy Long Legs from Ground Effect, made of 4-way stretch thermal Lycra, complete with WindFoil knee sections to keep the parts most open to the elements toasty warm.
MTB Clothing Accessories and Tips for Sub-zero Riding
Kitted out with the right winter mountain bike gear, wear or carry the following MTB clothing accessories:
- A Buff – a tube of warm but ultra thin fabric that can be worn round the neck, pulled up over the chin and nose, or make it into a beanie for a snug fit underneath your helmet.
- Thermal socks – if your toes tend to freeze, cut the fingers off an old pair of thin, preferably thermal, gloves and pop them over your toes underneath the socks; loop a piece of cotton between each “toe” so you don’t lose them when taking them off.
- Long-fingered mitts – look for thermal cycling gloves or wear two pairs of gloves to keep hands warm.
- Waterproof socks – useful if you like riding through streams and flowing river beds.
- Cycling overshoes – essential for roadies in winter but also useful for mountain bikers in the wet.
- Cycling glasses – don’t forget that protective eyewear is important to keep mud, sleet or snow out of the eyes. Choose a pair with interchangeable lenses for both winter and summer use.
- Large volume hydration pack – on longer winter rides, make sure you have a large hydration pack to carry your extra accessories and tools for trailside repairs.
Best Winter Mountain Biking Gear
It’s still possible to enjoy an exhilarating ride in winter if you have the best mountain biking gear. So invest in a merino top or two, some wind-resistant cycling pants, and then kit yourself out with some or all of the accessories above to keep feet and body toasty warm in the cold; not forgetting those toe warmers to stop your toes from freezing.
Related Articles:
Also of interest may be
- Winter Cycling Training Tips for Road Cyclists
- Winter Cycle Training on an Indoor Bike Trainer
- How to Choose the Best Indoor Cycle Trainer
Helen Smeaton - Helen Smeaton runs a cycling and hiking business and is also a freelance writer and web designer. Read her profile for more information
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