Finding the right cold weather cycling gear for -4°C

I just got back from a bike ride in minus -4°C. I was so close to being dressed correctly.

I had on a slightly ridiculous list of clothes:

• Bib tights
• Extra long socks
• Spatz Roadman overshoes
• Spatz Thermos Gloves
• Normal summer cycling shoes
• Merino Wool base layer
• Long sleeve jersey
• Spatz rainwear arm warmers - these are amazing! There are thicker panels on the front to keep the wet and cold out
• HUUB jacket
• Gilet
• Balaclava
• Neck buff
• Sunglasses

How'd it fare?

Tops

After 2.5 hours, the base layer and jersey were pretty soaked with sweat.

I have some Spatz Base layers on order which are meant to be far better at wicking sweat and warmer, so I think the idea is you can wear fewer layers, which lets sweat evaporat, and stay warm and dry.

Gloves

My hands were pretty cold at the start and went numb - so just wearing the Spatz Thermos Gloves is not enough.

Some ideas to try:

• Adding a merino wool / thin glove as a base layer
• Adding a big pair of skiing mittens over the Spatz gloves
• Adding Barmitts for the winter

Feet

Damn, they finally got cold. I thought the Spatz Roadman overshoes were invicible.

Some ideas:

• Winter shoes - my summer cycling shoes are covered in wents, most of these are covered by the Spatz but I guess this would help keep the cold out
• Adding another pair of toe warmers under the Spatz overshoes
• Charcoal warmers

Other ways to solve riding in the cold...

Ride on Zwift, inside, in the warm 🤣