Winter gear suggestions

[yellowjacket]

Hey all, I live in WA, and its about 40 to 50 for my morning ride to work (12 miles).  I was wondering what winter gear I should purchase- it needs to keep me warm and dry.  Should I try and get a 1-piece (or 2) armored water proof suit (if there is such thing) or just get a outer shell (jacket and pants) and wear my "normal" gear- jeans, leather jacket, boots, gloves underneath. I guess I'm asking for the cheapest and less hassle way of gearing up for the winter.  Any and all thoughts are appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[stopintime]

I think a light rain suit, over your normal protective gear, will keep the cold air out. Enough isolation between the wind-/waterproof barrier and the skin is what counts.
My problem is always the hands and maybe feet. A waterproof pair of high boots with room for woolen socks take care of the feet. I used AlpineStars Ridge and have Sidi Vertigo Rain on order. Hands are kept warm(-ish) below 40 with good alpine skiing gloves (not perfect protection though) and overgloves if wet.

[Triple J]

I'm in Seattle...light rain gear won't cut it. I have:

1) Aerostitch Darien Jacket (Hi Viz Yellow since it is dark here in the winter). IMO this jacket is better than the Roadcrafter since it covers the fly on the pants and prevents the dreaded wet crotch syndrome that plagues the Roadcrafter series.

2) Aerostitch Darien Overpants. These rock and i wear them year round for commuting over jeans/khakis. My legs never really get cold.

3) Gerbing heated jacket. Not a must, but damn is it nice. A good fleece under the jacket with a neck fleece thing will also work instead...depending on how far you have to ride. Any real distance and I say go for the heated jacket.

4) Heated Grips

5) Olympia waterproof gloves. They're pretty thin so you can feel the grip heat, but they also block wind well and seem to stay dry. they alo have hard knuckle protection. Got them at Seattle Cycle Center for about $70.

6) Waterproof moto boots. I have a pair of Motophoria which I like, but they're out of business.

7) Respro Foggy helmet insert. Stops fogging, and keeps face warm. $20 at Duc Sea...lots of other places carry as well.

I've commuted for 2 full winters in this gear (minus gloves...they're new) without ever getting wet...even in downpours. It isn't cheap, but if you're going to ride in the winter a lot it is necessary. Being cold and wet really sucks.

PM me if you're in the Seattle area and you can stop by and check it all out. 

[professor_pro]

Seattle dwelling commuter here saying the rather pricey FirstGear TPG is the bestest. I like some of the other mid-range FirstGear winter stuff too:

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=13591.msg234143#msg234143

As Triple J pointed out, light rain gear is not going to really do much for you. You will be wanting something quality after maybe 2-3 times getting soaked & hypothermic... Think safety! -- as you will not be at 100% attention if you're too busy shivering!

With quality gear, you will still be looking forward to your commute, even when the weather is at its worst!

In my opinion a 2 piece is way more versatile. You'll be able to mix & match, and if something happens to the pant leg or the sleeve for instance, you're looking at a much cheaper fix to replace the item.

I'm a huge fan of the SIDI boots, and the Strada Rains work superbly at keeping the socks 100% dry. I'm still looking for the 'perfect' glove. I will never find it.

[erkishhorde]

How do you guys handle visibility in the rain?

I've run through some serious (to me) rain showers along the 5 going up to school during the winter. It got so bad that my engine flooded (open air box) and I could barely see the road. I found that if I cant my head even slightly to the side the wind will help blow the rain off my visor and having a pair of gloves w/ a wiper blade on them is nice but I don't like to take my hands off the bars when riding on slippery roads.

[Jaman]

I use RainX on the outside, FogX on the inside, and reapply once or twice a month, in the winter especially...

[Triple J]

How do you guys handle visibility in the rain?

I've run through some serious (to me) rain showers along the 5 going up to school during the winter. It got so bad that my engine flooded (open air box) and I could barely see the road. I found that if I cant my head even slightly to the side the wind will help blow the rain off my visor and having a pair of gloves w/ a wiper blade on them is nice but I don't like to take my hands off the bars when riding on slippery roads.

All of my gloves have a squeegie on them...just for ocassional use though, as you'd be doing it constantly otherwise. You'll eventually get used to taking you hands off the bars on slick roads. In reality you probably think the roads are slicker than they are. After a while you get used to it...and start taking advantage by more easily locking up the rear on downshifts on purpose! 

At faster speeds I just turn my head and let the rain blow off. This seems to work at speeds above 50 mph.

Beyond that you just get used to looking through some rain...it's not that bad. The big thing is doing something about fogging. Rain is OK...fogging is really bad IMO.

I've tried Rain-X...didn't do shit, and I've heard it is bad for the plastic shield. I've been told that waxing the shield helps, but I'm used to it so no biggie.

[professor_pro]

Keeping the visor religiously clean works wonders for letting the water bead up and roll off. Seems that the droplets like to gather up and stick on a dirty visor, so I tend to clean it every other day or so. Keeping the speed up with the turned head does miracles for visibility.

I use some stuff called 'cat crap' on the inside of the visor, which is pretty effective at keeping the fog to a minimum. I think this stuff is just some concentrated dish soap however, but I'm not sure. I think it's like $4 for a little tub of it that will last a few winters... A little breath deflector inside the helmet helps with fogging a bunch too.

I haven't had gloves with a squeegee for years & have not really missed it. I always forgot it was there when I did. I always aim to get my speed up over 35 or so -- with a head turn the rain flies right off. Unfortunately there are days where the traffic makes this high speed elusive...

[DoubleEagle]

I am retired so no commuting to work anymore.

I don't ride in the rain but I can tell you when it gets cold Gerbing's Heated Gear is like being wrapped in an electric blanket.

I have the Pants Liner , Jacket Liner and G3 Gloves .

The trick is to wear something snug over the Heated Gear which makes it put the warmth up against the skin.

Preferably a light layer underneath, then the Heated Gear and then your outer layer.   Dolph

[Howie]

Being a cheap soamapregnant dog, I have the Gerbing gloves and jacket and one heat troller.  My hands are sensitive to cold.  The way I control temperature difference between the gloves and jacket is what I wear under the jacket.