How to keep warm?

[Woosh]

Down here in sunny Southend (this afternoon) it actually isn't half as bad as some of you bods have got it further north, but I'm still put off going out biking at the moment due to the cold. Nipped out yesterday wearing: 2 pairs socks, thermal walking socks over them, pair of tights, then thermal long johns, then jeans, 2 thermal vests, pure wool jumper, pure wool hat, pure wool gloves, ski anorak. Feet OK, legs bloody freezing, and as for hands they nearly dropped off. Sorry to ask but does anyone wear silk thermals, I've heard they're good, is there any better headwear and has anyone come across really good gloves? I heard somewhere you can get gloves with some sort of heating inside. ???
Maybe a flask of brandy or a hot water bottle shoved down my jacket would do the trick.
Bet Old Dave has got some ideas.....

Hatti

 

[Old_Dave]

I bet he has....

Most of which would result in a ban

However, I recommend during the snow wot is falling, log fires to keep warm and toasty (but central or any other kind of heating is fine) accompanied by lots of chocolates, booze and a nice film on the telly.


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[flecc]

However, I recommend during the snow wot is falling, log fires to keep warm and toasty (but central or any other kind of heating is fine) accompanied by lots of chocolates, booze and a nice film on the telly.

Definitely, stay in the warm when the weather outside is very cold. If the cycling bug makes you feel deprived, just enter "Cycling" into YouTube and watch others doing it in nice warm places.

 

[GaRRy]

here are some old motor cycle tricks.

Surgical rubber gloves.

Carrier bags on feet between two pairs of socks.

A newspaper down front of jacket.

All of these are to help with heat loss from wind chill which is main reason get cold as you are wearing more than enough to stay warm

It is also possible you are actually wearing to much. You want each layer to be free and loose as other wise you are again more prone to wind chill.

If you want to stay really warm the following will definitely work

set of thermal under garments
thermal woolly bear (like a onesy sp?)
sailing dry suit
neoprene diving gloves
sealskin socks
good pair of boots.

This has personally been fully tested in full winter for 10 -12 hours on a beach with 30 mph winds

But dont expect to be dry when finished for the day.

 

[funkylyn]

Give it up as a bad job Hatti until spring has finally sprung.

But regarding silk thermals, yes they are good, and, as we women know, there is nothing quite like the feel

of pure silk underwear gently sliding across our smooth soft skin......and if it keeps us warm as well....job

done

Lynda

 

[Woosh]

Thanks GaRRy


That is all useful stuff. Sealskin socks? Never heard of them, where can I get them (seriously?)
And do you know anything about these gloves that are warm inside, or 'heat up' somehow? Or does anyone else? I'm sure I've heard market traders say they wear them.

BTW Old Dave, staying in with the telly and choccies is a cop out. I can't believe that's what you do.....

Hatti

 

[RoadieRoger]

Hatti I bought Maplin`s heated gauntlets and they do work . Each glove has a small box holding 3 AA batteries which are zipped into the cuff . I used rechargeables which lasted half an hour and they were warm . One snag apart from heavy battery use was that the cuffs weren`t generous enough to go over jacket sleeves easily , it was a struggle . Usually I tend to use my lined motorcycle gloves in the cold weather . Silk inner gloves help and as suggested put newspaper under your jumper .

 

[Old_Dave]

Dave, staying in with the telly and choccies is a cop out. I can't believe that's what you do.....

I didn't say that's what I'd do... It was just the safest suggestion




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[flecc]

Motorcycle handlebar muffs are much better than gloves alone and they can be used on bikes with straight handlebars as well. A selection in Amazon, and an illustration in use below:

 

[103Alex1]

Hatti

Feet-wise, I wear Winter Cycling boots which coupled with 2 pairs of regular weight ankle-length Merino wool socks have meant not a single day of cold feet all Winter.

With 2-3 rides excepted, been wearing regular / Cargo shorts all Winter long over 2 layers of lycra - one padded for more bottie comfort and a pair of 3/4 Super-Roubaix unlined bibs which come just below my knees over the top. Much of this stuff is discounted now.

Really warm - taken to wearing those super-roubaix things under regular jeans if it's really cold as they're so much more comfy and better temperature regulators than conventional thermals. You can get them in full length tights if you prefer - but 3/4 were plenty warm enough for me even in sub-zero.

For proper warmth it's true that Windchill is the worst offender - and keeping your core warm is essential. Top layers you need windproof layers if it's very windy. Otherwise, just Helly Hansen thermal baselayers and Merino / Sportswool jersey under a shell - will keep you very toasty and not at all sweaty ... until you hit Central Heating at the other end (cue trip to loos to strip everything off !!). Craft do good ones too and big discounts right now if you look around.

On the head, a decent beanie that covers your ears is plenty warm enough for cycling

(something like this - comes in pink too if ya like that sort of thing )

RONHILL Flash Beanie | Millet Sports

... plus the most important thing - neck warmer you can pull up over your face. Check out Embers. Can't recommend Merino enough. I get all my socks and warmers from Embers merino. They do really good quality stuff and are a small business.

To echo the advice above, gloves-wise if all else fails use neoprene. Feels horrid on a bike but it works where most Winter gloves just don't.

 

[AlMel]

My solution when it’s cold (below freezing) but dry is simple: woolly long johns, vest, shirt, RAF sheepskin jacket, sheepskin aviator helmet and sheepskin gloves. My sheep and I are very close!

 

[Woosh]

Well, I've now got a long shopping list...

Sealskin socks
Silk longjohns and vest
Merino jumper and maybe a pair of merino socks under the sealskin ones
DEFinitely a pair of those electric gauntlet thingies from Maplin (although LOVED Flecc's suggestion)
..and beanie

Thanks everyone. I am seriously going to buy most of this stuff.

Anyone coming to Redbridge who sees someone resembling a Yeti will know who it is (unless its sunny by then. Who knows?)

Hatti

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Throwing money at it doesn't make you any warmer. The trick is to have thick and loose. No point in putting on lots of layers if your top layer is tight. You need thick socks and boots/shoes that are one or two sizes bigger. The same with gloves: Don't use liners or under-gloves if it makes your top gloves tight.

Alternatively, you could get a Samsung Galaxy 2 and use it as a hand or body warmer. Mine just got the update to Android 4.1.2 and now it gets red hot and the battery goes flat in half an hour rendering it useless. Anybody know the fix? It seems to be something to do with media.

 

[RobF]

I have a pair of Sealskinz socks and they are much warmer than ordinary 'thermal' socks.

However, they are not magic and neither are they cheap at about £30.

Socks : SealSkinz, Waterproof, Breathable, Closefitting

Mine came from Halfords.

 

[jazper53]

I have a pair of Sealskinz socks and they are much warmer than ordinary 'thermal' socks.

However, they are not magic and neither are they cheap at about £30.

Socks : SealSkinz, Waterproof, Breathable, Closefitting

Mine came from Halfords.

Looks like these could be a must for this year to avoid frost bite this summer

 

[D8ve]

Close body contact to share heat is always a good un though.

 

[amigafan2003]

I was fine in the snow this morning.

Dare2b snowboard pants.
Merrell GTX Goretex boots
Specialized sub zero gloves with two Karrimoor "run" liners.
Nike base layer
Merino wool top
Dare2b fleece
Marmot Zion neoshell jacket
Windproof skullcap
No name fleece buff
Double glazed snowboard goggles

Lovely and toasty.

In fact I could have dropped the fleece to as it got a bit too warm!

 

[Shroppielass]

Well, I've now got a long shopping list...
..and beanie
Hatti

Oh Hatti I'm sure you could find something more far more stylish. How about a designer knitted balaclava?
Didn't I suggest that before on another thread? Ah yes our resident designer knitter sub-contracted your order for one in pastel pink. Wonder how its progressing...

 

[funkylyn]

Oh Hatti I'm sure you could find something more far more stylish. How about a designer knitted balaclava?
Didn't I suggest that before on another thread? Ah yes our resident designer knitter sub-contracted your order for one in pastel pink. Wonder how its progressing...

LOL.....she never confirmed the order......

Lynda

 

[hopper_rider]

If your extremities stay warm the rest of you probably will as well.
For feet fleecy wellie socks may not be the most attractive but a large pair worn over normal socks and inside boots will be toasty.

Keeping your head warm will stop a lot of heat loss.

My hands get really cold whatever I do. Even if wearing ski gloves. Obviously worse if there is a cold wind. I was wondering about the handlebar mitts myself as extra hand covering.