Kit guide · Winter
Winter riding is all about layers and extremities. Your body stays warm if you dress it right and keep moving; your hands, feet and ears are what decide how long you can stay out. Here is what to wear from the cool end of winter down to freezing.
Updated
Winter at a glance
Kit table
Moderate pace, light wind, no rain. Generated from the same logic as the calculator.
| Feels like | Head | Upper body | Hands | Legs | Feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10°C14°F | Thermal skull cap | Thermal long-sleeve base layerWinter jerseyInsulated jacket | Thermal winter gloves | Thermal bib tights | Thermal overshoesThermal socks |
| -5°C23°F | Thermal skull cap | Thermal long-sleeve base layerWinter jerseyInsulated jacket | Thermal winter gloves | Thermal bib tights | Thermal overshoesThermal socks |
| 0°C32°F | Cycling cap | Thermal base layerWinter jersey or softshell | Thermal winter gloves | Thermal bib tights | Thermal overshoesThermal socks |
| 3°C37°F | Cycling cap | Thermal base layerWinter jersey or softshell | Thermal winter gloves | Bib tights | Thermal overshoesThermal socks |
| 5°C41°F | Cycling cap | Thermal base layerWinter jersey or softshell | Thermal winter gloves | Bib tights | Thermal overshoesThermal socks |
| 8°C46°F | Light cap (optional) | Long-sleeve jerseyBase layer (optional) | Light cycling gloves | Bib shortsLeg warmers | Light overshoes or toe covers |
What to know
Below freezing, three layers is the classic setup: a thermal base layer that moves sweat away from your skin, a winter jersey for insulation, and an insulated jacket on top. When it is a bit milder, two layers do it: a thermal base layer under a winter jersey or a softshell.
Do not overdress. If you are warm when you walk out of the door, you will be sweating ten minutes into the ride, and wet layers get cold on the first descent.
Effort warms your body, but your hands and feet barely benefit from it. That is why, when you ride hard or run warm, kitcheck.cc lightens your body layers but keeps the gloves and overshoes warm.
A thermal skull cap or cycling cap under your helmet covers your ears and forehead. Gloves and overshoes go on before you leave and stay on: if the ride gets colder later, start with the warmer pair.
Below freezing, the road is the bigger risk: black ice on shaded corners, bridges and wet patches. Ride routes you know, use lights even during the day, and keep winter rides shorter and closer to home.
FAQ
What riders ask about cycling in winter.
Below 0°C (32°F) at a moderate pace: a thermal skull cap, a thermal long-sleeve base layer, a winter jersey and an insulated jacket, thermal winter gloves, thermal bib tights, and thermal overshoes over thermal socks (waterproof gloves and overshoes if rain is likely). At around 0°C a cycling cap, a thermal base layer under a winter jersey or softshell and thermal gloves and overshoes are enough. The table on this page shows the full kit per temperature.
Choose gloves and overshoes for the coldest part of the ride and put them on before you leave. Thin liner gloves and thermal socks add warmth without making things tight; tight shoes and gloves cut off circulation and make it worse.
Below freezing, three on your upper body: a thermal base layer, a winter jersey and an insulated jacket. In milder winter weather, two layers (a thermal base layer under a winter jersey or softshell) are enough.
Kit for these conditions
Other conditions
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