Layering for cold rides: jacket, vest and gloves

The hardest part of cold-weather cycling is getting dressed. Too little and you shiver through the first hour; too much and you overheat on the first climb. A simple layering system takes the guesswork out.

Dress for ten minutes in

You will warm up quickly once you are moving, so dress for how you will feel ten minutes into the ride, not for the moment you step outside. Feeling slightly cool at the door is normal.

The three layers

1. Base layer: a close-fitting layer that moves sweat away from the skin. Damp fabric against the body is what makes you cold.
2. Mid layer: a jersey or long-sleeve top that adds warmth and has pockets for food and a phone.
3. Outer layer: a cycling jacket or vest that blocks the wind. Wind chill on a descent is often harsher than the air temperature suggests.

Jacket or vest?

A jacket covers your arms and core and is the right call when it is properly cold. A vest protects your chest, where the wind hits hardest, while leaving your arms free to vent heat, which makes it a good fit for changeable days and shoulder seasons. It is also easy to stow in a jersey pocket when the sun comes out.

Don't forget hands and feet

Hands and feet lose heat first. Swap fingerless gloves for winter gloves as the temperature drops, and choose socks that wick moisture: cold, damp feet make any ride miserable.

A quick checklist

• Base layer, then jersey, then jacket or vest
• Winter gloves
• Breathable socks
• A zip you can open on the climbs

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