Clothing for commuting

zing

Am planning on starting to cycle to work over the next couple of weeks (~14k each way) and the current weather has made me realise I've no suitable gear for wearing in the wet. Only got back on the bike a few months ago and while I've been getting out whenever I can (short spins -- 10 -> 30k) it's pretty much all been in dry weather so have just worn tracksuit bottoms & a base layer top, tshirt & gillet.

Also just got my first proper road bike this week so I'll need to wear padded shorts/bottoms given the saddle on it.

So looking for suggestions/recommendations for suitable clothing for commuting - and ideally suggestions for all seasons so I can keep an eye out for potential bargains on winter gear over the summer months.

thanks

Darkglasses

A good light waterproof and windproof jacket on the top. Underneath, whatever number of layers you like (I only want two). On the bottom, I wear a normal pair of trousers and a pair of plastic pants similar to these over: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-perpetual-waterproof-trousers-2011/

I wear ordinary waterproof hiking shoes, warm waterproof gloves, and a scarf. And I'm happy as can be for my commute! :pac:

t'bear

I am doing similar distances as yourself to work, I tend to wrap up warm with 3 layers on top, the pins or feet don't get cold so just the shorts for me on the lower end, the wind/rain jacket causes me problems as the backpack I have no matter how light, causes base layer to get sweaty where the bag rests, ok when you are moving but very uncomfortable after, good job they have a shower in the office;)

Some one, get me a wardrobe in work please :pac:

Slydice

Tracksuit bottoms and tshirt is fine in warm weather.
Add a wolly hat and gloves for when it gets mild.
Add a hoodie for cold.

Add wet gear top, bottoms and overshoes for rainy weather on top of those.

Wear the wetgear top over the hoodie when it gets very cold.

Your body heat will warm you up for the rest of what you need.

Lumen

Lycra is the most practical and comfortable material to wear.

doozerie

I'd opt for all-out cycling kit (lycra shorts, etc.) if I could but my job occasionally involves me cycling to client, or other, sites and wandering around an office environment in lycra doesn't make you many friends (people could just stop looking, of course, to minimise their displeasure and trauma, but they generally don't). So, for my commute I wear:

* MTB shoes with SPD cleats, so that I can walk around in them and look semi-normal
* for wet days or extremely cold days I wear GoreTex MTB boots
* merino socks all year round, 'cos with vented cycling shoes the extra insulation is great/essential for cool days
* hiking/mountaineering trousers all year round, which look only slightly eccentric off the bike but are very comfortable on the bike
* I have a pair of Endura eVent waterproof outer trousers, bought online, which I hoped would be light, breathable, and compact. They fail on almost all counts (and on several other counts too) and I use them rarely as a result. My hiking trousers are water resistant (which doesn't count for much after a few wases though) and dry out quickly if they do get wet so I'll often get by without an extra waterproof layer.
* merino top - I have several varieties and weights of these. 195gsm long-sleeved tops are enough as a single layer down to about 5C for me (and up to 10C or 12C at a push). I have 150gsm long-sleeved tops which double up as base layers under my cycling kit. For those elusive warm days I have 150gsm short-sleeved merino tops which also double up as base layers. ...I may have a slight merino addiction.
* I carry a waterproof outer layer (jacket) for wet days but I avoid using it as much as possible 'cos it's just not as breathable as I'd like. Another strong point of my merino tops is that they can get wet to a certain degree without getting cold, so unless the rain is heavy I don't bother wearing the outer layer at all.
* For extreme cold I have a thermal cycling jacket that I wear with one 150gsm merino base layer.
* merino hat, or a buff, under my helmet for cold days.
* I have a selection of gloves to choose from, not because I have a glove addiction but because I'm on an endless search for the "perfect" glove (i.e. works in wet and cold and across a range of temperatures without being too bulky). I have a cheap pair of merino gloves that work well down to about 5C or so and get used more than any others.

macnab

I would rather wear quick drying breathable gear than waterproof gear.
You will sweat with waterproofs and that is uncomfortable.
I bought a Lidl waterproof jacket recently for about €20 and it is grand for easy commutes, however I am a speed merchant so I prefer my Biemme jacket and a light base layer.
I wear DHB bib tights during the colder weather, they are warm and they dry very fast after a shower.

Canis Lupus

Waterproof is generally pointless on a bike for short commute, you'll just sweat yourself as wet and 14k isn't terribly long.

For warm weather commuting cycling shorts and any old tshirt (ordinary shorts for over if you don't like putting your package on show :P

For colder days long sleeved top baselayer, long cycling leggings, cycling fleece and nice cosy gloves. As long as you're relatively fit and keep the pace it'd want to be an apocalyptic day to feel properly cold over 14k and most importantly cycling gear tends to dry fast, nothing worse than throwing damp clothes on for the cycle home.

Optional extras? Light windbreaker and overshoes and/or waterproof socks. (dry and warm feet = happy cycling)

For spins in bad weather include the optionals but maybe upgrade to light waterproof/windbreaker (I have an Endura Convert 2 and love it (but it does let in water in heavy rain), in warmer weather the arms zip off to make it a gillet).

If it can be attached a rack and pannier makes life much easier than a backpack. 14k with a bag filled with clothes will become a backache (and a horrible square of sweat) at 14k. I'll also second Doozeries merino wool recommendation. Pricey but quick drying, cool when warm and warm when cool and it never becomes stinky from repeated wearing. Awesome stuff.

07Lapierre

zing wrote: »

Am planning on starting to cycle to work over the next couple of weeks (~14k each way) and the current weather has made me realise I've no suitable gear for wearing in the wet. Only got back on the bike a few months ago and while I've been getting out whenever I can (short spins -- 10 -> 30k) it's pretty much all been in dry weather so have just worn tracksuit bottoms & a base layer top, tshirt & gillet.

Also just got my first proper road bike this week so I'll need to wear padded shorts/bottoms given the saddle on it.

So looking for suggestions/recommendations for suitable clothing for commuting - and ideally suggestions for all seasons so I can keep an eye out for potential bargains on winter gear over the summer months.

thanks

Summer:

Light Socks
Bib Shorts
Base Layer
S/S Jersey

Current Weather conditions ( not summer and not too cold)

Socks ( Dunnes Stores finest)
Padded Bib Tights
Base Layer
L/S Jersey
Light (very) Jacket
Wool Mits
Light Summer Shoe Covers

Winter

Ski Socks
Bib Tights
Base Layer
L/S Jersey
Heavy Winter Jacket
Beanie Cap
Wool Glove Mits
Neoprene Outer Gloves
Neoprene Shoe Covers (Heavy)

QueensGael

To echo Doozerie, a merino top is your only man for the commute. They don't stink at all, keep you warm and last forever. I have a few of these, designed by an Irish company, and are available on their website or some retail outlets in Dublin. I'm not affiliated, just a very happy customer

https://www.urbanfrog.ie/

PersonalJesus

Having previously worn a hard shell jacket (some altura effort) for the past 5 years and recently moved to a soft shell (gore phantom convertible) the difference is night and day in terms of comfort and dryness. the soft shell is brilliantly breathable and wind resistant. much preferable to the soaked through feeling i was getting with the hard shell.

this with a merino top, MTB baggy shorts with padded lyrca liner, seal skinz waterproof socks and a real old beat up pair of clarks gore tex trainers. dry and comfortable easy washed and turned around. pair of merino gloves and padded mitts for sping - autumn, gore phantom gloves for the winter/very wet weather.

add or remove as appropriate for the conditions.

Jawgap

At the moment......

Helmet & glasses with dark lenses
windproof base layer and l/s cycling jersey
Santini H2O water repellent tights
Aldi motorbike socks (talk about snug!!!)
Shimano winter cycling boots
BBB waterproof / windproof gloves

As the weather gets warmer the base layer goes, the l/s gets replaced with a s/s, socks get shorter, shoes instead of boots and mitts instead of gloves. May wear arm and leg warmers for the morning commute in.

Colder weather all of the above with a windstopper jacket, and if it's dry and not wet swap the H2Os for a pair of warmer, roubaix backed tights.

Seweryn

t'bear wrote: »

the wind/rain jacket causes me problems as the backpack I have no matter how light, causes base layer to get sweaty where the bag rests, ok when you are moving but very uncomfortable after

See my solution to that problem

t'bear wrote: »

Some one, get me a wardrobe in work please :pac:

I would love some proper storage for my clothing. A the moment I have no shower (will probably never be in place, but I can live with that) and the only place I can put my wet clothes on is my wet bike .

cdaly_

I don't try to keep dry, just warm. I'll dry pretty quick when I arrive.

Gore 'windstopper' jacket, Prendas Cyclismo gloves and overshoes are my wet-weather gear.

t'bear wrote: »

I am doing similar distances as yourself to work, I tend to wrap up warm with 3 layers on top, the pins or feet don't get cold so just the shorts for me on the lower end, the wind/rain jacket causes me problems as the backpack I have no matter how light, causes base layer to get sweaty where the bag rests, ok when you are moving but very uncomfortable after, good job they have a shower in the office;)

Some one, get me a wardrobe in work please :pac:

I bring in a pannier with 2-weeks worth of work clothes and leave it by my desk. Wouldn't dream of carrying everything back and forth each day.

doozerie wrote: »

I have a selection of gloves to choose from, not because I have a glove addiction but because I'm on an endless search for the "perfect" glove (i.e. works in wet and cold and across a range of temperatures without being too bulky). I have a cheap pair of merino gloves that work well down to about 5C or so and get used more than any others.

I'm using a pair of Prendas Cyclismo 'Air Tunnel' gloves. With silk undergloves in very cold or solo for wet weather.

QueensGael wrote: »

To echo Doozerie, a merino top is your only man for the commute. They don't stink at all, keep you warm and last forever.

+1 though the moths seem to like them...

awec

Seweryn wrote: »

See my solution to that problem



I would love some proper storage for my clothing. A the moment I have no shower (will probably never be in place, but I can live with that) and the only place I can put my wet clothes on is my wet bike .

Mind if I ask where you got the saddle bag?


Anyway, these days I just wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt with a light rain jacket over the top. It's only 6k each direction so I don't bother with the padded shorts / leggings for commuting.

Seweryn

awec wrote: »

Mind if I ask where you got the saddle bag?

I bought it second hand in UK, as a new one was unavailable and probably still is not. It is Carradice SQR Tour model. Have a look at their website, they have various models of saddle bags.

awec

Seweryn wrote: »

I bought it second hand in UK, as a new one was unavailable and probably still is not. It is Carradice SQR Tour model. Have a look at their website, they have various models of saddle bags.

Thanks!

What is it like waterproof wise? I currently carry my work gear in a backpack but I carry a very expensive laptop and it getting wet is a no-no obviously.

Seweryn

awec wrote: »

Thanks!

What is it like waterproof wise? I currently carry my work gear in a backpack but I carry a very expensive laptop and it getting wet is a no-no obviously.

No problem with waterproofing of that bag. I cycle (almost) every day to work 22km each way in all weather conditions and the content inside is always dry. Not sure if you can fit a laptop into this particular bag, but there are different shapes / designs available from the manufacturer.

NamelessPhil

I'd prefer to be windproof than waterproof. At least you won't get as cold if the wind stays out.

Surprisingly, I've found that last year's Lidl winter gloves have done very well over the winter, they've kept me warm even when soaked through.

As for bags, a North Face messenger bag, which is pretty waterproof even in downpours. For my smarter office days I bought this bag through www.dutchbikeshop.ie.
Fastrider Reporter bag

zing

Cheers for the suggestions guys - will look at the options over the weekend.

Also those saddle bags look very interesting - had been assuming I'd be bringing some sort of backpack until now. Need to get a feel for what I'd need to bring with me on a daily basis - can leave shoes in there, bring bigger items like jeans, etc.. in/out once a week so might get away with tshirt, rainjacket, locks & tools, etc.. for the other days.

Seweryn - mind me asking how much you can fit into that bag ?

Seweryn

zing wrote: »

Seweryn - mind me asking how much you can fit into that bag ?

The size and capacity of the bag is as follows:

Weight (bag only) 1kg
Capacity 16 litres
Dimensions 18cm wide x 37cm high x 20cm deep

So basically, It is enough for commuting, i.e. your clothes and some food as well.
There are also two side pockets for your spare tubes, tools, cable to charge your lights, spare gloves, hat, head band, emergency food, keys, etc. .