Winter gear on the cheap (poor college student)

[primal]

So, as we all know, winter is on the way. It's already getting pretty chilly in the mornings here. Twice a week I have to head out around 7 AM, and its been just below 40 degrees recently. So, I've started assembling a poor man's winter motorcycle wardrobe that I'm hoping will suffice this winter. So far I'm planning on wearing the following:

* Thermal underwear
* Two pairs of socks, one under the thermal underwear and the other over top
* Jeans
* Nice thick windbreaker that I'm going to modify with some sort of cinch to keep the wind out
* Underarmor ColdGear long sleeve undershirt
* Regular t-shirt (what I'll be wearing once I take everything off)
* Light zip up hoodie jacket
* My leather riding jacket with the liner installed
* My regular gloves with latex gloves as liners
* Arctiva Power Stretch balaclava (ordered this weekend)


At this point, my only concern is the gloves. I've got this idea of getting a pair of those cheap one size fits all stretchy gloves and wearing latex gloves over top of that (to create an air pocket for insulation), with my regular riding gloves on top of that. I'd like to get some gauntlet gloves if I can find some for cheap, but I'm pretty confident in my Underarmor shirt keeping my arms warm.

Any advice?

[patrick_777]

Layers are definitely the way to go.

[primal]

Yup, I'm planning on wearing as many layers as the zipper on my jacket will allow. ;)

[Brian Donofrio]

I ride every day in the winter.

The trick is to have layers and no air leaks. A basic 1 piece snow suit is a good start. I have a Highlander by Fieldsheer, kinda like an Areostich (motorcycle suit ) suit with amour built in, but in a pinch a regular snow suit would do just fine.

Next you need to cover your neck and head. I wear a buel neck warmer (free giveaway when you test a Buel ) and a Beleclava ( you can get them at most motorcycle shops .) Thin is good it has to fit in your helmet and the thicker neck gator keeps your neck warm.

Finally gloves with gauntlets that come up over the snowsuit.

If it gets real cold ad your rain gear it will keep the wind out and the warm air in.

Really long distance ad some heat packs (iron ore stuff) and stop at gas stations for hot cocoa it really helps.

Finally and I haven't used this on my GZ is an electric lined cloths. This is really only for extended rides.

Some examples many other options are available.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Mo ... 51-000-006 (http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Mossi-Mens-1-piece-Snowsuit/2737823/product.html?cid=123620&fp=F&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=10927751-000-006)

http://products.pricerunner.com/results ... q=snowsuit (http://products.pricerunner.com/results/query?q=snowsuit)

Gloves
http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_ ... ts_id=5495 (http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=5495)

Beleclava
http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/images/bl ... va_jpg.jpg (http://www.airsoftatlanta.com/images/blackhawk_balaclava_jpg.jpg)

I took something like this from sears and cut the bottom off for a heavy neck warmer.
http://imcoolnow.com/BIZyCart.asp?ITEM= ... ENT=IMCOOL (http://imcoolnow.com/BIZyCart.asp?ITEM=MC-1070-HVO&NEXTPAGE=Detail-F.htm&CLIENT=IMCOOL)

and last and perhaps not least layer up the Union suits

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.a ... 1Prod=True (http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?ItemID=148f61d&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=union+suit&RefPage=SearchDepartment.aspx&CmCatId=searchresults&Search1Prod=True)

They usually put them on sale for $26.

The nice thing is that with the one piece you can keep layering and knock get chocked at the waist by the elastic on the 2 piece suits.

Oh and boots

http://workingperson.com/products/22_35 ... i_sku=2076 (http://workingperson.com/products/22_359_27/1/2076/Red_Wing:_Mens_Steel_Toe_Black_Engineer_Motorcycle _Boots_988.html?utm_content=2076&utm_campaign=ci&utm_medium=comp&utm_source=froogle&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=2076)

and heat packs just be careful they don't end up cooking your nuts

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/store ... bled=false (http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SceneSevenDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=-10817&scene7Path=BassPro%2f68623b%3flayer%3dcomp%26wid%3 d500%26hei%3d500%26fmt%3djpeg%26qlt%3d100%2c0%26op _sharpen%3d0%26resMode%3dnorm%26op_usm%3d1.0%2c1.0 %2c0.0%2c0&sourceName=images2%2f68500%2f68623b.jpg&type=0&linkEnabled=false)

BD

[alanmcorcoran]

I generally found that, as long as you don't mind bulk and possibly extra sweat, it's easy to dress warm for cheap (I learned to ski wearing jeans, cheap cotton "long" underwear, two flannel shirts and a green, lined, canvas/cotton/nylon Army Jacket with a built-in hood I got at Goodwill for twelve bucks. [Still have it 30 years and two zippers later.]) Looked stupid and, I got kind of sweaty when I was working hard (cotton sucks for wicking) but I wasn't cold. The expensive stuff breathes and wicks better, generally is able to provide more air insulation in a thin light package and provides a greater range of suitable temperatures. If you don't mind bulky, you don't need expensive. And the underarmour, if it's the "right" one, will wick pretty good (that stuff is not considered cheap to me.)

Where I don't think you want to skimp are the gloves. I haven't invesitgated winter riding gloves yet, but I remember from my bicycle days, the fingers get real cold, real fast, especially with cheap or thin gloves. I found that the constant pressure to hold the bars, brakes and shifting levers made them that much colder because they were clenched, weren't moving that much, and they are hanging right out there in the wind. Fortunately, you don't need to shift with your fingers on a motorcycle, but you might need to work the blinkers. I think the three layer approach you described is going to really hamper your ability to do anything but squeeze and twist (and maybe that too.) I suggest you check around and get the best winter gloves you can afford. I got a pretty nice pair for cycling, but they were not designed for asphalt protection. I think they were in the neighborhood of fifty bucks.

[patrick_777]

+1 to Brian's post up there. Very good information.

My winter gloves were about $50 from CycleGear. They fit fine but are a little tight. I should have gone a size up, but I'm able to move fingers around pretty well, and they're molded for gripping handlebars so there's no resistance in your fingers from fighting the gloves. They are also armored on the every knuckle of every finger, with a plate on the top of the hand.

Not a bad buy, but not "cheap" per se.

http://www.postimage.org/gxHWn0S.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxHWn0S)

[primal]

And the underarmour, if it's the "right" one, will wick pretty good (that stuff is not considered cheap to me.)

Yea, not cheap, but I bought it 4 years ago and I've only worn it once. ;) I'm glad I kept a hold of it, though.

[gzrider]

Try the local craigs list , I check every few days for used gear

[mrlmd1]

One of the best ways to keep warm is to get a good windscreen with protection out over the grips to keep your fingers. knuckles, and hands out of the 50+mph wind. It also deflects the wind off of your body.
The more you can shield yourself from the effect of the wind in removing heat, the more you can stay warm. Anything in your clothes which can block air entry, like raingear, will also keep you warm, maybe too warm. But it's easy to open up for ventilation if that happens.
Read about "wind-chill factor".

[Easy Rider]

So, as we all know, winter is on the way.

Sigh! :cry:

Just a couple of comments:
You should not have latex next your skin. Wet is your enemy.

I didn't follow your plan in detail but it might be overkill; but better too many clothes than too few.

Here's how I approach it: Dress like you would for comfort if you were just going to be standing out in the open. Then ADD a 1 piece showmobile suit and extra or heavier gloves.

A good (large) windshield makes a HUGE difference.

[primal]

Okay, I tested my setup this morning. When I left it was around 44 degrees, a bit warmer than it was Saturday morning (39 - BURR!). I decided to forgo the thermal underwear this morning. Here is what I found out:
- Gotta get new gloves, period. I actually didn't have any problem with air blowing into my sleeves, but I don't think any amount of insulation is going to make up for the fact that the gloves are vented. It wasn't horrible though, and it'll do for a few more weeks. I think the latex gloves helped a bit, and they were certainly better than nothing. BTW, my hands were dry when I got to campus.
- With my Underarmor, by torso was quite toasty. I never once felt "cold," though I could definitely tell where the vents in my jacket's arms were (even with the liner in). The only modification I'll make is I'll probably start wearing a long-sleeve shirt over my Underarmor.
- My windbreaker/jeans combo worked surprisingly well. The only part of my legs that got cold was my lap. I'll have to see what its like with my thermal underwear before I make any changes. It was quite tolerable, though, and the only thing I'll likely have to do is perhaps get some sweat pants to wear under my jeans.
- With my beanie on under my helmet, my head stayed nice a toasty. My face got a little cold, especially since I had to crack my visor every once and a while to defog it, but once I get my balaclava I should be good to go.
- My boots, which aren't insulated (Dr. Marten), did surprisingly well, also. I only wore one pair of moderately heavy socks and my feet didn't get cold (or wet) at all.

All in all I'm pretty happy with what I've got so far. Now I just need to buy a gym bag to carry it around in while I'm on campus.

[rusty rider]

I rode 100 miles last Friday night with tempatures around 45 to 50 degrees not counting the wind.

For my feet I had on my hunting boots with thinsulate (2nd most expensive piece) and one pair of socks.

For my legs cotton long underwear and a pair of jeans.

Upper body t-shirt, hooded pull over sweat shirt, and a leather lined jacket from Steve and Barry's $12.00 (maybe that's why their bankrupt)

I had a pair of gauntlet leather lined gloves that I bought from Rural King for $24.99, these made the biggest difference in comfort for me.

Last but not least a full face helmet. (My most expensive purchase)

I was perfectly comfortable for the entire ride, contrary to what several people thought when they realized I had ridden my motorcycle to my son's game.

I've looked at chaps, but can't get the image of the bikers from Clint Eastwood's Every Which Way But Loose wearing assless chaps. So they're out. I will still need to find something for riding to work, since I wear khakis. When it get's colder.

One last note motorcycles aren't treated to resist road salts like a car, if you ride once the roads have been treated during the winter you will need to clean your bike thoroughly after riding.

[Moedad]

It's 100 here today. IF it gets down to 40 here, it's like the End of Days. Nobody can talk about anything else. "Cold enough for ya?" Place becomes a ghost town. Everyone stays in.

[Dupo]

I've looked at chaps, but can't get the image of the bikers from Clint Eastwood's Every Which Way But Loose wearing assless chaps. So they're out.

Chaps are the way to go. With thermals and heavy jeans on ... a pair of chaps cant be beat. You dont feel any cold air on your legs at all. The leather just cuts the cold wind right off you. I wouldn't ride without them in cold weather.

I thought the same thing when i got a pair. You know what, a year later, not one person ever said they looked bad or gay lol.

[patrick_777]

I thought the same thing when i got a pair. You know what, a year later, not one person ever said they looked bad or gay lol.

That's because you only ever wear them to your gay-pride rallies.

http://www.idlerants.com/images/HOTT.jpg

[Easy Rider]

You know what, a year later, not one person ever said they looked bad or gay lol.

What your best friends won't tell you !! :crackup

[Dupo]

I thought the same thing when i got a pair. You know what, a year later, not one person ever said they looked bad or gay lol.

That's because you only ever wear them to your gay-pride rallies.

http://www.idlerants.com/images/HOTT.jpg


WHY DIDNT ANYONE TELL ME I HAD SUCH A BIG ASS?? :shocked:

[Magnar Infectus]

WHY DIDNT ANYONE TELL ME I HAD SUCH A BIG ASS?? :shocked:

Does that mean you don't want Snotty beaming you anymore?

[greenhorn]

Check this site out. It was recommended by a guy on another moto forum:

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

I bought double-sidede caarharts & a neck gater from there.

Everything is SUPER cheap. You won't regret the look see.

Stayin' warm in the Nort country

M

[john1096]

Anything in your clothes which can block air entry, like raingear, will also keep you warm, maybe too warm. But it's easy to open up for ventilation if that happens.


Ditto. Insulating layers covered by a windproof layer. You'll be surprised at how little it takes to stay warm.