Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

Views: 139097

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Head: Lightweight, knit cap, light balaclava, heavy balaclava (all wicking ) and ski goggles

Torso: Weatherproof-brand base layer, medium weight Weatherproof-brand, Columbia Omni-heat and a North Face Gore-Tex jacket … all wicking

Legs: Medium weight wicking leggings and ski pants

Feet: Smart-wool socks, electric insoles, Gore-Tex socks, Felt liner (from Sorel duck boots) and XL slippers

Hands: Cabela’s electric hunting gloves inside of Gore-Tex shell mittens

Anybody else use Pearl Izumi lobster gloves?  They work ok, but I don't like the fabric in each "claw" that separates the two fingers.  Seems counter-productive since I want the fingers sharing warmth and a more open air pocket to heat up.  

Any one ever taken scissors to this?  I'm hesitant to do that since the fabric is all one piece in there and I might lose insulation.

How well do those electric insoles and electric gloves work?  I had a bad experience with some "hot sox" or whatever they were called, 20 bucks, and I could not feel any warmth from them whatsoever.  I youtubed electric socks reviews and every one was the same as what I experienced, they did nothing.  but Ive never tried the electric insoles or gloves.
 
Gene Tenner said:

Head: Lightweight, knit cap, light balaclava, heavy balaclava (all wicking ) and ski goggles

Torso: Weatherproof-brand base layer, medium weight Weatherproof-brand, Columbia Omni-heat and a North Face Gore-Tex jacket … all wicking

Legs: Medium weight wicking leggings and ski pants

Feet: Smart-wool socks, electric insoles, Gore-Tex socks, Felt liner (from Sorel duck boots) and XL slippers

Hands: Cabela’s electric hunting gloves inside of Gore-Tex shell mittens

I used to use them but they started to fall apart and leak cold air after a year. They also were a huge pain to put on and tuck into my coat sleeve, and were useless for opening/closing and zipping/unzipping my bag and coat respectively.

I recently switched to Outdoor Research ski gloves. They have oversized gauntlets that can cinch closed over my jacket sleeve with ease. They also are full fingered and while slightly colder, are much more useful for finer motor control. They have cords that attach to my wrists so I can take them off inside without dropping them.

JeffB (7+ miles) said:

Anybody else use Pearl Izumi lobster gloves?  They work ok, but I don't like the fabric in each "claw" that separates the two fingers.  Seems counter-productive since I want the fingers sharing warmth and a more open air pocket to heat up.  

Any one ever taken scissors to this?  I'm hesitant to do that since the fabric is all one piece in there and I might lose insulation.

I have tried electric socks and came up with the same analysis, Robert; they were useless.

Electric insoles are rechargeable and last longer than I have had them on. When you turn them on they heat up to 80 degrees then wait to cool down to 60 degrees. When they hit 60 they rebound back up to 80 degrees. Repeat. Monday night my toes got chilled, but nothing bad. I have used them for the past 3 winters. They do not keep your feet warm and toasty, just warm enough to feel comfortable.

The electric hunting gloves are excellent and rechargeable. I sometimes have to turn them down when I have the Gore-Tex over-mittens on. At 10 below my hands were fine at a setting of 2 out of 4. They only last a few hours at 4, the hottest setting.

Both of these items are pricey, but considering that I save $10,000 per year by not owning a car, their cost is a drop in the ocean for a guy who nikes everywhere. 

Gloves: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Heated-Performance-Camo-Glov...

Insoles: http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Rechargeable-Heated-Ins...


Robert Underwood said:

How well do those electric insoles and electric gloves work?  I had a bad experience with some "hot sox" or whatever they were called, 20 bucks, and I could not feel any warmth from them whatsoever.  I youtubed electric socks reviews and every one was the same as what I experienced, they did nothing.  but Ive never tried the electric insoles or gloves.

thanks, I will check out those links for sure... Its been six years straight of frozen toes and fingers, or dealing with chem packs and too many layers of socks.

Gene Tenner said:

I have tried electric socks and came up with the same analysis, Robert; they were useless.

Electric insoles are rechargeable and last longer than I have had them on. When you turn them on they heat up to 80 degrees then wait to cool down to 60 degrees. When they hit 60 they rebound back up to 80 degrees. Repeat. Monday night my toes got chilled, but nothing bad. I have used them for the past 3 winters. They do not keep your feet warm and toasty, just warm enough to feel comfortable.

The electric hunting gloves are excellent and rechargeable. I sometimes have to turn them down when I have the Gore-Tex over-mittens on. At 10 below my hands were fine at a setting of 2 out of 4. They only last a few hours at 4, the hottest setting.

Both of these items are pricey, but considering that I save $10,000 per year by not owning a car, their cost is a drop in the ocean for a guy who nikes everywhere. 

Gloves: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Heated-Performance-Camo-Glov...

Insoles: http://www.sharperimage.com/si/view/product/Rechargeable-Heated-Ins...


Robert Underwood said:

How well do those electric insoles and electric gloves work?  I had a bad experience with some "hot sox" or whatever they were called, 20 bucks, and I could not feel any warmth from them whatsoever.  I youtubed electric socks reviews and every one was the same as what I experienced, they did nothing.  but Ive never tried the electric insoles or gloves.

Looks nice this morning.  I think I'll try it.

It wasn't bad this morning, but the wind was kind of killer.  I didn't check wind direction before leaving and ended up riding most of the way in my lowest (of 3) gears.

Had you looked at the wind direction, would it have changed your choice of transportation or allowed you to ride in a higher gear? :-)


Julie M. said:

It wasn't bad this morning, but the wind was kind of killer.  I didn't check wind direction before leaving and ended up riding most of the way in my lowest (of 3) gears.

Finally commuting back on the bike!  I did a few <1 mile trips during Polar Vortex II, but nothing too long.  I agree with Julie - not bad but the wind was tough.  I was both thanking (for bringing warm air) and cursing (headwind!) the wind at the same time.

I probably wouldn't have changed my mind but at least I would have been mentally prepared for the wind :)

Skip Montanaro 12mi said:

Had you looked at the wind direction, would it have changed your choice of transportation or allowed you to ride in a higher gear? :-)


Julie M. said:

It wasn't bad this morning, but the wind was kind of killer.  I didn't check wind direction before leaving and ended up riding most of the way in my lowest (of 3) gears.

Yes... Finally! First time this year. 

Thanks to the headwind it was a super slow ride!

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service