Essential winter clothing?

My cock and balls froze to a depressing size today. Is there such thing as winter lycra shorts? In the interim before the longs?

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Is there such thing as winter lycra shorts

some call it roubaix

others call it Rapha Pro Team Thermal Bib Shorts

#rep

Or for the more impecunious roadie, the dhb version

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-vaeon-roubaix-padded-bib-short/

Need some decent waist tights (unpadded) to wear over my bibs in the deep winter, what do people recommend? Around the 0-3deg mark.

^Also looking for suggestions. Leg warmers only provide so much coverage...

Compression tights?

I just wear my (non-thermal) Skins as an underlayer when it gets really cold (with kneewarmers on top if really cold).

(I should mention that I'm odd and wear boxer shorts under cycling shorts, never liked the commando sensation with cycling shorts. Never had a problem with it and I've done some long distances in my time.)

(I should mention that I'm odd and wear boxer shorts under cycling shorts, never liked the commando sensation with cycling shorts. Never had a problem with it and I've done some long distances in my time.)

Yeah, that might be a problem when you attempt your first Triathlon.

These are pretty good value. I have two pairs that i use when the temperature drops.
http://www.rosebikes.se/artikel/rose-thermal-bib-tights---without-seat-pad--/aid:299420

I get quite cold though and when it's below freezing i usually need to put wear a pair of longjohns underneath.

Castelli Gabba - amazing. best bit of kit ever. Not hot, not cold. Perfect!

I bought some Cannondale Midweight tights last year, they'll do ya (over bibs) down to some pretty damn low temps.

In other 'Essential Winter Clothing' news, today I found that a sized-down Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Jacket fits beautifully beneath a correctly-sized Rapha City Rain Jacket to create the Rapha x Uniqlo Super-Collabo Ultra City Downy Rainy Light Convertible Jacket.

I can completely agree with TRA about the Gabba. Buying it was a huge leap of faith (expensive and getting it cheap seems to be rare) but it really paid off. Somehow it manages to keep you warm when it's seriously cold however once the temprature goes up, you don't end up being overly hot (just right, I would say). Combined with my Pearl Izumi waterproof shell, it fends off the shittiest of conditions and I remain warm and dry.

Lets talk socks, my toes seem to be the first part of me gettting cold. Wondering if anyone had some recommendations for some winter socks

Giro merino. Thin but warm.

Bought mine from bike24. Get some neoprene toe covers too. Craft ones are good and £10

I'm into the toe covers too. Also useful if you don't have a front mudguard on your fixie skiddah. Feet can get sweaty if you wear normal socks with them but they definitely keep the cold at bay.

Defeet wooly bootie socks are my go to winter sock. Bit too hot for now, but give it a couple of weeks and I will be living in them. Rapha winter socks are awful by comparison.

These are brilliant.

I am sure the dhb ones will be good but the Rapha ones were one of the items I wore the most last winter.

velotoze.com

too gimpy or the godsend that is actually waterproof overshoes?

Saw them posted elsewhere: going to be very sweaty inside...

A close fitting breathable base layer like the one Altura do then I wear a short sleave top and a robaix top over this and that great until it gets below 5 degree's. This works when a damp too as the base layer keeps me warm even if the robaix top get quite wet.

Has anyone got experience with Nanoflex arm warmers vs Sportful No Rain arm warmers?

Not mad on the Nanoflex graphics so I'd be edging towards the no rains once they perform as well.

Nanoflex stuff is better. Not technically as castelli own sportful, but cut and feel while.

Any tips for a nice cap/hat/beanie/whatever to keep my ears warm?
I hate caps that slide up and expose my ears while riding.
Problems: I have a huge head and long hair. Doesn't help.

I just bought a Shimano Extreme Winter Cap.

I needed it to be thin enough to fit over my large head, but go comfortably under a helmet (this was the most important criterion) whilst also properly covering my ears. It does a good job. The different fabric in a band across the forehead is windproof. I was concerned I would overheat, but haven't so far. Wiggle do a dhb version which people complain is noisy due to windnoise. I noticed that problem with this cap the first time I wore it but I don't anymore, and can still hear traffic without any problems.

I'd recommend it. It is a fairly snug fit, but then so have been all the others I have tried, and it is fairly elastic.

Nanoflex question - do they have any special washing requirements or can I just chuck them in the washing machine like normal?