Road cycling in winter: 19 practical parts to stop freezing on your winter tour

There is hardly anything more unpleasant than aching or numb toes and fingertips in the freezing cold. When you get home, it takes a while for your hands and feet to thaw out again. The effects of the cold can often be felt for hours afterwards. A warm shower works wonders at first, but when you get undressed you realise that your thighs are red - perhaps your clothes weren't warm enough for the weather?

To prevent this from happening, we have some parts tips to help road and gravel cyclists get through the cold and dark season.

The basis: Baselayer

Gorewear Base Layer Thermo Long Sleeve Shirt

We have already tested the Gore Base Layer Thermo Long Sleeve Shirt. It dries faster than any of the 11 competitor vests in the test and achieves a very good rating.

Price: 85 Euro >> currently available at a reduced price from Rose

Van Rysel underwear

If you don't want to dig quite so deep into your pockets, you can find cheaper products to wear underneath at the Decathlon brand Van Rysel. Price: 17.99 euros >> available here.

Craft Core Warm Baselayer Set

Admittedly, long pants are probably less suitable for long rides, as you don't usually wear pants under cycling shorts to avoid creasing, chafing and skin irritation. On the other hand, long underwear is perfect for the commute to work or other shorter journeys, such as to the Christmas market. The set from Craft is available at Bergfreunde in the men's section and for women.

Socks

Nobody likes cold toes and feet. In winter, the stylish thin cycling socks can be swapped for warmer ones.

Assos winter cycling socks

The Swiss clothing company Assos has something to combat cold feet. The Ultraz Winter Socks Evo promise high insulation power and good moisture management. They are currently >> e.g. available here at a reduced price. If you are also looking for cycling socks to put over your shoes, we recommend our large Sock test to the heart.

What do you put on next? The cycling shorts

Löffler M Bike Bib Tights Ws Elastic bib shorts

Your legs are exposed to the wind and cold. Accordingly, warm cycling shorts are important on cold days. The long bib from Löffler promises "highly functional" cycling shorts with a water-repellent surface treatment. They are currently available at Intersport available.

Gorewear Distance Winter Bib Shorts+

We tested the Gorewear Distance Winter Bib Shorts+ at TOUR as part of our of a softshell combination test under the microscope. Test verdict on the insulation of the trousers and jacket: good. The Male model of the Bib as well as the Women's model is currently slightly reduced at Rose.

Spoilt for choice: winter shoes or overshoes

Opinions differ on whether to wear overshoes or a winter shoe. Proper winter shoes often keep you warmer than overshoes and the cold bridge between pedal and cleat is insulated so that less cold can creep into the shoe. If you only rarely get on your bike in sub-zero temperatures, overshoes are the right choice and you won't have to dig too deep into your pockets. If you want to brave all weathers and temperatures, it's better to go for winter shoes. The investment is worth it.

Northwave Celsius XC Arctic GTX

Fancy a TOUR test winner? The Northwave Celsius XC Arctic GTX bears exactly this label. It earned itself the As part of a comparative test in 2022 of seven winter boots with a score of 1.4. The test result:

Runs large overall, try a size smaller; a shoehorn helps when putting on and taking off, the twist fastener requires some practice and cannot always be gripped securely with gloves. Very good weather protection.

Currently there is the Northwave Celcius XC Arctic GTX reduced at Rose for 199 euros.

Vaude Minaki MID II STX winter shoes

The Minaki shoe from Vaude was inspected by our sister magazine BIKE. As part of a comparative test of seven waterproof winter shoes it was the warmest. Other features:

With its chunky tread sole, you are also well equipped on foot. Thanks to the cleat cover, the Minaki can also be ridden with platform pedals. The twist lock is positioned somewhat awkwardly under the cover, making it impossible to adjust it while riding. Overall, the shoe is small and narrow, the rain and splash protection is good, but not perfect.

Price: 230 Euro >> currently available at a reduced price at Rosebikes.

Gorewear Sleet Insulated Overshoes

Good overshoes are needed to prevent cold and wetness from creeping into your shoes. The We tested Sleet-Insulated from Gorewear.

• Plus: good weather protection, zip, reflective material, nice and warm
• Minus: none

Price: 100 Euro >> at Alltricks the envelopes are available at a reduced price.

Gloves

Gorewear Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo Split

The Gore-Tex Infinium Thermo Split were part of our large winter glove testswhere they scored 1.8. Our conclusion:

Mitten with separate compartment for index and middle finger, which should be a little wider; slightly spongy grip, shifting and braking are still good; very well equipped and processed, wetness rolls off the nose wiper worse than on the outer fabric.

Price: 74,95 Euro >> currently available at a reduced price here.

Chiba City Liner winter gloves

Even though the Chiba is labelled City, it still has a good deal of off-road in it. The winter gloves are absolutely weatherproof and keep your hands warm in the long term. Rain can't harm the City Liner either - thanks to the integrated membrane," says the Glove test at BIKEour sister magazine. Warm and dry hands for less than 40 euros*.

Keep a cool head? But please don't freeze

Vaude Bike Windproof Cap III

It's easy to feel windy under your helmet in cold winter temperatures. An under-helmet cap, such as the Bike Windproof Cap III from Vaude, can help. TOUR tested the cap at the end of 2017. The conclusion at the time.

warm and windproof, good ear coverage, size selection

Price: 27 Euro >> Bergfreunde offers the cap for around 22 euros.

Gorewear C3 Gore WS Helmet Cap

The helmet cap from Gore Wear scored a 1.7 in our 2022 test. The bottom line:

All-round weather protection in headband shape, vapour permeable at the top, high wearing comfort, all-round fit, available in two sizes, also in signal colour, makes wind noise

The Gore Wear product is priced in the same range as the Vaude cap and is available from Rose.

Jackets

Vaude Posta IV softshell cycling jacket

To prevent your upper body from freezing, you should wear a cycling jacket, such as the Vaude Posta IV, which is available to buy in the Rosebikes shop*. We certified it in our Softshell combi test Very good insulation properties.

Castelli Men's Fly Thermal Jacket

While the Sorpasso Ros Bibtight trousers from Castelli only had satisfactory insulation properties in the TOUR softshell combination test, the Fly Thermal jacket did very well in this area. It is currently available at Alltricks available for 194.99 euros. The female model is available at Rosebikes also available at a reduced price.

Assos Mille Wind Vest

When temperatures are a little milder, as they are on some days in winter here in Germany, waistcoats are used again. Weighing just 75 grams (size M), the Assos Mille Wind Vest is perfect to take with you on every ride and protects you from cooling down on long descents or in strong winds. Price: 115 Euro >> currently available at a reduced price here.

See ... and be seen

Uvex Sportstyle 204 glasses

On days with poor visibility, glasses with an orange lens are the best choice. They allow green and red light to pass through and absorb most of the blue rays. Contrasts appear brighter and edges sharper. Equipped with such orange lenses, the Uvex Sportstyle 204, available for as little as 25.95 euros.

Busch & Müller IQ-XM Speed

The right lighting is essential for riding in the dark in winter. TOUR has tested the UQ-XM Speed. The most powerful battery-powered headlight from Busch & Müller is suitable for road and gravel bikes. The TOUR test result:

The IQ-XM Speed from Busch und Müller seems bright and sufficiently long. Its operation with the wired high beam switch is excellent, but its mounting with the somewhat clunky bracket could be better. If you ride aero handlebars, you should definitely look out for suitable brackets before buying. Its battery performance is good, over two hours of floodlighting is a good value and the good reserve light means you won't be left in the dark for hours.

At Rosebikes, the IQ-XM Speed is reduced by almost 180 euros for 219.99.

Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision

For just over 80 euros, the Trelock LS 760 IGo Vision available from Amazon, for example. TOUR tested it itself by comparing four low-cost and two high-end headlamps. Our conclusion:

The best display paired with a simple operating concept: light intensity, charge level with remaining time display in hours and minutes plus time; the somewhat clunky holder only offers a small swivelling range.