We’re almost at the end of Autumn and already the early morning rides are chilly. Winter riding is imminent. While we don’t have to deal with extreme winter conditions, our Highveld winter mornings can get very cold. In terms of clothing, here’s what you need to ride through Winter 2025.
Base layer
If you don’t already use a base layer for your torso, then invest in a couple of under-shirts. Cycling-specific under-shirts/vests are made with technical fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly. This means you don’t end up with heavy, sweat-soaked clothing an hour into your ride. You wear this base layer for the entire ride so make sure you get the right size and cut for you.
Check out our men’s base layers here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/base-layers
Check out our women’s base layers here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/base-layers-women
Long-sleeved jersey/winter jacket
You may wonder if it’s worth the cost of buying a long-sleeved jersey/winter jacket. Short answer, yes, it is worth it. They last for a number of years and offer a really comfortable option for cold rides. They’re made from fabric that keeps you warm but also ensures rapid evaporation of sweat so that you stay comfortable throughout your ride. You’d ideally wear a long-sleeved jersey/winter jacket over a base layer shirt/vest for an entire ride. An outershell, windbreaker or gilet is also useful as you can usually unzip and remove it and fit it into a jersey pocket when the temperature rises.
Check our men’s winter jerseys here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/jerseys and jackets here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/jackets
Check our women’s winter jerseys here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/jerseys-women and jackets here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/jackets-women
Full winter tights
Committed riders will know that it’s worth investing in a pair or two of full-length winter tights. They’re designed to keep your legs warm in cold conditions and are also comfortable enough to wear for a full ride with no hindrance to your pedalling action.
Check out our men’s winter tights here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/bibs
Check out our women’s winter tights here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/tights
Leg and arm warmers
Leg- and arm-warmers are popular in South Africa because our winter temperatures tend to change substantially in a short time. You can start a ride at 05h00 at 5 degrees Celsius and by 08h00 it can already be 15 degrees Celsius. Leg and arm warmers are easy to remove and store in your pockets or hydration pack to ensure the latter part of your ride doesn’t feel like a sauna session.
Check out our warmer garments here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/warmers
Beanie/Balaclava
Our helmets are designed to keep us cool on hot days. For this reason it’s essential to wear a fleece beanie/balaclava under your helmet on cold rides. Much of our body heat leaves from our head when we sweat. A fleece beanie/balaclava helps keep that heat contained so that our core temperature remains stable. It also covers ears and keep them warm.
Check out our headwear here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/hats
Shoe covers/Booties
Since our cycling shoes are also made for summer riding, it’s best to invest in a pair of shoe covers or booties for winter riding. Cold toes and feet can be incredibly uncomfortable and even painful and can be managed with a pair of shoe covers or booties.
Check out our shoe covers here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/warmers
Winter gloves
Regular gloves are made with fabric that protects your hands in the case of a fall and gives you decent grip to be able to control your bike. But they’re not made to protect you from the cold. It’s worth investing in a decent pair of winter gloves, which are designed to keep your hands warm. They’re more expensive but can last for years, so are worth the investment. For very cold rides, you can also ‘layer-up’ your hands with ‘liners’ that insulate your hands from the cold, with regular gloves on the outside. Just be sure you try various pairs on to ensure you get a pair that feels right for you.
Check out our gloves here: https://www.lynnwoodcyclery.co.za/collections/gloves
Author, Lynnwood Cyclery