Winter feels like a subjective term, even though it’s not. Here in the northern hemisphere winter is officially the period between December 21 and March 20. Depending on where you live, mountain biking in winter might require a full-on fat biking kit or piling on 5 jackets and donning waterproof pants, or it might mean starting the morning ride with arm warmers and full finger gloves. Just like riding during shoulder season, your clothing layers and what you need to stay warm can change daily.
With that in mind, we’ve spotted some great winter mountain bike gear among this year’s clothing releases along with some new-to-us outdoor brands. From headwear to socks and everything in between, we’re finding this new gear to be incredibly useful for cold weather mountain biking.
Even if you’re not riding bikes as often this winter, we’ve included some cozy and less technical pieces to keep you warm during any of your winter activities. Best of all, most of us will only need to add one or two of these to fill out our winter wardrobe.
Specialized/Fjällräven Thermo Anorak
- Price: $220
- Buy from Specialized.com
The Specialized/Fjallraven Thermo Anorak is one of the most fun pieces we’ve worn this year. The shacket has synthetic insulation and is made to be a “reinforcement layer” on long rides. There is a big front pocket for keeping your hands warm and a cinch on the hood to keep your head warm. It doesn’t really matter how you wear it, once it’s on, it’s on for good.
Pearl Izumi Prospect Thermal Jogger
- Price: $105
- Buy from Pearl Izumi – Men’s and Women’s.
The Pearl Izumi Prospect Thermal Joggers are a great choice for staying warm around the shop or at the home office, plus they’re bike-commute ready too, thanks to reflective ankle accents and drivetrain-friendly tapered legs. The soft, brushed fleece material is made using recycled polyester and Pearl Izumi says running 25 miles of errands by bike offsets the total climate impact to produce the pants.
The women’s Prospect Thermal Jogger, available in two colors, features a drawstring waist and two front, zippered hand pockets to keep small items secure. The men’s Joggers get two open front pockets, plus a zippered rear pocket, and a Yoga-style stretchy waist band.
Earlier this fall Matt told us these pants “are life-changing if you need something cozy to don after a cold ride.” Enough said!
Related: Shoulder Season is Shredding Season: Ride with Icebreaker, Leatt, Stio, Wild Rye
7Mesh Chilco Anorak Jacket
- Price: $200
- Available at Backcountry and other online retailers.
7Mesh recently released the Chilco Anorak jacket featuring an “advanced, lightweight loft fabric that dynamically retains or releases heat as your ride.” The WTV (Wind, Thermal, Ventilation) fabric is waffle-esque which creates small insulation pockets inside. The stretchy WTV fabric also provides ventilation for warm air to exit and allows some cool air to enter, which coincidentally, may be just what we are looking for on cooler weather rides.
The Chilco Anorak is a quarter-zip pullover with a hood that fits nicely beneath a helmet and a large, easy-to-access front pocket that is soft and cozy inside for the inevitable cold hand warm up.
While $200 seems like a lot for a riding jacket, its multi-sport versatility has us sold.
Stio Skycrest Bandana
We love this modern and warm take on a bandana. The Stio Skycrest bandana is lightly insulated and covered with DWR-treated polyester in this chic western print (other reversible colors and prints available). While a bit too warm for more intense rides, the V-shaped coverage insulates your neck and chest without the bulk of a scarf. Bonus: the snap closure means you can put it on and take it off without removing your helmet.
- Price: $59
- Buy from Stio.
Giro Cascade Insulated Jacket
- Price: $250
- Buy from Amazon
The Giro Cascade Insulated Jacket is designed for cold rides, where the key is to stay warm enough without being trapped in a sweatbox. With insulation on the windward side of the chest and arms, and thinner fabric at the back for venting, the Cascade is a technical jacket designed specifically for biking. Naturally the material is both wind- and water-resistant and it’s stretchy for easy movement. Tight wrist cuffs help block the wind, though they make rolling up the sleeves difficult. Smaller riders should take note the fit is long overall and in the arms.
Ibex Woolies Tech Bottoms
- Price: $115
- Buy from Ibex.
Ibex has something much better than Long Johns for keeping warm on the coldest days: Merino wool tech bottoms. Technically a base layer, we’ve actually found they also work great underneath a pair of baggy shorts for riding during shoulder season. Unlike the lycra tights of yore, these breathe well and don’t feel constricting on the bike. Plus, they provide a ton of warmth without adding much weight or bulk.
Endura BaaBaa Merino Skull Cap
- Price: $34.99
- Buy from JensonUSA.
I gifted the Endura BaaBaa Skull Cap to myself last year and it’s quickly become an essential piece of my winter MTB kit. The hat is form-fitting and low profile enough to wear underneath a helmet, and the Merino wool stays warm even when it’s wet. But the best feature IMO is the ear coverage which is clutch when the wind chill dips below freezing.
Oros Horizon Quarter Zip
The Oros Horizon Quarter Zip isn’t bike-specific, and that’s OK. We like the strategic insulated panels located around the core and thinner arm material that moves well on the bike. The quarter zip offers one-handed temperature regulation and the breathable fabric even features a water-repellant finish.
For truly cold and windy days we recommend adding a Buff-like neck warmer to make up for the low collar. Cold weather comfort is all about layering, and the Oros Horizon Quarter Zip is a decent one to have.
- Price: $140
- Buy from Oros
Le Bent Terra Light Crew Sock
It’s only December 1 and I’ve already gotten a ton of use out of the Le Bent Terra Light Crew socks. I find some mountain bike socks are too tight around the arch and ankle, but these are not; the fit is loose enough for comfort and also just right for slipping inside a pair of Five Tens.
The Terra Light Crew socks feature a blend of bamboo-based Rayon, Merino wool, nylon, and elastane for a soft feel but more importantly this winter, toasty toes.
- Price: $24
- Buy from Amazon.
PDW x Dreyfus Knit Hat
For staying warm while chilling after the ride, there really isn’t anything better than a classic knit cap like this one from Portland Design Works. It doesn’t take up much space in your kit yet it provides a ton of warmth when you need it.
- Price: $12
- Buy from ridepdw.com.
This article includes sponsored placements and Singletracks staff-selected products.
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