WINTER CYCLING APPAREL GUIDE
When riding is one of your favorite pursuits, don’t let
anything get in
your way—including cold,
wind, rain, or even snow. Whether you’re keen to explore your favorite trails with a bit of freshly
packed snow, or discover some new, misty roads a few hours away, you can keep going comfortably through
tough winter riding conditions so long as you’re prepared and dressed appropriately with the best
cycling outerwear.
Like you, we love to ride in winter, so we know how to make gear that makes winter
cycling more enjoyable. The Giro fall and winter apparel line is backed by extensive research and
testing, features premium fabrics and construction with technical performance engineered specifically
for transferring moisture, blocking wind and rain, and keeping you warm with just the right amount of
insulation, so you can get the most from every mile. And along with some insight on our winter and fall
cycling apparel, we have a few tips to offer so that you can make the most of winter riding.
OUR TOP TIPS
BRIGHTEN UP
Since daylight hours can be short, it’s a great idea to enhance visibility with reflective accents and lighting. Choose outerwear, jerseys and bibs featuring reflective highlights, as do our shoe covers and some gloves. You can also add a light to your helmet and/or your bike to help others on the road to see you clearly, even when visibility is low.
STAY STOKED, NOT SOAKED
In addition to cycling base layers, packable rain jackets, or heavier jackets that offer a waterproof or water repellant coating, waterproof accessories are a winter rider’s best friend, helping to keep you dry and warm. Waterproof gloves and shoe covers help to keep your hands and feet functioning comfortably, so you can keep the stoke factor going.
BEAT COLD STARTS
When it comes to winter cycling clothing, think in layers and zones. Start with a good baselayer, and either a thermal jersey and bib or a combination of layers that will allow you to add a shell or remove a layer as needed. Don’t forget your hands, feet, and even your neck. Winter weight wool socks, shoe covers, gloves suited to the conditions, and a balaclava or neck warmer all help to keep you comfortable and functioning at peak performance.
OUR TOP GEAR
Thermal Apparel
The Foundation for Fighting Cold Weather
Thermal layers are the barrier between you and the elements. They are designed to help control your body temperature, so that you can stay toasty warm while riding. Modern innovations from partners like Polartec® allow us to design breathable thermal layers that help to keep sweat and moisture in check, so you don’t overheat or sweat out.
Chrono Pro Alpha Jacket
The Chrono Pro Alpha Jacket is our most premium option when it comes to cold weather cycling apparel. For those 25- to 45-degree days, the Chrono Pro Alpha Jacket is backed with Polartec® Alpha® Direct Active Insulation, which defies icy winds and near-freezing temps, offering warmth without excess weight, providing exceptional breathability, and impressive dry times. The DWR coating helps to shed water easily, and wrist cuffs help to seal in dry warmth while enhancing fit with winter gloves. Expandable rear pockets add versatility and cargo capacity for longer riders, and genuine 3M® reflective details enhance visibility 360 degrees, day or night.
The Ambient Jacket
With a looser MTB-inspired fit, the Ambient Jacket is a great option for 30 to 50-degree days on the trail. This hooded jacket is a cozy wonder of warmth with a 4-way stretch, 3-layer windproof material backed with a thermal fleece for insulation. The 10,000mm waterproof rating helps to shed water easily, and wrist gaiters help to seal in dry warmth while enhancing fit with winter gloves. Zippered hand pockets add versatility and comfort when you’re off the bike, and genuine 3M® reflective details enhance visibility day or night.
Jerseys and Tights
What’s next to your skin is just as important as your choice in outerwear. The Chrono Thermal LS Jersey is made of a luxurious Italian, high-loft thermal fabric designed to keep you warm in cold, damp conditions while resisting moisture and grime. And it layers perfectly with our base layers and outerwear to help manage your core temperature in a wide range of conditions. Keep hardworking quads just as warm as your torso with the Chrono Expert Thermal Bib Tight. With Super Roubaix® Italian Fabric, your legs will not only stay warm and supple, they’ll also enjoy the incredibly soft feel the knit fabric has to offer.
TOP THERMAL JERSEYS AND TIGHTS PICKS
WARMERS
When you’re planning to ride all day or you know that conditions are likely to change, warmers give you the option to add or remove a layer of insulation that can be stowed away in a jersey pocket. Our Thermal Leg, Knee, and Arm Warmers combine the exceptional warmth and comfort of Super Roubaix fabric with silicone grippers that keep the cuffs secure and in place no matter how hard you ride. Plus they aren’t too bulky to wear into a sunny afternoon.
TOP WARMER PICKS
WIND BLOCKING APPAREL
Cut through the wind without excess bulk or weight
When you think of riding in windy conditions, you might think of never-ending headwinds, working hard to maintain half the speed you are used to, or the potential to get blown off your line. But what you may not consider is how wind can affect your comfort and your ability to keep turning the pedals efficiently. Although most of us would think more about dressing for the cold than the wind, there are ways to dress and prepare so you can do what you love most even on days when the biggest challenge is the invisible opponent: wind.
Chrono Windbloc Jersey
One way to reduce the strain of wind is to choose layers that were specifically made to block it. Our Chrono Windbloc Jersey was designed to do just that. Its Polartec® Windbloc® fabric is the highest quality, most comfortable windproof fabric on the market. It combines the warmth of Polartec thermal fabrics with a 100% windproof/DWR waterproof finish, large reflective accents and it has great moisture vapor transmission, eliminating the need for an additional shell. Plus, it features custom articulated stretch cuffs to fit seamlessly under gloves, and a full-length wind guard front zipper to ensure that cold air won’t get to you.
Chrono Expert Wind Jacket
Wind can make everything feel heavy and slow, but sometimes all you need is a light layer of packable protection to slice through cool winds and chilly temps with ease. If you are looking for a jacket that’s lightweight and specifically made for blocking wind, the Chrono Expert Wind Jacket is the one to add to your cycling wardrobe. It packs down into a jersey pocket or its own pack sack easily and features our proprietary 2-way stretch Chrono Wind fabric with a DWR treatment that’s engineered to slice through wind and cool weather without weighing you down.
Chrono Expert Wind Vest
Vests can be a great option for their simplicity and easy-to-layer capability. The Chrono Expert Wind Vest, like the Jacket, is also made of Chrono Wind Fabric and has many of the same benefits, including DWR treatment, convenient packability, and perforated ventilation panels that allow warm air inside the garment to escape while managing moisture and overall comfort.
STOW JACKET
Riding trails on cool windy days often means being in and out of the shade and the wind. The Stow Jacket is a durable barrier against wind and chill that packs down to easily stow in a pack or jersey pocket for deployment when needed. The lightweight windproof fabric is enhanced with a DWR coating to shed water and grime yet maintains easy breathability thanks to strategically placed exhaust venting and a relaxed cut that’s perfect for layering.
WATERPROOF APPAREL
Keep rain and cold outside,
where they belong
Rain rides can be some of the most fun and memorable days on the bike. They can also be some of the most demoralizing and challenging miles you’ll ever experience. As we like to say, “Stay Stoked, not Soaked!” which simply comes down to making smart choices in how you dress for the conditions. That means being prepared for anything from light showers to ice-cold rain to a dusting of snow, so you can stay focused on the fun and adventure of being out in the elements.
ROAD CYCLING
For riding through the heaviest precipitation, our Polartec®
NeoShell®
fabric is the ultimate for protection from wet weather during high-intensity aerobic activities,
because it offers superior breathability, ventilation, and the stretch of a soft shell with the
waterproof performance of a hard shell. Plus, every detail was considered, from waterproof
zippers
and fully seam sealed construction, to enhanced 360-degree visibility with large reflective
accents.
Another option when it’s raining cats and dogs and you’re on two wheels is the Chrono Expert
Rain
Jacket. Tailored for a close-to-skin fit, its fabric is made of lightweight 2.5mm layer
laminated
material to create a reliable barrier against wet and chill, with attention to construction
details
like fully sealed seams and a zipper guard to further protect against wet and cold. It combines
great durability and comfort in a lightweight and compact design with a 15,000mm/15,000g/m2
waterproof and breathability rating.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Complete your head-to-toe mountain bike kit for wet, rainy weather
with
pieces in the H2O line. Made specifically for the trails, the Havoc H2O Jacket and Short are
engineered for active use and hard wearing with a durable 2-way stretch, 3-layer laminate that
features 15,000mm waterproof and a 6,000g/m2 breathability, plus Cordura® reinforcement in key
wear
zones. The Stow H2O Jacket features a light 2.5mm laminate with 15,000mm waterproof and a
15,000g/m2
breathability to help keep you dry even when you’re riding full-out in the wettest conditions.
The
icing on the cake is all the extra details like adjustable hems, back exhaust ventilation areas,
and
fully sealed seams.
With so many options to face unruly conditions, there’s no more
excuse
for
staying inside when winter comes calling. It’s never been easier to gear up and go.
TOP WATERPROOF ROAD CYCLING PICKS
TOP WATERPROOF MOUNTAIN BIKING PICKS
