While riding up in the high Andes of Peru on an assignment for Climbing, I rode into Kahuish Tunnel (14,816ft)—one of the highest elevation tunnels in the world—and came out the other side into a fierce snowstorm. It had been getting a bit chilly as I snaked my way up the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca range toward the pass, but on the far side of the tunnel, it was downright Himalayan. It was like I’d jumped through a portal in a sci-fi film.
The breathable mesh gloves I was wearing had been great for the Pan-American highway along the Peruvian coast. Up here, they were a bit… breezy. My open face helmet and goggles, the same.
My hands were completely numb in minutes. I could not tell if my nose was still on my face. I was sluggish and disoriented, my hands aching and dull and my goggles caked with frost, but the road was so narrow and the visibility so bad, that to stop was out of the question.
So when a chicken bus came wheeling around the corner out of the haze, almost entirely in my lane, I was looking at two bad options: hit the guardrail and catapult into 1,000 feet of freezing open air, or get pancaked by the front end of a bus.
I had to move fast on the handlebars, clutch, and brake to swerve and avoid a collision, and I came very close to not making it. In the end, I found a few feet of blank space between the bus and the void. It was not a happy moment.
Until you’ve ridden in serious cold, it’s hard to understand how much it sucks. Or at least, how much it sucks without the proper gear. And it’s not just about being a wuss. When you’re on a motorbike, wearing proper cold weather apparel is as much (if not more) about safety as it is about comfort. Your reflexes, coordination, response time… it’s all worse if you’re freezing cold. And as we all know, on a moto, a few seconds delayed reaction time can be the difference between life and death.
That said, it’s not that hard to fight the cold. I always cringe a bit when people start talking about their “last ride of the year” as winter approaches. Sure, if you live in Reykjavik or Juneau, you get a pass. But if you’re in Virginia… Man, come on. With the right cold weather apparel, riding in the winter can be just as enjoyable as riding in the summer.
Cold Weather Ethos: Block the Wind, Protect the Core
Before we dive into some products, let’s talk about the basic principle of staying warm when riding in cold weather: block the wind, protect the core. Wind is the killer, it chills you to the bone, saps your body heat, and numbs your extremities. So if you can keep the wind out and keep your core warm and insulated, you’ve won 99% of the battle.
A windproof outer layer (see below) is obviously the first step, but also pay attention to areas where wind can sneak in: wrists, neck, and ankles. Gauntlets that overlap your jacket sleeves, neck gaiters or balaclavas, and pant legs that lock down around your boots are crucial. Also remember, the faster you go, the more the wind cuts through you. Tuck in behind your windscreen, adjust your riding position to minimize exposure, and consider adding wind deflectors to your bike.
Tip: Despite what you might think, you need to drink just as much water in cold weather as you do in warm weather. Dehydration makes you more susceptible to the cold. Guzzle plenty of fluids before, during, and after your ride. (Beer doesn’t count.)
Base Layers
Base layers—leggings and tops—are the crux point of dressing for the cold. Cotton base layers have their place in casual outings, and they’re certainly cheap, but for any high-output activity (like riding a motorbike), where you’ll be sweating, you don’t want cotton, as it takes eons to dry. Synthetic, moisture-wicking insulator materials like merino wool are preferred. This natural fiber is renowned for its exceptional warmth, softness, and odor resistance. Polyester and nylon blends can do the job well, too.
A well-fitting base layer should feel snug but not constricting, so choose the right size to avoid bunching or restricting movement. Base layers are designed to be layered beneath other garments, so also consider the thickness of your mid-layers and outer layers when selecting a base layer.
SHOP BASE LAYERS
Jackets & Pants
The next step is a fleece or down “puffer” jacket to insulate your core. Unless it’s quite cold, you may find you don’t actually need your jacket when you’re riding, but when you're sitting around the campfire, you’ll appreciate the insulation it offers. These jackets are plush and comfortable, and also work well as pillows. The same goes for insulated pants like the Big Agnes Camp Boss. These pants will pay dividends when you’re hanging at camp.
SHOP JACKETS
SHOP PANTS
Motorcycle Jackets & Pants
Motorcycle jackets and pants are a requirement for cold weather riding, because the biggest aim is to block wind. Wind chill is what kills you during winter riding. Even if you’re wearing great base layers and a thick down puffer, if you’re capping that off with a mesh jacket, you’re in trouble. Equip yourself with jackets and pants with windproof and waterproof outer shells to lock in that warmth provided by your base layers.
SHOP MOTORCYCLE JACKETS
SHOP MOTORCYCLE PANTS
Socks
Because socks are also coming into contact with your skin, they follow the same principle as base layers. Choose a warm, moisture-wicking material, like merino wool, or a synthetic blend, so that sweat is wicked away and your feet stay dry and clean and odor-free. Darn Tough is my go-to, I’ve been wearing their socks for years. They don’t come cheap, but they’re knit in Vermont on small needle, fine-gauge machines, offering a high density without bulk, and their socks last for years.
SHOP SOCKS
Additional Cold Weather Gear & Apparel
There are a few other pieces of cold weather gear you should consider, like merino wool beanies and down booties to hang out around camp, and Hippo Hands to block wind and insulate your hands while riding.
Make sure you have a cold weather-rated sleeping bag, and an insulated sleeping pad, as you’ll lose a lot of heat through the ground. If you typically hammock camp in the summer, be prepared for wind chill beneath your hammock in winter, and consider an underblanket to block that. If you have a summer or three-season sleeping bag and don't want to upgrade to a full-blown winter bag, you could also use a sleeping bag liner to upgrade your bag and make it suitable for colder weather.
Stay warm, and I’ll see you out there…
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