The trick is simple: dress in layers! As for the winter season, the trick is the same here too. Even if with heavier items of course. In MTB you usually tend to dress less than on the road, precisely because of the lower average speeds.
WINDPROOF IS NOT THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION TO THE COLD
Be careful not to make the mistake of dressing too much and using non-breathable jackets: this is the mistake that every beginner biker makes, perhaps by wearing windproof jackets that are not very breathable. Ok, they are perfect for downhill, but when you start pushing on the pedals (and therefore producing heat) not being able to expel it will lead you to rediscover the same sensations you feel during the sauna on weekends in the mountains.
INCIPIT
Naturally, experience and our level of training are very important: the most trained bikers (generally) are less cold because they are able to keep the intensity high even for several hours of training. And this is the reason for summer clothing even on relatively cold days. The beginner biker, on the other hand, is unable to maintain a high pace (except for a few tens of minutes) and therefore cools down. How to do? Here are our clothing tips for each part of the body.
HEAD/NECK
Most heat loss occurs through the head. The objective is therefore to keep it warm, also to avoid unpleasant colds, especially in the throat area. But be careful not to cover up too much: our advice is to use a thin head covering, for example the BUFF brand (see photo below). By extending them you can also cover the ears, another very delicate point. Always present is the principle that, if you dress too much, you will get wet and risk catching a cold: in these cases, a cold is just around the corner! Note: some bikers find it essential to use these garments even in summer, to avoid having sweat in their eyes.
BUST
And here comes the principle of onion dressing. In this area we find the 3 layer rule: dry, warm and wind/humidity protection.
UNDERWEAR: garment in direct contact with the skin where a breathable garment is needed. Breathability in this first layer is fundamental: if we wear a heavy, hot and non-breathable garment, you will have the opposite effect as soon as you start to sweat (i.e. feel cold).
LONG-SLEEVE TOP: in this second layer you have to use the right garment for when you are under stress. Imagine being under strain uphill: you certainly don't look good with thermals on, right? So he's wearing a piece of clothing that is sure to make you feel a little chilly as soon as you get out on the bike.
MANTRA: if, after leaving the garage at home, you are nice and warm, you don't have ideal clothing but you are overdressed! Being a little cold (not too much) is not wrong, on the contrary.
This season, a world opens up on the shirt. There are 2 general solutions, both recommended:
- Short sleeve shirt with slightly heavier fabric (perfect to combine with sleeves)
- Spring long-sleeved shirt (perfect to combine with a vest).
It must be a spring technical shirt, otherwise we risk being too cold. However, it is difficult to give universal advice here: it depends on your resistance to the cold and your level of training (see initial incipit). The important thing is to keep in mind the Previous MANTRA.
JACKET / SLEEVELESS: and here is the final piece, the one that saves you if the situation gets colder, if there is a descent, if the pace drops or if you stop at the bar for 2 hours 🙂 thermal, waterproof or windproof, this outer layer is designed to protect you from the most annoying and often unpredictable elements 100% (wind, rain). To keep in the back pocket of your shirt or to put in a backpack to be taken out if necessary. If you ride at night and for your safety, opt for clothing with bright, reflective colors.
MANIA
The 2 extremities of the body (hands and feet), in some subjects, are very difficult to keep warm without sweating. But this is a purely winter problem (we talked about it here). The important thing is not to overdo it with the weight, both to avoid sweating and to avoid ruining the riding feeling: in MTB, the thinner the glove, the more sensitivity we have on the grips.
LEGS
The legs are the point least subject to the cold: I am always in constant movement and my blood circulation is always excellent. Here we don't have much advice to give, other than choosing long or short trousers based on the temperature and your perception of heat. On this item of clothing, you can dare to be light, given that it is a very active part of the body (there are also long and breathable models).
Leggings may be considered, in case of use with shorts, although the chaps are a little bulkier if you wanted to remove them during the ride. If we decide to wear them, it is best to keep them until the end of the outing.
ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR AUTUMN
The accessories that should not be missing from your wardrobe are:
- Couplers: you can keep them lowered, raised or in your pocket. Very practical and quick to put on (without stopping) when the temperature drops. They take up little space in the back pockets (or in a backpack) once removed.
- Sleeveless windproof vest: We talked about it during the article. The vest protects delicate parts such as the belly, stomach and bronchi well from the cold. It can be quickly opened while climbing uphill and closed again as soon as you start to descend. If the days are not very cold, a light vest is fine.
- Neck warmer and balaclava: also for this garment, we talked about it during the article. Having an all-round garment for your neck and head is essential: catching cold on your head and neck is very annoying. And the size is minimal.
- Rain cape: if there is a risk of rain on the day, a rain cape is a must (and it also takes up little space).
