Winter riding clothing

[mikesl]

Kevin,

Col 'd Lizard looks like some real nice products.

But I want to know if you have tried out these:

http://www.coldlizard.com/cgi/wc.dll?GEKKO~catalog~DETAIL~158

[KLydesdale]

I finally found a nice Balaclava for my somewhat large melon. Those "one size fits all" ones are always way too tight on my 24&1/3" diameter head.
http://www.demidesign.com/tnt.html#tnt%20balaclava

It's a Michigan company with a cool motto too:

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970

Thanks for the link. That looks like just the kind of balaclava I've been searching for. (I have a big melon too.) How is it with respect to wind-resistance? The reason I'm looking for a new one is because other balaclavas I have that are stretchy enough to fit comfortably are made of fabrics that aren't very wind resistant.

[Todd Scott]

That's a problem with most wind-blocking materials: they don't stretch well. They also hamper hearing, which is important for those of us riding in urban areas. This is one reason I like my helmet cover. It blocks the wind allowing me to wear a normal balaclava in lower temperatures.

[Tom_L.]

I finally found a nice Balaclava for my somewhat large melon. Those "one size fits all" ones are always way too tight on my 24&1/3" diameter head.
http://www.demidesign.com/tnt.html#tnt%20balaclava

It's a Michigan company with a cool motto too:

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."
Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970

Thanks for the link. That looks like just the kind of balaclava I've been searching for. (I have a big melon too.) How is it with respect to wind-resistance? The reason I'm looking for a new one is because other balaclavas I have that are stretchy enough to fit comfortably are made of fabrics that aren't very wind resistant.

Well, I have a pair of light Polartec insulated form fitting ear muffs called 180s
( http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... ic%20180s/ ) so I wore those under the new Coolmax balaclava and a Pearl-Izumi skull cap made out of Microsensor fabric on top of that. This was very comfortable last Sunday when we had well below zero wind chills even without resorting to duct taping the vents in my helmet. But to answer your question, the Coolmax balaclava isn't particularly wind-blocking.

Demidesigns makes windblocking balaclavas too but like their info. says, nothing feels better against your skin or wicks better than Coolmax.

[Ecruz]

i took LITW's advice and bought a pair of the performance tri-flex pants. except for the logo, i cannot tell the difference between these and the pearl izumi amphibs. every last detail is identical, except these have a chamois and they cost $69 instead of $99

[Kevin_Campbell]

......SO, MORE for less, but a different name?? I've got a few Performance items that I am very happy with......OVER..........

[Ecruz]

this is my first "performance brand" purchase. it will not be my last. i've always thought that the brand names were at least a little better. this has shown me otherwise.

[KLydesdale]

Well, I have a pair of light Polartec insulated form fitting ear muffs called 180s
( http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews ... ic%20180s/ ) so I wore those under the new Coolmax balaclava and a Pearl-Izumi skull cap made out of Microsensor fabric on top of that. This was very comfortable last Sunday when we had well below zero wind chills even without resorting to duct taping the vents in my helmet. But to answer your question, the Coolmax balaclava isn't particularly wind-blocking.

I already have a balaclava made of Coolmax and another made of poly fleece and I usually have to wear a headband/earcover with either of them to get the warmth I want. What I'm looking for is a balaclava that provides enough wind resistance so I can eliminate a piece of easy-to-lose gear.

I think I'm going to try the Demidesigns ModularClava that's made of ComfortStretch microfleece with nylon woven into the outer shell. It's supposed to be a more wind resistant than the TNT model. The other clothing articles I have that are made of Comfort Stretch microfleece are pretty darn comfortable.

[KLydesdale]

That's a problem with most wind-blocking materials: they don't stretch well. They also hamper hearing, which is important for those of us riding in urban areas. This is one reason I like my helmet cover. It blocks the wind allowing me to wear a normal balaclava in lower temperatures.

I considered a helmet cover but the top of head is usually not a problem area. I'm more interested in keeping the wind off my ears and neck. A cover would be fussy to deal with when it comes to visors and helmet-mount lamps I like to use.

I know what you're saying about the hearing. I have a couple of W/R headbands and a hat made of wind-block fleece and I don't care for the sensory-deprivation experience even when I ride in the woods. On one of the headbands, I cut out small earholes and sewed in pieces of microfleece. This improved hearing without letting in too much wind.

[Kevin_Campbell]

....I just used clear packing tape to tape the holes up on my helmet............looks a bit odd, but very effective..........over........