rash decisions/ thermal underwear

[emordnilap]

Yes, thumbs are the hardest to keep warm on a bike. Mittens are great for the fingers but not the thumbs - I move my thumbs into the finger parts of mittens when cycling. Awkward for gear changes but doesn't affect braking.

[vtsnowedin]

Yes, thumbs are the hardest to keep warm on a bike. Mittens are great for the fingers but not the thumbs - I move my thumbs into the finger parts of mittens when cycling. Awkward for gear changes but doesn't affect braking.

I'm surprised that at normal UK winter temperatures a good set of gloves will not suffice for riding a bike at normal cycle speeds. The snow sleds here are driven at speeds anywhere from ten to sixty mph and temps that can reach down to -40F. The wind chill is extreme and the clothing used is state of the art. And of course the riders are not exerting themselves beyond what it takes to hang on with many senor citizens enjoying riding miles each winter at a pretty good clip if not up to the reckless speeds of the young bucks.

[cubes]

From experience a normal set of decent (and waterproof) gloves will be fine in all but the worst the uk has to offer. You can get glove liners to put on underneath normal gloves too if it gets cold enough.

[adam2]

I have declared that winter is properly here and that long underwear is required.
Have started wearing one piece long underwear, formerly called combinations but these days known by the American term unionsuit.
Large sizes in 100% cotton are not easy to find in the UK, the dodgy tax avoiders have them, but very expensive and I only patronise that outfit if desperate.
Several fleabay sellers offer all cotton unionsuits, but generaly with expensive shipping from the USA. Garments made in or shipped from the UK are invariably polyester and nasty.

I now have a dozen union suits purchased on my behalf by a friend visiting the USA. About half the UK price, for the exact same product.
USA price $19-90, twelve for $200.
UK price £45 !

[kenneal - lagger]

I've just gone into lined trousers and long sleeved t shirts underneath my top layers, so three layers on top and two below.

[adam2]

My neighbours who are a bit doomerish have just spent a lot of money on long underwear. Like me they favour 100% cotton for cold DRY conditions. Cotton is unsuitable in the wet, but far more comfortable than poly-anything for dry conditions.

After a certain amount of research and enquiry, they settled on two suppliers for the garments.

Wittman textiles in the USA sell a range of all cotton stretch nightshirts, like a vest or T shirt but much longer. Although sold to wear in bed, they are excellent for daytime use under a sweater, overalls or other upper garment. being longer they stay tucked into the trousers and avoid cold in the lower back when bending over.
https://www.wittmanntextiles.com/teepjcrewnecks.html Rather expensive but last for years, machine wash and dry. They shrink a little. Sizes are American and therefore generous. The smaller adult sizes are suited to older children. The biggest size even fits me !

Another good supplier IMHO are "HERMKO" a German supplier who have a fleabay shop.

[adam2]

Update regarding the post before last.
The all cotton unionsuits purchased on my behalf in the USA do not seem very well made.

Glad to get them in 100% cotton which is far more comfortable than poly-anything. Warmer than expected, but the buttons fall off, and the button holes are too big so that the buttons do not stay fastened. Not huge faults but I expected better quality control.

This brand and style https://inderamills.com/products/unionsuit/ Often hugely expensive in the UK but cheap in the USA, and widely worn in the colder parts.
Worth considering if you dislike polyester, but be prepared for re-sewing buttons and buttonholes. Good to wear under one piece coveralls.
Two piece long underwear worn under a boilersuit or coverall seems doomed to failure. The vest rides up and the pants fall down.

[adam2]

This fleabay seller have listed 100% wool long underwear at attractive prices.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304702214476 ... BMjpHjnZhh

No direct experience of that seller, but might be worth considering ? I am however a bit doubtful about chinese "wool" or "silk" underwear as "wool" and "silk" seem to be the chinese words for polyester.

Whom is going to order some and report on quality.

[adam2]

This supplier of long underwear may be worth considering.
https://www.darcyclothing.com/collectio ... hns-un2411
Many of their goods are rather expensive and aimed at those who want an old style look, and of course at film and TV producers.

The mens long underpants are fairly reasonable in price, they are made of thick jersey material in ALL COTTON. Most long underwear sold these days contains polyester and is uncomfortable in use.
They also offer vests (sleeveless, short sleeved and long sleeved) in the same heavy weight all cotton jersey, but these are expensive and seem to offer little advantage over similar and cheaper garments sold elsewhere.
The thick material is very warm and should wear well. They stretch but only to a limited extent, be sure to buy big enough. I have purchased one pair to try and confirm that they are warm and comfortable to wear, will purchase more.

I confirm that I have no connection with the supplier linked to.

EDIT TO ADD that I purchased another six of the long underpants and have worn them regularly this winter. They are durable and well made and expected to last well.