A friend of mine wrote this and I figured I had to repost it:
Men,The greatest tool on the tool belt of a “winter rider” is to come to peace with the fact that he is going to get cold and or wet and many times both. There is no super-fiber that can control a Boston winter.
Once one comes to terms with this, one can become unencumbered with finding that perfect item that will make one’s commute as plush as a chauffeured Oscar Myer Weinermobile ride.
I say one could become unencumbered, but really the search for winter riding clothing is more of a process than an end in itself.
I approach winter riding clothing in a sort of Mark Bittman-esque fashion (besides his column and blog you need to check out his show on PBS). I try to deconstruct the haute cuisine of winter riding clothing and strategically replace ingredients that can be done much cheaper without losing value. (Sort of like adding chicken to a duck casoullet, but I would never do that.)
For example, the polyester turtleneck I bought a few years ago at Savers is now my silk weight base layer. And that merino wool sweater also from Savers, I’ve appropriated as my second layer (now in dire need of elbow patches, but the patching would cost more than another thrift-store sweater so why bother?) Lastly a parka circa ‘78 serves as a nice wind blocking layer. Total costs: $20 tops. I’m obsessed . . .
My bottom layer I’m still experimenting with. My goal: to find a trouser that I can wear throughout the winter (even on wet days) that I can wear throughout the work day as well. The jury is still out on some wool/man-made blend pants I bought from Banana Republic 75% off. I save the money for outrageously expensive clipless shoes.
I’ve been enjoying tall smartwool socks (i know, haute cuisine) with my Sidi clipless shoes. And a couple of days I’ve even worn the neoprene bootys Geoff found and sent my way. They even kept my feet semi-dry this morning!
There was no way around doing a full Clark Kent-style change after getting to work this morning however.
And a wool hat. (reserve your moral outrage for smokers and people who don’t wear seatbelts)
Recap: Ears, toes, fingers (I love my pearl izumi lobster claws!). Silk weight base, wool, wind stopper. Obsessive drive to never pay full price for outdoor gear. Zen acceptance of the cold.
Now I’m off into the night. I hope all that slush hasn’t frozen. Better use the main roadways.
Bon Appetite et Voyage,
Aaron