Warm and dry through the cold season with the right e-bike clothing
If you don’t want to go without riding an e-bike in the fall and winter, it’s important to wear good clothes. Especially because the temperature often feels cooler than the weather forecast predicts. We have compiled a number of tips on how best to protect yourself in all weathers.
A saying that takes the wind out of the sails of many an excuse: “There is no bad weather, there is only bad clothing.” No wonder that a cozy evening in front of the TV initially sounds much more appealing than going out for a jog in the cold, fog and drizzle. But if you’re honest, you have to agree with the saying. This is probably why people have been using it for so long: There is in fact ideal clothing for every weather condition. And once you’ve started jogging, you can often even benefit from the foggy and rainy conditions – even if it’s just the hot shower afterwards.
What applies to jogging also applies to an off-road tour or commuting by e-bike. With the right clothing, the weather cannot limit e-bike enjoyment. How can you get through the cold months of the year staying dry and warm on an e-bike? Here are our tips:
The aim is to keep clothes, hair and skin dry.
Head
- A helmet cover prevents moisture from penetrating the helmet.
Upper body
- A breathable rain jacket keeps you dry from the outside and inside. Rain cannot pass through from the outside, but moisture from sweating is transported away to the outside.
- An alternative to a rain jacket is a poncho. A poncho has certain advantages and disadvantages compared to a rain jacket: Ponchos provide good, extensive protection against the rain. However, they are anything but streamlined and can flap annoyingly at higher speeds.
Hands
- Water-repellent or waterproof gloves keep hands dry and warm. Gloves should not restrict the freedom of movement of your hands to ensure that braking remains easy, for example.
Lower body
- Waterproof rain trousers or overtrousers keep the lower body dry.
Feet
- Overshoes keep your feet dry and protect them against the cold.
The aim is to keep clothes, hair and skin dry and store body heat.
Head
- A hat under your helmet keeps your head warm.
- A helmet cover prevents rain or snow from penetrating the helmet.
Upper and lower body
The onion principle works:
- First layer: Functional underwear ensures your skin keeps a constant temperature
- Second layer: Insulate and transport moisture, e.g. with insulating bike shorts
- Third layer: Weather protection as the outermost layer in the form of a wind or rainproof jacket and trousers.
Hands
- Gloves ensure sufficient blood circulation in your hands in sub-zero temperatures. Important: The gloves must not restrict the freedom of movement of the hands.
Feet
- Well insulated, windproof shoes that are cut a little higher will keep feet warm in icy winds. In combination with waterproof overshoes, winter can no longer hurt your feet.
The aim is to store body heat, even with the onset of a windchill effect.
- A hat under your helmet prevents excessive heat loss from the head.
- A wind jacket protects the upper body from cold drafts.
- Gloves maintain good blood circulation in your hands.
- Windproof overtrousers prevent your lower body from cooling.
The wind has a major influence on how we perceive the temperature. If the temperature feels significantly lower than what can be seen on the thermometer, this is referred to as the windchill effect.
Windchill effect
Wind and / or headwind can quickly cause the temperature on the skin to feel much colder than the weather forecast predicts. For example, 0°C at 30 km/h (wind or headwind, singly or in combination) can feel like -6°C. -5°C at 30 km/h feels like -13°C. Brrrr…
Don’t forget to protect your eyes
Cycling goggles protect the eyes from wind, harmful UV rays and dust or flying insects. Unlike conventional sunglasses, bicycle goggles fit tightly to the head and the cold breeze does not cause watery eyes. Clear glasses provide sufficient visibility on cloudy days. Or even better: Photochromatic sunglasses that adapt to the light conditions.
In summary, the following is true during the colder months of the year: You should dress warmly, but not too warmly. If your clothing is too warm, you sweat excessively. A sweaty T-shirt that sticks coldly to your back increases the risk of catching a cold. In addition, a high-visibility fluorescent jacket, reflectors and powerful lighting complete the e-bike package for the fall and winter. We wish you a warm and dry ride.