What We Wear Fat Biking
Figuring out how to dress for fat biking is key to enjoying your day. If you get too cold, you may not be motivated to ride in the snow again. In general, you want to be as warm as possible for the descents and shed layers for the climbs. That means you’ll need to stop at the top and bottom of climbs/descents to get layers in and out of your pack. It takes a little time, but goes a long way to you enjoying the experience.
Snow biking weather is typically cold; however, that doesn’t mean you should wear your ski bibs to ride. For winter biking, you should dress like you would for Nordic skiing or alpine touring. Think layers! As a general rule, wear enough to be a little cold when you start riding. Even when it’s freezing, your body will generate a lot of heat within a few minutes. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer next to your skin (merino wool and synthetics like capilene are good options). Carry a puffy or fleece mid layer, and wear a windbreaker or light ski shell for the chillier, downhill sections of the ride. For the lower portion of your body, wear standard bike shorts with weather-resistant or winter-cycling-specific tights. Breathable gloves or liners will generally be sufficient for climbing, but you’ll likely want an insulated glove (or lobster-style cycling gloves) for the ride down. Make sure your gloves allow you to brake and shift effectively! Many winter bikers wear either an insulated neck gaiter, cap or ear band beneath their regular biking helmet. Some riders wear ski or snowboarding helmets for winter riding, but keep in mind that they are much warmer than regular helmets. Wool hiking or skiing socks and water-resistant hiking boots are good options for your feet (my winning combo after frequent frozen toes is now Sorels with charcoal toe heaters). Gaiters will keep your feet dryer and warmer. For very cold riding, consider investing in pogies or Bar Mitts for your hands, and shoe covers for your feet.