These Weird Winter Products Will Keep You Warm on the Bike
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For much of the country, it's time to haul out the winter gear in preperation for months of cold weather riding. Sure, you’ve got warm jerseys and windproof jackets; hats and leg warmers. But today, I’d like to introduce you to some of the more unusual insulating products on the market.
These are not your crazy uncle’s Kickstarter projects, but products from reputable and experienced clothing makers. Say hello to cycling's weirdest warmers.
Gore Bike Wear Universal Softshell Kidney Warmer
It might look like a weight-lifter's belt, but the Universal Softshell Kidney Warmer ($50) is made of fleece-lined Windstopper material and designed to provide an extra layer of warmth and protection around the lower torso. A Gore representative explained it to me this way: "If you want to be warm, protect high blood flow areas: head, neck, and—yeah—kidneys." The Kidney Warmer also has spars for light back support.
Buy It Now: $37.46 at Competitive Cyclist
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Castelli Lung Warmer
According to its description, the Lung Warmer ($50), constructed from three-layer Windstopper, is intended to keep the neck and chest warm during warm ups and the early stages of a race. Once going, a big tab makes it easy to quickly remove, even with thick gloves. I've taken my sample on one ride: So far, I’ve found it blocks wind more than it insulates, which is still worthwhile on a cool day.
Buy It Now: $49.95 at Competitive Cyclist
Rapha Thigh Warmers
Essentially the upper part of a knee warmer, these Thigh Warmers ($65) simply double the material for a bit of extra insulation around the quads and hamstrings. Why? Rapha says that in wet conditions, water saturates longer warmers, but rolls off exposed skin covered in embrocation. Thigh warmers insulate the hardest working parts of the leg, while eliminating a bunch of soggy and heavy material.
Watch for extended product reviews once I get more time riding in each piece of gear.
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