Wool Anorak and Winter Riding

[Dave Grossman]

I'm thinking of investing in a wool anorak for winter activities and just wondering if anyone uses one for riding in the winter or if they get a bit too warm?  They are a substantial investment but worth it in my opinion. 

[Eric Norris]

Dave:

I don’t have much experience with very cold climates, but even here in cold-ish Northern California it’s easy to over-dress. There’s a saying among runners that you “don’t dress for the first mile.” If you leave on a bike ride feeling warm and toasty, you’ll likely feel overheated and sweaty very soon.

Maybe rather than a (I assume) heavily insulated anorak, you could invest in several lighter pieces that can be put on and taken off in layers. A wind shell on top to keep the cold wind out, and one or two layers of wool. 

Eric Norris

campyo...@me.com

On Nov 5, 2021, at 9:31 AM, Dave Grossman <gma...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm thinking of investing in a wool anorak for winter activities and just wondering if anyone uses one for riding in the winter or if they get a bit too warm?  They are a substantial investment but worth it in my opinion. 

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[Benjamin L. Kelley]

Dave, I've been wondering the same.   I've had my eye on these finnish blanket hoodies for a while now as a multipurpose outdoor shirt.

https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/jama-blanket-shirt/35226#koko

These folks also seem popular and offer more colorways and styles/thicknesses.

https://asbellwool.com

KC winters are sort of all over the place.  I think a wool anorak type thing could overlap a lot of different weather patterns we get, and worn like a traditional anorak, loosely, you'd be able to layer up or down underneath it and use it as a beefy shell they insulates on its own or as part of a system depending what you're facing. 

Last year I went with a Wrangler insulated work shirt(the one with the sherpa fleece lining on the torso and quilted poly in the arms) for everything but precipitation.  Cheap and functional.  Though it did not do well with wind, I sized it as a mid layer so I could throw a wind jacket or my softshell wind/rain jacket over it.

--ben in KC   (I cut into a local persimmon seed last month and the shape was a spoon so we'll have a wet winter if you believe the lore.)

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[Karl Wilcox]

I find that a Pendleton wool shirt is ideal for winter rides, as it has a 'hard' finish that resists wind without adding so much insulation that one sweats to death on climbs.  It is also a low bulk garment that can easily fit into a mussette or handlebar bag, etc.  I get my Pendleton wool shirts on Ebay (I get the older versions in the 'Tall' size; they are nice and long so that they do not ride up and expose the lower back; they also have a slim fit to cut down on flapping).  Of course, Rivendell's 'Woolywarm' lightweight sweaters and sweater vests are also

 ideal, but the hard finish on the Pendelton's cuts wind and adds insulation for temps around freezing and somewhat above.

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[Mike Davis]

Asbell has vests, anoraks and hoodies in light, medium and blanket weight wool. I have had the Pathfinder in blanket weight for 6 years, and one of the Navaho style midweight vests for 3. I also use merino wool long underwear and have wool shirts and pants. These are used outdoors in layers in temps ranging from the single digits to the 40's. I don't bike in the heaviest wool but I also don't bike in temps that I am perfectly happy walking. The previous advice to have a windbreaker layer is good. That combined with a sleveless sweater or vest can go a long way to keeping you warm enough but not two warm. If you ride in the single digits or low teens the anorak may be exactly the top layer that you want. But I would go with one lighter than blanket weight. 

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[Patrick Moore]

I tried a Pendleton shirt but found it itchy and binding in riding positions, and hard to control its insulating properties, compared to button up or zip up knit wool sweaters lie the nice Wooly Warms Riv used to sell. As always, mileage varies.

As for anoraks, if you mean the conventional no-placket design, I'd consider looking for something with buttons or zip to allow heat control. I will easily sweat even in temps well below freezing if even slightly overdressed.

Someone very kindly gave me 2 old school Italian wool cycling jackets with nylon panels; the very best design, IMO, since knit wool breathes and is comfortable even fully zipped over a much wider range of temperatures than other materials, while the panels keep the wind chill down. 

But speaking of Varusteleka.com, I did buy a wonderful, very thick wool sweater with high, full-zip placket mock-turtle neck design and long sleeves with thumb secures for riding under a thinnish shell at very low temps (and for other cold weather use, too). 

I have an Endura riding jacket, zip-off sleeves, that I'll once again offer for sale shortly. It's made from semi-insulating (ie, not just a shell) and somewhat elastic fabric, and well cut, designed, and stitched, but just awkward when the temps rise by 10 or 15* as they do often here during a cold morning ride. The wool + nylon panel jackets are just more versatile.

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Patrick Moore

Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum