Winter Biking Gear and Holiday Gift Guide
- Read our winter gear guide for tips on how to stay warm, dry, safe, and happy during the winter cycling season.
- Rain hoods, pedal lights, cycling chaps, and waterproof socks: Cascade has you covered.
Paul Tolmé
Don’t let dark days dampen your mood. Make outdoor activity and winter biking an intentional practice. You’ll stay warm, fit, happy, and dry with these winter biking gear tips.
Under the Hood
Cleverhood is a woman-owned rain gear maker that supports Cascade Bicycle Club. Their Rover Rain Cape, $119, has elastic thumb loops in the front for grasping your handlebars. The “tent effect” keeps rain off your upper body and thighs, and allows air to circulate underneath.
Prefer a traditional rain jacket? Try the Rover Anorak for $149. Bonus: Cascade members get 15% off the Cascade x Cleverhood gear, which you can log in to access through our Membership Benefits Portal.
Waterproof Socks
There's no need for waterproof shoes when you’ve got the new CrossPoint Waterproof Socks from Showers Pass. They’ve got a waterproof membrane sandwiched between an outer and next-to-skin layer. Showers Pass offers Cascade members up to 40% off. Just log into our member portal to update or create your Showers Pass account.
I See You!
There are two basic types of bike lights: for seeing or for being seen. The 700-lumen rechargeable City Rover 700 + IO USB Light Set from Portland Design Works has you covered front and rear.
And the new Light Nugs ($15) from Portland Design Works allow you to be creative with light placement, which is important if you’ve got a basket or rear rack that can block your beam.
Smart Pedals
The perfect gift for winter bike commuters, Arclight Pro Flat Pedals ($127.49) provide improved visibility for people biking on the road at night. There are also Clipless ($149.99) and City ($99.99) versions at redshiftsports.com
See the Arclights and other winter bike commuting gear in our Youtube video:
Bike Industry Discounts
Cascade members get discounts on 80-plus brands and a wide range of products, including the Pearl Izumi AmFib toe covers, $20, through our partnership with Outdoorly. Sign up with the code CASCADE-35M at outdoorly.com/signup.
Winter Cycling Shoes
Insulated and waterproof cycling shoes are expensive but worth it for those who want to click in and pedal in the snow or frigid conditions. “They definitely keep your feet toasty,” Davíd Urbina, Cascade’s Puget Sound and community rides manager, says of the Fi'zi:k X5 Artica GTX; $259.
Overshoes
Cycling overshoes are like raincoats for your feet. I have a pair of Endura Luminites that slip over my click-in road biking shoes, and a pair of zip-on shoe covers from Showers Pass for wearing over my sneakers when commuting. See them both, and other tips for keeping your toes warm, in our Youtube video:
Merino? Alpaca!
An itch-free wool zip-up sweater or hoodie is a luxurious gift for that winter commuter in your life. Alpaca wool is soft and wicking and it doesn’t get smelly like clammy polyester. I own an Arms of Andes Alpaca zip-up for wearing under my rain jacket and, shhhh, don’t tell Katie, but there may be a Women’s Alpaca Full-Zip Hoodie under the Christmas tree; $229.50.
Hot Hands
Bar Mitts are voluminous neoprene mittens that attach to your handlebars like a big comfy oven mitt. I wear a thin glove underneath when it’s frigid or go barehanded inside when it’s chilly. For more tips on keeping your hands warm, watch our Youtube video:
Kinematics
If you ride long distances, a bike fit could improve your comfort, efficiency, and performance by ensuring proper kinematics. Métier Racing & Coffee is offering Cascade members discounts on bike fittings and select components and accessories through March 31. Log into the Membership Benefits portal and click on Métier.
Bonkers Deals
Get ready for the Seattle Bike Swap and E-Bike Expo on Feb. 8. It’s one-stop shopping for bike bargains and gear deals at bananas discounts. Plus, you can test ride a variety of new electric bikes.
Hangups
Storing a bike indoors can be a real hangup for people with small homes–or too many bicycles. I recently got a Hooptie Hook, $25, from Portland Design Works for storing my winter commuter bike on the wall.
Dry Thighs
Protect your upper legs and knees from rain with waterproof and reflective cycling chaps from Rain Legs. Just strap them on over your pants, $56.
Give a Cascade Membership
Share the joy of bicycling with a Cascade Bicycle Club gift membership. Individual memberships are $60, family memberships $90. To reduce financial barriers, Cascade also offers “limited income” individual and family memberships for $15 and $30, respectively. cascade.org/membership
Bonus: Cascade members get discounts on a Premium Ride with GPS subscription. Through Jan. 2, members get 15 months for the price of 12, plus Ride with GPS will donate 10% of each purchase to Cascade. One more reason to become a member!
Seek Sunlight in Dark Times
Riding your bike through dark and dreary times is a form of optimism. Sunnier days will return, and when they do you’ll be mentally fit and physically ready to chase summer–and support our vision of a healthy future where bicycles bring people together, eliminate inequity, and create thriving communities.
Share this post
