Although I love to ride in the snow, staying warm while enjoying it can be a bit of a challenge because I have no access to an indoor. I rarely ride if it’s less than 20 degrees (maybe if there’s no wind) or if I can’t be out during the warmest part of the day.
My favorite winter riding gear is my Boinks polar fleece winter breeches. I’ve had them now for about four years and they are still cozy, warm, and in reasonable shape. They double as cross country ski pants for those mornings when the roads are too bad to drive and I have to ski to the barn to feed. I suspect that they aren’t made any more, which is a shame.
To keep my feet warm I wear either my tall Muck boots (starting to wear out) or my new Blizzard Winter Boots (which were waiting for me in the SmartPak Clearance Section).
My favorite winter riding gloves are my SSG Mane Event neoprene gloves. I was skeptical at first (they look like you would use them scuba diving) but they are surprisingly flexible and keep my fingers warm, even when the gloves are wet. Once again, they do double duty for xc skiing.
When it’s really cold or windy, I pull out my chaps. I rarely ride in full chaps any more but they really do keep you warm in the winter.
Of course, after the first 15 minutes, I’ve often heated up to the point where I’m too warm! So layers are essential.
What do you do in the winter to stay warm?