Basket
If you are in search of cycling gear, you have undoubtedly asked yourself what cycling clothes to choose according to the seasons. Indeed, you don't dress the same way in summer as in winter for road cycling. In this article, we will discover that a helmet liner is essential for facing the cold in winter.
Why is it important to protect your head from the cold when cycling in winter?
Winter is not a valid excuse to take a long break in your cycling practice and thus lose all the gains of the past year. Indeed, it is entirely possible to continue riding regularly on your road bike in winter... provided you adopt the right cycling gear, the one that will help you face the winter cold.
The extremities of the body (head, hands, feet) are the most exposed to the cold and, therefore, it is important to protect them properly to avoid cooling down the rest of your body through them.
Moreover, it is scientifically proven, you can lose up to 30% of heat just through your head, hence the importance of covering it well by not forgetting to wear a helmet liner or thermal headband to avoid hypothermia.
Protecting your head by choosing the right accessory is just as important as choosing a thermal jacket, a long-sleeved jersey, cycling tights, long gloves, or winter shoes or socks.
How to choose the right accessory to keep your head warm in winter?
There are several types of accessories to wear under your cycling helmet to keep your head warm in winter when the thermometer drops. The ideal accessory (beanie, headband, neck warmer, etc.) should be chosen according to the outside temperature.
When the temperatures are really cold (close to 0°C), we recommend using a beanie that will fit on your head and under your cycling helmet. This beanie is designed for that purpose, it is thin and will not be uncomfortable for you. It has the advantage of covering both your skull and your ears from the cold but also from the wind and humidity. Finally, it keeps your head warm while being breathable thanks to the material it is made from and prevents sweat from dripping into your eyes.
If the temperatures are not too cold, you can also use a thermal headband or ear warmer. It provides excellent thermal insulation and protects your ears and sinuses from the cold while preventing your head from getting too hot (which can sometimes happen when temperatures rise throughout the morning). The headband is made from a breathable material to allow sweat to evaporate: this way, you won't be riding with a wet head, and sweat won't drip into your eyes.
In extremely cold temperatures, you can opt for a balaclava, which has the advantage of covering your skull, ears, chin, mouth, and nose to ensure almost complete protection against the cold. Some balaclavas can be adjustable to adapt to the temperature during the ride, thus transforming into a beanie or neck warmer. Like beanies or thermal headbands, the textile material they are made from allows excellent moisture and sweat wicking.
In milder temperatures or as a complement to a helmet liner or headband, there is the neck warmer, ultra-light and fully adjustable. There are many ways to wear it to protect yourself from the cold and drafts: you can use it solely around your neck, pull it up over your head like a balaclava, or just over your mouth and nose, or even wear it only on your head like a bandana. In short, with one accessory, there are countless possibilities: it's, in a way, the magic accessory that every cyclist should have in their gear.
Now that you know that a helmet liner is essential for facing the cold in winter, how about discovering the different types of fabric for cycling jerseys? Do you know why you should use gloves in the summer? Do you know what fabric to choose in the summer for cycling? Do you know how to choose your cycling shorts? Do you think the cycling cap is essential in the summer? Do you know what type of fabric to wear to protect yourself in winter? Do you know that the thermal jacket is an ally against the cold? Do you think cycling tights are the only suitable gear to face the cold?
