From head to toe: Warm clothing for winter

The onion principle

The model from nature is quite simple: you dress in several layers and can thus compensate for weather and temperature fluctuations by putting on or taking off a layer, especially in the transitional period - in everyday life and during sporting activities. As a rule, you wear three, sometimes four layers on top of each other, depending on how cold you feel:

• the first layer (baselayer) e.g. as a functional vest and pants against the skin
• the second layer (midlayer) provides warmth as an insulating layer, e.g. in the form of a long-sleeved shirt and/or fleece jumper or insulating waistcoat
• the Third layer (Outer Shell) provides weather protection as an outer layer, e.g. in the form of a softshell jacket, rain jacket or insulating jacket

Important for cyclists who are on the move: If you work up a sweat in winter, you should make sure that the individual layers store as little moisture as possible and transfer it to the outside. This works best with clothing made from synthetic fibres, e.g. polyester and polypropylene.

From head to toe

The popular multifunctional scarf also performs well in the cold season, but then in the warmer merino version. For example as a scarf, chin guard or under-helmet hat >> Buff Merino Wool.

At low temperatures, as little skin as possible should be exposed to the cold - even on the head. A balaclava usually only leaves the eye area exposed. They are available as a warming synthetic fibre or merino version >> Buff Balaclava.

The classic against cold air on the head. The softshell base layer cap reliably keeps out the wind and warms the sensitive areas of the forehead and ears >> Löffler Windstopper cycling cap.

If you like your head to be cosy and sustainable, you'll love the stylish woollen under-helmet hat. Also looks good without a helmet >> Endura Baabaa Merino cap.

For bright heads. The helmet cover protects against rain and cold wind, reflects headlights and even has its own lighting for twilight and darkness >> Sealskinz Halo Helmet Cover.

This keeps your head warm and protected. A warm winter pad and ear protection are optionally available with the e-bike helmet for 15 euros. The integrated rain cover and a rear light are always included >> Abus Pedelec 2.0.

Scots know how to dress in cool weather. That's why Endura from Edinburgh has developed this Primaloft jacket for sporty cyclists: relatively light weight with very good insulation, thermal performance and breathability >> Endura MT500 Freezing Point jacket.

Those who are sensitive to the cold can also count on electric heating when travelling, for example in the form of a heatable insulating waistcoat. A power bank heats five heating surfaces on the stomach, hips and spine. The heat can be gently dosed via an app >> Therm-ic Vest.

Warm, wind and water repellent and not too heavy - insulation jackets with Primaloft filling are the all-purpose weapon on frost-free winter days. Or you can wear them as a second layer in particularly cold weather >> Gonso Mula.

Stylish, warm, multifunctional. This windproof reversible jacket with Primaloft insulation was developed for various winter activities - from biking to snowshoeing >> Maloja Müsellam.

The lightweight protection for the transitional period: warm, breathable jacket for sporting activities. The highlight: wool from Tyrolean mountain sheep provides the warming insulation >> Salewa Pedroc Hybrid.

A tried and tested principle, reinterpreted. The 3in1 model integrates a cosy fleece jacket into a waterproof, well-ventilated weather protection jacket - simply zip it in. This means the cyclist is well equipped for different weather conditions >> Vaude Yaras.

And what do I do with the cycling glove if it suddenly rains? Then I just pull the luminous, waterproof overcoat out of the small overhand bag >> Chiba Express plus.

Clammy fingers on the handlebars are not only unpleasant, but also a safety risk. Even at low temperatures, your hands stay nice and warm in these windstopper gloves with Primaloft padding. Further advantages: The weight is relatively low despite the thermal protection and the grip on the handlebars is very good >> Roeckl Villach.

The compromise between a warm mitten and a finger glove with good grip is called the Lobster style. If the windproof and waterproof model with Primaloft insulation is not warm enough, a special heating pad can be inserted >> Chiba Alaska plus.

These robust trousers are primarily aimed at commuters. They are windproof and water-repellent, have various reflective elements and are also ideal for gentle winter hiking and cross-country skiing >> Shimano Transit Softshell Pants.

The first layer on the skin is the most important, according to many sports physicians. Above all, it depends on the balance between thermal performance and the release of excess heat to the next layer of clothing. In winter, the Transtex Warm material mix from Austria, which has been tried and tested in competitive sports, does this quite well >> Löffler shirt & trousers.

It's a good thing that the practical and warm softshell trousers are not only available in black - at least for cycling ladies. The denim cut, colour and design also make them socially acceptable for cafés and the office >> Gonso Floralett.

Waterproof and warm and ideal as quick protection when it starts to rain. The small packable rain overtrousers can be put on and taken off in a few simple steps >> Vaude Bike Padded Chaps.

Softshell trousers are more practical than many people think. Especially when they have a comfortable denim cut, a fluffy fleece lining and several reflectors. On top of that, there is a fold-out splash guard and a zip on the trouser leg >> Gonso Stord.

Wool warms best in winter. And to make the material more resistant, it is mixed with synthetic fibres. Socks then become so robust that sock specialist Darn Tough even gives a lifetime guarantee on them >> Darn Tough Hike/Trek.

When it's freezing cold and there's a lot of snow on your feet, only a special winter bike shoe will do. Naturally, they are windproof and waterproof. The Michelin sole is particularly grippy on ice and mud. A neoprene shaft, cosy inner lining and an additional cover on the lacing also ensure warmth retention >> Shimano SH-MW701.

Many shoes, including winter boots, only have modest insoles. An anatomically fitting insole provides more comfort. For winter, these are available with a warming, odour-inhibiting merino coating >> Sidas 3Feet Merino.

High warmth performance with low weight and pleasant wearing comfort - this is exactly what the new, inexpensive wool mix socks offer for not too cold days >> Endura Baabaa Merino Socks.

Not everyone likes winter cycling shoes. Waterproof, warm all-rounders are more in demand. Such as this sporty, mid-height model with waterproof leather and breathable lining >> Keen Kaci Mid.

And finally, a real price tip for warm feet: these thermal insoles have a top layer of pure wool and an insulating membrane of aluminium foil underneath. Available in DM stores, for example.

Material lexicon

• Elastane (EL, spandex) are rubber-like synthetic fibres that make the fabric stretchable. They can be stretched up to five to eight times their original length. Trade name includes Lycra.
• Gore-Tex/Sympatex These include waterproof and windproof membranes for shoes, gloves, rain jackets and trousers, which work best in cooler temperatures, i.e. are breathable and wick sweat vapour away to the outside.
• Merino fine sheep's wool from New Zealand and Australia. Advantages: It warms well, does not smell and does not scratch the skin. It can also absorb a lot of moisture before it feels wet. Disadvantage: Pure merino dries relatively slowly and is not very resistant.
• Modal This cellulose fibre (based on wood) is produced using a modified viscose process and therefore has a higher strength than viscose in both its dry and wet state.
• Polyacrylic Inexpensive synthetic fibre with a wool-like character. It is often used for hats, jumpers and gloves and is also mixed with wool. This makes the fibre easier to care for and less prone to felting. Tends to be odourless when used for sports.
• Polyamide (PA) Polyamide synthetic fibres are lightweight, have good tear, fatigue bending and abrasion resistance and retain their shape. However, they absorb more moisture (around 4 per cent of their own weight) than polyester and polypropylene, for example. Trade names include nylon and perlon.
• Polyester (PES) The most commonly used synthetic fibre has very versatile properties. Above all, it is very tear and abrasion resistant and absorbs hardly any moisture (about 1 per cent of its own weight).
• Polypropylene (PP) The lightest textile fibre of all (e.g. more than a third lighter than cotton), with good abrasion resistance and practically no water absorption. It is also easy to care for thanks to its resistance to boiling.
• Primaloft The alternative to polyester down is usually used as insulation in jackets, gloves and waistcoats. The fibres are relatively light, compress well, absorb hardly any moisture, have good thermal performance and dry quickly.
• Softshell several combined membranes made of polyamide or polyester, which are generally used for jackets and waistcoats. The wind-repellent outer layer is usually made from a hard-wearing fabric. The inner layers tend to be soft, insulating and breathable.