A bit of a follow on from “how many woman are on here”

I am lucky to have a girlfriend who rides and is very good at it. (one of the top master XC riders)
BUT it can be a bit of a nightmare getting hold of winter kit that;
A) fits (small hands and small feet 37/38, womans fit etc)
B) that works. (keeping dry/warm etc)She gets cold hands so quick it is not funny!

So then Ladys what bits of kit have you found that fits and work?

Gloves wise, She found Altura not to bad when new, BBB ladyshield wintergloves, fit is good but not tryed them yet in this cold weather.
We even got some SKI gloves to try this winter. oh she was not keen on the lizardskin gloves, “not very warm at all”

Shoes wise, prob be shimano winter boots but again, find them in the right size can be a bit of a nightmare, also a lot of shoe makers don’t go down to that small size. 😕

Anyway any feedback from the ladys would be good. Also might help us blokes with some Xmas ideas! 😉

I buy most of my cycling stuff from Minx-girl – debbie is very good at advising on fit and sizing.

I use specialized winter mtb boots, and specialized road shoes too – prefer them to shimano and i think they fit better too – but that’s maybe just personal preferance.

I use seal skinz winter gel gloves, usually with a thin thermal layer underneath.

For winter riding, a skull cap and buff are essential (for me),

I find lots of layers works well, but then i’m more a roadie these days so maybe not best placed to comment on what works for mtb’ing!

Surely most women’s cycling shoes go down that small? I have relatviely large feet for a women(40) so don’t have a problem, but I know Mavic go down small as my mate has tiny feet. Gloves wise I don’t really get cold hands so wear normal Fox gloves all year round. I swear by my Gore fleece lined bib tights and merino wool base layer with various layers on the top. I get my kit from wherever it’s reduced, wiggle, chain reaction, LBS (mate owns it .. although it’s not local it’s about 180 miles away now!) Rutland etc. I have used Minx Girl a few times although it is SUPER expensive and can be found cheaper.

Christmas present ideas, how about an ear warmer? I find a skull cap far to warm when you get going but an ear warmer keeps them warm when you start going downhill or whatever.
Windproof gilet? I have a Scott one from Evans Cycles and it is awesome worn most of the year round and packs up small to always be carried with me.
New Camelbak?
Some thick Merino wool or Seal skinz socks?
Nice thick waterproof/windproof jacket? I imagine she may have a lot of these already mind.

Damn, I thought it was a thread about women’s kilts (and an associated lack of undercrackers)

Winter is the time when I don’t bother wearing cycling specific kit. Switch to flat pedals and wear proper winterboots and get some ski gloves (the warmest and biggest you can find!). Wear anything that is warm and fits and is comfortable and go out and have fun in the snow!

I’m quite small too and ride XC ~ 10-16 hrs/week in winter.
I have normal MTB shoes in two sizes bigger (usually size 4 so size 6)and wear a pair of normal socks under over-the-knee thermal skiing socks under waterproof sealskins. Two pairs of winter leggings on top. That usually keeps my feet/legs warm. Pair of overshoes too if its really cold.

Got really excited when I found a pair of ‘spd’ winter boots in my size on ChainReaction and spent loads of money on them but when they arrived they were weird roadie cleat compatible only so a disappointment consigned to the back of the wardrobe 🙁

Gloves-wise I wear a small pair of thermal gloves underneath sealskinz gloves, and they do them almost small enough! If I’m riding rocky stuff e.g. Peaks and need the extra padding on my hands (I ride rigid)I add a pair of super-padded gel fingerless mitts on top. Also keeps it warm and stops everything moving.

Generally speaking if I keep my body warm my hands and feet are not too bad. So a couple of of baselayers and a standard Asda ‘thermal vest’ on underneath a waterproof and windproof softshell. That way nothing gets sweaty either (which makes you cold!)

Also keep riding and don’t stop!

OP, I never seem to struggle to find kit, I have same size feet and small hands like your g/f. Womens kit is much more prevelant and better designed these days.

My list of top winter kit

Endura Baa baa merino base layer
DHB winter bib tights – yes, I know they don’t sound that practical for long mtb rides but I wear them over a base layer and wear a jersey with full zip over the tights.
Shimano winter boots – now on their 3rd winter. Warm and dry (apart from in horrendous rain)
Gloves – new gloves are Pearl Izumi barrier lobster gloves (not cheap but I have poor circulation and need to keep my hands and feet warm). Also look out for Chiba gloves, I think Merlin do them.
Buff – last weekend I wore one on my head and one round my neck for warmth.
Windproof gilet – if its cold and dry, I would rather wear a gilet than a rustly waterproof.

Also wear Endura Singletrack baggies over my tights but they are worn year round.

Also being a size 36 in shoes then she will be limited in the range of winter boots out there – like your gf I wear the shimano winter boots which are fine – I even went up to a 37 so that I can wear woolie boolies with them.
Gloves – the altura do go down small but I find them a bit too bulky so prefer the ladies xs (hand size 5) gore windstopper gloves which I can wear with a silk liner – although my OH has recently bought me the ladies sealskinz gloves in a small – a bit of room in the fingers but will allow yet again a silk liner.
http://www.sealskinz.com/gloves/ladies-all-weather-cycle-gloves-with-gel
Tops – I am liking the altura night vision windstopper jacket at the moment but also look at the gore ladies phantom jacket – the assos uma jacket is also worth the money. http://www.gorebikewear.co.uk/remote/Satellite/PROD_JPHALO?landingid=1212722558040A
Winter tights are gore windstopper or full assos windstopper (expensive but worth it IMO) – both padded so do not require shorts underneat although the pads are very light so she could wear a shorts liner with them for extra insulation.
Also a good base layer – I wear a sportful or howies merino base layer but take a look at the craft ones – the ladies winter base tops do look rather nice.
A skull cap is also a must – preferably windproof – not the most elegant of cycling attire for a lady but keeps the head warm.

Thanks ladys, I get Em to read you posts later, (she having a spin on the turbo!) Some good info.

Dirtgirlonbikee “I use specialized winter mtb boots, and specialized road shoes too” yes Em normally uses Specialized shoes but finding a pair winter boots in a small size is nealde in a hay stack. I think they do size 38 and below but only in the USA.

Lady Alex, Sorry about your ‘spd’ winter boots that you consigned to the back of the wardrobe. (did you try sending them back CRC normally very good) If you stil got them I do have some SPD converter cleats and I am sure they convert road SPD into MTB SPD. if you intrested I double check and post them on to you if you like? you might need to put the saddle up a little as they are thick!

Personal opinions obviously but…………I think you have to find that fine line so you don’t get too hot too quickly, get all sweaty, and then feel cold!!
Are you ready?

Merino wool……….is your friend!!
Merino base layer (although it can be too warm at times see the waterproof note below. I try to keep that layer thin!!)!!

Windproof jacket if you can (when dry obviously), with a waterproof shell in the bag (I just find waterproofs too boil in the bag!!)

Gilet – fab piece of kit. I get so much use out of mine.

Armwarmers in the bag

Long tights poss with windproofy bits on the front? I have these they are great and fit well even thought not ladies…
http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/product-detail-DAD-LON.htm

Waterproof baggies – Gore alp x are pretty expensive but they fit and they work!! I tried Endura blokes ones but there is just too much crotch material!
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gore-bike-wear-alp-x-gore-tex-lady-shorts-ss10/

Wooly Booly socks (the thicker ones) NOT NOT NOT sealskins. I find sealskins too bulky therefore cold.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=36282

Altura night vision gloves – warm but you can actually feel your bars (plus spares in bag. There is NOTHING worse than cold hands as we all know!)

Shimano winter boots – loads of mini-sizes here (you don’t need womens specific for boots!)…
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mw80-mtb-cycling-shoes/

…..and yes 2 buffs – one for ears and one for neck!!

A hot flask of something cheeky always helps too eg. hot lemon and ginger with a lacing of Sambuca on Tuesday night ;-p

So, thats me. All warm and cozy 😀

PS. Just off to get another pair of the Gore Alp X – (that is a good price!!)

Check on the Wooly Booly socks, turned up yesterday!
And she also planning to get a Merino base layer, with the “see it comes highly recomended!” think she having a dig at me for some reason 😈
pleaty of Buffs around, I have to thank Em on letting me use hers!

Thanks again for all the info.

Merino base layer with high zipped neck by Icebreaker. Gore Windstopper jacket or gilet. If wet then Goretex jacket. Alp X waterproof shorts. Gore Windstopper tights. Sealskinz merino socks. Gore Cross Goretex gloves. Windstopper buff. 5:10’s.

Am not a Gore-sponsored rider but just find that their products do what it says on the tin. 🙂

Edit: it’s worth checking out http://www.girlsruntoo.co.uk and they are currently offering 15% discount using the code JOY. Sometimes their bike clothing is cheaper than other retailers.

Embers Marino do some gorgeous tops with a pattern on so they are slightly different and not boring. They wash very well and guys that work there are fantastic.

I get really cold hands and in the past have had success with Pearl Izumi Amfibs and specialised windstop/fleecy lined gloves – can’t remember the name. As above for shorts/buffs/merino etc etc… I have some good Sidi winter boots – they go down nice and small, but did buy those years ago… and am now on flats

For pressies if you have buffs covered then what MC said or more socks … or if it were me I’d be thinking a nice new straitline stem with CRC’s mega discount … hum tee tum 😉