Winter Essentials: Riding gear when there is no comfortably numb

Fresh snow, –2°C, and 15 cm of soft white powder — the perfect excuse to take my full winter-tested bike gear out for a proper shakedown.

In this video, I break down the essential layers, boots, gloves, and cold-weather tricks I rely on to actually enjoy winter riding… not just survive it. There’s no “comfortably numb” out here — just gear that works.

After the full gear walkthrough, join me for a quiet ride along a forested park path covered in fresh snow. The studded fat tires float along, the trees are heavy with white, and the whole world feels muffled — at least until I realize winter riding is a lot more exhausting than rolling a summer bike path. Consider this a preview of the winter season ahead: more snow rides, longer adventures, and probably more moments where I rethink my cardio decisions.

Gear featured:
– Lululemon toque, neck warmer, headband
– Black Diamond waterproof/windproof shell
– Outdoor Research 800-fill down
– MEC over-mitts, wool liners, glove liners
– 7mesh Thunderpants (GORE-TEX)
– 45NRTH Wølvhammer boots
– Revelate Tangle frame bag
– Vee Tire Snowball Studded fat bike tires (4”)

If you’re thinking about winter riding, curious about what gear actually works, or just want to escape into a snow-covered ride, you’ll find a bit of all that here. More winter adventures coming soon.

Subscribe for more cold-weather riding, gear insights, and longer snowy adventures coming up this season.

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