When you’re cycling through the winter months, first and foremost, you need to be wet weather and wind ready. The big challenge for wet weather gear is stopping rainwater getting in while letting water vapour get out so you don’t overheat – which will affect your performance on the bike.
The Klimatik® and Klimatik® Guscio ranges are designed to defeat all types of bad weather, from extreme rain and cold to chills and high wind, while keeping you comfortable at peak performance. Rather than compromise on one design to suit all conditions, Alé have created an extensive range targeted at specific conditions, both for men and women.
The best way to defeat cold is with multiple thin layers, rather than one big bulky one. This is because it’s trapped air that keeps you warm, more than the material itself; layers create more pockets of warm air. The secondary benefit of thin layers is that they’re easy to remove and stow, letting you fine-tune your temperature. This versatility is vital on big rides, where you’re unpredictably shifting from fast, exposed areas to slow, sheltered, hard climbs. Klimatik® Guscio offers waterproof and thermo-taped garments such as Extreme Jkt and Vest, Racing Jkt and Vest, Elements Jkt and Vest, that allow a huge versatility. The collection features also garments for women with a specific female fitting.
Windproofing is a huge benefit in winter, as it stops the slipstream penetrating to drag away your precious, heated, insulating air. Breathability, plus the rainproofing emphasized in the K-Tornado DWR Jkt with eVent membrane, is a far bigger benefit. Heat and sweat management is vital, even in the cold.
Once temperatures fall to zero and below, however, you really will benefit from quilted linings, and there’s little better than the lightweight yet extremely efficient PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation. The versatile K-Smart Vest is ready for plummeting temperatures between -2º and 14º C, while K-Husky Jkt is recommended for temperatures from -4 to +6º C.
Sadly, winter is not the only time it rains! For wet climates, Klimatik® gives you a wide choice of garments that allow you to stay dry and that protects against light rain, such as K-Atmo WR Jersey, K-Atmo DWR Jkt, K-Atmo Bibtights and K-Atmo Bibshorts, alongside accessories as K-Atmo Armwarmers and K-Atmo Legwarmers.
Keep your extremities happy and the rest of you will follow. Avoiding numb, painful hands and feet is absolutely key to enjoying winter training and racing. First, your gloves. Look not just for waterproofing, but windproofing too. A membrane combined with light insulation – such as found in the Neoprene Glove Keep your extremities happy and the rest of you will follow. Avoiding numb, painful hands and feet is absolutely key to enjoying winter training and racing. First, your gloves. Look not just for waterproofing, but windproofing too. A membrane combined with light insulation – such as found in the Neoprene Glove – outperforms heavy insulation alone, while water resistance stops the glove rapidly wetting out and chilling. Supple, grippy palms and pre-shaped fingers will ensure the multi-hour comfort on the bike you need for long rides. Bulky insulation is to be avoided, as it reduces control and can lead to strains and discomfort on long rides.
Now your feet. As with the rest of your body, the key is using the right layers, and stopping both wind and water getting in to steal away your body heat. Don’t be tempted to squash super-thick socks into your shoes, as that will make them too tight, cutting circulation. You can easily lose more heat than you gain this way.
Performance socks like the Team Klimatik®
add extra warmth and cushioning where it’s needed – at the toes and heel – while avoiding bulk. Add a waterproof and windproof outer layer (such as the Klimatik® Shoecover) to seal all vents and openings and help your feet stay warm and dry.
With Klimatik® and Klimatik® Guscio, Alé offers a wide range of garments to face extreme weather conditions, paying attention also to the fitting, because staying comfortable makes everyone faster. It’s your muscles that should be suffering, not your skin and bones! So, make the right cycling clothing choices and match your kit to the conditions, and you’ll keep riding warm, dry and happy, all through winter – whatever the weather.