Can people recommend good extreme cold weather gear?
 

I've been looking for riding gear for a winter trip across Scandinavia and Siberia, and it seems there's a welter of stuff out there - heated suits, heated undersuits, windchill protectors etc, and that's just for bikes, then I've drifted into snowmobile gear figuring they're out all day in -20° to -30°C temps with little protection so it's close.

But what would anyone recommend? And yes I know it's odd to be thinking of this just as summer-is-a-comin-in.

As you said the bike gear is good but only to a certain temperature but has all the built in protection where as snowmoblie stuff is the other way around.

Why not get the best of both worlds and where some seperate armour then get the snowmoblie stuff. Means you can stay warm and safe.:thumbup1:

the trouble with bike gear is you are not expected to go out at those temperatures, so they dont bother making it. also, on a bike youre just sat there, not moving around making your own heat.
if its going to be that cold i would reccomend electrically heated gear, at least for your feet and hands, but what are you going to do if it stops working?

maxwells idea seems the best bet, if you want armour get one of those mesh suits MXers wear and use the base, mid, top layer sytem of technical clothing. probably a top-top layer too! good luck mate

Well the armour's really not that important, in fact I'd rather avoid it to be honest. We'll be on/in these

oh how cool is that........

You need a one piece winter worksuit. Like this:

HELLY HANSEN THERMAL WORKWEAR 1-PIECE POLAR WORK SUIT [Continued]

http://gear-up.com/productimages/04-...arWorkSuit.jpg

They use them in cold storage facilities etc. Strong, simple and durable.

Peter thank you for that, as I see you're from Denmark I guess you know a thing or two about cold (just thought, why not ask my Finnish girlfriend about this - doh!)

I can't say it's the nicest thing I've ever seen, but looks are less important that living, so I shall now attempt to find on I can try on.

Can anyone recommend any other products?

I've found merino wool thermals are fantastic for riding. Personally I prefer synthetics for skiing/mountaineering etc. as I find they handle sweat better/get less itchy. But for a reletively sedate activity like biking, they are much warmer. A friend of mine recently got me a merino midlayer top (it's like a jersey with a zip down the front) in New Zealand, which is the best piece of riding insulation I've ever had, because not only is it very warm, it's not too bulky. I used to wear an old climbers down jacket under my riding jacket in winter, but found this felt very restrictive. The merino wool jersey (layered with merino themal underwear, a light fleece sweatshirt and a goretex liner under my riding jacket kept me toasty on my trip to the alps in early April.
Not the temps. you will be encountering admittedly, but on a general principle I can't recommend the stuff highly enough.

Matt :)

yes, try those

ullfrotte original
Woolpower - wool, garments, underwear, ull, underkläder, thermo-wear, micron, work-wear, merino, merinoull, klar, underställ, ullunderställ, undergarment, wool, kyla, trikå, frotté, frotte, ulltröja, ullbyxa, ullkalsong, flamskydd, frottéstickning, s

excellent for cold !

One piece oversuits are great, until you need to "download".
My recommendation is layers,

Norwegian military thermals (so cheap from army surplus),
fleecy leggings, fleecy top,
Goretex, lined ski trousers, (you can wear them if visiting the natives houses)
thick fleecy jacket, with snugpac fibrepile quilted jacket
goretex, armoured motorcycling jacket (XXL)
goretex armoured dungaree trousers (XXL)

All these can be worn in different combinations, or at the same time.

the Norgies are great, breatheable, non itchy, clingy, and cheap......

Lots of good information on the clothing. Re-think the no armor. I spent quite a bit of time in something every similar to your ride, while in the military. My knees, legs, forearms and elbows took a beating off road, even with a 5 point harness. We had a foam collar (like drag racers use) that helped with neck fatigue though it was still there after long days. Soft body armor should do.

Great web site. Best of luck.

C

youve got a Suomi GF and youre asking us about cold weather?
you nugget!

Yes I do, but she's not a drive a ridiculous SSV across the planet type girlfriend, and yes she can tell me all about snowmobile gear, but I like to find out what's out there and what people have actually tried.

But anyway, she's now a fiancée.

:thumbup1: Lot's of good info but first what route you will use?
Normal snowmobile gear isn't windproof and snowmobile you are generating heat when riding it's lump bumpy. Have done that lot and more than 500km/day.
I recommend layers what I use when riding in winter time.
Rukka, SCOTT (YOKO) or similar underwear's one or two layer.
Biker's windstopper underwear's.
Dainese D-tech pants with removable lining.Dainese Air-flux jacket armors inside and with zipper to join pants and jacket to gather. Also Wave back protector or Wave jacket and take armors off from the Air-flux. Scott Stavanger jacket take armors off.
Top of that Scott X-1 jacket and pants. ESV 2 neck protector.
Now you can add or strip under or mid layers depending of climate.
Good MX boots like TCX to fit with two good bikers sock layers and room to move you toes.
Biker's balaclava, Hanx winter gloves and handelbar protection cover gloves.
RUKKA Allround pants and jacket is also good option.

And don't forget heated grips and MP3 player!:scooter:

Have nice trip :clap:

Well no need for armour, GSing I know what you mean but the RZRs are lacking in all those sharp pointy bits the military love to add to their vehicles. And heated grips are out too, I don't think anyone makes a heated steering wheel yet.

I'm surprised to find snowmobile suits aren't windproof though, what stops the wind cutting through them when you're riding? Or for that matter if you stop?

Thanks for all the advice, I shall now be looking at what's available here in France, and also in Finland too, I'm sure we'll find something, but if people want to add more then please, please feel free to throw stuff in.