Can anybody recommend some good winter headwear for wearing under a bike helmet? Also any suggestions for warm and light bothy slippers please?

Many thanks

Duncan

I usually wear a buff (doubled over), though I've resorted to a skullcap when particularly cold. I have an ancient Aldi windproof one and a more recent Sealskinz waterproof one. Mostly, I find the latter too warm/sweaty but there's a few rides every year when I'm glad of it.

Nordisk down slippers are okay. The sole's reasonably hardwearing although you wouldn't want to venture outside in them too often.

I've got a pair of montane insulated slipper things. Pack able, warm and comfy.

The sole is not super tough or that waterproof but seem ok for indoor use

I'm partial to Mont-bell for bothy slippers...

http://euro.montbell.com/products/disp. ... id=1108771

I'm with SR about the Sealskinz headgear being a bit much sometimes, although this week I've been happily keeping the cold at bay with the Sealskinz Belgian beanie. Try PlanetX at the moment...they have thin merino headgear going cheap.

Greetz

S.

This winter, I bought a balaclava to keep the wind off my face and generally keep my head area warm. Best money I ever spent. The only thing is it must be properly cold, a couple of degrees or you'll get very warm. Definitely worth a try for the money.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dhb-balaclava-2/

I'm regularly using the Sealskinz waterproof hat, even for taking my friend's dog these days. Excellent piece of kit if you are riding long hours in the cold. Have no experience with similar stuff other than a windproof skullcap.

I've worn a mixture of stuff under my helmet - thin merino, wool, powerstretch etc

Currently using a Gore skull cup with a windstopper band around the front and over the ears. The band is bright yellow for extra vis while commuting. Has a breathable bit on top of the head. It's excellent!

Or ditch the helmet and wear a proper warm hat.

Depending on temp, a buff, colder, a BTwin/Decathlon skull cap, really cold an old Lowe Alpine mountain cap, similar to above with a Planet X thermal buff for the neck. I gave up on 'bothy slippers' and now use cheap croc ripoffs (which are amazingly light) with woollen socks, much better for nipping in and out the bothy and I feel just as warm.
P

Thanks for all those suggestions guys. for the head I have a buff but I don't like it. I'll give the planet merino hats a try as that should fit under my helmet and they are now down to £8.

Time to check out the slipper suggestions.

Cheers

d

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Nordisk down slippers are okay. The sole's reasonably hardwearing although you wouldn't want to venture outside in them too often.

I don't suppose you had a picture or the size of them packed do you?

Cheers

d

Montane booties - love them. Sole good enough to step outside for a wee and not get wet feet!

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk ... ties-p4766

Thin hat or buff for riding & sweating in.
Thicker spare (i.e. dry) hat for sleeping in.
Crocs for bothy slippers (warm & dry quickly)
PH Designs down socks for inside the sleeping bag only (Gore-tex version on special offer at the moment http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/bargain-box).

The only thing I can comfortably wear under my helmet is a headband (i have an Aldi merino one) as I find even a buff makes my helmet feel too high up on my head. The headband keeps my ears and forehead warm and I find that my helmet and hair is insulating enough on the top of my head.

MuddyPete wrote:Thin hat or buff for riding & sweating in.
Thicker spare (i.e. dry) hat for sleeping in.
Crocs for bothy slippers (warm & dry quickly)
PH Designs down socks for inside the sleeping bag only (Gore-tex version on special offer at the moment http://www.phdesigns.co.uk/bargain-box).

£64 for a pair of socks, I don't think I will be able to get away with that and live to tell the tale!

I don't suppose you had a picture or the size of them packed do you?

I don't Duncan. I will say that they don't pack to nothing due to the sole and are better rolled than compressed. However, they don't take up that much room and are easily squeezed into any odd gap.

Bearbonesnorm wrote:

I don't suppose you had a picture or the size of them packed do you?

I don't Duncan. I will say that they don't pack to nothing due to the sole and are better rolled than compressed. However, they don't take up that much room and are easily squeezed into any odd gap.

That's great, they seem to be about the best in the price/weight/warm combo.

Cheers

How do the down both slippers cope with needing to go outside to the toilet where it might be wet and/or muddy

I'll only wear them inside the bothy, I'll take two carrier bags and stick them over the slippers for an outside visit or put my lakes back on.

Rab Hotsocks -

dlovett wrote:

Bearbonesnorm wrote:Nordisk down slippers are okay. The sole's reasonably hardwearing although you wouldn't want to venture outside in them too often.

I don't suppose you had a picture or the size of them packed do you?

Cheers

d

I found them sub £20 so i have ordered a pair.

dlovett wrote:£64 for a pair of socks, I don't think I will be able to get away with that and live to tell the tale!

Some things are best left unsaid...
But you're right: they're not cheap, but only my feet were getting cold and it avoided the cost of a new sleeping bag.
The non-Gore-Tex socks are £101 , so £64 for the Gore-Tex version is a "relative" bargain (depends how cold your feet get, of course).

Out of interest, where did you see them sub £20?

Rab powerstretch beanie.

https://rab.equipment/uk/mens/hats-caps ... tch-beanie

Been using one for a couple of years of winter commuting - its thin and stretchy so fits snug under a helmet, covers the ears and breathes really well so your head doesn't end up sweaty.