The Best Cool-Weather Bike Gear

I look forward to bike commuting in the fall. Sure, it鈥檚 a little chillier on the way to and from work, but the colder temps are a good excuse to upgrade your kit. We鈥檝e gathered some of our favorite pieces鈥攑lus some fun accessories鈥攄esigned to keep you warm, safe, and happy in cold weather.
Arc鈥檛eryx Interstate Jacket ($449)
Arc鈥檛eryx is known for making bomber, technical jackets ideal for braving climbs in the Canadian Rockies. Bike commuting is a good deal tamer, which is why the company dialed the specs back on .
Instead of Gore-Tex Pro, Arc鈥檛eryx chose Gore-Tex fabric with C-Knit-backer technology, which is still tough as nails and waterproof in a downpour, but softer next to skin. And instead of a giant, helmet-compatible flap, the hood stows neatly in the collar. You still get a rig that will take a beating, but it鈥檒l also blends in nicely on city streets.

look slick, but they鈥檙e also designed to perform. The water-resistant Pittards WR100X leather cuts the chill on cold mornings and stays supple even after a soaking. Padding on the palm makes for a comfy ride, while smartphone-compatible fingertips let you answer texts, and a soft nose wipe on the thumb ensures you鈥檙e tidy when you arrive at the office.

Inside Line Equipment built the perfect commuter bag with its . It鈥檚 big enough for the day鈥檚 essentials (laptop, lunch, extra layers, moleskines), but not so big that it compels me to carrying too much. The main compartment is waterproof, while the outer is made from 1,000-denier fabric: it鈥檒l likely outlast every other bag in my closet. Nice touch: the roll-top synch strap, which helps ensure I can see over the pack when I look to merge into traffic.

Wool is much better at keeping my toes warm than synthetics. of the wool commuter sock is durable, sure, but its finest attribute is the flashy design that adds some flair to an otherwise conservative kit.

Commuter trousers have all the warmth and functionality of bike jeans, but are a bit dressier for morning meetings. I鈥檓 a fan of the because they fit well (svelte but articulated for movement), plus they can take a beating, thanks to an extra-thick cotton-nylon blend throughout. Clever details include: a back hem that鈥檚 cut slightly higher than the front to fight plumber鈥檚 crack, reflective hits on the belt loops, and a rear pocket big enough to fit a U-lock.

I鈥檓 sweat-free minutes after I walk into the office thanks to the quick-drying, stink-free wool used in . And I鈥檓 able to keep it on all day courtesy of the surprisingly stylish design.

You鈥檒l notice the pro peloton wearing cycling caps under their helmets on cold days to keep their noggins warm. Same concept here. is handmade from wool sourced in the British Isles, and while it won鈥檛 protect your ears, it鈥檚 thick enough to take the bite out of the wind.

from Rapha sneak some cool tech features into a stylish, subtle frame. The slight wraparound shape protects my eyes and fits easily under a helmet. They sit lightly, with their acetate frames, while the top-notch lenses come from Carl Zeiss Vision, so everything is ultra crisp and clean.

The has the best price-to-performance ratio of any commuter light we鈥檝e tested. For $70, you get 170 lumens鈥攅nough to light up the bike path at night and catch drivers鈥 attention during the day鈥攑acked into a fully waterproof housing. Nice touches: the well-designed attachment strap and a special button that ensures the light doesn鈥檛 accidentally turn on in your pocket.

Normally, you鈥檇 be crazy to wear a puffy on your commuter bike, even on the coldest days: they鈥檙e just too damn hot. Not so with the . Stuffed with Polartec鈥檚 Alpha insulation, and then surrounded by a breathable face fabric and stretchy fleece panels under the arms, this rig dumps heat exceptionally well. Kuddos to Sugoi for also designing a bike-specific cut, with a long drop hem in back that keeps you covered even when you鈥檙e hunching over the bars.