Ear protection when its cold?

[Tony]

What do folks wear to protect ears when riding in cold conditions?

I've been using Doc proplugs for many years kayaking on the California coast. Last winter I tried the proplugs while doing a long ride, they were wonderful at keeping the cold from interring the ear canal and still being able to hear.
http://www.proplugs.com/index.shtml

[R2D2]

I use a wool cycling cap with ear flaps. Or sometimes a Smartwool skull cap that covers ears.

[christian]

I use a hat.

[bargainguy]

I use a Turtle Fur balaclava. Thin Lycra-like material on top, fleece in the rest. The Lycra on top makes it easy to fit under a helmet.

[CircuitHero]

Wool cycling cap and helmuffs.

[OtayBW]

Typically a skullcap, either a thin, non-insulated thing, or a thicker insulated thing - both windproof. Seldom a backlava unless it's dropping into the 20s.

[EDS]

I use a hat.

I don't like to over-complicate things, but this is an interesting solution I am going to look into.

[donevwil]

I've been using Doc proplugs for many years kayaking on the California coast. Last winter I tried the proplugs while doing a long ride, they were wonderful at keeping the cold from interring the ear canal and still being able to hear.
http://www.proplugs.com/index.shtml

How do these work for wind noise while cycling ? Website mentions minimization of high frequency noises.

[PQJ]

Headband if in 40s. Beanie if below that.

[Tony]

How do these work for wind noise while cycling ? Website mentions minimization of high frequency noises.


They work great at cutting down wind noise and cold air from interring the ear, however still able to hear clearly due to the small orifice built into the design of the plugs.

[abelson]

Walz wool cap with earflaps. Of course my definition of cold in Minnesota may be different than the California definition.

[fourflys]

I have a Pearl Izumi headband that I wear here in Alaska... A hat is usually too warm for me... The headband works great, if I don't wear it my ears will ache...

[buddybikes]

balaclava's, simple polyester ones or silk was the best invention
just get few different weights and use as skull cap or down over chin depending upon weather.

[FlashUNC]

http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/rapha-winter-hat-front.jpg

[staggerwing]

For anything above 20 degrees F, the lightweight 180s exolite earmuffs are the ticket for me. Don't make my ears sweat, or block too much noise, and don't disrupt helmet fit.

Like these. (http://www.amazon.com/180s-Exolite-Acoustic-Warmer-Black/dp/B004R1IU6O/ref=sr_sp-btf_image_1_14?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1381971758&sr=1-14&keywords=ear+muffs+men)

[Germany_chris]

Walz cap with the fold down ear things..wool, quality, American made.

[moose8]

north face fleece headband. When it's really cold I wear a ski helmet.

[regularguy412]

Something kinda like this. Fits around the back of the head and out of the way of helmet. Also folds in on itself to go into a pocket if the day warms up.

[blessthismess]

A Belgian style cycling cap has always worked fine for me. I'm currently using an old wool Campy one.
(edit: I will be using my old wool campy one in about a month or two, it has been in the mid 70's all week :beer:)

[lhuerta]

http://www.selectism.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/rapha-winter-hat-front.jpg

+1

The only piece of Rapha clothing I own...they work so well I own three of them.lou

[roydyates]

My sister knit me some wool ear warmers that slide onto my helment straps. They are similar to these:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/67081441/helmuffs-bicycle-helmet-ear-warmers

These are really nice on mornings below 50. If temps climb above 60, then I'll stop and take them off.

[Oregonic]

Used to have a smartwool beanie, but then I found this.

http://www.amazon.com/Giro-Merino-Winter-Cap/dp/B00BJDIJNM

Better fit, thinner under the helmet, nice and stretchy, and it has a bill for precipitation. It's the best comfort-per-dollar value I've ever purchased for cycling, other than maybe these...

http://www.amazon.com/Pearl-iZUMi-Barrier-Mountain-Cover/dp/B00280N7XM/ref=sr_1_15?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1382050252&sr=1-15&keywords=pearl+izumi+shoe+covers

[54ny77]

http://images1.vat19.com/covers/large/beardo-hat-gray.jpg

[Mikej]

I have some Swix ear covers that work pretty good to about 40

[charliedid]

I use a hat.

This

[buldogge]

How is the fit on these?...I was just getting ready to order one and wondered how accurate the sizing info is??

TIA
-Mark in St. Louis

Used to have a smartwool beanie, but then I found this.

http://www.amazon.com/Giro-Merino-Winter-Cap/dp/B00BJDIJNM

Better fit, thinner under the helmet, nice and stretchy, and it has a bill for precipitation.

[Oregonic]

I wear a L Giro helmet, and the larger cap, if that helps. My wife wears a S or M Giro helmet, and I'm about to order her the smaller cap.

[Elefantino]

http://shop.pearlizumi.com/data/uploads/products/290_290/14361204_021.jpg

[buldogge]

Hmm...I wear a M Prolight...I'm worried I'm borderline.

L/XL might be better...Did you see much shrinkage when washed?

-Mark

I wear a L Giro helmet, and the larger cap, if that helps. My wife wears a S or M Giro helmet, and I'm about to order her the smaller cap.

[Oregonic]

Hmm...I wear a M Prolight...I'm worried I'm borderline.

L/XL might be better...Did you see much shrinkage when washed?

-Mark

I'd go larger. Mrs Oregonic borrows mine for running, and its fine. But I'll order her the smaller one for the bike. Definitely have more elastic than the smart wool beanie, I think the L/X should be fine.

[rando]

Only one solution for all the types of cold weather? I must have a dozen that all get used. Most days I have a hard time using the same one the whole ride.

[oldpotatoe]

http://www.curveinc.com/customteamclothing/proline-accessories/curvehats.html

[buldogge]

Thanx man...

-Mark

I'd go larger. Mrs Oregonic borrows mine for running, and its fine. But I'll order her the smaller one for the bike. Definitely have more elastic than the smart wool beanie, I think the L/X should be fine.

[buldogge]

Peter...Is there a Vecchio's winter hat?

-Mark

http://www.curveinc.com/customteamclothing/proline-accessories/curvehats.html

[christian]

Ok, I'm going to answer seriously this time.

When it's cold cold, I will only wear one of two things:
1) My Assos Fuguhelm cycling mutt hat. Simply the world's most advanced mutt.
2) My Vermarc Zanconato mutt. For when I ride the Zanc or the Assos is in the wash.

When it's not cold, but chilly, I wear an Icebug Ice Tube. It is simply the greatest, most polyvalent article of clothing for any endurance sport. It is a thin, stretchy, tube of polypropylene/lycra, which can act as a scarf, balaclava, hat, etc. Obviously, this is far from the only product which can do this, but the fabric of the Icebug version is amazing.

http://icebug.se/grepp-tech/tillbehor/

[Oregonic]

Thanx man...

-Mark

No problem. And, as a native of the St. Louis area, how 'bout those Cards! Mizzou's not looking too shabby either! (Sorry for the thread drift - back to winter headwear).

[teleguy57]

Anyone used both the Rapha Winter or Knit hats and the Sealskinz Belgian cycling camp who could provide some comparisons?