Naked Family Points
Are you so passionate about cycling that you'd love to pursue your hobby all year round? Don't worry, you can! Find out everything you need to know and why cycling sunglasses are essential in the winter in this blog.
Why You Shouldn't Skip Your Cycling Glasses in Winter
If you enjoy cycling in the colder months, you’ve probably already experienced the challenges of winter. The inevitable headwind feels particularly icy at low temperatures. Cold and watering eyes are to be expected. Snowflakes can also turn into painful little projectiles due to the speed of your bike. To protect your eyes from the harsh winter conditions, cycling sunglasses are incredibly helpful.
Converting Your Cycling Glasses for Winter
With a standard winter cycling glasses, you might still notice that cold air finds its way into your eyes. This is because the frame of the glasses only rests on your nose, leaving a gap near your face. To address this problem, at NAKED Optics, we’ve added a ski-goggle-like feature to our cycling glasses. With the GOGGLE-UPGRADE, you can replace the classic temples of The HAWK and The FALCON cycling glasses with an elastic band similar to ski goggles. Additionally, the glasses’ frame has a foam insert tailored to your face shape, ensuring that your cycling glasses are completely shielded from the wind.
These Lenses are Perfect for Your Winter Cycling Glasses
Winter is often called the "dark season." As it tends to be darker than the rest of the year, winter cycling glasses need different lenses than in the summer. For snowy and rainy days, completely clear lenses are perfect for cycling. They allow you to keep everything in view while still benefiting from the protective function of the cycling glasses. On sunny winter days, however, the sun can be just as strong as in summer. Therefore, tinted lenses with UV protection are also an essential accessory for your winter cycling glasses.
The Optimal Clothing for Winter Cycling
If you love cycling in winter, you should adjust your clothing accordingly. The rule here is: more is more. Layering is a popular tactic, as you can add or remove layers as needed. A base layer made of merino wool is highly recommended. This functional clothing is breathable and absorbs sweat, so you won’t freeze. For the outer layer, waterproof rain jackets and overpants are ideal. Don’t forget your gloves when cycling. It’s important that your fingers have enough range of motion and can still easily operate the brakes. Your ears are also exposed to cold winds in winter. Thin headbands fit perfectly under your cycling helmet, so you won’t have to forgo any protection.
Making Your Bike Winter-Ready
Winter brings some challenges for your bike as well. Therefore, you should take extra care of your bike during the cold months. To ensure your safety, regularly check the tires and brakes of your bike, as they are essential for braking distance. Just like in a car, this distance increases on wet and icy surfaces. You should also pay special attention to the added moisture in winter. Snow and road salt can attack your bike, so all vulnerable parts, like dampers, ball bearings, and the suspension fork, should be protected with an extra layer of grease. Oil has a water-repelling effect. Your chain also deserves a bit of extra oil in winter. Synthetic lubricants are best for this purpose, as they are not easily washed off in wet conditions. Finally, if you're cycling in winter, make sure you have good visibility. So, also check your bike lights during winter.
Credits: Florian Dorn