Does anyone have any suggestions on clothing for cold weather riding? A couple of snowmobile people I've talked to said something with nylon on
the outside blocks wind the best. We have the camo insulated coveralls which are fine for just being outside, but I don't know how warm they would keep us at 40mph. I think we have our feet covered with Mickey Mouse boots, but are still looking for something for hands and neck. Mittens always seemed to keep hands warmer than gloves, but then I haven't really looked at good gloves lately. Thanks.

 

I haven't ridden my atv during winter, but I did ride all last winter my snowmobile. It wasn't really that cold (-10, -15 celsius), and ski clothes were enough. When you buy anything, check what minimum temp it is recommended for. We have -70F boots (yes, -70 Farenheit -spelled right?-), and -35C gear (pants and "jacket"). I used gloves, with warming grips and thumb, it was enough. Get a snowmobile helmet (so fog doesn't instantly cover the glass).
I never felt cold with that.

 

Greetings,

Nothing cuts through a cold wind like leather. I ride with an old leather coat (the "Windward Horsehide Jacket" circa 1950) and a pair of riding chaps from my days with the horses. I've tried all sorts of nylon and other fabrics but once you get going the wind just flows right through.

I have a face mask with Thinsulate plus a helmut with a face shield. It fogs over when I stop but clears right up when I'm rolling. I also have a set of wire mesh goggles. They are sold by Bailey's primarily for use by lumberjacks, but they are great in the winter time -- there is nothing to fog up, but they do let in some dust (not a problem for me in the winter). The only tough spot is my neck -- no matter what I do the wind finds its way in there.

I use Cabela's fur-lined handle bar mitts for my hands. But here again, the wind seems to creep into them jsut enough to find my thumb. I also have a set of Swedish Army leather motocycle mittens with very big cuffs (very cheap from the Sportsman's Guide) which I'll try this year. Otherwise, I'm going to cut the thumb out of a pair of old gloves just to add a layer of protection. I just hate frost bite.

Micky Mouse boots are great but I doubt you could use them with a foot shifter. Incidentally, the Sportsman's Guide now makes replicas of the original (complete with air valve) but improved with Thinsulate.

 

to keep the wind off your neck, get a balaclava. it'a basically a facemask, but the entire thing is stretchy. you can put it either under your helmet or over. it'll adjust so your face shows, or just your eyes. you can pick them up for $5 if you look around. i also added hand guards to my quad which let me ride with even the thinnest of gloves by keeping the wind off my knuckles.
and for warmth, you can't beat feathers.

 

Snowmobile gloves for your hands (although I have had good luck with Sportsman's Guide surplus military mittens down to about zero), and a bacalava (spelling???) for your neck. It is kind of like a hood or some are like a ski mask that goes all the way down to your shoulders in one piece. The Sportsman's Guide sometimes has surplus ones of those, too.

 

For riding in the cold and snow (Yes it snows here in Tennessee!) I would suggest Gore-Tex. It not only keeps you dry but also stops the wind. If you get a good Gore-Tex rain suit, you can wear it over any kind of insulation you want.

One thing to remember, when you are riding an ATV you are not expending nearly the amount of energy that you would skiing.

Hand guards will make all the difference when riding in the cold. If you can keep the wind off your hands they should stay warm.

Good luck and stay warm and dry!