Winter cycling gear: Tips from Julia Borgström

Winter cycling gear: Tips from Julia at AG Insurance - Soudal

Julia has been part of our team since 2020, first with NXTG Racing and now with the elite team of AG Insurance - Soudal. Living in the chilly south of Sweden, she regularly braves icy temperatures and harsh weather conditions. Julia knows better than anyone how riders can dress optimally to stay comfortable and warm during the winter months. From breathable layers to weather-resistant clothing, Julia shares her personal tips and tricks about her favorite winter gear from Castelli.

Castelli clothing for all-round winter performance

"For me, Castelli is the perfect brand," Julia begins. "They have an extensive range of high-quality winter gear suitable for any type of weather. Whether you want to stay dry and warm in rain and wind or need protection against the cold, Castelli basically has everything you need to tackle winter rides."

With different layers and specific clothing pieces, Julia can adapt perfectly to the wet, cold Swedish winters, where temperature and precipitation change quickly.

Warmth vs. breathability

With the wet and cold Swedish winters (usually 0-10 degrees, sometimes below freezing and often with rain and wind), finding the right balance between warmth and breathability is crucial for Julia. "Waterproof clothing isn’t always the solution in winter," she explains. "A rain jacket keeps you dry, but it can also feel suffocating on long rides. After a while, you start to sweat, which eventually makes you colder." Julia’s solution? Layers that are water-resistant but still breathable. "A warm base layer and the long-sleeve Gabba (aka Perfetto W jacket) from Castelli work best for me. These can handle light rain and wind without making me feel overheated."

Cold conditions and smart layering

Julia emphasizes that dressing for cold temperatures requires more than just piling on layers. "Many people think you just need more layers, but that doesn’t guarantee warmth," she explains. "It’s about well-fitting clothing that isn’t too tight. The reason we wear layers is that the air between them acts as insulation. If your clothing is too tight, there’s no room for that insulating air, and you actually lose warmth."

For cold rides, Julia recommends two to three well-fitting layers instead of endlessly piling them on. "By choosing pieces that keep out the cold but allow your body heat to warm the air between layers, you stay best insulated." Her favorite combination for an extremely cold ride below freezing?

• Dinamica jacket
• Flanders W longsleeve and Polare W bibtight (for the coldest days)
• Meno Wind W bibtight (windproof for extra warmth)
• Spettacolo RoS Glove or Espresso 2 Glove, or the Espresso GT Glove for really cold hands

Additionally, Julia wears a neck warmer, a headband or thin cap, and her warmest overshoes.
Julia’s extra tip: "It’s normal to feel a bit cold at the beginning of the ride; your body just needs time to warm up. This helps maintain a balanced body temperature."

Autumn vs. winter clothing: The difference in details

Julia notes that her basic gear in autumn and winter is very similar, but the specific items differ. "In autumn, I wear a lighter bibtight and the Beta RoS W jacket. This jacket is ideal for cooler autumn days but isn’t quite heavy enough for the real winter cold. In winter, I switch to my thicker Meno Wind W bibtight, with a windproof front and heavier jackets." The type of base layer also varies: in autumn, she experiments with different options, while in winter, she always chooses a warm, long-sleeve base layer.

As for accessories, winter adds a pair of warm gloves and a thicker head covering. "At first glance, the difference seems small, but the specific pieces make a world of difference," says Julia.

Staying dry as the foundation for warmth

In an environment like Julia’s, where moisture is often the biggest challenge, staying dry is crucial to staying warm. "For those who, like me, often ride in cold and wet weather, water-resistant gear is essential. Neoprene overshoes, GoreTex winter gloves, winter bibtights with a windproof front, and jackets with some water resistance really help."

Julia’s final advice: "Invest in gear that’s both breathable and lightly water-resistant because if you stay dry, it’s much easier to keep the cold at bay."