Winter Gear Review

Winter Gear Review

One thing to know about us here at Willy Bikes is we ride. Pretty much every employee at both our East and West stores commutes and rides year-round. It's not uncommon for days to pass where nobody drives to work, we all ride. One thing that commuting will teach you is what to wear. As a result we have a very good understanding of what products work, and which don't. The products we carry in our store are the ones that we use and believe in.

The following products are a few pieces that we have been using this year and and really stand out to us as exceptional products in their category.

Pearl Izumi Cyclone Glove

We've been riding the Cyclone Glove for a while now and have found it to be a fantastic glove. The Cyclone is the perfect glove for temperatures between 35-55 degrees. With reasonable water resistance and good grip, the Cyclone is good for wet spring rides.

But what really sets the Cyclone apart is its fit. The grippy palm and slightly stretchy back (Pearl calls it "Elite Barrier Stretch fabric") allow this glove to fit very well. Sizing is also very "true to size", each size fits like it should.

Sugoi Wallaroo 290 Cycling Cap

Cold weather head gear is a serious category. A warm, wicking cap, can make or break your cold weather riding experience. Not only is the Sugoi 290 cap warm and wicking it also looks and fits great!

I (Isaac Neff) have ridden lots of different winter hats and caps, Pearl, Craft, Swobo, Headsweat, you name it I've probably tried it, and without a doubt the Sugoi cap is the nicest! I've ridden 3+ hours in 20 degree weather with only the Sugoi cap and a helmet on my head and I've stayed warm, dry and comfortable the whole ride!

Wool Socks

We couldn't pick one pair of wool socks so we decided to write a review on all of the wool socks we've been wearing!
We have been riding in, and generally wearing, socks from Sock Guy, Sugoi and Pearl Izumi. Each has its strengths and specific uses. Wool socks have some of the best wicking properties of any sock material and as a result are perfect for cold weather riding. Wool socks will keep your feet dry and warm better than any other kind of sock!

The Sock Guy wool sock, out of the three, is the thinnest. The Sock Guy Wool can be worn in almost any condition, including a summer day! One reason the Sock Guy sock is able to be worn in warmer conditions is its amazing wicking properties.

The Pearl Izumi Wool Socks are almost as thin as the Sock Guy socks but are woven tighter, making the sock slightly warmer. One of the features of the Pearl sock is specific left and right socks. At first, I will admit, I thought this was kind of stupid. After wearing a few pairs of these socks all fall and now through the winter I have completely changed my mind! These socks are literally the best fitting socks I've ever owned. On top of fitting exceptionally well these socks are also very durable. I've washed these socks a lot and they look and fit just like they did the day I purchased them!

Sugoi's Wallaroo Socks are significantly thicker than the Pearl and Sock Guy socks, yet offer the same great wicking properties as the other two wool socks. To be honest I have worn these socks more as everyday socks than I have riding. This is mostly due to how soft these socks feel, making them amazingly comfortable. Paired with a some good booties, these socks are perfect for the coldest rides.


If you have any questions about these items, or any others, feel free to give us a call or stop in either of our stores! 608-255-5292 (west) or 608-244-2453 (east)