Trebon keeps cold-weather kit simple

When it comes to choosing the right kit for a cold cyclocross race, Ryan Trebon makes a few basic items go a long way.

Perhaps the most important item of clothing for the Kona-FSA rider is his Craft Gore WS long sleeve base layer. This cycling-specific garment augments Craft’s sweat-wicking Pro Zero fabric with a stretchable, windproof fabric to keep the rider’s core warm.

“It’s nice that it’s windproof in the chest,” says Trebon. “It keeps your core warm and I don’t feel like I overheat using it. You don’t want it to breathe much — you want to trap all that heat in. You’re not going to be sweating much when it’s 25 degrees outside.”

Next on the list is a good pair of gloves—make that two pairs, both from Giro. Trebon uses the Ambient for cold weather, generally temperatures below 40, and the Blaze for cool weather.

Both use a neoprene lining on the back of the hand, to fend off wind and rain, and the synthetic leather Clarino on the palm. The wrist strap uses a large Velcro patch for a sturdy hold and there is a large piece of soft fleece over the thumb for wiping a runny nose. Finally, both gloves use silicone strips on the thumb and first two fingertips to provide a trustworthy grip on the brakes, shifters and handlebars. The Ambient adds an X-Static anti-microbial fleece lining, which goes a long way toward keeping fingers warm

Trebon wore the Ambient during the U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross finale December 6 in Portland, when the temps dipped to just below freezing.

“Those are nice because they are a little thick but you still have good dexterity with the handlebar and there is a huge terrycloth section to wipe your nose with,” he says. “They don’t bunch when you grip the bar. They are the best winter gloves I’ve ever had.”

On a cold day like that, Trebon adds a Craft Gore WS Skull Hat. This cold-weather cap is based on the same principles as his base layer — the fabric that touches the skin is the wicking Pro Zero fabric and the outer layer is Gore Wind Stop fabric.

“Most days I wear a normal cycling cap but if it’s really cold out I wear the Craft hat,” says Trebon. “This is essentially windproof in the front and breathable everywhere else.”

His cyclocross-specific, long-sleeved skinsuit by Champion Systems is fleece-lined, which Trebon said “makes a huge difference in warmth compared to regular Lycra.” Trebon also uses Champion Systems leg warmers — fleece-lined for cold weather and basic Lycra for cool temperatures.

Lastly, Trebon’s cool-weather garb wouldn’t be complete without a thin, warm pair of wool socks contributed by Kona, his title sponsor.