What Bontrager doesn’t make, Trek does — except for drivetrains.
The Lowdown: Bontrager Cold Weather Apparel
Save for bikes and drivetrains, Bontrager makes just about everything. That includes a vast line-up of clothing, everything from jackets and jerseys to socks and baselayers. Seven different baselayers to be exact. After several months trying out all these baselayers, plus a host of other Bontrager offerings, we’ve been roundly impressed. From the superlight XXX Road Shoe, to the Velocis Helmet, to various jackets, jerseys, and gloves, the Wisconsin crew is pumping out impressive product — most of it reasonably priced. Three of our favorite pieces are the RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket, B2 Windshell Long Sleeve Baselayer, and the Race 7” Wool Socks. The windshell baselayer is great for exceptionally cold days — or when you don’t want to wear too much bulk. The 180 jacket is a highly versatile piece with zip-off sleeves that converts into a vest. And the socks are soft, durable, and keep feet — and ankles — warm and dry. Check out our ratings and full reviews below, and flip through the expansive photo gallery for information and impressions on numerous other Bontrager offerings.
Wind proof material up front keeps you warm. High viz yellow helps keep you safe.
Stat Box: RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
Features: Windproof, breathable, water resistant
Fit: Streamlined body fit
Storage: Three rear pockets, zip chest pocket
Sizes: XS-XXL
Versatility: Zip-off sleeves convert jacket to vest
MSRP: $180
Material: Profila dry fabric (polyester/merino wool)
Rating: 
4 out of 5 stars
Colors: Black, Bonty Red, Visibility Yellow (tested)
Pluses
Minuses
Convertible from jacket to vest
Test model color loud
Ample pockets and storage
Sleeve removal is clunky
High visibility color enhances safety
Only water resistant
Chest pocket for valuables
Thumb loops (if you’d prefer a traditional design)
Temperature versatility
Four-way stretch
Thermal cuffs
Three color options
Thumb loops (if you like that style)
Breathable and windproof
On the right day, this is an incredible piece of cold weather gear.
Stat Box: B2 Windshell Long Sleeve Baselayer
Material: Profila dry fabric (60% polyester/40% merino wool)
Sizes: XS-XXL
Weather: For mild temperatures (35-60 degrees)
Color: Black
Features: Moisture wicking, wind resistant
MSRP: $95
Fit: Streamlined body fit with drop tail
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Pluses
Minuses
Substantial wind protection
Can get clammy
Temperature variability
Price
Moisture wicking
Quick drying
Race fit
Four-way stretch
Thermal cuffs
Three color options
Thumb loops (if you like that style)
Breathable and windproof
We love tall socks, especially ones made of merino wool.
Stat Box: Race 7” Wool Socks
Features: Arch compression, flat toe seam
Color: Black
Material: Merino wool
MSRP: $16
Sizes: S-XL
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pluses
Minuses
Warmth
Only one color option
Quick drying
Height (if you don’t like tall socks)
Ankle coverage
Price
Durability
Moisture wicking
Odor resistance
Temperature versatility
It was colder than it looks that day.
Full Review: Bontrager Cold Weather Apparel
Bontrager makes a lot of stuff. Wheels, tires, stems, bars, pumps, shoes, helmets, jerseys, jackets, you name it. Indeed, besides bikes and drivetrains, Trek’s gear and apparel arm has its fingers plunged into just about all of cycling’s proverbial pies. That includes baselayers, lots and lots of baselayers. Seven different models to be exact.
Back in mid-fall RoadBikeReview took delivery of all seven of the company’s next-to-skin garments, which cover just about every occasion and weather condition. On warm days, go simple sleeveless. If it’s a little chillier, there’s a polyester/wool blend short sleeve. And when the thermostat takes a dive, Bontrager offers regular long sleeve, windshell long sleeve, hooded long sleeve, and a full merino wool version. All the bases are literally covered.
We’ve spent the last several months trying out these various baselayers, plus a number of other Bontrager offerings. Generally speaking we’ve been roundly impressed. From the superlight XXX Road Shoe, to the easy-on-the-eyes Velocis Helmet, to various jackets, jerseys, and gloves, the Wisconsin crew is pumping out solid product. And most of it is reasonably priced.
But time and space are perpetually limited, so this review focuses on three of our favorite pieces, the RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket, B2 Windshell Long Sleeve Baselayer, and the Race 7” Wool Socks. To read our thoughts on some of the other gear and apparel, flip through the expansive photo gallery below.
Pick the right baselayer based on current temperature and this handy chart.
B2 Windshell Long Sleeve Baselayer
The key to staying warm and comfortable during wintertime cycling excursions hinges on keeping your core warm. If your mid-section stays up to temp, blood will continue to flow to your extremities, meaning warm hands and feet. But as soon as core temp drops, the body goes into panic mode, redirecting its warming efforts to your core to assure vital organs don’t go into a deep freeze. That invariably leads to cold fingers and toes, and usually a quick end to your ride.
Enter Bontrager’s B2 Windshell Long Sleeve Baselayer, a 60/40 blend of polyester and merino wool that has wind resistant material on the chest, shoulders and side to protect from the chilling gusts of Old Man Winter. This isn’t an every-ride piece; if you know you’ll be getting out of the wind, or doing extended climbing, choose a baselayer that breathes a little better up front. (Bontrager makes several.)
You can also add wind-stopping layers further away from your skin, which nets more on-the-fly adjustability. But for those rides when you won’t want to stop and shed a layer, don’t want to wear too much bulk (think cold weather cyclocross racing), or if you simply know that it’s going to be biting cold the whole time you’re pedaling, this is a fantastic baselayer.
Fit is close-to-the-body snug, and the back panel has a 3-inch drop tail so it wont come untucked. And the entire piece has plush soft-on-skin feel. On the right days, this was an absolute A+ first defense layer against the elements.
With four quick zips, this jacket becomes a great cold weather vest.
RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
While Bontrager’s windshell baselayer lacks versatility, the RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket is nothing but dynamic. In standard form it’s a cozy longsleeve outer layer that’s windproof and water resistant. Three generous rear pockets, plus a zippered chest pocket (smartphone size) provide amble storage for food, cash, and more. Strategically placed reflective accents help keep you safe during lowlight rides. (It also comes in three colors, including the hard-to-miss Visibility Yellow, which is hard to miss.)
But it’s the convertible-nature of this piece that we really liked. In the time it takes you to say zip, zip, zip, zip, the jacket’s sleeves zip off, converting into a cold-weather vest. Admittedly, because of the awkward angles the process is better done with the jacket off. But once conversion is complete, we loved the extra protection offered by this vest. It’s a great wintertime alternative to standard cycling vests, which are typically pretty thin.
A full-length zipper assures that you can open up if things heat up, and the logo badge attached to the zipper makes it easy to grab and manipulate while on the move with gloves on. A 3-inch drop tail gives you rear end a little extra protection when bent over in the cycling position. Rear grippers help keep things in place.
Zipping off the sleeves is a little tricky when the jacket is on.
The fabric itself is something Bontrager calls Profila, a polyester/merino wool. The material on the back and under the arms is thinner to promote moisture transfer, while the chest panel, shoulders, and the top of the sleeves offer increased wind protection.
The waterproof level is 10,000mm and with breathability of 10,000g/m2/24hr. For the uninitiated, those are middle-of-the-road values. Top-of-the-line (read: uber expensive) garments are made from fabrics that are 20,000mm and 20,000g/m2/24hr. If you know it’s going to rain, this isn’t the right jacket to head out the door with.
Four-way stretch material throughout enhances on-bike comfort. There are also thumb loops on the thermal wrist cuffs if you like tucking your sleeves in your gloves. Fit is snug, but we had no trouble layering it overtop a cool-weather longsleeve jersey. And the bright yellow has remained bright yellow, even after getting splattered with mud on several occasions, then washed.
Add it all up and the RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket is a well thought out top that’s earned a regular place in our wintertime apparel rotation when temps are in the 30-40-degree range.
Also known as shin warmers.
Race 7” Wool Socks
Lastly, we must mention Bontrager’s Race 7” Wool Socks. And yes, you read that right — these socks are 7 inches tall. You might as well call them shin warmers. And that’s exactly why we love them. They’re made from soft-on-the-skin merino wool, and they extend far up the ankle, providing an extra layer of protection during cold weather rides.
And why wouldn’t you want that extra protection? Name the body part that endures the most abuse when cold road spray is flying off your front wheel. Feet and ankles, that’s right.
These socks also have subtle arch compression and a flat toe seam so there’s no unwanted skin-rub. They also wick moisture, dry quick, and resist odor. No need to wash them after every ride so long as they don’t get wet.
For more information and impressions on other Bontrager offerings, flip through the expansive photo gallery below. Also check out www.bontrager.com
Review: Bontrager cold weather jacket, baselayer and socks Gallery
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Bontrager Cold Weather Gear
What Bontrager doesn't make, Trek does — except for drivetrains.
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Bontrager RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
Wind proof material up front keeps you warm. High viz yellow helps keep you safe. MSRP: $180
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Bontrager RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
With four quick zips, this jacket becomes a great cold weather vest.
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Bontrager RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
Reflective accents help keep you safe.
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Bontrager RXL Convertible 180 Softshell Jacket
Zipping off the sleeves is a little tricky when the jacket is on.
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Bontrager Visibility Thermal Knee Warmer
If we'd pulled our socks up, there'd be little skin left uncovered.
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Bontrager Race 7" Wool Socks
We love tall socks, especially ones made of merino wool. MSRP: $16
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Bontrager Race 7" Wool Socks
Also known as shin warmers.
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Bontrager Windshell Gloves
On dry, cold days these gloves are a solid option with great tactile feel and comfortable gel padding on the palms. We just wish they worked with smartphone screens. MSRP: $40
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Bontrager Baselayers
Pick the right baselayer based on current temperature and this handy chart.
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Bontrager B1 Sleeveless Baselayer
When winter gives way to summer, this is a solid choice. MSRP: $40
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Bontrager B1 S/S Baselayer
The same lightweight material as the sleeveless, but with sleeves. MSRP: $40
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Bontrager B2 S/S Baselayer
When there's just a little chill in the air, switch over to the B2 shortsleeve baselayer. This is a solid choice for days in the high 40s and low 50s. Merino wool on the back and arms provide a good balance between moisture transfer and warm when wet in mild, variable conditions. MSRP: $70
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Bontrager B2 Windshell L/S Baselayer
On the right day, this is an incredible piece of cold weather gear. MSRP: $95
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Bontrager B3 Zip L/S Baselayer
Profila material provides warmth, even when wet during cold conditions. The 5-inch zip allows you to cool down on climbs. This is the baselayer we wear most often in winter because it works in a variety of conditions and temperature ranges. MSRP: $110
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Bontrager B2 Hooded L/S Baselayer
Skip the beanie and go with a hood + face protection instead. MSRP: $90
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Bontrager Cold Weather Apparel
Ready for anything.
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Bontrager Helmet and Hood
The hood extension doubles as a neck gaiter and face shield.
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Bontrager RLX Thermal L/S Jersey
Warm, soft on the skin, and reasonably priced. This is a great jersey. MSRP: $110
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Bontrager RLX Thermal L/S Jersey
Plenty of rear storage, plus a zip pocket for the smartphone or other valuables.
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Bontrager Velocis Helmet
In an age when helmet design seems to have gone off the rails, it's refreshing to see this classic (and low profile) design.
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Bontrager Velocis Helmet
We wish the straps would lay a little flatter. But there's plenty of room for sunglasses.
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Bontrager Velocis Helmet
Sleek lines and plenty of ventilation. Moisture-wicking antimicrobial pads reduce odors. MSRP: $250
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