WINTER BIKE GEAR FOR BOISE & EAGLE

With the sun setting before 5 pm, good lights are the most important winter upgrade you can make. The front light puts out up to 1,200 lumens, enough to light up unlit paths and the Greenbelt. The bright 400-lumen tail light makes sure drivers notice you from far back. Both have a daytime flash mode, charge by USB-C, and are fully waterproof for slushy rides.

Icy mornings are what park most commuter bikes for the season. This tire has 120 carbide studs that bite into black ice and slick pavement, and its winter rubber stays grippy in the cold. A puncture-protection layer guards against flats, and reflective sidewalls add visibility at night.

This is the serious winter tire. It has 402 carbide studs and an aggressive tread, so it grips on sheet ice, packed snow and frozen trails where other tires slide. It's tough enough for roots and rocks, so a winter foothills ride or an icy back-road commute can go ahead as planned.

These keep your hands warm and dry on cold morning rides, from about 30 to 50°F. The windproof, water-resistant shell and fleece lining handle frosty commutes, and the gel palm takes the sting out of rough pavement without making the glove bulky. The fingertips work on touchscreens, and reflective details help drivers see you on dark winter evenings.

A light, nimble glove for brisk mornings, chilly evenings and spring/fall shoulder-season riding. The stretchy softshell holds off wind and light rain, and the longer cuff seals out the draft at your wrist. Silicone-printed fingers keep a sure grip on bars and levers in the wet, and you can answer your phone without taking the gloves off.

Cold feet are usually the first thing to end a winter ride. These insulated overshoes hold off wind and road spray and still let your feet breathe. The PrimaLoft Gold insulation is very warm for how thin it is, so it doesn't add bulk. A shaped fit keeps them from bunching while you pedal, and reflective details make your feet visible to drivers at night.

A soft, breathable fleece gaiter that keeps the cold off your neck. On the coldest commutes you can pull it up over your face. The neon yellow and reflective details help drivers spot you in the early dark of winter. It's light enough to stuff in a pocket once you warm up.

Winter roads are rough on chains. Wet, sand and road salt cause rust and wear, and that leads to a noisy, sluggish ride. This all-conditions lube soaks into the chain and leaves a protective coating that keeps shifting smooth in wet or dry weather. It's biodegradable and petroleum-free, and the pipette tip puts it exactly where you need it.