Hello, everyone! It’s Chan-Mai.
The year-end rush always makes the passing days feel like they’re moving faster, and I realized it’s already been a month since this happened.
We went on an overnight staff ride from Circles all the way to Kyoto!
What to wear? Choosing gear for winter rides
Even though it was only November, the cold hit much earlier this year, with many mornings and evenings seeing temperatures drop significantly. (Our ride was in mid-November.) Since we were planning to ride through the night, I knew it was bound to be freezing.
Even in winter, you’re going to sweat if you’re pushing your body.
And because the outside air is cold, stopping while still sweaty will instantly chill you to the bone and sap your energy.
You need winter gear that provides solid insulation while still allowing body heat to escape and keeping moisture at bay. That is the challenge for winter cycling apparel.
Introducing Active Insulation
Are you familiar with the category of apparel known as "active insulation" that many brands have been releasing in recent years?
Active insulation is essentially "dynamic warmth." It’s designed to balance insulation and breathability depending on your level of physical activity. It’s mostly used as a mid-layer between a base layer and an outer shell, though some can be used as a base layer as well. We carry a few of these products at Circles, too.
However, unlike regular warm gear, it’s so breathable that you might actually feel cold when you stop moving, so you have to be mindful of how you use it.
I chose the "Yamatomichi Active Pullover."
It turned out to be the absolute perfect solution for this ride and such a great purchase that I’m excited to share it with you all.
Yamatomichi Active Pullover
"Yamatomichi" has been a staple at Circles for a long time, and I'm sure many of you have heard of them. The brand, which continues to create tools for UL (Ultra-Light) hiking, is so well-known now that it feels like hikers of every generation know their incredible products.
There are quite a few cyclists among their team, too. And of course, they wear Yamatomichi gear while riding, and it turns out many of those items work great for cycling as well. After all, the UL spirit that hikers seek has a lot in common with what cyclists want.
So, apologies for the long introduction, but the item I'm introducing today is the "Active Pullover." First, let's look at the specs. The first thing I noticed when I held it was how surprisingly light it is. It looks like a fuzzy fleece, but even the size M weighs an astonishing 148g. Most general fleeces are around 300-400g, and even those labeled as "lightweight" usually hover in the 200g range, so you can really feel the difference the moment you pick it up.
It uses Polartec Alpha Direct (100g/m²). In addition to the fundamental insulation and breathability of active insulation, it also features excellent stretch—so it doesn't hinder movement—and is highly resistant to retaining water (it dries quickly). This makes it perfect not just as a mid-layer, but also as a base layer against your skin.
It also has thumbholes to keep your hands warm, protecting your fingers, which tend to get cold easily. You can easily adjust the temperature with the zipper, and by tightening the hem drawcord, you can shut out cold drafts. It’s also great for adjusting the length of the garment.
Yamatomichi 2025 Active Pullover
Colors: Purple / Black / White / Hibiscus / Peppermint
Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Price: 19,000 yen (tax included)
So, how did it actually perform...?
Here’s what I actually wore (I’m the one in the front, Chan-Mai):
Base layer: Yamatomichi 100% Light Merino Sleeveless
Mid-layer 1: RAL Merino Coolmax L/S Tee
Mid-layer 2: Yamatomichi Active Pullover
Outer: UL All-weather Jacket Unisex
Bottom base layer: PATAGONIA W’s Capilene Thermal Weight Bottoms
Bottoms: TORAYA Equipment Oval Pants
Shoes: BEDROCK SANDALS Mountain Clog Suede Leather
I am notorious among the Circles staff for being super sensitive to the cold. I struggled with my decision until the very last minute, but this is what I settled on! As you can tell from the title of this blog, it was a massive success!
By wearing a thin 100% merino wool layer next to my skin, I didn't get the "sweat chill" (merino wool doesn't feel cold even when it’s wet!). Doubling up on merino is my go-to strategy. Creating air layers between the pieces boosts insulation significantly!
And the Active Pullover I mentioned earlier? It wicked away sweat perfectly, insulating me while effectively letting my body heat escape. Adding a shell as an outer layer kept the wind out and further enhanced the insulation of the Active Pullover.
When the sun rose and the temperature warmed up, I unzipped it to let in some air. Being able to fine-tune my temperature this way made it perfect for a ride with such fluctuations in temperature.
I completed the ride to Kyoto without ever feeling clammy or getting chilled by my own sweat✌️ I’m naturally a night owl, so I was full of energy the whole time, but I truly believe that choosing the right gear made all the difference.
Bottom line: If you have the right gear, you can ride in winter
Most of the time, I feel like riding when I have a lot to think about.
Or when I just want to listen to the radio at a slow, leisurely pace.
But the times I truly love riding are when I have the feeling of pushing my body to the limit.
When Asai-senpai invited me on the "overnight Kyoto ride," I had a feeling I’d get to experience that exact sensation, so I impulsively said, "I'm in!" It had been a while since I’d ridden over 100km, and I’m generally not a fan of the cold, so I rarely go for winter rides... but a deal is a deal!
But I’m so glad I went!!! It was genuinely fun!
If you’ve got the right gear, you can ride comfortably even in winter. Now that I know this, I’m excited to go again! I’m just happy I feel that way.
I’m here to support you with your winter riding gear at Circles 2F! Feel free to ask for advice! 💪
For more on how the ride went, check out Dar-chan’s blog too!
