Dressing at ten degrees
Short answer: Ten degrees calls for a long-sleeved layer and a light jacket. It is the temperature where a single layer of bamboo viscose makes the most difference. Here is why ten degrees is hard to dress for and how to make it work.
Why ten degrees is hard
It is too cold for short sleeves and too warm for a winter jacket. Ten degrees sits in the middle between the seasons, which makes it hard to choose right. Most people either freeze for the first ten minutes or sweat for the last twenty. The answer is layers you can adjust during the day.
Two kinds of mistake
The mistake can go either way. Wear too little and you freeze when you stand still or cycle into a headwind. Wear too much and you sweat, and the damp clothes turn cold when you stop. The aim is a level where you neither freeze at the start nor sweat along the way.
A long-sleeved layer
A long-sleeved layer against the skin is the simplest solution. Bamboo viscose regulates better than cotton, because it moves moisture away when you warm up. That means you stay drier, and the clothes do not feel clammy if you move. See bamboo long-sleeve t-shirts for men.
Bamboo viscose or cotton
Cotton takes up moisture and holds on to it, so it feels cold against the skin if you have sweated. Bamboo viscose moves the moisture on. That makes a difference on a day when the weather shifts between sun and shade. It is a simple reason to choose it against the skin at ten degrees when you are out all day.
The jacket you can unzip
Put a jacket on top that you can unzip. The zip is what you regulate with, and it lets fresh air in when you get warm. The jacket does not need to be thick. It only needs to be a layer that stops the wind and holds the warm air you make yourself.
If it is windy
Ten degrees with wind feels like five. Then the jacket should be tight, not thicker. A tight jacket stops the wind, and it is the wind that takes the heat from you. With a long-sleeved layer underneath, you are well covered. See bamboo clothing for women and women's long-sleeved bamboo t-shirts.
Short sleeves or not
Can you get by with short sleeves at ten degrees? If the sun is out and there is shelter, yes. Otherwise it turns cold in the shade, and you regret not wearing a long-sleeved layer. If you only have short sleeves with you, a thin jacket on top lets you adjust.
What about shorts
At ten degrees most people feel cold in the legs after half an hour. Bare legs cool quickly when you are not moving much, and it is hard to warm up again afterwards. Long trousers are the safe choice. With an active program and lots of movement it can be different, but most people are better off with long legs.
Bring a layer
The safest option is to bring an extra layer that you put on if it gets colder and put back in the bag if the sun comes out. A thin long-sleeved layer takes up almost no room. Then you do not have to guess the weather in the morning, and you can adapt during the day.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a jacket
Yes, but a light one. It is there for the wind more than for the warmth, and it should unzip so you can regulate when you get warm.
Can you get by with short sleeves
If the sun is out and there is shelter, yes. Otherwise it turns cold in the shade, so bring a long-sleeved layer you can put on if the weather changes.
What about shorts
At ten degrees most people feel cold in the legs after half an hour. Long trousers are the safe choice when you are not moving much, and bare legs get cold quickly.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
