Winter Clothing Essentials Recommendations - Please

[Johno]

Dear knowledgeable types....

In December we're relocating from Singapore to the Netherlands. My cycling kit here is about managing 30 degree plus heat and 80% humidity.

So from shoes up to my head I don't have kit that will keep me dry and warm (I'm also realistic on this) during the winter.

I'll be trying to commit to the commute by bike as well, but lots of travel in Europe and other demands will make that difficult versus Singapore.

I ride both MTB XC and road and would prefer recommendations of kit that can be used across both disciplines.

Recommendations regarding good quality softshells, rain jackets, shorts, bib tights, socks, baselayers, shoes and headwear (under helmet) would be appreciated.

Budget isn't an issue, I prefer to buy good quality kit that lasts and is transferable between disciplines and works when I need it than less well manufactured kit.

Currently I think a good softshell, rain jacket, with base layers would be preferred for the top half, with leg warmers potentially for the bottom half. Current Fizik shoes are great here, will be impossible in European winter even I think with overshoes.

What's worked best for you all through winter for rides upto 4-5hrs? I've got to keep going as I've got the Amstel Gold to do in April!

[louiebaby]

I commute in the UK in all weathers, 10 miles each way with a warm shower and dry clothes at either end. (I'm lucky.)

My kit has built up over the years, and is a bit of a mixture, but if I was starting from scratch, with an eye on sensible budget, I would be hitting Planet X and their bundles for the commuting kit:

www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/deals/bundles

For longer rides, I tend not to venture out in horrible conditions, but have in the past. If I was going to spend 4-5 hours in the rain, and I could afford it, I would be looking to get stuff from Rapha. This would end up costing a lot, but I have only good things to say about the kit I have from them:

www.rapha.cc

From the top down, I'd probably want, (but not necessarily wear all at once):

Water proof helmet cover
Helmet
2 x merino beanie / under helmet hat
sunglasses with changeable lenses
Fleece ear warmers
Some kind of snood / neck warmer
2 x ss merino base layers
2 x ls merino base layers
2 x ss jersey with pockets
2 x thicker over layers / ls jersey with pockets
2 x merino arm warmers
Gillet with pockets
Pack-a-mac type rain jacket
Proper commuter waterproof
Soft shell
thermal lobster style properly toasty winter gloves
thickish water proof winter gloves
water proof spring/autumn gloves
slightly breathable spring / autumn full finger gloves
2 x summer fingerless cycling gloves
2 x bib shorts
2 x merino leg warmers
winter long leg bibs
leggings
2 x merino long socks
2 x merino ankle socks
2 x summer short socks
winter neoprane overshoes or winter cycling boots
summer cycling shoes

[okgo]

Best thing I've ever bought for winter in terms of bang for buck - Craft toe covers and a cheap fleece skull cap that covered my ears.

[Johno]

It's one of the issues, not having ad to build a collection of kit, rather having to buy a bunch in one go.

Thanks for the ideas .... No Castelli Gabbe mentioned yet?

[louiebaby]

okgo said:

Best thing I've ever bought for winter in terms of bang for buck - Craft toe covers and a cheap fleece skull cap that covered my ears.

Indeed. Protect the extremities.

I lost the feeling in 4 toes for about 6 months after a particularly bad cold, wet day on LeJog. Winter booties would have stopped this, but I figured in May I wouldn't need them in my kit bag.

[Pachydermus]

Forget caps, the best thing you'll ever buy if you're planning on riding in temps below 5C is a balaclava.

[arcticnick]

I've got a pair of Craft "Storm" bib tights, they are designed for northern European winter rides and have a weird lining where it's needed to keep the wind and rain out. Super comfy and versatile.

Most Swedish Craft stuff will fit the bill - it's the Swedes who coined the phrase, "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing".

[Granfondo]

There is no question that the best bit of winter kit is winter boots followed by a Castelli Gabba!

[DJFish]

Depends on where you are but I get the impression that commuting in the Netherlands is a bit more sedate than in the UK, so there's less need for dedicated cycling kit.
Having said that, when it's really cold a merino skull cap is a nice addition.

[okgo]

Granfondo said:

There is no question that the best bit of winter kit is winter boots followed by a Castelli Gabba!

Just bought a gabba, its good, but I can't see it touching the Assos 851 for actual winter

[Gren]

okgo said:

Granfondo said:

There is no question that the best bit of winter kit is winter boots followed by a Castelli Gabba!

Just bought a gabba, its good, but I can't see it touching the Assos 851 for actual winter

Gabba's more for soggy autumn/spring days. Great versatile jersey but not that warm.

Now an Alpha jacket... That is toasty!

[dontdobends]

The lusso Aqua Repel jacket, Procycling rated above the new Gabba2 jacket.

Lusso repel bibtights, into their 3nd winter and still going strong!

[SixPotBelly]

Gren said:

Gabba's more for soggy autumn/spring days. Great versatile jersey but not that warm.

Now an Alpha jacket... That is toasty!

Agreed on the Gabba. Would also recommend the Alpha, but consider the jersey version if you don't need it as warm as the jacket version. It's less bulky.

[Granfondo]

Gren said:

okgo said:

Granfondo said:

There is no question that the best bit of winter kit is winter boots followed by a Castelli Gabba!

Just bought a gabba, its good, but I can't see it touching the Assos 851 for actual winter

Gabba's more for soggy autumn/spring days. Great versatile jersey but not that warm.

Now an Alpha jacket... That is toasty!

Living in the Highlands staying warm and dry in the winter is hard to do but the Gabba with a merino long sleeve winter base layer does the job.

[Barchettaman]

I cycle commute through the Frankfurt winter up to 52km daily.
Wet days: Gore Bike Wear PacLite jacket and trousers, with gaitors over Decathlon 'trekking' shoes.
Not so wet days: GBW Wind Stopper shell jacket.
Cold: lycra balaclava, lobster mitts with silk undergloves, avoid cotton as a base layer, Vaude fleeces under the Wind Stopper shell.

[Gren]

SixPotBelly said:

Gren said:

Gabba's more for soggy autumn/spring days. Great versatile jersey but not that warm.

Now an Alpha jacket... That is toasty!

Agreed on the Gabba. Would also recommend the Alpha, but consider the jersey version if you don't need it as warm as the jacket version. It's less bulky.

Was thinking of the jersey before I got the jacket but a lot of my rides are 5-6 hours in the saddle and not at full speed so the extra warmth was welcome. It's still not that bulky either. Doesn't feel that much bigger than a Trasparente with a base layer.

[anonymous-user]

Pachydermus said:

Forget caps, the best thing you'll ever buy if you're planning on riding in temps below 5C is a balaclava.

This as well, I rode every single cold day last winter with a balaclava, thermal socks and leggings.

The year before I did half the mileage and was twice as cold.

[Queen of the mountain]

Hubby bought one of the Lusso Aqua Repel jacket after seeing them at the NEC bike show, after using a Gabba for many years he rates it above it with the extra zipped pocket and has more reflective than the Gabba for his early morning commutes. Here's the discount codes we got from the show which they are running til November - SHOW20

[Forever Alone]

Are those Lusso jackets as good as gortex?

[dontdobends]

Forever Alone said:

Are those Lusso jackets as good as gortex?

The Jacket is more waterproof than the Gabba,but as breathable and more fitted than a Gortex jacket, which tends to be a baggier fit for cycling.