Recommend budget winter mtb clothing

Excellent trousers at a decent price.

https://www.leisurelakesbikes.com/clothing/trousers-tights/endura-mt500-spray-trouser-black__345175

Base layer plus something like this

https://www.cyclestore.co.uk/altura_endurance_mistral_softshell_thermal_jacket-ID_82804?opt=198206&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA2JG9BhAuEiwAH_zf3hsaN5lu7Ow3BWIaDzHWrDyrqiKge0XAOMlqExlmxQokoNeq-mbsqhoCnaoQAvD_BwE

With a wind/ waterproof jacket on top.- for example

https://www.sportpursuit.com/catalog/product/view/id/4054536

Any thin stretchy fleece will do as a midlayer.  I would recommend a gilet, really versatile and useful, a rarely go for a ride without one.  I like my Madison trousers, the Flux would be the equivalent.  

Decathlon ski base layers and ski socks are warmer than the cycling stuff.

If you can, wait till places are selling off winter kit in the spring/summer. Then try not to gain weight before you need it.....

Decathlon ski base layers and ski socks are warmer than the cycling stuff.

If you can, wait till places are selling off winter kit in the spring/summer. Then try not to gain weight before you need it.....

Polaris had some excellent bargains recently - £15 bib longs and £20 winter softshell, both excellent.

Cheap warm socks abound, but the best thing I've bought for winter is proper insulated boots.

Cheap buff for neck and another cut down for ears.

£6 Regatta or Dare2be fleece mid layer.

2nd @davros re the MT500 Spray , quite warm as well. I find the difference between a 2.5 and a 3 .0 layer very noticeable when it's just around freezing. Personally I find the Briskers no good for cold weather riding , more suited to plus 8 upwards.

2nd @davros re the MT500 Spray , quite warm as well. I find the difference between a 2.5 and a 3 .0 layer very noticeable when it's just around freezing. Personally I find the Briskers no good for cold weather riding , more suited to plus 8 upwards.

Well worth trip to a trip to Decathlon. Look at ski, hiking and cycling sections. Don’t buy the cheapest. I’m currently wearing a  base layer that cost £3.50 over 10 years ago. It started look a bit less new but is still fully intact. My wife was a dog walker out 4 times a day. Decathlon was her go to for stuff that lasted at a good price

Polaris stuff is good. Especially the Lobster gloves.

Lidl \ Aldi winter tights or bib tights with chamois pad & windproof front have served me well over the years (Inc the Strathpuffer).

Likewise Lidl \ Aldi winter long sleeve cycling tops.

Altura waterproof Jacket.

Sealskinz socks over normal socks inside my regular, mesh MTB boots are as good as my Winter SPD boots.

Cut down army surplus goretex trousers work well as long, waterproof over shorts although I switched to Endura ones recently.

Have a browse through the sale rails in Decathlon, get a Decathlon members card and spin the lucky wheel at the tills, you might get some extra discount.

Have a browse through the sale rails in Decathlon, get a Decathlon members card and spin the lucky wheel at the tills, you might get some extra discount.

Polaris stuff is good. Especially the Lobster gloves.

Lidl \ Aldi winter tights or bib tights with chamois pad & windproof front have served me well over the years (Inc the Strathpuffer).

Likewise Lidl \ Aldi winter long sleeve cycling tops.

Altura waterproof Jacket.

Sealskinz socks over normal socks inside my regular, mesh MTB boots are as good as my Winter SPD boots.

Cut down army surplus goretex trousers work well as long, waterproof over shorts although I switched to Endura ones recently.

I tend to use Under Armour Coldgear base layers for both road and mtb. If it’s proper cold I use an Isobaa zipped long sleeve top then a 3 layer Ion mtb jacket. All bought when I can find them in sales. If it’s super cold some kind of neck warmer keeps the draughty out 

Trousers wise I only wear them (rather then shorts) because it means your lower legs don’t get muddy in winter and it makes it easier to get back in the car clean afterwards. Both my pairs are Nukeproof which I think are sadly unavailable to buy now.

Unless it's actually freezing out, I don;t wear many specific winter clothes.

Just long trews, maybe a thin merino or just a normal long-sleeved poly jersey or baselayer, and softshell jacket on top.

As others have said, warm socks and gloves to keep your extremities warm and a buff for your neck and/or head.

Decathlon stuff is fine, but there are usually plenty of discounts on other brands too. Or even go secondhand.

Polaris stuff is good. Especially the Lobster gloves.

Lidl \ Aldi winter tights or bib tights with chamois pad & windproof front have served me well over the years (Inc several Strathpuffers).

Likewise Lidl \ Aldi winter long sleeve cycling tops.

Altura waterproof Jacket.

Sealskinz socks over normal socks inside my regular, mesh MTB boots are as good as my Winter SPD boots.

Cut down army surplus goretex trousers work well as long, waterproof over shorts although I switched to Endura ones recently.

worth investing in some decent riding trousers like the endura ones linked above. my current go to for cold crappy winter weather is the Maddison water proof bib's which are great (although the dungaree look is a little special), but a bit spendy as cheapest you can normally find them is c £150, however i've found nothing better for the worst of the weather. Whatever trousers you go for, make sure they have a re-enforced arse panel that ideally water proof, as riding in the winter mud and grit wears the arse out in trousers quickly (at least round here in the Peak).

For upper body, i don't bother with cycling specific stuff as tend to find it overpriced and often not a good quality as a similar item from well know outdoor brands - rab, ,mountain equipment etc. often more choice with the outdoor brands as well. i find soft shell jackets more useful for the majority of riding unless it's raining heavily as there more comfortable and breath better. When its properly wet i use a lightweight Gore-Tex (or similar) hard shell over whatever base & mid layer combo.

Riding in winter slop tends to kill kit fairly quickly, as does crashing in your expensive top end jacket, so i tend to buy soft shells, jackets  and mid layers second hand or on sale where possible. another advantage of going for general outdoor kit is you can normally find something on sale, or 2nd hand sites like vinted or outdoor gear exchange on face book are a great source for cheap kit

Decathon is a bit weird at the moment, I suspect they're in the process or re-launching the range as there's sod all in stock at the moment.  The MTB stuff is branded "rockrider", the roadie stuff is B'Twin or Van Rysel depending on where in the range it sits.

My go-to kit this time of year:

DHB full length roubaix bib-tights.  They're £80 in Evans which isn't a bad price for their quality even if Wiggle sold them cheaper.

Endura FS260 Jetstream winter jersey, it's halfway to a softshell jacket but breathes better.  I've got two and they're both worn at least once a week and constantly in the washing pile.

Merrino base layer (long sleeves), various cheap brands likeOn-one and Aldi/Crane picked up when there's been a sale, all getting a bit threadbare.  They do get a bit clammy compared to modern synthetic options but they are also soft and warm.  It's a compromise.

Endura Laser Gilet.  Serves two purposes, keeps the wind off your core and stops me looking too roadie on the trails.   TBH any windproof gilet will do. 

Whatever baggies you like, preferably waterpoof.  Again the reason is purely fashion apart from the waterpoofing.

A decent waterpoof is essential if you're committed to riding whatever the weather.  Most of my MTBing is solo so I tend to give up if it's pissing it down.  It's supposed to be fun. I'd rather just ride on the road where it's easier to layer up warm and dry-ish.  The same applies to MTB winter trousers. They're great, but there comes a point where it's just shitty and miserable.  I probably only wear them a couple of times a year as a result.

Typically, I wear a combo of the below for most of the winter:

Softshell gilet with a light fleece backing e.g. https://contextridewear.co.uk/softshell-winter-gilet/ (I've no got this one, but something similar with a zip tats no longer sold)

Long sleeve thermal jersey (5 degrees & below). Non thermal for anything above.

Trousers - any non-waterproof ones that fit & are robust enough. I've not found waterproof bottoms that last long enough to bother. Better in lighter weight trousers that don't soak up too much water ime.

Waterproof socks over other socks.

Briskers (2 degrees & above) with rooster hot hands underneath for anything colder.

If its really wet (or really cold and a bit wet) I'll swap the gilet for a lightweight waterproof, but the gilet is good enough for some rain.

Posted by: ossify

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Madison Roam jacket looks good, either the 2-layer or more likely the thin windproof one with another layer (warm jersey?). What's good as the other layer?

 

I know it's not strictly 'budget', but Polartec Alpha insulation stuff is great in a light, warm and super fast wicking and drying way. Has a windproof outer, so you're getting two layers in one. Specialized's Trail Alpha Jacket is £95 atm, down from £160 on their web-site. 

https://www.specialized.com/gb/en/mens-trail-alpha-jacket/p/187991?color=1000093131-187991

Also, Brisker's are, ime anyway, okay down to 5˚C or so, but not so clever when it gets properly cold. Merino is okay until you get sweaty, at which point it soaks up a load of moisture and takes ages to dry out. And it's quite expensive too. Most basic polyester base layers will do a better job imo. 

MTB Trousers are good as they're cut properly for cycling. Get some "waterproof" ones, even if it's just for the windproof element on dry days. The decathlon ones are good, I also have some Altura ones which are nice but the pocket placement is stupid. Wear thermals or bibs inderneath for warmth if needed.

Other wise, any outdoor gear is fine, especially in the winter. Base layers, windproof or waterproof jackets. A buff is always good to have to stop wind down your neck.

Have a look for at a Buffalo a Tectlite Micro pile Jacket. New quote pricy, but they do come up on Ebay.

A Really useful bombpoof winter jacket.