[Closed] Winter clothing

Are we talking every day?
Mudguards where poss then decent hard shell water proofs including trousers. Maybe two sets, hose off every day wash once a week with the proper stuff, re proof monthly?
What about non cycling stuff- farmers water proof overalls?

gilet is a good idea as you can layer them. Unless its really cold I will just wear a gilet and a shell waterproof over the top. As for a base layer I would get something cycling / active specific cotton is a bad idea you will get hot, sweat and then cold as cotton doesn't wick away.

I don’t tend to ride in anything heavier than drizzle.
My go to kit for winter is Sealskins socks, 3/4 tights under hummvees , merino jersey under endura windchill jacket and optional helikon water resistant windshirt as an outer layer.
Decathlon winter cycling gloves and any old buff/snood for a £1 off eBay.
Maybe a cheap poncho in my framebag if weather looks unpredictable and I need to find shelter until it passes.

Not bothered about washing kit every time I’ve used them, smelling or being muddy.

DWR - will wash off no matter what. Just invest in the proper proofer and wash now and again.

I would also suggest that you only wear waterproof stuff if absolutely necessary - a light windproof top / Pertex top is what I wear 80% of the time, and I never proof it.

Where in the UK are you riding? Cambridge is rather different from Carrbridge.

Winter boots (overshoes if on a budget)

Roubaix bib tights (You can't warm the blood up in your feet, if your legs are exposed your feet will get cold)

Waterproof shorts for when it gets really cold and/or wet

Man made fibre baselayer, that quickly wicks sweat and drys out, merino doesn't

roubaix long sleeve cycling jersey

softshell gilet

Waterproof jacket (I would rather have a cheapish jacket with pit zips than expensive without for cycling)

softshell gloves - for most conditions

insulated gloves - for when it gets really cold

waterproof gloves - for rainy days (no leather/clarino palms that lose grip when wet).

Under helmet cap/beanie

That about covers everything IMO

Not all at once (Obviously) but depending on conditions a combination of the following.
Couple of Buff type things (one under helmet, one as a scarf,mask)
Under Armour cold gear LS compression top.
Aldi softshell jacket.
Madison Addict Waterproof jacket.
Army surplus Goretex trousers.
3/4 Endura Singletrack shorts.
Sealskins calf length socks.
NW Celsius boots.
Aldi neoprene gloves.
That gets me through a typical winter of woodsy off piste riding, we have a tendency to use overgrown routes that don't see much use so I don't tend to go for more expensive kit.

It would be nice to have DWR/waterproof/water resistant tops that can be washed without thinking to lose the water resistance

Doesn't exist.

If you wear a windproof/softshell, optional fleece and base layer, then you will be warm enough that most rain won't bother you. Save waterproofs for really heavy rain - it's surprising how infrequent this actually coincides with times when you have to ride. My waterproofs only get used a few times a year.

Also - get mudguards - you end up washing shells far less often which preserves the DWR and the membrane. I would never get my waterproof plastered in mud as it ruins them in no time.

The layering system is important. The top layer should be windproof to remove wind-chill; the bottom layer should be a 'base layer' that is tight and wicks sweat away from your body. Then as much fleece in between as you need - fleece allows moisture through it to evaporate outside. Absolutely no cotton, as it soaks up the moisture, gets clammy and doesn't transport it, so it then evaporates out of the cotton slowly and chills you. Also don't bother with merino as if you sweat much it'll just get soggy and whilst you'll be warm ish you'll be damp, and significantly poorer.

I got some knee length Sealskinz socks last year, they're great for eliminating muddy splatter on calves. Coupled with waterproof knee length shorts they're my legwear of choice, but if it's really cold and wet I need 3/4 roubaix under the shorts otherwise my thighs get too chilled (and not in the good way).

There was a thread on here recently asking if anyone had positive experiences in re-proofing waterproof clothing. That thread really pleased me since I found out that most folks are in the same camp as me - I.e. rarely find re-proofing to work.

Then to echo what a couple of people above have said, you can spend loads of money but still overheat. One poster above said they prefer a cheap jacket with pit zips than an expensive jacket without.

So for me, i tend to buy quite cheap jackets and wear them sparingly. When they’re done, I just replace them. My current waterproof jacket is 5 years old at least, so I’m not doing too badly.

The rest of the time I try to wear windproof, non waterproof stuff instead if possible, and pack the waterproof, just in case.

I’ve also found that a tight fitting, thermal compression baselayer (mine is an Adidas golf top I think!!) is really good. They seem to breathe really well, but feel both warmer and cooler (if that makes sense) because they’re tight against the skin.

Stolen Goat have water resistant tops that don't need reproofing as the water resistance is engineered into the fabric so you can wash them and it maintains the proofing. The fabric they use is Tempest developed by Bioracer. The jerseys aren't cheap and I have one for road riding but I'm not sure I'd wear one on a mountain bike in case I destroy it falling off etc...

I've had this top for a while and it's certainly ideal for autumn and winter riding. It will shed a heavy shower but ultimately prolonged rain will soak through. My top has been washed numerous times and the repellency hasn't diminished yet.

Stolen Goat

My default winter kit, albeit road biased, but the principle is there, is:
Baselayers - various thicknesses, but a good thermal one with a high neck and long back is a must. And absolutely not a merino one. I also have one with a windproof front panel that I occasionally wear over others when it's really cold.
Softshell top - I get far to hot, so mine is thin but go thicker if you run cooler.
Gilet - windproof, hi-viz to be seen and keep the chill off.
Various bit of headwear - a cotton cap is a default, but I have a thermal cap with a longer neck too. And buffs for the neck.
Thermal tights - Bibs as best as they keep your back and stomach warm too.
Merino socks - Keep you warm even if they get wet
Gloves - Find one of the many discussions on here, I like the Galibier winter ones, but a pair of cheap Aldi ones are fine most of the time too. Buy a pair that's a size to big and wear some silk liner gloves underneath for even more warmth.
Overshoes and/or toe covers. The latter stay on my shoes for 3 seasons of the year, the former get put on when it's gets into low single figures.

Columbia Outdry also doesn't need reproofing.

My winter kit veers towards multiple layers, full-length tights with waterproof shorts, gaiters, pogies, warm skull cap. I'm nearer Carrbridge than Cambridge so regularly riding in sub-zero temps and wet, slushy snow.

Where in the UK are you riding? Cambridge is rather different from Carrbridge.

Yep, you'll never find as bleak and cold a ride as the fens just North of Cambridge in winter, nothing to stop the wind for miles!

My 3 essentials that has changed my winter riding for the better are:
100% brisker gloves for dry cold days, not the most warm you can buy and rubbish for if it’s wet but good for a lot of autumn conditions. Still need to find a descent wet weather pair of gloves.
A gilet, don’t need to spend a fortune on on (and to be honest with water proofing coming off in the wash I wouldn’t bother spending too much anyway). Great for keeping wind chill off rather than just dry, and less likely to boil in the bag as a full wet weather jacket when it’s not raining but damp on the ground. Wear with a base layer to stay warm.
Fox fire gilet, not sure if they still do these but had mine for a season, worm on the body but cooling on the arms. Perfect for the colder weather. Did have there jacket as well but was way too hot for anything other than snow.

I find winter MTB clothing is actually much simpler than the road equivalent. If you're on a budget (and assuming you have summer stuff like baggies, bib/liner shorts), I tend to add Legwarmers to my normal lycra shorts, then wear baggies over the top.It's amazing, especially if you wear pads how much that will get you through! Water resistant shorts are a bonus, even if it's only the back panel as they really help avoiding that soggy nappy feeling. Other key items include sealskins socks, and some decent gloves - although the Planet X soft-shell are decent and good value.

Also, a pertex/windproof Gillet is a must for me. I tend to just layer up with either Merino or synthetic base layers and a stretchy fleece mid layer. The Gillet keeps the wind off and your core warm, as well as being splash proof so you don't get soaked from puddles or even light rain. Then a jacket comes out if its really hefting it down. Bonus is the jacket doesn't come out much, it doesn't get washed much, but I wouldn't spend loads. Nothing more irritating than snagging your spend new threads on the first sharp twig! Alpkit are good and don't break the bank.

In winter, I tend to find a short but hard blast is much more fun and rewarding, instead of hours and hours in the cold and wet! Therefore, when riding hard, you can actually get away without that much.

Omg- I just looked at ‘stolen goat’ website.

Now, I can’t see. My eyes. They hurt.

I thought it couldn't get worse than the jersey's. Then I saw the Tri suits. 🤢

Hard to recommend specific stuff, as many things make a difference to what you'll be comfortable in. Such as how hot/sweaty you run, how long you'll be out for and what sort of weather you'll want to ride in. For reference, I run hot, out for 1-3 hours and love the weather.

Having said that, my standard winter stuff would be:

Winter Goretex gloves - NEVER those with separate outer/lining as you'll bite your fingers off in frustration.

Winter boots - size well up so you can get thicker socks/sealskins in and still move around. I've got some terrex canyoning boots, which look like clown shoes but have a neoprene inner so warm when wet.

Waterproof/windproof shorts, I've got Madison Zenith which are quite long, couldn't wear longs as I'd be too hot. Keeps arse dry and not too hot.

Decent base layer - I prefer merino.

Windproof - always rated Gore Windstopper Soft Shell unless it's hammering down, beads OK and is breathable. Phantom is good as it's got zip off arms so turns into a S/S jersey..

Proper Waterproof - again for me can't have anything too warm so paclite is fine.

Buff - when it's cold and windy, your face and ears get really cold. Do have a windproof balaclava, but it needed to be -5 before I could wear it so not much use in the sunny south!

Rum - because winter rides need booze. Taking a glass bottle adds a bit of spice to crash risks, I've got old so prefer a hip flask.

Nail studded bat - useful for fighting off the werewolves and zombies on the night rides.

I did manage to pick-up a Gore Shakedry jacket with Polartec Alpha insulation in the sales - it hasn't been cold and wet enough yet to try it but could be a game-changer - I'm hugely impressed by Alpha as a mid-layer insulator, it has incredibly wicking ability and still feels dry. Essential is a good synthetic base layer, as others have said merino might be nice down the pub but totally useless in performance clothing. Echoing earlier comments - mudguard keep most of the water and muck off and stop your clothing getting trashed. I find I don't get on with windstopper fronted tights - they get clammy underneath and most are too restrictive - I much prefer a thick Roubaix tight like Sportful Total Comfort. I carry a pair of GoreTex overshorts for when it's really wet - if my quads get cold they cease to function. Thankfully my days of 5 hour, 100 milers in winter are long gone!

Thankfully my days of 5 hour, 100 milers in winter are long gone

Mine never arrived. Not even in summer!!

Man made fibre baselayer, that quickly wicks sweat and drys out, merino doesn’t

Merino is ok for commuting in, not much cop if you are on a ride where there's a lot of stopping and standing around  as the retained moisture will cool you down. I've found it works ok under Paramo analogy jackets as they actively dry you out while working.