Our go-to winter riding apparel

We were asked to list one item of clothing that we always pick out of the pile for a wintery mountain bike ride. Here’s what we picked. Following on f …

By ben_haworth

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These are our go-to winter riding apparel stuff

7mesh Thunderpants bought from ebay, a godsend in wet and crappy so from now till about June in the UK 🙂

A Dirtsuit for when it’s truly filthy.

Merino buffs from er, Buff. Considerably warmer than the standard issue.

The usual bibs and base layer… Riding outside in the cold and wet? Sod that, when given the choice!

How did I guess the Briskers would be there, despite this “When it’s proper cold you’ll need something beefier”? So, not a winter glove then.

Alpkit merino skull cap for under the helmet. And Sealskinz waterproof socks keep the toes toasty in any shoe.

@scotroutes most (not all) of my winter is spent riding in Briskers, ergo they’re winter gloves 🙂

Most important piece of winter wear for me – Mudhugger.

I don’t wear it, obviously, but it saves my shorts / trousers from being worn through in a single winter.

Sad to see this thread. Currently 24.7C in my (home) office and have the fan running. But all too soon it’s going to get grim

Endura Baa Baa merino skull cap, Shimano MW7 boots, Endura full fat waterproof winter gloves as I get really cold hands and slightly thicker mtb trousers (I believe they’re Endura MT500).

I swear by my Endura BaaBaa long sleeve base layer. It’s served me well both mountain biking and commuting through many a Scottish winter, paired with either a waterproof jacket or windbreaker.

For the legs, I like to go full Postman and wear shorts as long as possible but if not I use either Dare2B hiking trousers or Endura Humvees that could probably do with being replaced.

Shoes, Ride Concepts Accomplice. Only had a them a few months so we’ll see how they hold up in winter paired with some water prof socks. Prior to that I just wore Etnies or DCs.

Still need to find some decent gloves that stop the old Raynauds setting in.

I have some Briskers. They’re ok when cool and dry but they are not winter gloves, nor do they even shrug off a small shower…. leaving your hands freezing cold.

Overland Winter Gloves, done me proud for a few seasons now! Are the Brisker gloves w/proof? Thinking of getting the kids some as their regular winter gloves (not just for riding.)

Brisker does waterproof-specific Hydromatic gloves which are pretty warm too

100% briskers down to about 4 C for me.

Race face thermal fire trousers have made winter significantly nicer for me. Too how above 5C but fine for the cold wet crap. They aren’t fully waterproof In a deluge but are pretty awesome for any day cold enough.

A Scott insulated jacket with prima loft is also on most days below 5 C. It’s not waterproof so I have waterproof over the top if its chucking it down.

I had Shimano waterproof boots for years. They have finally died so I got some fizk boots form crc last year. They are super toasty

So, not a winter glove then.

we don’t all live north of the wall.

Mudguard

Buff things and very thin Montane skull beanie with earflaps under helmet.

Knitted wool Altura gloves, multiple pairs to swap out on the ride, with an extra size up windproof softshell glove to go over in really cold conditions.

Good pair of bibs.

Warm but wicking hybrid merino & plastic base layer.

Proper nice merino socks with Shimano MW5 boots, with added reflective insoles layer.

Waterproof Endura shorts / 3/4’s of indeterminate age.

Good waterproof, I’ve various to choose from, but more regularly a lightweight Scott windproof works better and is less sweaty.

I carry a set of single use chemical foot or hand warmers. Rarely used but brilliant hot water bottle when I do need it.

How did I guess the Briskers would be there, despite this “When it’s proper cold you’ll need something beefier”? So, not a winter glove then.

how cold is proper cold? Briskers are fine for me at around freezing.

I forgot to add my best piece!

Rab VR jacket. The lightest one. Layered as needed underneath.

I usually don’t wear gloves but use Briskers in winter. If it’s too cold for those I’m not going out.

Waterproof socks from Aldi are really good.

Anyone know what the fit/sizing of the Spada trolley are like?

My usual winter stuff is Endura Freezing Point jacket & Trousers with a base layer and jersey.

**** it, I’ll own up:  I use hand protectors (those EWS wannabee plaggy shields) for commuting & winter xc to keep the wind off.

go to throttle chimp for Spada clothing size guides

Shimano MW7’s, so good I have two pairs and some RW5’s.

I’ve got some Madison gloves that are like thin neoprene with on the back and thin palms. Bought them by mistake in a rush one summer day and it turns out they’re great all winter long (although a bit sweaty in summer).  Cost under £20 and still going strong. No idea if they still make them.  Prior to that I had a pair of thin neoprene kayaking gloves for winter.

Rapha trail windblock jersey, often reduced, they had them in the sale for 40 last month,  sadly no longer. Light merino body with windproof front panel.

And their thermal base layers. Sadly seldom reduced. Stupid money for a base layer but they are amazing.

Madison DTE hybrid insulated jacket for frozen/snowy days.

Lovely and warm but surprisingly un-sweaty thanks to the softshell back and pits.

Could do with some reasonably priced waterproof trews this year. Any reccos?

I’ve got some sealskins gloves like these:

Griston

But wouldn’t recommend them, not that warm and the inner pulls away from the outer when you take them off so they’re a faff to get back on.

In winter, my 8yr old rides in waterproof dungarees from Aldi, we were at glentress earlier this year where it didn’t stop raining for the three days we were there and several people asked where we got them and “what a great idea!” (It’s not rocket science!) I’ve got sick of getting wet through and filthy so decided to plump for the Madison dungarees. I’m kinda looking forward to trying them, but would be happy if I didn’t really have to!

I’ve got some sealskins gloves like these:

Griston

But wouldn’t recommend them, not that warm and the inner pulls away from the outer when you take them off so they’re a faff to get back on

Correction, I have the MTB version:

Sutton

Sub-zero gloves = Aldi lobster mitts.  Otherwise I chuck some oversize Buffalo mitts in the bumbag if I’m hoping to get away with thinner gloves and need a get-you-home option if they get soaked or it’s colder than expected.

The gloves I wear most through the winter are my Defeet dura gloves, not bulky so easy to carry a spare pair and you can double up on colder days. But I understand these won’t be enough for some people. There are only one or two rides a year when I need to go full sealskinz. My one item I wear every ride is a Ground Effect baked Alaska, it can be used on its own, as an outer layer or as a mid layer. If I’m not wearing one I’ll always have a gilet with me for the next 6 months, my preferred one just now is an Altura job with a light fleece on the inside of the front but a very breathable back, packs really small but is a bit more than just a windproof.

As someone else has put,  rapha windstopper jersey is amazing in winter.  You freeze when you stop,  but when moving it is perfect down to about 5 degrees.

I got one of the rivelo softshell jackets from sportpursuit a couple of years back and that is great when it gets properly cold (below 5 degrees).

Use long bib shorts and either waterproof or softshell shorts for nearly all winter.  I tend to cook in trousers.

For a truly shitty wet day my alpkit buffalo rip off top is fabulous. Great for dog walking as well. Contrary to instructions I wear a summer bike top underneath just for the rear pockets.

For hands I bought some px gortex over mitts. No lining, but keep the lighter under gloves toasty and dry.

Still need to find some decent gloves that stop the old Raynauds setting in.

Tell me about it. Even worse when you get put on blood thinners for life.

One good bit of winter kit I’m glad I have on winter commutes is a Belgian style cap from Decathlon. Keeps my ears warm. Looks like it’s discontinued, but this type: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/merino-wool-road-cycling-cap-black/_/R-p-334458

As above, although opinions are very split, me and my daughter wear briskers most of the winter.  When it’s wet and down to low single digits, our hands go through a period of feeling cold (and obviously wet), but as long as we are cracking on they warm up. Amber also has some nemos that I take but she very rarely wears. For more leisurely rides or when it’s very cold, I wear 100% hydromatic gloves.

I go for Endura trousers mainly, Singletrack if not utterly minging, MT500 waterproof if very very cold / wet. Both several years in and doing bizarrely well. Amber tried waterproof trousers but runs too hot so she wears whatever.

Five Ten goretex boots on my feet, this will be their third year and brilliant so far, I pair with waterproof socks when it’s really cold. Amber wears showers pass waterproof socks and summer five tens.

I’ve never had a really good waterproof jacket before, but I’ve just bought a gore endure so looking forward to trying that. Ambers go to jacket has just moved from a Madison to a Fox, which she appears to love and keeps her dry. 🙂

 

Paramo smock, best water/windproof jacket, so good I have two!

I’ve just bought some Madison Zenith DWR 4 season trousers for £49. They have proper waterproof material on the backside and back of the legs. Haven’t tried yet, but great reviews and they look bombproof.