Winter cycling clothing suggestions

parking_question_chap

Evening

Looking to purchase a winter top that is suitable for cold wet days.

Last winter I was my first on the bike, and on those cold wet days I wore a fleece under a seperate over the head waterproof running top. It did the job, but was a bit of a pain putting on and taking off as I have poor upper body mobility.

Looking for suggestions for a top that meets the following criteria.

- Warm
- Waterproof
- Zip up
- Ideally elasticated at the waist

Does anybody have any suggestions for brands or specific top? Would prefer to be cheap, but if worth the money I would probably spend up to £75.

Thanks

brat

I'm probably not the best person to answer this...

...but I layer up in the winter. I have a Rapha merino polo neck base layer and I use that a lot in the winter. I find it invaluable. At £80 it should be! I also have a Rapha winter jacket which can be worn over the base layer and a jersey if need be. To buy all of these options would set you back £400+, but if you check out Aldi when they have cycling offers on, they will sell similar stuff for a fraction of the price. You could get a decent winter jacket for £40, a long sleeve base layer for £20 and a jersey for £20 too. I've also got a pair of Sealskinz lobster gloves which I use in really cold weather. Aldi occasionally sell them too for about £15 IIRC.

Wiggle's own brand Dhb sells decent stuff for a good price. It might be worth looking at their options, but if you're not a brand snob like me, you'll do OK with Aldi kit.

Eric_the_half_a_bee

I have an Endura jacket, it is decent quality, full length zip, £66:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/endura-gridlock-ii-jacket-ss17/rp-prod107376

Top tip for winter cycling when it gets really cold, wear a thin neoprene hat under your helmet (e.g. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/dhb-windslam-cycling-skull-cap-ss17/rp-prod154956), it helps your whole body including fingers and toes stay warm.

parking_question_chap

Thanks for the advice, will look into Aldi.

I dont even need the jacket to be specifically for cycling, just a bog standard jacket from any clothes shop would be fine if it meets the above criteria.

Its to wear on my 4 mile cycle into work and the 4 miles back again, which I take very slowly. I dont do any leisure cycling in the winter.

Might get one of those above hats, looks like a good investment.

Eric_the_half_a_bee

If that's the case you might want to look at Decathlon, the "Aldi" of sports shops (cheap but decent quality), £25 for a jacket:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/500-hi-vis-waterproof-cycling-jacket-yellow-id_8343687.html

brat

How warm you feel on your ride does seriously depend on how hard you work. I like to go out feeling slightly cold, and will warm up during my ride, but I tend to ride about 20-21mph average, about 3.5-4.5
W/Kg so that effort gives me warmth. When I ride with my girls we pootle along at 10-12 mph, so I have to add a layer to keep warm.

karcher

Aldi is well worth a look, as is Decathlon. Both offer a wide range at affordable prices but do the job they are designed for and well within your budget.

All my cold and warm weather cycling gear was bought from the above and served me well....until my bike was stolen

1886

As said above, Decathlon is very impressive for cycling clothing etc.

I personally always wear a base layer in the winter too. A nice big thick pair of gloves are important and I also wear overshoes if my feet are likely to get wet or muddy

It's best to go in to a shop to try things on but if you do want to look online the biggest online retailer in Europe ChainReactionCycles is well worth a look.

The only problem is that you'll be spoilt for choice and won't know where to start :P

andygb

I would say that you cannot beat Aldi, Go Outdoors and Decathlon for price and quality.
When I used to train in the Autumn and Winter, and race in the Spring and Summer, I used the "layer" approach. I would wear a thermal vest with a couple of long sleeved cycle jerseys, topped off with a cycle tracksuit jersey, and maybe a thin, nylon waterproof jacket. I always used thicker bib tights, and sometimes two pairs of light socks with a plastic bag as the central insulating layer. I used overshoes when it was really cold, and sometimes a balaclava underneath my crash hat (which also came in handy on the odd bank job which helped to fund the cycle equipment fund).

Nebulous2

Layers and mix and match depending on temperature and wetness are definitely the way to go. I started as a cheap kit type of person, with a reverse-snobbery about brands, but have gradually been working my way up to more expensive stuff. I'm finding that I do get more enjoyment and benefit from some more expensive stuff. I recently bought a Gore oxygen 2.0 waterproof jacket for £80 in a sale and I cannot believe how good it is. That was a top of the range £200 waterproof jacket a year ago and has been reduced as it has been superceded by a new version. I can no longer see them at that price, so I must just have pulled the trigger at the right time.

mr_fishbulb

Don't feel like you need something that is specifically for cycling for the under layers. In the winter I use M&S thermal base layers and they are fine (and cheaper than branded cycling stuff). Also just some glove liners from sports direct.

I have a branded Gore jacket and sealskin gloves for the external layers, but the under layers are cheaper.