Winter cycling in the UK can be a miserable affair. Cold… Damp…. Windy …. And Wet. So you need the right kit. But with winter kit costing twice as much as normal kit, mistakes can be expensive. So in this video, I’m going to share with you the kit I reach for when it gets really grim.
*Socks:*
Merino Wool Ski Socks
https://amzn.to/3tyWyDP
*Tights:*
Assos MILLE GT WINTER BIB TIGHTS
https://www.assos.com/gb/mille-gt-winter-bib-tights-9583.html
*Base Layer:*
SPATZWEAR ‘BASEZ 2’ Black Baselayer
SPATZWEAR 'BASEZ 2' Black Baselayer. #BASEZ2
*Jacket:*
Castelli ALPHA RoS 2 JACKET
https://www.castelli-cycling.com/GB/en/Men/Cycling/Top/Men’s-Cycling-Jackets/Cold/ALPHA-RoS-2-JACKET/p/4520502_064_52_3XL
*Gloves:*
SPATZ “THRMOZ” Deep Winter Gloves with fold-out wind blocking shell
SPATZ "THRMOZ" Deep Winter Gloves with fold-out wind blocking shell #THRMOZ
*Winter Cycling Boots:*
North Wave Cycling Boots
https://www.northwave.com/en/8-road/s-2/season-autumn_winter
*Overshoes:*
SPATZ ‘Roadman 3’ Super-Thermo Hi-Viz Reflective Overshoes
SPATZ 'Roadman 3' Super-Thermo Hi-Viz Reflective Overshoes with Kevlar. #RDMN3
*Rain Cape:*
Gore Shakedry Rain Jacket
https://www.gorewear.com/en-uk/c5-gore-tex-shakedry-1985-jacket-100093
*Previous Reviews*
SPATZWEAR ‘BASEZ 2’ Black Baselayer
Castelli ALPHA RoS 2 JACKET
SPATZ “THRMOZ” Deep Winter Gloves with fold-out wind blocking shell
SPATZ ‘Roadman 3’ Super-Thermo Hi-Viz Reflective Overshoes
Gore Shakedry Jacket
*Chapters:*
00:00 – Intro
01:22 – Socks
03:35 – Tights
05:04 – Base Layer
06:35 – Jacket
08:29 – Gloves
10:10 – Winter Cycling Boots
11:30 – Oversoes
13:35 – Rain Cape
*About Ribble Valley Cyclist:*
I am a regular road cyclist based in the Ribble Valley, in the North West of England. I have been a cyclist my whole life, and try to get out every day. The purpose of my YouTube channel is to share the knowledge I’ve built up in my 40 years as a cyclist.
Email me:
ribblevalleycyclist@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ribblevalley_cyclist/
See my routes on Komoot:
https://www.komoot.com/user/1849909422730
33 Comments
A woman whom I know well says that there is much less cycling kit available for the larger women size. Summer and winter.
She uses Sealskin water proof/windproof socks under her non SPD cycling shoes but is looking to buy winter shoes. The sizes options on winter shoes are often from size 7 up.
She is size 5.5. Size 6 is ok for the extra sock thickness, but 7 is too big.
Winter bin tights for women …she needs a drop seat version as doesn't want to completely undress top half to go for a pee.
Women just don't have enough kit available. You only mention your kit, bought for a male. Why no comment on what is on the market for women ?
The Northwave shoes are fabulous. You can even wear them with normal socks, they do the job and you won't be cold. For all the rest you can do with another layer, and so you can manage with cheaper products, but for the shoes you just cannot add a layer. The Assos ultraz winter gloves are also great. You are warm and they are breathable. Not much but enough for the job.
I thought my Proviz Reflect360 was the most boil-in-the-bag jacket out there 😂
Did you expect the water to go through the jacket by one way but not the other?
Also when you use a shakedry jacket, what do you wear underneath?
Sorry 80 quid for gloves is ridiculous 😂
Shakedry is breathable just not as much compared to actual vented. I've got a Shakedry 7mesh oro and it is far less sticky compared to the cheap rain jacket it replaced which was like boil in the bag. A few things, your mixing bowl test is flawed, filling the jacket with a jug of water only proves it is waterproof, breathability is the ability to deal with evaporation. Second, my Shakedry is more a summer jacket, so wearing it with light clothes the breathability is a definite upgrade compared to cheap rain capes. I also have the castelli alpha ros and that can certainly get sweaty if my effort is high or the temperature goes up, sticking another layer on top Shakedry or not will exacerbate this.
There is no way I will buy that Goretex shakedry jacket if it is not breathable – bought everything else you recommended though 😉
Spatz and Goretex 💸 – Do you have any suggestions to those of us who are financially challenged?
Ha ha im that nutter only based on west coast of ireland ….. we get everywhere
Great video thanks buddy.. also from the north west was out this morning! ❄️ will check them items out thanks again
i like to take a base layer in my back pocket wrapepd up in a little waterproof bag , when i stop for a tea nip in the loo and hey presto a nice dry base layer
I prefer 100% wool. But I wear normal shoes, so thickness is less of an issue.
That was a great demonstration of the lack of breathability of the Shakedry jacket
300 pounds for a rain jacket? Id rather get wet.
The best winter bib tights were the Alexa Ultratherm, sold in vast quantities in a certain Preston bike shop back in the day. Like something you would wear to do a Luge run in but boy were they snug. Rip Alexa Ultratherm. 😂
Your right about Ski socks. A couple of years ago I noticed ski socks were cheaper than winter cycling socks. I think it says more about the marketing of "cycling" more than anything.
👏👏👏
I've always cycled through winter but because I've always used sub-optimal gear it's no fun at all. This year I'm going to for an indoor set up for the first time proper – this video but it has made me think twice! Outdoors over indoors any day of the week for me!
I’ve just bought the bib tights (new version) same price as you suggested on your recommendation 😊 looking forward to using them…. It’s getting cold out there🥶
Useful information. Thanks for sharing. Once again I'm puzzled by the widespread preference for all black gear. Particularly in the winter, wouldn't you want to be wearing clothing that is a bit more visible?
Think you need to read about Gore Tex. It's the mixture vapour that goes through the porse. Water droplets are too big. 9billion pores per square inch if I remember rightly.
Defo breathes.
Pro tip from norway…Pearl Izumi amfib bibtights are way warmer than the assos winter tights. Way better in sun zero or in pissing rain just above freezing. Yeah they’re bulkier but when it’s rain 24/7 and 2-6C for a month at a time and you’re riding hours in end fun e times a week…it’s worth it. Wish they had a better pad though.
Also, I have the Castelli RoS jacket now. My old Assos bonka6 jacket is way better but after 2.5years off the bike it doesn’t fit at the moment 😅
Gloves tip, a pair of latex rubber gloves under your normal gloves provides a great barrier to cold, rain and wind…
Another good video! Do you use the Spatzwear Overshoes on top of the winter boots?
you are right. ASSOS are the best. Worth every penny
Just get yourself a velomobiel ride in your street clothes all year long. It’s that EZ.
Anybody tried any of those USB heated insoles? There are some out there now that have the battery built in to the sole.
Your a great presenter you held my interest! Thanks for this video great sock tip! Spatz fan boy ha dam need a lottery win.
12:05 Mudguards make a big difference to keeping you warm and dry.
The old fashioned rain cape is the single best thing in my opinion. A bit sweaty, but keeps you warm with all that stuff you wear underneath it. The zipper is the ventilation system. But I'm not the type to overthink it.
Some good suggestions there and as someone who also cycles and commutes throughtout the UK winter I have or have used a few of those products. You mention early on with the socks and later with the gloves, the importance of keeping these extremities warm. I would turn this on its head and say keeping your core warm is more important. In my 'bitter' 🥶 experience, it doesn't matter how warm, thick or expensive your gloves are, if you dont keep your core warm, your body just wont send blood out to the extremities and all the little blood vessels at the surface. As a result you will just get colder and colder hands and feet! I personally that I almost have to get my core too warm, to the point of overheating almost, to ensure my hands stay warm. Its a fine balance though as you also dont want to be dripping in sweat!
My go-to winter setup has been a DHB short sleeve seamless base layer under a Castelli Perfetto softshell jacket which I think is cheaper than the Alpha (no Goretex) but keeps the wind off, keeps light rain out and has ('have' – I bought a few when there was a pricing war on them!) simply been an amazing piece of kit. When its really cold I might wear a long sleeve or thicker base layer or maybe a mid layer, e.g. merino. When its really wet I might pick a more waterproof jacket but I usually regret it and end up getting wetter on the inside than the outside 😂
Best winter kit is Zwift! 🤷♂
Lovely video! Thanks for this.
Just wanted to chime in and say I swear by everything spatz, I have almost everything spatz but their latest winter releases. I just can't seem to get my hands warm enough. Have tried a merino glove liner with both the glovz and the thermoz but still got cold hands. My search for gloves still goes on 🙁
Merino, ya but I will wear Merino in summer. Why? Because it wicks and keeps you cool and they will not stink. I got totally hocked when I did my first cycle tour in New Zealand.