cold weather kit

As the nights are getting noticeably longer and the mornings have that nip in the air, I'm looking at my winter gear. Being a glasses wearer, I'm not confident riding in constant rain so I'm looking at gear that keeps the wind off and the cold out. So...

Winter/long fingered gloves, any recommendations?

Winter boots? Do they really work or would my normal cycle shoes + overshoes suffice?

Other than the usual jacket/biblongs/baselayer sort of stuff, is there anything else I should be looking at?


TIA.


Tony.

I'd recommend neoprene gloves (Endura are great) and a skull cap under the helmet (Gore) Neoprene overshoes are fine but would also suggest merino winter socks and normal shoes. From experience avoid any Velcro as it just destroys any material it touches. I have Club roubaix bib shorts and jersey which was fine to a couple of degrees under, both toasty, windproof and rain resistant. As for glasses, I invested in Rudy Project Magsters with a prescription insert and photochromic lenses to cover all light conditions. In cold/wet weather I use an anti-fog coating. Not cheap but very effective. With the exception of the glasses, all available from Grafham with 15% discount, so pretty competitive with www.

A snood - go for merino wool. Very flexible piece of kit.

Also a glasses wearer. I have not found anything effective for fog, but for rain a simple cycling cap keeps the worst of the rain off.

Merino wool baselayer, best bit of kit for the winter months... Lots of layers I find work best for me. Other like bigger layers.

For deep winter, I have found latex gloves and two further thinner layers better than very thick gloves.

Toe covers under overshoes are great too.

Oh and a brand new winter bike with mudguards. Being wet and cold is much worse than just being cold.

I agree merino wool base layers are fantastic (google Icebreaker)
Glove wise I use SealSkin wind/waterproof, headwear you cant go far wrong with a Buff its so versatile it can be a hat, sweatband, neckscarf, bandana and its thin but windproof so not very bulky under your lid.

Silk gloveliners, something I've had before for skiing on colder days. Provide you with an extra layer of insulation under your other gloves. Like Di2 I'm a fan of multiple thin(ner) layers of clothing.

Turbo trainer in the bedroom with uv lamp

Mudguards and Merino base layers seconded and thirded. And no gears are a lot easier to maintain.

I'm with Di2 for layering up. I find a lightweight (no insulation) rain jacket is excellent for keeping the wind out and the warmth in. For cold dry days I usually wear:
biblongs
bib shorts
merino base layer
Roubaix jacket
wind proof layer
thick merino socks
neoprene overshoes
soft inner and waterproof outer gloves
snood (or buff if you prefer)
cycle cap
If it is wet I'll wear a heavier water proof jacket instead of the wind/shower one

Thanks everyone , it's given me a few ideas.


Tony.

Hi there i normally wear what i do all year round, racing kit, got to keep up my image,,if it is cold i usually stuff last nights newspaper up mi chest, or last weeks hunts post..i do have a gillet but usually wrap it round my corned beef sarneys ( keeps them warm). gloves no way i usually pop on an old pair of socks, (difficult to brake sometimes )..crash hat is a must, but i have been known to cover it with a plastic Lidl bag, with nothing in it ... see ya G..