Which brand of kit do you swear by for bad weather?

[HLaB]

My funny VfM product is my Rapha Rain jacket. Its well fitting round the neck, really breathable and the dual zip helps with that. I picked it up years ago in a wiggle sale for about a 1/3 of the retail price and at that it was VfM.

 

[PaulSB]

Do not buy overshoes. I did that for years and it was a game changer when I bought winter boots instead.

Yes, seconded. It took me decades to take the plunge and invest serious money in good winter boots. 20+ years of being wrong!!

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

Castelli bibs and PlanetX baselayer... For a turbo session out of the bad weather!🤣

 

[Andy in Germany]

Personally I swear by my Leather Akubra hat.

Good boots also work remarkably well.

I do wear other items inbetween, before someone comments: I generally cycle in cotton work trousers, which dry quickly: I gave up on triying to find waterproof trousers.

 

[Jameshow]

Depending on the ride...
Boardman jacket fir faster rides.
Lidl jacket for commuting rides.
Tights and over shoes.
Should get some waterproof trousers really!

 

[katiewlx]

Do not buy overshoes. I did that for years and it was a game changer when I bought winter boots instead.

yep in fairness I always used Dhb overshoes, and just treated them as kind of disposable as theyd last a couple of winters maybe before falling apart, I only need something to keep the worst of the cold weather off as I wouldnt choose to cycle in heavy rain or absolute freezing temps. But Ashley doesnt seem interested in making them anymore and most of the alternatives are well up towards winter boot level prices if you expect theyll last longer

but how do the zips on winter boots stand up to the British obsession with rock salt on roads ? as that was always the killer of overshoes, the salt would just rot the zips, even if you tried to clean them or dry them, bit like wheel rims really, and you dont really want your £130 shoes to last one winter and then be no use anymore.

 

[steveindenmark]

I have had my winter boots about 3 years and I ride most days. I will let you lnow what they are when I get home.

 

[Dogtrousers]

but how do the zips on winter boots stand up to the British obsession with rock salt on roads ? as that was always the killer of overshoes, the salt would just rot the zips, even if you tried to clean them or dry them, bit like wheel rims really, and you dont really want your £130 shoes to last one winter and then be no use anymore.

My winter boots (Northwave Celsius) tighten up with laces which have a velcro flap cover. No zips. They are many years old.

 

[Milzy]

For value for money, get yourself on Vinted!!! The stuff I’ve picked up this week for pennies is incredible!!

You should post examples on the find a bargain do tell thread.

 

[PaulSB]

but how do the zips on winter boots stand up to the British obsession with rock salt on roads ? as that was always the killer of overshoes, the salt would just rot the zips, even if you tried to clean them or dry them, bit like wheel rims really, and you dont really want your £130 shoes to last one winter and then be no use anymore.

My boots are four years old and show no sign of deteriorating. In fairness I don't use them every day and very little compared to a commuter. If the roads have been salted I wouldn't consider it safe to ride.

I've never had an issue with zips on overshoes. Mine always wear out around the edge of the shoe and/or the toe cap.

 

[katiewlx]

My boots are four years old and show no sign of deteriorating. In fairness I don't use them every day and very little compared to a commuter. If the roads have been salted I wouldn't consider it safe to ride.

I've never had an issue with zips on overshoes. Mine always wear out around the edge of the shoe and/or the toe cap.

they salt the roads locally if the overnight forecasted low temp is 0 or below, but it can be anything up to like low teens again by morning, so perfectly safe to ride, but the roads which are just permanently wet in winter and the molasses residue they use with the grit , your bike and kit just take the brunt of it.

whilst certainly the front edge of the shoe wears because thats the bit Im walking on when off the bike, the zips corrode quicker in those conditions, to the point they get stuck or become practically useless, even if the rest of the overshoe is still usable.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Temperature is the only variable you have some realistic control over.

Once I fitted a thermostatic valve to my jackets it made a huge difference

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I use a mix of brands but Rab, Montane, Bryjne, buffalo, Salomon, Ronhill are amongst them.

 

[Sea of vapours]

I've never had an issue with zips on overshoes. Mine always wear out around the edge of the shoe and/or the toe cap.

Ha! Someone who has the same experience as I do rather than the almost universal 'overshoe zips always die' assertion. I've yet to have an overshoe zip fail in any way and I use them throughout the period of perma-salted roads in the 'winter' season in the Dales. I do put them in the washing machine with everything else straight after rides though; perhaps this is the reason they don't corrode.

 

[Gwylan]

Sealskinz socks and glove inners
Ex army goretex over mittens
Decathlon waterproof jacket. Despite abuse it still works
Chinese overshoes
Fake Castelli Jacket. I knew the price was too good to be true . But it is excellent
Decathlon daps.
Breathable over trousers. Probably German shop.
Neck thing, gaiter, the management made for me
Skull cap, under helmet, also from a German shop.
In extremis disposable heater packs.