WINTER BIKE KIT

Winter weather brings with it a lot of decisions on kit, but layering and versatility is really the name of the game. Here, we put a mix of 12 items to the test to see if they deserve a place in your wardrobe...

- WORDS AND PHOTOS ROB SLADE

Whether you like it or not, we're definitely in the depths of winter now.

Inevitably, this means you'll probably take a lot of your training indoors, but the joy of being outside on two wheels doesn't have to be banished entirely until spring. You just need the right bike kit to handle the elements.

The key here is layering. Opt for a thick winter jacket and chances are, unless you're genuinely riding in subzero conditions, you'll overheat. But layer up with base layers, long sleeve jerseys, gilets and wind or water-repellent jackets, and you can customise your outfit to suit the specific conditions you're riding in. Add in some high-performance bib tights and decent wintery gloves, plus accessories such as shoe covers, a hat and arm warmers, and you'll be well primed to carry on cycling until the warm weather arrives again.

To help you do exactly that, we've tested a selection of kit that's versatile and will excellently feed into a layering system. On the pages that follow you'll find bib tights, long sleeve jerseys, insulated gilets, gloves, a couple of accessories and bike jackets. While we often cover either waterproof, packable jackets or thermal options, this time we've chosen to test two new options that don't quite fit into either category. Instead, they're designed to act almost as a 'soft shell', but we think they're an excellent choice for mostly fair weather riders. If you do want to see a selection of properly waterproof or thermal jackets, though, head to 220tri.com.

Otherwise, have a think about what you're missing from your layering system, consider what conditions you'll actually be riding in 90% of the time and then have a flick through these pages to see if anything fits the bill. There's some great kit out there and it doesn't always require a second mortgage, either. Happy riding!

CASTELLI PERFETTO ROS 3 £280

castelli-cycling.​com