Essential winter clothing?

Also, I just discovered they're cycling gaiters to further seal the tops of winter boots. May just buy some, or chop some velotozes for a truly watertight shoe

But then everything just runs down into the sock...
@Netakure I've looked at the Northwave, they seem good. Does the neoprene gaiter thing actually work or does it have the same problem as the waterproof socks?

There's bound to be someone on the forum who's got those...

Tiny calfs?

Works... To a degree. I think the major problem as with every other boot is water running down the legs. Still, with waterproof shocks they're a great combo, you may get damp feet if there's huge amounts of road spray but little else

the shimano winter boots are pretty nice

Sealskinz doing a promo at the moment.
https://www.sealskinz.com/outlet/mtb-mid-knee-socks-black-grey.htm

Winter bib tights on a budget - any recommends? Planet X stuff looks cheap but not sure about quality since buying stuff recently that wasn’t good.

i'm a fan of unpadded tights you wear over shorts

the howies ones (which are currently in their sale if you'd fit a large)

Howies are doing their unpadded tights for £40 at the moment. You can wear something else underneath - I've worn tri-shorts / bib shorts before.

Not waterproof but warm enough for my little leggies

jinx

woah!

Check out running tights. They're unpadded, cheap and often come with zipped legs and a handy rear pocket.

Thanks all, good ideas :)

Bought a pair of Craft tights from PlanetX - have had a jersey for at least eight years and it hardly looks worn despite years of use - with the bid for £21. Tried them Wednesday and they really cosy
So, then got these this morning, will report back (seemed pretty good value if they work as I get really cold feet)
Also, proper fit on the bottom of the shoes

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Interested to see how those overshoes perform - I recently bought a Lusso Aqua Repel Windtex Jacket. It's held up well in heavy rain but I find I still get wet on the inside as it doesn't breathe regardless of what type of base layer I wear, it's always very damp on the inside. Bit dissapointing given the rave reviews

You can't have full waterproofing with full breathability, not at the levels of exertion involved in cycling, going for a walk/hike sure, but not cycling, vented armpits help and keeping the airflow from neck to bum helps, but you're still gonna get sweaty.

Anyone make a buff type thing which has Velcro on it so you can take it off mid ride when it gets too hot?

Agreed, though the jacket is a softshell not a hardshell. It definitely feels less breathable than Gore alternatives (Gabba , Fiandre etc)

tl:dr - Not a 10/10 for winter use, more like a 5, nice style and fit though.
Right, so three days isn't exactly a rigorous test, but I bought them for this kind of weather; cold, wet and windy. Hour and forty min ride, twice a day.
First off, temps between 2-5 deg, feet are really cold after about 30 minutes. Hmm.
With that really cold wind yesterday, to add to the chill, had warm ankles but freezing toes.
This evening, pissing with rain and the wind, miserable feet but only had about 20 minutes of real downpour and when I got home, the inside of the liner was dry.
Overall, no, not as good as the reviews. Disappointing really unless for wet, windy warmer Spring / Autumn. Not Winter-proof, at least on my long commute.
My Endura waterproof overshoes (pretty heavy duty neoprene) will be going back on tomorrow.
Haven't found anything to beat them since my old fleecy Bontrager ones finally feel apart.

You'll wet out eventually regardless of the activity.

Have you tried taking it off over your helmet? I've managed to wriggle mine down from under my cap, undone my helmet, redone up my helmet, and got it off over my helmet semi-regularly on nervously dressed autumn commutes

I have when stationary, but it's a bit of a ballache. Just wanted a way to remove it whilst riding.

Looking to go full waterproof mode now that the rain has started in Ireland.

Have the jacket, now on the hunt for waterproof pants and cycling shoes.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Full waterproof is impossible without mudguards, in my experience.