Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

That's odd, my PS hoody has stood up to a lot of use. Are your back pack straps particularly abrasive?

Winter gloves are a difficult option - too thick and you lose tactile feedback, too thin and the cold sets in. I was using the gloves yesterday in when it was 8 degrees and they were fine. There is a whole thread devoted to the problems of winter gloves and no clear winner has come out, horses for courses. But I did try the assos 851 gloves, first pair lasted 3 weeks, second pair one ride before they split, they were no warmer than the rapha ones and had less padding.

I've got the winter gloves and really like them. Not sure they're 50 quid better than the Gore ones I had previously but they are warmer. Certainly decent gloves for the bad weather.