Essential winter clothing?

Thanks, I will try that.

I have these. Love them, but after being washed twice at 30 they no longer bead water off the surface anymore. So clearly I screwed something up / they are not made for machine wash.

Have the leg warmers too which I bought later and am refusing to wash them for this reason.

But everyone knows trousers don't get smelly right.

@hats

As hovis says you can wash, but washing lots will kill the waterproof properties.

You could was using nikwax wash stuff, as it's not abrasive. Also turn the garment inside out too, so it washes the inside not the outside. Further put them in a laundry bag.

Thanks for the replies @Hovis and @skinny. I think I'll see how long I can get away without washing them - they're freakin' awesome and I want them to last.

Inside out, didn't think of that. Seems kind of obvious now.

Does the Gabba lose its properties too?

@Hovis Yeah the gabba will. I've never washed mine. If i get sweaty I just wipe it down with a damp warm cloth. No need to wash it imo, it's neoprene and can just be wiped clean.

Grim

Apparently if you wack nanoflex in the tumble dryer at a low heat it will restore some of the waterproofing. I washed and did this with some kneewarmers and they still bead off water, i didn't wear them between washing and tumble drying though so no idea if washing them actuall got rid of anything.

I bought the gillet version of the gabba, the fawesome, which I assume is an abbreviation of "fucking awesome". Thinking of getting the jersey version too I'm so impressed.

Is the SS jersey + nanoflex arm warmers the winning combo?

It's alright. It's not the best.
It's a good combo. But if it's just cold I'd rather wear a full sleeve jersey as it's comfier., something polartec or PTJ. If it's pissing it down then a merino top and a goretex/event jacket is good.

So the Gabba is good on slightly raining days, or mild days. But on cold or proper wet days, I'd never wear it.
If you have the above jackets, and fancy more jacketa, then the gabba is good. But I wear my polartec or assos bonka and goretex a lot more than the gabba.

The gabba also doesn't have zipp pockets.

@skinny what goretex or event jacket do you rate?

merino.

Gore always make quality products. For cycling cut.
Karrimor now do e-vent stuff. For more casual cut.
Or anything from one of the big brands. If they're using the licensed material the product will work as it should. Only the quality of construction will differ, between cheap foret ex product and expensive.

Cheers. Have been looking at the gore stuff.

dont Endura use E-vent?

They're quite different fabrics so look at which you'd prefer. Event needs more care.

Does anyone have a recommendation for MTB overshoes? My toes are starting to get cold :(

Yup, the good ol' Endura MT500.

They even come to camo to help secure your credential.

The other option is to duct tape all the vent in your shoes, and put some warmer socks on (like the DeFeet Woolie Boolie)

Nice, cheers. I did look at those - I like the look of the moulded/solid bit around the front of the toe.

Unfortunately there's no vents in the shoe to speak of, and the weather up here's just about beyond Wapha's winter sock capabilities. Bah.

The Waffa socks aren't that good, would recommend getting those walking socks from Black or similar.

I will look into those! I keep hearing mates rave about the DeFeet woolie boolie socks, but the look like they've got Mesh on top? Doesn't seem like they'll be any warmer!

These plus planet x thinny merino socks kept me going sans overshoes through last winter (and all year up to now in fact).
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-mw81-gore-tex-spd-winter-mountain-bike-boots/?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&utm_source=pla&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=uk&utm_content=Shimano%20MW81%20Gore-Tex%20SPD%20Winter%20Mountain%20Bike%20Boots%20-%2043&kpid=5360459393&sku=5360459393&ci_src=18615224&ci_sku=5360459393uk&utm_source=google&utm_term&utm_campaign=All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=sh8TPMqxO_dc|pcrid||pkw||pmt||prd|5360459393uk&dest=1&curr=GBP

Hmm, yeah something like that would be nice, but not quite in line with a sock/overshoe budget eh?

The Pro/Shimano NPU overshoes also look interesting - but I'm a bit wary of the velcro fixing on the bottom. I have (and really rate) the road version of them, though.

My feet suffer badly from the cold, woolie boolie socks are the best I have tried by a long way. No mesh on top. Those shimano shoes are a tenner less(£101) on Merlin this week, 10% off shoes.

I see your point but at the rate overshoes/socks wear out, I've found it more than worthwhile.

There's also the added factor that they're properly waterproof (only slight water ingress through top of sock in heavy rain) and way less faff.
Edit: I do have several pairs of overshoes that I combine with my road shoes for club rides but for an everyday/commute thing I would always go with the winter boots.