Essential winter clothing?

Packable, waterproof overshoes for SPD shoes (road version don't last long as there is no cleat protecting the bottom.

Any suggestions before I eventually splurge on GipGrab explorers?
My only concern is that likely wear with mtb trousers, so unsure what they'd be like against the skin or would need loooong socks too.

https://www.gripgrab.com/products/explorer-waterproof-gravel-shoe-covers?variant=43841317273852

I've been going down a rain-jacket rabbit hole the last few days and feel like I'm now going around in circles.

The jackets I've been checking out all seem to be made of Paclite, Infinium, Pertex Shield Air, Neoshell, or unspecified 3 or 2.5 layer fabrics.

My temptation is towards the breathable end - e.g. Neoshell or Infinium rather than Paclite.

I guess where I'm kind of blocked at this point is on the whole breathability vs waterproofyness spectrum. How much of it is a bunch of bollocks - is even the best jacket out there just a tiny bit better than the worst.

Are they all ultimately just like riding in a bin bag?

The context would be general off and on-road riding, every winter I end up wondering why I don't have a proper rain jacket for MTBing but what's recently spurred me on is some notional autumn cycle touring in the mountains that could end up sodden.

I think it all depends on how hard you ride whilst wearing it. At moderate intensity, most breathable waterproof jackets will work, but if you up the intensity, then it doesn't matter how breathable the jacket is, you're going to get soaked in your own sweat. I've tried at least three on your list above, and, to be honest, they all did a good job in keeping my core dry, but if I was riding hard, they all failed.

I've been impressed with my Infinium jacket, but mainly with how warm it is given how flimsy it feels, rather than for the waterproof aspects of it.

Isn't Infinium now pretty much everything from Gore? I think I have 3 or 4 jackets and they are all completely different but have the Infinium label.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Infinium is not waterproof. Yes it will keep you dry in a shower but don't expect to stay dry in a downpour. It is designed to be breathable so it is windproof, water resistent.

https://www.gore-tex.com/en_uk/blog/what-exactly-is-the-gore-tex-infinium-product-range

the all-new range of GORE‑TEX INFINIUM™ products includes high-performance jackets, footwear, and gloves made to keep you comfortable when waterproofness isn’t a priority.

Get a proper rain jacket. No one wants to be in the mountains with less, you could be hypothermic.

You just ajust your riding in the rain so you don't sweat.

You just ajust your riding in the rain so you don't sweat.

What if your body has an amazingly efficient cooling system and you sweat loads at the hint of exercise or warmth or chilli?

Really? That's really difficult. All I'd say is try minimise the layers your wearing to keep your temperature down. I'll often ridden in the rain in a rain jacket and basepayer. This also then has the benefit of keeping as many clothes as possible dry for later.

If it's day rides or not exposed conditions, I'd properly ride in a softshell (like Infinitum). I often do use a softshell but I can either return home easily or look after myself if I get cold.

I wear very little, but still carry the kit and then put it on when I need it, like descents or stops.
My missus thinks I'm a mental but I'm normally running hot when riding so I can deal with most descents without even bothering to put on the layers - I use the downhills to dump heat. Depends on terrain and conditions, obviously but climbing in sub-zero I could be in summer kit for all the heat I generate.

Kinda tongue in cheek, I'm pretty good at dressing appropriately for what I'm doing from spending years riding a very heavy cargo bike just far enough in a rush to get you warmed up in a place where rain is always an option then standing there for a few hours. I just found the adjust your riding to not sweat comment funny as I sweat loads no matter what.

I'm pretty good at dressing appropriately

I'm not. I'm a fucking idiot that gets away with it because I've enough built in insulation.

I sweat loads no matter what.

Same. The only weird thing is I sleep real cold. Very annoying combo.

I've got some old rapha thermal bib shorts that have finally given up the ghost. Trying to find some replacement and can only seem to find tights rather than shorts. Anyone got a recommendation for thermal, lined or at least thick material bib shorts?

Galibier have some thermal cargo shorts at a very reasonable price. they're nice but I found the chamois a little too wide for me, so have a medium pair available for even cheaper?

I rate the PNS ones. A few different styles with ~50% off on Sportpursuit at the moment

Thanks for the offer but even at my finest I didn't fit a medium. I'll take a look at galibier

For the 3-4 hour rides I do in the winter, I'm happy in merino base layer with an infinium top 95% of the time. If it's dry great, if it showers it still works and you stay warm, and can dry out later. If it's very wet I'd put a Goretex Active jacket on top but would need to ride much slower, and at that point I'd be looking to wrap up the ride ASAP.

Anyone know if there is a nice riding jumper out there for cooler weather? I don't mean a casual jumper with Rapha written on, but something with a bit of a riding cut, but looks like a normal jumper.

Just get a fleece from an outdoor company. Which one depends how warm.

Sometimes use my cheap down gilet when it's cooler, but still relatively dry. Packs up to nothing, warm as hell, light.

Do they not ride up at the back / get a bit tight around the shoulders when riding? I've always found with normal jumpers I get those two issues.

I have multiple zip fleece from varying outdoor brands and I don't have that issue, but it might be a body shape/fit thing. I prefer zip so you can regulate heat.

On a different note, any recommendations on decent waterproof over shorts? My old gore ones are done for, and they don't make the same ones anymore :-(

My rapha gloves are finally dying so I need some new ones for this winter. I’ve been using some of their windproof/water resistant gloves combined with a merino liner for the last few years and they’ve been okay but not great.

I have some neoprene dhb gloves that work OK for chilly wet days but they’re not warm for the really cold days where it’s <5C. Any recommendations?

I have some neoprene dhb gloves that work OK for chilly wet days but they’re not warm for the really cold days where it’s <5C. Any recommendations?

I'd look for gloves with Primaloft, warm but still thin with good dexterity. Castelli have a large and confusing range of Primaloft gloves. Then carry packable waterproof overgloves for emergencies/unepexted heavy rain.

Doesn’t quiet look like a normal jumper but I sized up on a Rapha winter jersey for a more comfortable cycling sweatshirt type need.