Essential winter clothing?

Yup, treat the Gabba as a waterproof jacket, rather than a jersey.

Wash it with normal detergent like you would a normal jersey will reduced it's water resistant ability.

I don't like the sound of wonder materials that stop working when you wash them.

Who even washes their clothes in Winter?

"No sweat, no soap" right?

Jackets and warmers are only infrequently washed. Everything else is washed though.

#sweater

But chix dig the pheromones.

#batchelor

I was trying to make the opposite point. That even if (when) the waterproofing treatment is washed away the jersey still works brilliantly in terms of wind proofing and temperature regulation. I think it particularly suits those that aren't too skinny and run warm. That description fits me (5'11" and 70kg) and with the correct weight base layer it covers me from +2 to +15 degrees.

Lots of faffing with getting the usual detergent out of the washing machine and then it did not work for me. But I heard that you have to tumble dry afterwards.

about those sealskinz gloves,

bought two pairs in the last month:

1. Winter Gloves - thermal rating 4/5: great for a wet cold (sub five degrees) morning; for anything warmer - way too hot!
   
2. Sea Leopard - thermal rating 2/5: seem okay for milder winter weather (e.g. today), but still the hands feel to me very warm, which makes me question the breathable element a little; but guess they want us to ride with warm hands, maybe not a bad thang?
   
   

.

ps.

for the ladies of the forum?!

(inspired by the Norfs thread)

^wat.

i've relied alot on my brynje super thermo base layer last 2 winters as i am very sweaty and run hot.

it looks like a t-shirt made of string vests but its amazingly wicking. just a softhell over if im going any distance and im golden in most cold/wet. layers well too obviously and good for all outdoor pursuits.

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does the super thermo stuff not reek after use?

Not like you would expect, not like the old hh.. I can get 2 maybe 3 short wears and perhaps no one has mentioned it as I'm so fast?

Honestly, the Gabba is the best jersey ever. The LS one is now my default riding top. I just use a thin merino underneath, maybe a short sleeve jersey to if it's very cold. Been pretty much perfect temp regardless of the outside temp.

Washing it, I use very weak wool detergent and an extra rinse cycle - this is the important bit. any soap residue ruins the DWR treatment. I've washed it 6 times and it still beads light rain. I'll use the spray on Nikwax DWR reproofing treatment rather than wash-in when it needs it.

I've just been wiping and rinse washing (no detergent) and it's still working, looks ok and doesn't hum.

No, they generally don't develop a "hum" I just feel like I should wash it every week or so. The only time it's had any odour is when I cooked a curry at home and it absorbed the fumes whilst it was drying. Next ride out I had a lovely spicy whiff.

Picked up an Assos Intermediate S7 "jacket" (jersey) for £70. Not really "winter" - more spring / autumn, but going to use it with their falkenZahn gilet (bought in Wiggle sale before Christmas) and LL.Uno_S5 tights (wanted Uno pad / fit, instead of Mille), which should cover cool and dry rides well. Had no cold-weather training clothing before. Want to not be injured anymore, now...

Edit: Just tried on the S7. Rad. Materials, fit, and finish are all spot-on. Bought second-hand and can't find one loose/damaged thread. The white arm panels are a thin fleecy-backed fabric, the black front is a thin very lightly insulated windproof material, and the red bits are more breathable mesh stuff. Cuffs, collar, and pockets are all perfect too. Wouldn't pay £150-200 new, but for £70 it's great. Have wanted one of these for a while now. Was just waiting for a decent price.

http://www.assos.com/en/19/singleProduct.aspx?cat=6,19,26&prod=430&var=587

+

I've emailed castelli. I bought my gabba 2 from sigma last year and only worn it a handful of times. It's a great windproof but it gets saturated in rain and takes ages to dry - I don't think it should do this when its so new. The care instructions on the website contradict the label in the jacket so I'll see if I can get some clarity out of them and post it here.

It's still awesome btw.

Try pouring some water over it, does it bead off?

Another possibility is that you may have bought a returned product that someone cheekily washed with the wrong stuff thus ruining the DWR treatment

That's an upsetting thought! I hope thats not the case, the labels were all in place but who knows? It beads a bi tbut not as good as other stuff i've had and the sleeves and back get saturated quite quickly. Lets see what Castelli say. I expect they'll tell me to return it to Sigma.

I reckon its had some funny stuff going on with it. Mine beads like a boss, better than any treated stuff I've had.

@jv the areas across your back and your arms - is the gabba stretched a lot? because of the fabric construction any areas more stretched tend to let the water in as you are opening up the fabric. I found this with a too small pair of nanoflex tights on - wet almost instantly whereas the next size up beaded.

@TRA no I dont think it's that as its the end of the sleeves and the bit on your butt. Also I sized up to an XL as I wanted it more like a jacket than a jersey

Mine started to lose its waterproof amazingness recently, read somewhere that ironing it gently (with a tea-towel to protect) would restore that. Seems to have done the trick!

Really into the idea of trying some thermal shorts & leg/knee warmers as an alternative tights, so ordered some Assos 607 thingies from their outlet store.

Fingers crossed they turn up in time for the weekend so I can give them a go.

you guys might be interested in a hefty thick winter merino hoodie? well the good folks at Varusteleka in Finland might have studied the market and have come up with their own creation made in Lithuania. 335 g/m2.

#nologo

pop in and have a looksie

Rode the 12 mile commute this morning in 3/4c wearing DHB Vaeon Roubaix tights, Rapha base layer and Winter Jersey, Defeet woolie boolies and Rapha oversocks and Sealskinz ultra grip gauntlet and was absolutely perfect for the whole journey, neither too warm or too cool, and the majority of sweat had been wicked away (and I sweat a lot!).