Essential winter clothing?

gilet sound overkill, baselayer and arm warmer sound about it.

where are you that's -1?

In Hellsinki

Does anyone happen to have experience of the comparative sizing between Sportful No Rain & Castelli Nanoflex arm and/or leg warmers?

• Tights (women's not cycling): an added layer with minimal bulk and cheap as you like.
  
• Proper Winter boots: so much better than overshoes and pay for themselves in a few years (saves trashing your Summer shoes).
  

About to buy some leg warmers as probably in a pair of weeks it'd be to cold to ride just with summer bibs.
We're talking about 8-12ºC around 30km/h and >80% humidity.

My idea is to spend around 30€> and then buy some real winter thermal bibs.

Those actually look good: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/es/es/perneras-endura-thermolite/rp-prod18089
Any thoughts?

Can anyone recommend a waterproofing spray? I think my gabba isn't that waterproof any more.

Most people say nikwax. I think it was discussed in the rapha thread at some point, but I'm not sure exactly which nikwax product is best bike24 have quite a few ones. Hopefully someone else will recommend one they used.

Also, just curious as I'm waiting for my gabba to arrive, how long did the waterproofing last?

Also I have heard tumble drying it for 5 mins on lowest setting or lightly ironing it works well too, and I think it's what is recommended by castelli

editing this to prevent 3 posts in a row, Gore tex (who make the fabric) dont recommend a wash in reproof, so look more towards the nikwax sprays

They're giving away nikwax tech wash outside the ski and snowboard show in earls court today if you want some for free!

^Thanks boredom, will give nikwak a go. The waterproofing lasted a year before I noticed it starting to go a bit. Great piece of kit.

Spray the outside with nikawax. But tbh is the waterproofing is going then the jackets done really. As nikwax will fad and it's not the same.

Next time just wipe it down instead of washing machining it. That'll keep it waterproof.

But then again the gabba isn't needed to be totally waterproof just keep you wan when wet.

gabba product care instructions:

http://castelli-cycling.com/en/products/care/525/

Any tips for a nice cap/hat/beanie/whatever to keep my ears warm?
I hate caps that slide up and expose my ears while riding.
Problems: I have a huge head and long hair. Doesn't help.

http://www.prendas.co.uk/cycle-clothing/hats-headwear/winter-hats.html

I've got a "Belgian cap", works well: keeps even my jug-handle lugs snug.

Discovered today whilst out on a ride that my current rain jacket is completely dead, even after reproofing sooo....

Gabba LS jersey OR Mavic HC H2O jacket?

Super impressed with my Castelli Nanoflex bib tights so figure the Gabba will live up to the hype but the mavic jacket seems equally as good as a proper rain shell that I could also use while commuting - not just out on long rides. They are both the same price.

I guess what I'm asking is does the gabba provide enough flexibility in use to justify ~£160 for what is essentially a jersey and does it negate the need for a traditional rain shell? Realise this is an annoying and hard to answer question.

I guess it depends on how dry you want to be and if your riding involves stopping etc.

The Gabba is more akin to a jersey and gilet combo.

the craft winstopper one
http://www.alwaysriding.co.uk/craft-be-active-extreme-ws-long-sleeve-base-layer-1398.html

Cheers, jersey and gilet makes sense in my head. Normally when I'm out I don't stop. eg yesterday 3 hours non stop by which point my wapha wain jacket had soaked through and was bleeding heat into the ether.
I don't mind being a bit wet - I am on a bike in the rain by choice - as long as I can retain some heat.

Edz merino. too notch and British.

Gabba Jacket ultimate winter jersey/jacket

http://www.swinnertoncycles.co.uk/clothing-c119/jerseys-c136/castelli-gabba-ws-rain-jersey-11508-p39951

^I have a link for the first gabba that works out around £78 still available in black m, xl,xxl and xxxl. The gabba 2 works out around £87. Bank transfer only but they are legit. They have the convertible ones as well.

PM me if you want a link (I think theres a glitch with their free postage that decreases the price, they are meant to be £90 and £106).

Yo - sorry if this has been covered, but can anyone recommend some decent shoe covers that are all black? I hatez branding, me.

EDZ Merino have the creepiest models I've ever seen.

This. So much this.