Essential winter clothing?

Today it hit almost -9, was totally OK and maybe to hot with: ski socks, winter bibtights, no underpants (hehe), merino base layer, merino long sleeve jersey, softshell jacket and windstopper jacket, on the head a windstopper headband and a merino cycling cap too. I think i could go without the softshell, which is mostly after a while too much / hot. But I love the fresh feeling in the morning after a shower getting into the bibtights.

I'm after a winter cap to wear under a helmet. The Castelli Difesa 2 looks pretty decent. Any other suggestions?

I love my Gripgrab hat:

https://www.gripgrab.com/collections/headwear/products/winter-cycling-cap

Keeps my head and ears warm, not too thick under the helmet, useful peak for rain or low sun.

I’ve had years of service out of my Swrve merino wool winter hat.

Being merino it doesn’t suffer from the stench of death, common to synthetic equivalents.

This one;

https://www.swrve.co.uk/products/belgian-wool-merino-cap

Nice, but pricey.

The Castelli cap has a very snug fit. I had to return mine, even though i only have a 57cm helmet size. I also wasn't impressed with ear coverage. The gripgrab looks decent.

I have a spare Rapha Belgian hat (merino) in red you can have for cheap.

I've got the Rapha merino one & this Milltag one. Both are great, the latter being warmer than the former.

i loved this one until sadly the moths got at it. will be buying again soon.

I also recommend this one :)

I should have mentioned, no animal products such as wool! Thanks for the suggestions. Gripgrab and Milltag both look decent! Might go for the Milltag on the grounds that it's the least gimpy looking of the bunch.

The New DHB "Lab" winter stuff looks like pretty good value for Polartec fabrics. An expensive winter jacket with NeoShell, and a gabba style jacket with Power Shield Pro.

(half)Merino socks + overshoes and had cold feet on my hour and 15 minute commute for the first time. Have ordered some heavy duty overshoes to test but any other tips and tricks? It's not superbad but don't think I'll feel my toes when doing longer trips + temperature will only drop.

Can anyone recommend Some insulated winter cycling waist shorts or padded tights. I don't like bibs because I find them a faff. Any suggestions welcome cheers

There are some winter jerseys for 50% and bibs and stuff on sale at DeMarchi right now -I got a classic sportwool jersey two weeks ago, nice fit and Made in Italy, not China like the Rapha wool jerseys.

What’s sizing like compared to rapha?

Compared to the classic long sleeve jersey II the classica sportwool jersey has a more tight fit and is less loose, the sleeves are little bit shorter, but the overall size is similar. What I do like that it has no zipper on the back.

Anyone fancy a Madison Isoler merino cycling cap? Unwanted gift, worn once, size small, will post UK for £10.

Winter boots - anyone have experience with ones currently available (ie not old models etc)?

I’m gonna be bikepacking through Scotland next week for 8-9 days, aside from waterproofs do I want to take one of those packable Dutch ponchos or just htfu/get in my tent if it’s proper hammering it down?
Have one of those disposable ones they hand out at festivals in my saddlebag.

A guy at work raves about the Fizik ones. He said not the absolute warmest available but waterproof and the least shit looking.
No personal experience.
I’ve got the cheap Sidi ones and they’re warm but the Velcro is shit and they get soaked through when it rains

Edit: assuming you’re on about clipless

Yes clipless. Waterproof>warm I think. Full length mudguards don't sort everything and I want something to wear when the forecast is grim (like today...).

waterproof socks

if you've got proper waterproofs why have a poncho?

jacket, trousers, gloves and socks and you'll be dry.

I wouldn't put up the tent in rain unless you need to, you will likely get water inside it.

Waterproof socks can fuck off

I have Northwaves. Reasonably warmth and way more waterproof than the sidis I previously used. Water will eventually make it's way in if it's pouring non stop, but I use waterproof shocks and very long mudguards.
Another thing that worked to me it's velotoze MTB overshoes but you need a pretty waterproof shoe and they're a faff to get in/out