Having finally accepted winter weather is upon us, we test out a range of bike clothing to see you through the wet and the cold…
WORDS ROB SLADE IMAGES DAVE CAUDERY, STEVE SAYERS, KADEN GARDENER
BUYER’S GUIDE
When you choose to cycle through the British winter you need to get your kit right. The key to this is layering, as it allows you to add layers when you’re too cold or ditch them when you’re too hot. Opt for an insulated and waterproof option combined and you’ll likely overheat and end up damp from sweat. But given the high volume of rain we’re faced with on these shores, a decent, lightweight waterproof is a must for wet days, with lightweight but warm options ready to be worn underneath.
On test here is a range of waterproof jackets, softshell jackets (which should offer warmth and some protection from the elements without being too stuffy), long-sleeve jerseys and bib tights. Working in combination with each other, they should form the basis of your winter bike clothing, though the addition of a base layer is useful in particularly chilly weather.
With layering in mind, we’re testing based on a garment’s versatility, how it fits into a layering system and, of course, on its general performance. Naturally, accessories such as headgear, gloves and arm warmers also come into play, and you’ll find reviews of these in Kit Zone over the next few issues. For now though, here’s to a winter of (hopefully) warm and comfortable riding. ←
GORE TORRENT
£229.99 Like the Le Col jacket also on test here, this is far from cheap, but you do get very good performance for your money. The Torrent kept us dry in even heavy, sustained downpours, with the three-layer Gore-Tex Active certainly doing its job. On the odd occasion that any water does get through the front zip (these are rarely completely waterproof), it’s caught by the internal storm flap to keep us dry. We often go up a size in cycling kit to large and are glad we did here, as the sizing does run slightly small. The resulting fit was close, but not as racy as the Le Col, which will likely edge it aerodynamically. Meanwhile, a drop tail and silicone grippers keep the garment in place at the rear. There’s a large zip pocket for a phone on the back, with a storm flap effectively protecting the zip from rain. The wrist cuffs are semi-elasticated so fit quite closely, though they will stretch over gloves. When not in use, the Torrent packs down small, fits in a jersey pocket and weighs just 204g. gorewear.
