Winter kit 2008

Canadian brand Sugoi have been popular at road.cc for a while now, their new compression range aims to compete with the likes of skins and 2XU in the running, cycling and triathlon markets. How did their new 'Piston 200 leg sleeves' get on?

Cateye's EL-120 is designed as a backup or town light. To that end it doesn't have the brightest beam but the light it does put out is well-focused and useful and certainly enough to get you home.

Side visibility is addressed in the design but to be honest it's pretty average; other Cateye units fare much better in this area. If you regularly dart out of junctions at night you might want something with a bit more peripheral light.

The Backupz LED front and rear light set is a pair of keyring sized units that deliver a reliable, if limited, supply of light for riding at night.

The reflective Buff is a new development from the Spanish manufacturer of unique and versatile sports headwear. The one we tested, with a wave motif, is a flexible solution to all manner of cold weather problems that strike cyclists and runners.

The aptly named Wickham over-trousers continue dhb’s reputation for high specification and keen pricing. Every commu-tourist should have a pair of over-trousers in their cycling wardrobe but traditionally, the PU coated variants are very inefficient at moisture management, membranes might guard against driving rain but can leave you feeling like a mobile sauna-even with ventilation flaps.

The Ridgeback Solo World is a solid single speed Winter companion, best for a mixture of short hops and longer training rides. If you're looking for a straight up Winter trainer then the Solo is probably a bit overbuilt, but it's a stable and dependable cruiser for the darker months.

The original... and still the best? Well certainly one of the best. The Crud rear Raceguard has has a bit of an overhaul this year (review coming soon) but the Crud Catcher got only a few minor tweaks, testament to the fact that there's not a lot that's broke about it. Okay it's not as effective as a full guard but sometimes you don't want (or can't fit) one of those, and it's an excellent solution for many bikes.

The Pro Expert WP is a comfortable and fairly warm winter glove that benefits from an internal membrane to keep the water (and wind) off your digits. It's not a bulky glove and doesn't restrict movement like some better insulated options, so it's a good choice if the weather isn't really Arctic. When the mercury really drops you'll probably wish you had something a bit warmer, but for most UK winter conditions (ie not the ones we've just had!) it's a good balance.