Jacket

French wheel, and these days clothing, manufacturer Mavic offers an almost bewildering choice of jackets. I reckon the Mavic Echappée jacket is the pick of the bunch for most British winter weather riding though, with an insulating softshell construction that works right down to zero degrees.

Winter gear can take some of the joy from riding with bulky layers required to stay warm. Sportful's Fiandre No-Rain Light Jacket aims to alleviate this with a jersey-like fit but jacket-like protection.

Rapha are known for their classic clothing lines with subtle colour schemes. The Rapha Hardshell Jacket breaks from this with a new fabric and cut like no other winter jacket I've used, and offers it up in an almost commuter grade 'Chartreuse' yellow. The price is still very Rapha, which will keep some away from what is the best jacket our there for the weather on our fair island (in my opinion).

The Purna ProteKt Windproof shell jacket is so thin you'd expect it to tear at the first brush with a prickly bush but it has proved me quite wrong. Weighing 99g including carry sack, it's designed to be donned in a flash, protecting against wind chill whether screaming along a mountain pass or dribbling through Drabsville.

My daughter's reaction to me trying on the Polaris RBS Grid jacket was simply, 'WOW'. There really isn't an excuse for, 'sorry mate, I didn't see you,' if you're wearing this. To say the jacket is bright is an understatement.

The Gore Bike Wear Oxygen GT AS Jacket is Gore's lightweight sleek waterproof and breathable jacket for proper riding in the proper rain.

Performance outerwear has long been losing its nerdy neon persona in favour of something much sleeker. Purna Mens ProteKt Windproof Technical Jacket has a timeless appeal.

Regal shades of blue or green are the alternatives should the satin black prove too staid, but be aware of the lack of reflectives.

It's a hard-shell design with a surprisingly tactile texture more commonly associated with gloves and overshoes.