Prendas Ciclismo

There's nothing fancy about these Italian-made gloves but they do a straightforward job well and they're cheap to boot.

The lowers are hugely breathable polyester mesh with foam padding across much of the palm, the base of the fingers, and the area between the thumb and the forefinger. The padding is low profile and low tech but it has provided enough cushioning to avoid numb fingers throughout testing. You might want deeper padding for extra comfort on long rides.

These New Generation mitts from Prendas Ciclismo manage to combine being light and airy with a generous amount of effective padding. We like them a lot.

Don't know if you've noticed, but it's getting cold out. These Thermolite socks from Prendas are just the ticket to give your toes a bit of extra protection when the wind starts to nip.

The Roubaix fabric of these comfortable gloves gives you enough feel to tinker with a troublesome mech by the roadside while providing you with excellent protection from sharp spring and autumn chills. 

These are perfect for those rides when it’s too chilly for mitts yet too warm for full-on winter gloves. The outers have a Lycra-like texture and short but very effective cuffs that keep the draughts off your wrists. Scotchlite logos on the backs ensure your hand signals are clearly visible to other traffic without cluttering up the design.

These oversocks – call them Belgian booties, if you like – are about as simple as they get, adding shoe protection and a little warmth on those days when a full overshoe would be excessive.

These are simple Coolmax socks for use in the spring, summer and autumn, and at £6.50 a pair – or four pairs for £20 – you won’t get too upset when they eventually wear out or won’t come clean anymore.