Windstopper

You know the old saying, 'cover your head, 40% of heat of lost through it' and while that may be a bit of a myth there's no denying that a layer under your helmet can really increase your cold weather comfort on the bike. Craft's Zero Extreme WS (Wind Stopper) Skull Hat is one option for doing just that.

I know what youre thinking, and youre right: £230 is a big old wedge of cash to spend on a bike jacket. But then the Castelli Espresso Due is a really high-quality piece of clothing with some excellent cold-weather features behind its cool looks.

The Espresso is made from Gore Windstopper X-Fast fabric. You probably know about Windstopper, and even if you dont, the clue is in the name. This fabric blocks out cold air completely so you can build up your warmth inside. This version has the added advantage of being very stretchy too.

Gore Bike Wear's Ozon WS jersey looks on paper to be a real winner, a Windstopper (that's what the WS stands for) front to halt the seemingly permanent chilly British breeze, a stylish look with a nice non-racey casual cut. Taking it off the paper and putting it onto a body reveals a fatal flaw however.

This impressive windproof jacket from Castelli is a top option for use through the autumn and winter.

The main material used here is a Soft Shell fabric from Gore’s Windstopper range (Windstopper comes in several different flavours – it’s not one specific fabric). All the red and white panels are Windstopper, it’s just the black sections on the underside of the arms and across most of the back that are a fleecy and more breathable Roubaix.

With Windstopper panels to block the cold air, Gore's Contest Bib tights will keep you warm in temperatures down to freezing point and beyond.

The Contests are the cheapest bib tights in the Gore Bike Wear range to feature Windstopper fabric (the version without a seatpad is £99.99) – although the non-bibbed Vistas are £80 with a seat pad and £70 without.