Best budget winter cycle clothing 2021 - cold weather riding essentials for less

Lots of people talk about overshoes, but once I got a proper pair of winter cycling boots I realised that all my past overshoes were fragile and, frankly, an annoyance. Most cycling shoes are designed for warm-weather riding with lots of ventilation, so adding a fragile windproof layer on top isn't optimal - just get yourself a pair of cosy winter cycling boots and enjoy the ride.

(I love Fizik's Artica X5 - you can even convince yourself it's sleek and aero - but there are other options out there)

Good old Marks and Spencers do merino-blend underwear (tops and longs) that stays stink-free. The tops are very long in the body so will tuck way down into your shorts. They're on the baggy side of course but that doesn't really matter as a base layer and is actually a benefit on really cold days. I commuted in them way below freezing and they did the job.

Decathlon baselayers are great, if it's really cold, try their fleecy blend ski underwear.

I like very thin hats, my current one is an ultralight Merino skullcap, but it's full of holes and needs replacing, Alpkit do a nice one at £23 https://alpkit.com/collections/mens-merino-clothing/products/kepler-meri... but there are cheaper ones out there. I'd rather support a company with great environmental aims, so they will get me money at some point.

As for neck scarves, I'm using ones that I got free with various cycling magazines.

For mid-season, I'm using basic Decathlon gloves, for deep winter I use an old pair of Specialized gloves which have a pocket for a heat pad and are large enough to add silk liners.

Socks in mid-winter are either Decathlon wool-blend Van Rysel 900 (currently £7, so a bargain) https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/700-winter-cycling-socks/_/R-p-9519 or DeFeet Woolly Boolly.

Overshoes are Endura MT500 as the toes do not wear out, so they last years, this is one place where saving money is a false economy.

I also typically wear my worn out bibshorts under pad-less thermal bibtights. They're getting difficult to find, but there are some bargains out there.

I also like the Decathlon softshells for winter.

I have a pair of those Wiggle tights to commute in. They are without doubt the most uncomfortable toghts I've ever worn. I resorted to a pair of shorts under them anyway the padding is so thin.

In addition to a Planet X Reactor softshell I also got a Spexcel softshell from AliExpress which is surprisingly good considering the price. It's a Rapha lookalike, but it's fantastically warm and windproof. At the price it's ideal for using when the roads are filthy and you don't want to ruin your expensive kit.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32841457060.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.55.279b621fnZWulY

I would have bought the oragnge jacket  (https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc-100-cycling-jacket-yellow-id_8406498.html) if it wasn't coloured black on its rear.

I like Marino long-sleeved.
Summer it's shaded and wind past sweat cools.
Winter it's shieved (protected from wind) and wet wool remains warm.
Kathmandu had Marino pullover hoodies on sale. About twice weight of mine, probably to hot during summer but would work well during winter. A browse online found more woolen hoodies, approximately 5% elastic weave and cheaper than Kathmandu.
All my wet weather jackets melted, I think I'll try a Kmart spray jacket. Last one lasted 20 years and would've still been good now at cost of less than 10 quid both jacket and pants.
Nowadays 10 quid each. All it does is keep wind from removing trapped heat in under garments, if fit doesn't suit due to baggyness, don't buy. Pants were baggy but tucked in socks and quick to pull over shoes.
I'll probably seek a dinghy jacket too. Neck seal, wrist, waist seals. Woolen hoodie. Wet will pass neck yet warmth will stay and sweating anyhow.
Just my 2 cents.

@Chris, happy that you can afford Assos and as it happens I could if I wanted to too, but I have clothes that keep me warm and dry for a lot less. Assos is not the only option, though I'm sure it is good. None of the earlier posts are especially bemoaning getting wet in cheaper clothing, so I guess they're happy enough with their cheaper clothing.

Decathlon stuff is very good, biking and other sports - and I find their top end waterproof walking jackets more waterproof and more breathable than Gore tex (which visibly leaked through the fabric on the jacket I had)

I rode in p1551ng rain today in my Assos sturmprinz jacket and sturmnuss leggings: dry as a bone. Sorry guys, you get what you pay for.

My Version  - still under construction and some bits untested.

Planet X Magma Jacket/Jersey  £40 . (slightly odd sizing - long arms, and racing snake belly)

Galibier Mistral Winter Tights (49.99 from their Ebay store)

Mountain Warehouse long sleeve Merino Baselayer - £25 mountain warehouse/Amazon/Ebay.  - Readybrek warm.

Sealskinz Waterproof Socks £20 from SportPursuit.

Proviz Winter gloves - bit sweaty on a long ride and not 100% waterproof - lining tends to get tangled on the fingers for me.  Nice silicon grips though.   Will probably swap them out after a bit more wear and tear.

Brisk skullcap - Amazon.

I used to commute everyday. Rather than thermal bibtights I purchased tights without a pad. I wore these over my regular bike shorts. Apart from adding an extra layer of warmth this meant I could change my shorts everyday (essential) but use the tights for a whole week - if they got wet I simply put them in the airing cupboard overnight.

I think the real skill here is to avoid the temptation of cheap kit that then isn't up to it. Can be better to save for the well known excellent but well-priced brands such as Galibier, dhb and so on. Without wanting to be a total crawler, the reviews on road.cc are as reliable as I have found.

As ever there's value at Decathlon but the RC100 bib tights have a very thin pad, to the extent that I've worn shorts under mine.

eBay is a handy source for good stuff at bargain prices, but the seller always has a reason to sell, and things don't last forever. Items with DWR, unless new, are likely to need reproofing.

Headband / neck tube / buff: cut the legs from an old pair of leggings (or even a new pair, they are dirt cheap) to size.

Gloves: there are waterproof industrial gloves from places like Screwfix that must be worth a try at £5, perhaps with a liner. I've not done this yet because I'm trying to realise that something that's good value isn't necessarily a good buy if you already have an equivalent...

I like the dhb Flashlight bib tights as they are one of the only ones available without a fleece fabric - perfect for our milder autumn/winters. Also the majority of bib tights seem to be totally black, the refelective parts on these are visibile in daytime and nighttime.

LG Gortex winter boots.

Galibier Mistral Pro jacket.

Sportful No Rain Tights.

Endura MT500 gloves.

What winter?

I too am a massive fan of the Decathlon Cycling Balaclava.

The material is very thin and stretchy, when you first put it on you think it's going to be too cold - but it's perfect. Your head never gets too hot even under the helmet and the lightweight material over the ears, neck and chin area is perfect in  0deg C to 6 degC conditions.

Its nice and cheap, superlight and packs away to nothing.

There are always bargains to be had even with the top names. My son bought me a Helly Hansen Freeze base layer for £29 xmas '16, I got a Mountain Warehouse soft shell 5 years ago for £25 which has been fantastic, LIDL were selling a great softshell for £15 a couple of years ago.

Showers Pass Skyline for £43 posted autumn just gone which I love (there are still some in Red in a small ebay no. 252743126379)

I've got a really thin lycra 'headband' which is just wide enough to cover my ears (about three inches I'd guess) but does not 'insulate' my head like a skullcap does.  It cost very little and does one job (keeps your ears out of the wind).  I've had it for about five years and although I've never really given it much thought.. is probably one of my most important items as it's great for 'most types of British weather' above about five degrees. Highly recommended.

Some great suggestions here and on the forum thread but if the clothing (or the process) don't make you feel dirty there is a steady market in second hand clothes from the pricier brands.  I have bought and sold jackets and jerseys from Rapha and Assos and would not hesitate to do it again.  

Colours that aren't popular or slight marks can precipitate some great bargains.  Maybe worth looking at for a jacket for example, which is probably going to be the priciest item on your list.

Skullcap. Preferably windproof and long enough to cover my ears and keep the wind out. Check it fits under your helmet comfortably, but most helmets are easy enough to adjust slightly.

Necktube. Doesn't need to be very thick or windproof (but these are available options) I use one I got free with a motorbike magazine years ago. It just plugs a few gaps, provides a handy nose wipe and can cover most of my face if its really miserable weather.

One more essential - overshoes. Keep the rain, road spray, salt and other crud off your shoes and add a layer of windproofing for your toes.