Winter Road Clothes on a budget

Try Alpkit https://www.alpkit.com/featured/cycling-apparel-mens . I have been buying from them for years and have yet to own anything that isn't outstanding in its class. Not specifically a cycling company but going more and more in that direction. Everything is very high quality despite the low price as they make it themselves and sell direct. Great customer service too.

I have recenly bought their bibshorts and keppler merino top and both are now my first choice. getting winter bib tights and jersey next. They are bikepackers and climbers at heart but there's a lot of crossover for road cyclists.

One of my favourite bit's of kit is a Bryjne long sleved 'string vest':

http://www.nordiclife.co.uk/collections/brynje/products/brynje-super-thermo-shirt

I find it works brillianty well as a warm dry feeling base layer - If it gets too warm excess heat can quickly be 'dumped' just by opening a zip on the outer  wind stoping outer garment - and it seems to be nigh on indistructable with no need for particualy delicate washing.

The one down down side is that (unless you want to find your self looking a tadge 'exotic') it can't be used by it's self - it does need something, anything!, to be worn over the top.

I bought loads of cheap kit but have ended up buying dearer stuff ie Gabba, Rapha Brevet Jersey, Gore Jacket as I genuinely find that its better in the long run.  If you commute (as I do) its different to riding at the weekend and I tend to stick to the billowing yellow jacket with winter boots in the week.   The best thing I have bought this winter was a tin of Muc Off water proofer.   I have sprayed it on my tights, socks, jacket, hat, gloves etc and its made riding in the rain bearable and Im genuinely warmer.   If you want the best cheap item of clothing to keep you warm then buy a Prendas winter hat.  Fits under your helmet.  Its rarely off my head.

Anything with a red label on at a bigger Halfords - Altura, Boardman etc., 2015/16 sell offs.

Can get windproof Berghaus or Rohan fleeces virtually unworn for like 20 quid off eBay.

+1 for the headband and overshoes if you're planning long rides in frigid weather. It's important to keep your core warm but wet/numb feet and painful ears are no fun. 

Yeah, as above -aldi, decathlon, wiggle. Get a few buffs, get a softshell winter jacket etc. I tend to use a helly hansen lifa baselayer which i found in a charity shop, or a merino skiing thing which i also found in a charity shop. Roubaix tights too, from decathlon.

My most flexible piece of winter clothing is a pertex gilet (Sportful, in my case).  Makes a huge difference, especially as my commute starts with a long descent.  It take about 15-20 minutes for me to warm up and then it goes into a jersey pocket.  If it gets colder, on it goes again.

Decathlon is excellent.

Neoprene overshoes are well worth the money and a pair of 'hot hands' handwarmers inside them, over your toes, makes a huge difference.  For commuting, if you wrap the handwarmers up tightly in a plastic bag they go cold again:  for commuting they'll do at least 4 x 1 hour, instead of 1 x 10 hours.

DHB at Wiggle, especially in sales etc, doing their thermal jackets at the moment for 35

in fact most of my stuff is now DHB

The B'Twin stuff is excellent - plenty of 4 star reviews here. 

Also consider non-cycling specific gear as it is often cheaper. For example ride with your summer gear layered up with long-johns and thermals (M&S sell merino-rich thermal underwear that's cheaper than cycling-specific base layers).

Last week I rode in -4 in the following:

B'Twin 500 cycling shorts (not bibs)

Falke ski tights (admittedly expensive but warmer than a set of Super Roubaix cycling tights)

B'Twin mountain bike baggies

M&S merino thermal long-sleeve vest

Summer short-sleeve cycling jersey

B'Twin reflective jacket (not windproof)

Two layers of silk liner gloves under Gore-tex outers.

Was almost too hot by the end of the ride.

I get most (if not all) of my cheap kit from Sport Pursuit. If you're not already a member, here's a referral link: https://www.sportpursuit.com/join/dosh_for_dotti

This is a useful guide for what you need BUT you'd be skint if you bought everything listed.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/toolbox/toolbox-staying-warm-during-winter...

A headband and snood does a lot to keep you warmer.  I've been using two in the recent cold spell - one a close-fitting gaiter style, one looser to pull over my face as/when needed). They're also easy to pull down or take off.

I'm a believer in layers, and if the closest layer to your skin is a nice merino, it'll stay relatively comfortable even if damp.

If you don't have a softshell, a wind jacket over a two or three  long-sleeve layers would keep most of the cold out. (In fact, I carry a wind jacket most of the year round in my second bidon as an emergency get-me-home or keep-me-warm if I have a mechanical item.) 

This was my outfit yesterday. I wasn't cold anywhere:

head - two merino snoods plus merino headband. 
body - l/s merino base, l/s thermal softshell jacket & gilet
legs - bib tights with 3/4 shorts underneath (I like to have warmer legs as it helps keep my feet warm)
hands/feet - gloves with merino liners, thick merino socks, thin nappy bags over my socks, overshoes.

Have a look at www.decathlon.co.uk
Their btwin own brand gear is fine and they do clear out sales from time to time

Getch'a'sen over to the nice chaps at http://galibier.cc/  I've a few bits from them including a winter jacket which has taken me a year to realise I need just a thin base layer under it or I'll overheat and a waterproof (apart from the seams in a downpour) jacket which folds up into a jersey pocket.  I keep going back, for the money it's a fine bet.

I think I'm going to order some winter bib tights from them, their new 'mistral' ones sound super!

You're welcome.

Or Aldi - who sponsored this very sites cycling team at this year's revolve24, with good results!