Clothing layers: works for me!

After years of experimenting with bike clothing and usually ending up way to hot I have arrived at a system that works well for me on 90% of my rides.


I use two base layers, a short sleeved one next to the skin and a long sleeved one over the top. I find the choice of long sleeved shirt is not critical as long as it wicks sweat and provides warmth; however it is essential that the one next to the skin is a fine merino wool version. The merino wool is fantastic at wicking sweat and stays warm even when saturated with either sweat or rain, I use the Howies NBL merino wool shirts, in the summer a light weight one a standard one in the winter. For the top layer I use either a second one of merino wool, a Race Face shirt or a Fox shirt. The long sleeves greatly help the comfort levels when wearing a rain of wind proof jacket.


Funny how after spending money on all types of fancy shirts and jackets the simple 'layering' system is the best for me - a lesson learned here try the simple things first and don't get carried away with the latest bit of gear or advertising.

Howies NBL Merino Wool Base layer

Excellent piece of kit.

Very warm but not too hot, wicks sweat fantastically and is a great fit. During winter I wear one under a warm fleece and if it is really cold I wear two of them under a jacket. I wash mine at 30deg and have dried them on the radiators and indoor / outdoor driers with no signs of shrinkage.

These are so good I have 3 of them!

Altura Humvee Trousers

These are great trousers at an excellent price. They are tough, hard wearing, mud proof, shower proof, relatively breathable and cost £45-00. The legs are adjustable for width with velcro straps around the calf and they have a couple of deep front pockets with a zip fastening. These are more than enough features for me, anything else would just get in the way.

For me the best thing about the trousers is the fit, they are perfect. The waist is held by very slack elastic and a clip-lock belt. They are very easily adjusted to accommodate fluctuating waist size (handy after Christmas excesses). A bargain at the price.

Winter Trousers

Although many people ride with shorts throughout the winter, extra protection on cold days is usually welcome, especially when riding after dark. There are different options and anything is better than nothing.

Ordinary tights.
Good for warmth, especially wind chill and perfect clearance from the crankset but rain soaks through and then you get cold muscles. They tend to pull threads easily on brambles but keep the mud off and the reflective strips show up in headlights on dark roads. Normally worn with Lycra shorts or padded undershorts but can be worn underneath baggy shorts if you are very fashionable.The fact that your ten-year-old son laughs like a drain when you put them on should not prevent you from wearing them.Water resistant tights - a looser fit but much warmer and are water resistant. Son still laughs.

Trousers. These can be either the waterproof over-trouser carried along with your rain jacket or a riding trouser worn instead of tights. They can be dry weather (or water resistant) designs, jump trousers or heavier weight waterproof trousers.

Altura Dryline.

An excellent design of good quality construction using a tough material and with lots of nice touches. Double poppers on the waistband, reflective strips, elastic and Velcro waist straps, stretch knees, adjustable length and both zips and Velcro at the ankles. Lots of pockets and son does not laugh.Robust, excellent value, waterproof and long lasting but a little sweaty - 8/10

Gore Profi

A comfortable cut of a warm very breathable material but water resistant rather than waterproof. Elastic and toggles at the waist, single button waist, lots of pockets including clever doubled cargoes and double Velcro ankle straps. Two different versions with either ¾ length zip off legs or knee length short option. After lots of rides, they are surprisingly useable instead of tights, waterproof trousers or even shorts. I have not used them in full rain but they seem preferable to tights. They do not catch, they do not carry mud and the zip off leg option makes them a flexible piece of kit. Buy the correct size for riding and not the neat fit for standing up at the bar.

Excellent value if discounted too - 9/10 (Not waterproof)

Gore delta xcr

Single hook fly with elastic and Velcro waist adjustment. Reflective strips but only a single rear zipped pocket, stretch leg panels, zip and Velcro ankle closure. Comfortable, waterproof and truly breathable - 10/10

The Profi is the best for the cold and dry, the XCR when it is actually raining, even when warm, and the Dryline on rough trails in rough conditions especially in the cold.

Fox Epic Shorts

These are fantastically comfortable shorts.

The inner liner/pad has 3d moulding and the edges are very smooth, adding up to ultra comfort. The shorts are perfect for long days out or rides of 3 hours or more. The outer shorts are a tough but very soft and tactile material (not sure what it is but it feels nice) with a band of ventilation mesh across each leg and substantial reinforcement in the seat area. There are two side pockets and the lower right leg has a securely zipped waterproof pocket that is large enough for an iPod type of thing or a small camera. The waist is elasticated and fastened by a velcro area and a pull cord which means they are never too tight.

The only downside for me is that the legs are too long, they easily reach my knees. This is personal preference and others may actually like the long legs but I think they look a bit silly on me.

They are exceptionally comfortable, hardwearing, have all the features I need, accommodate my waist fluctuations but are just a bit too long for my taste. In view of this I tend to reserve them for all day rides when the comfort overcomes my lack of fashion sense.

Winter Boots

Winter boots initially seem to be very expensive for something that you think you will not use very much, this is a totally wrong perception once you have them they will be used for 4 months of the year.

Why buy a pair of winter boots, they are warm, waterproof, provide ankle protection and with trousers overtop pervent your legs getting covered in mud and other such stuff. Between us we have Shimano W101, Gearne Eskimo and Lake versions and they are an essential part of our riding wardrobe. Which is best? Lake or Gearne, the Shimano boots tend to be a shoe with a wrap around neoprene collar which water can and does get under. Our experience of footwear is to try before you buy, this is not too much of a problem as most mail order outlets let you return the items and get a refund if they don't fit.

Don't put off any longer, buy a pair you will not regret it.

Gore Delta Waterproof Trousers

The trousers in the photo are coming up for their 3^rd winter of trail riding and although they are showing signs of wear & tear I reckon there is at least another two winters of use. The trousers are Goretex XCR fabric that is 100% waterproof, windproof and very breathable. The bum and outer thighs are reinforced with rip-stop material in the XCR and they have proved to be surprisingly tough. The reflective strips are hanging off and look a bit tatty, but apart from that everything else is going strong. They fold into a rear waist pocket but I tend to roll them up and carry them in my Camelbak.

I tried on 3 or 4 pairs of trousers from all the usual apparel manufacturers and rode a test bike around the carpark. These were by far the most comfortable and best fitting although they have only basic features when compared to the alternatives. The waist is fastened with a clip and adjustable velcro side strips. The ankles also have velcro straps to tighten them around the leg (over a pair of winter boots for dry warm feet) and a hidden zip that enables the trousers to be put on and taken off without removing boots or shoes. That is about it in terms of features. Too be honest I don’t need anything else.

An essential piece of winter riding gear. I can’t believe that I used to wear shorts and leggings in the deep Sussex mud.

Karrimor Vale Pac-Lite Jacket

I have owned this jacket since December 2004 and it has been worth every penny. It packs up into a small bag (about the size of a large coffee mug) that has two velcro loops that can be used to hold it onto the outside of a bag or belt.

In my experience the jacket is 100% waterproof and windproof (including the zip) it is also very breathable. The body and sleeves are the perfect length for bike riding covering the bum area and wrists respectively. The sleeves have velcro fastners to keep the wind and rain out and the neck is fleece lined which makes it feel very snug. It feels flimsy but mine has survived a few crashes intact and is still going strong. It is easy to clean, just hanging it on the back door and wipe it down with a sponge and clean water.

An excellent piece of kit that is ever present in my camelbak as an insurance policy against rain and wind. If any thing happened to it I would replace it immediately.

Altura Shield Winter Gloves

These are the second pair of Altura Shield gloves I have owned (the first pair lasted 2 years from 2004-06), they are indispensable for riding in winter and wet weather. The cut of these gloves fits my hand very well, I have narrow hands with long fingers and other gloves don’t seem to fit as well.

The gloves are 100% waterproof and very warm. They are quite thick but don’t hinder gear changes or decrease braking sensitivity. The gloves have a wind proof and waterproof outer layer, thinsulate insulation and finally and soft fleecy layer which is fantastically tactile next to the skin. Breathability is adequate but completely offset by the warmth and waterproof capabilities. Take care when removing them on the trail as the fleece lining can become ‘wrinkled’ making it difficult to get your fingers back into them, I find gently pulling the fingers using the tips ensuring I have hold of the lining is the most effective way of preventing ‘fleece wrinkle’.

A very functional piece of kit, if you suffer from cold hands or ride in wet weather then try a pair, they do exactly what is claimed.

Buff Headwear

A truely fantastic piece of kit. Get one.

Keeps you dry from sweat, cool on hot days and provides warmth on colder days. For winter riding I use a Nike Headcap which is very similar but more effective at everything. Both leave the inside of your helmet dry and prevent it smelling rancid.

I was unsure of the claims of colleagues who owned this before I got one. Don't mess about, it is brilliant just buy one, the only decision is which design to go for.

Troy Lee XC Gloves

I have owned these gloves since April 2003 and they have been used exclusivley on every ride during the summer months April - November for 3 years. How are they, excellent. The gloves have a very thin tactile palm material that looks like leather but I am sure it is synthetic, no matter it is very hard wearing. The plams have protected my hands during many falls and are only now starting to show signs of distress when a fall on Newtimber Hill put a hole in the right hand palm (almost visible in the photo). The fabric is very thin yet suprisingly warm unless it gets wet. On the downside the fabric doesn't provide any protection for the back of the hand from brambles or gorse bush spines. When new the 'terry' material on each thumb had a glued on plastic star I pulled these off so that the thumbs could be used to wipe sweat and snot without fear of leaving a scratch. Very good piece of kit, I am hoping to get another pair in the end of summer sales.

Met 5th Element Helmet

I have used this helmet for almost 3 years, prior to this I had a Specialized S1 & Trek. First thing to say is that the Met is far more comfortable than every other helmet I have owned or tried. The 5th element is a general riding helmet it is not designed for freeride or Dh duties.

Unlike other helmets I have tried this one has a 'floating cap' inside with the pads attached to it. This means that by using the adjusters at the back and the chin strap it is very easy for it to fit any shape of head. This is different to other helmets as they seem to have the pads stuck directly to the inner shell which means if your head is not the same shape as the inner shell then the helmet doesn't fit. The pads are easily removed for washing etc and if you lose them a replacement set of pads can be bought for approximately £5-00.

There are loads of large vents in the moulded shell and in combination with the 'floating cap' they result in a constant flow of fresh air across the head on even the calmest days. Despite the large number of holes I have crashed a few times in it and it has provided ample protection. The visor is fully adjustable and is easily altered for angle and protrusion. After I bought this my buddies were so impressed a couple of them ordered the same. A very impressive piece of kit for general riding. Money well spent, highly recommended.

Fox Attack Shirt

This is a fantastic piece of kit. The fabric is soft and tactile and wicks sweat very effectively, in addition it is warm and suprisingly wind resistant. The cut is very much on the baggy side and the length is perfect for either hanging lose or tucking in for a bit more warmth. I have crashed a couple of times in this shirt (hit the deck and ridden into gorse bushes etc) and it is not clicked or holed. I will buy the long sleeved version for the winter. Highly recommended.

Gore: Bike & More Shorts

I have owned these baggy shorts for 3 years and worn them on many rides in both summer and winter. The outer short is a very thin but hard wearing material that drys very quickly and has stood up very well to crashes and brambles (no holes or clicks yet). They have two standard trouser pockets, a velcro flap pocket on the outside of each leg (the right pocket is mesh) and a zip sealed safe pocket under the wasitband at the back. They have a lose elastic waistband and a pull cord to fasten them. These are all the features I need from outer shorts. The inner short is 'cool max' type of fabric with a plain velcroed pad, it is attached at the wasitband and cannot be removed from the outers. The pad is relatively comfortable for a couple of hours but anything more results in chaffing that is noticable when the shorts are taken off. The best feature for me is the length and wasit-fit. The leg length is very short by todays standards and reaches approximately 1/3 down my thigh, no flapping fabric. The wasitband is of soft elastic with a pull-cord and is an excellent design, the shorts can be adjusted to fit me no matter how much my 'size' has fluctuated. If anything happened to them I would replace them with the same immediatly.

Specialized Comp mtb Shoes

I bought these shoes as replacements for the Specialized Tahoe (see review in this blog) which had soles that were too flexible. These are a very different proposition to the Tahoe.
First thing to say is that these shoes fit my feet perfectly. This is not due to Specalized claims of 'BG' comfort as I tried the 'Sport' and 'Pro' versions before buying and neither of these fitted very well. The moral for shoes is to try-before-you-buy.
The sole has nylon reinforcement plates to help keep everything rigid which seem to work as there is pratically zero flex. The plates do make a creaking noise when pedalling but this may be the design interacting with the Crank Bros Mallet pedals that I use. The material of the shoe is very soft synthetic leather with lots of mesh panels that do a great job of ventilating the foot, although they do let water into the shoe. The velcro straps are just the right length and provide a snug fit right across the foot, finally the ratchet is very easy to use and keeps everything secure. I find that after 1 hours ride I tighten the ratchet a couple of clicks and all is well again. In use the shoes feel a lot less racey than they look. Altogether a superb shoe that fits both my riding style and most importantly my feet. Fantastic piece of kit.

Specialized Tahoe Shoes

I have had these shoes for two years, the comments below reflect my experiences good and bad. I use the shoes with Crank Brothers Mallet egg beater pedals.

When you first put these shoes on they are very comfortable both on the bike and when walking around, like a pair of worn slippers! The laces are very easy to pull and tighten the shoe not just at the top but all the way down and the velcro strap is perfect for containing the lace ends.

However, after pedalling for 1-2 hours the bottom of my foot develops discomfort that rapidly becomes pain and cramp, not good. This has been consistent ever since I first started to use them. The onset of the problem is hastened by pedalling with force rather than spinning; however the result after 2 hours is the same. Following comparison with Mark and my buddy I decided that the sole is too flexible for long and hard trail riding as it transfers pressure into the foot from the pedal.

Do I still use them?, yes for very short rides or a quick play when I will not be out for too long. Would I recommend them? Yes, if you ride a couple of hours at a time and pedal gently, eg for a family ride out they would be excellent as they are easy to walk in and they do look more like trainers than cycling shoes. I would not recommend these if you are either enthusiastic or serious about MTB riding, get something stiffer.