5 Affordable winter essentials for cyclists

With winter just around the corner, and the cold and wet weather right behind it, it’s vital you have the correct gear for your winter rides. Here are our five affordable cycling essentials you will need when going out on bicycle rides this winter.

Cap 

A cycling cap isn’t just a summer riding essential, it is also important for winter. You will be wanting to keep the rain out of your eyes but you also need to think about those bright and sunny winter mornings. The Winter Hat from Le Col is the perfect cap for your winter rides. Made in Italy with Windtex wind and water protection, the peak on the hat keeps the sun and rain out of your eyes. The founder for Le Col, Yanto Barker has said: "We’ve taken the summer cap and equipped it for winter with weather beating fabrics and snug ear protection. A simple yet effective hat to ensure you keep training through the coldest of the winter months”.

By the cap here from £30

Socks 

With the temperature getting low it’s important to keep your feet warm. That’s why we recommend Rapha Deep Winter Cycling Socks. These socks will set you back £25 but your feet will thank you for them! Made from merino-rich blend material these socks are cut long and have a thick, wind-resistant panel that runs the length of the shin. The main footbed is padded for extra insulation and the toes also have an additional wind-resistant facing.  

Buy them by clicking here 

Rain jacket 

British winter can be cold dark and wet, so you need to be prepared for the rain that will almost certainly hit while you’re out on your ride. For £110 you can pick up the perfect raincoat that will keep you dry during the wet winter months. The dhb Flashlight Force Waterproof Jacket from Wiggle has multiple features including full waterproofing and 3M Scotchlite which will keep you dry and visible this winter. Don’t just take our word for it as this jacket currently sits pretty with 81 5-star reviews. 

Buy the jacket here

Neck tube

It’s all well and good to protect your body from the rain or your eyes from the sun. However, you need to protect your face from the cold wind. For the next winter essential, we are going back to Wiggle, but this time for a neck tube. This race-tuned, insulated Assos Winter Neck Protector will help you battle the arctic-cold conditions while your biking around your favourite route.  

Buy here from Wiggle

Lights

Visibility is important while out on the road. The nights are longer and the days aren’t as bright anymore so it’s important other road users can see you, the last thing you want is to be getting knocked off your bike by someone who can’t see you. VVA Bike Lights Set USB Rechargeable bike light is the perfect light for your bicycle this winter. Equipped with a 7200mAh rechargeable battery, you can use any USB charging port with a 2A output to charge your new light. As well as this the light is waterproof, meaning on these dark, wet rides your light will be working just how it should be. If this isn’t enough the VVA Bike Lights Set USB Rechargeable has 13 different adjustable light modes, so you can pick the right light for the conditions.

Buy the light on Amazon by clicking here