As Matto said – riding on grey days / rain etc – wear bright clothing

I’ve never had leg or arm warmers – if it’s cold – longsleeve top and tights (which are easy enough to take off on a ride and stow in jersey pocket easily).

As others have said – Groundeffect have two excellent thicknesses of tights – I have both and they fit/work well.

I have some Kathmandu longsleeved thermal layers for under my cycling tops.

The old skool plastic bag down the front of clothing is still a good way to keep the wind off your chest – especially if it’s cold starting off and you know it’ll warm up later.

Booties – I have some seam sealed ones but basically they’re for warmth as the water quickly finds its way into them.

I have a lyrca skull cap. Although it’s thin it does the job and is very comfortable under my helmet.

I put clear duct tape over the vents in my helmet in the Winter. It keeps out the cold wind and some rain.

Bike – I have Phillips clip in / clip off mudguards – they’re light and really work well.

I agree with others, I wear ground effects daddy long legs over shorts, that's it for legs, and mostly just need an Icebreaker 260 merino, long sleeve top, under normal top, and that's it. occaisionally put on a wind breaker jacket if very cold.
feet, i use neoprene, nothing else comes close BBB (don't think they have them at the moment). LG gloves are great, occaisionally wear, merino liners, like very, very cold days, or if touring the S.I.
always have a good skull cap, and have invested in a merino balaclava, which is so small it can fit in any pocket, but is amazing at keeping the head warm, but seldom use that, even with knight riding.
Gloves are the one thing I am really fussy about getting a good pair. i have tried $70 specialised, etc, and been very cold, frigid fingers, so after a bad experience touring the S.I. my wife and I researched for the best gloves, another good brand is RJ's (motorbike glove maker) they actually claim that you can fill them with water, and the steam escapes, but not the water, claiming they breath??? some guyys wear divers neoprene gloves.

On a wet cold day in winter I will be wearing.

Long sleeved polyprops or merino stuff if your rich.
Vest and or jersey - depending on how cold
Beine under helmet
Polar fleece neck gaiter
Goretex Jacket - a must worth every penny, (and I need to replace mine, $$$ )
Tights
Baggies - I should really get some of them Ground effect water proof 3/4 pants
Woolen socks - feet will get wet no matter what so they might as well be warm
Sunglasses to keep the water out of the eyes

Being a Bike courier I don't wear gloves as they're a pain in the ass with all the mail I'm handling and just end up with soggy envolpes.

Another vote for Daddy Long Legs. I have a pair and they're awesome for keeping your legs toasty and warm. Plus you can open them up at the ankle zips if your legs get a bit warm. I've just got arm warmers and they're great in the current autumn climate, don't think they'd be enough in winter though. Looks like I'll have to find some good merino long sleeve undershirts.

But I do have a cool Team Sweden cycling jersey/jacket which has fleece lining and everything. Could be good on the cold training rides and it's nice and bright blue and yellow so hi viz without being fluro

you're so roadie right now

Sssshhhh, my mtb might hear you

On my commute I wear a 2.5mm steamer wet suit when its pissing down ,Bright jacket over wet suit to be seen (not waterproof)booties ,sealskins gloves, merino beanie.Hands and feet warm and dry ,body wet and warn and stuff at work to change into .Lots of lights 3 on helmet 2 on seat stays 1 big mother on seatpost ,then 2 on handle bars 1 flashing ,Fluro pack cover its never light commuting at 5am carry dry cycle kit for the ride home if its dry .Training I go for staying warm your skin is waterproof !

Cool, those daddy long legs sound good and will probably get a bright windproof shell jacket. I'll just bulk up underneath with my hideous 90s stripy polyprops or Ridgeline microfleece (camo not ideal but ok as a underlayer). Might need some full length gloves too, sounds like it's worth investing in good ones -I hate chilblains.

I second crash - wetsuit is the schizz . Guaranteed warmth no matter what - however I would only equip one if riding in a cyclone or underwater

I would steer clear of the specialized 'deflect' gloves. they have no padding on the palm and while wind proof they don't seem to breathe. And you freeze when wet. Also if you get numb hands sometimes while riding the lack of padding will really not help at all

I second "saturnReturn" found the specialised deflect gloves useless, don't know what they deflect? it aint cold or water??

Also my wife and I use merino glove liners, they are amazingly warm, use them on very cold days under the LG's winter gloves, and so compact when not wearing them, fantastic for winter touring.

Best skull cap, Kathmandu, and Specialised (cant' find that one now)

I hear that in the Upper Hutt region naked is all the rage. I'm guessing in winter he pops a willy warmer and long fingered gloves on as well..

Had a friendly discussion with and old friend who said that Polyprops are just as warm as Merino. I had too agree, and thought about this a bit more while riding, and thought Poly props are only $20 and Merinos' $120, until I realised the big difference.

Your body heat regulates alot better with Merino, where as Poly props, well my experience is you can overheat, say on a long climb, and I don't think they hold heat when wet.

SirLightalot wrote:Had a friendly discussion with and old friend who said that Polyprops are just as warm as Merino. I had too agree, and thought about this a bit more while riding, and thought Poly props are only $20 and Merinos' $120, until I realised the big difference.

Your body heat regulates alot better with Merino, where as Poly props, well my experience is you can overheat, say on a long climb, and I don't think they hold heat when wet.

Poly props work just as well when wet . I've tried and tested that more than my far share of times.

I'm loving the Kiwi-Pound exchange rate at the moment. Castelli armwarmers & kneewarmers, Descente cold-out gloves and 2 x lightweight Castelli Squadra Due jackets for $215 shipped from PBK who have free shipping at the moment on orders over $70.