Top pick
HJC RPHA 91
MCN's tester would strongly recommend it: comfortable, well built and packed with features, if pricey.
Helmet
A flip-front is handy for commuting: lift the chin bar at fuel stations and junctions without taking the helmet off. They're heavier than a full-face, so try one on first.
Also great
Shoei Neotec 3
MCN gave it 5/5 and called it the class leader: comfortable, quiet and beautifully made. The price is the catch.
Also great
HJC i100
The bargain flip-front. BikeSocial liked the venting and the visor, but it weighs over 2kg, so try it on before you buy.
Jacket
Look for a laminated or Gore-Tex jacket that keeps the rain out at the outer layer, so it doesn't get heavy and soggy. Bright panels or reflective details help in winter traffic.
Top pick
Oxford Continental Advanced Jacket
BikeSocial's tester stayed warm and dry riding through sub-zero winter: proper all-year kit at a budget price.
Also great
Oxford Mondial Advanced Jacket
A laminated jacket at a mid-range price. Adventure Bike Rider's long-term test rated it as a rival to much pricier kit.
Also great
Richa Brutus Gore-Tex Jacket
A four-season Gore-Tex jacket whose waterproof liner doubles as a rain shell. webBikeWorld scored it 4.6/5 for comfort, venting and value; the back protector is extra.
Trousers
Waterproof textile trousers that zip to your jacket keep you dry all the way down. If your commute is short and mostly dry, AAA-rated riding jeans are an option.
Top pick
Oxford Continental Advanced Trousers
The matching trousers from BikeSocial's winter test of the Continental suit: warm, dry and protective.
Also great
Oxford Mondial Advanced Trousers
Made to go with the Mondial Advanced jacket, so the two work as a set.
Also great
Spada Ronin Jeans
For short commutes in the dry: AAA-rated jeans you can wear at your desk. MCN called them stylish, well built and fair value.
Gloves
A waterproof three-season glove covers most of the year. For winter commutes, heated gloves are the single best upgrade you can make.
Top pick
Richa Street Touring Gore-Tex
MCN gave them 5/5: comfortable, windproof and waterproof for three seasons. Too thin for deep winter.
Also great
Keis G701 Heated
Powered by your bike, so there are no batteries to charge. BikeSocial's tester really liked them, though they're not quite enough on the very coldest days.
Also great
RST Paragon 6 Heated
Battery-powered, so there's no wiring to fit. BikeSocial recommended them; the batteries add a little bulk.
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Boots
Waterproof is a must. Short boots and riding shoes are easier to walk around in at work; taller boots protect more.
Top pick
Alpinestars Web Gore-Tex
MCN gave them 5/5 as a great all-round boot that keeps your feet dry and warm, and they fit under jeans.
Also great
Alpinestars J-6 Waterproof
Armoured riding shoes that pass for trainers, so you can wear them all day at work. BikeSocial's tester wore them on and off the bike every day.
Also great
Sidi Adventure 2 Gore-Tex
The tall, tough option. BikeSocial found them comfortable, grippy, protective and properly waterproof; they're expensive.
Before you buy
- 1
Be seen
Dark mornings and evenings are when riders get missed. A hi-vis vest, a bright helmet or reflective panels make a real difference in winter traffic.
- 2
Waterproof at the outside
Laminated and Gore-Tex jackets stop rain at the outer layer. Cheaper drop-liner jackets keep you dry, but the outside soaks up water and takes ages to dry at work.
- 3
Sort your hands for winter
Cold hands are slow hands. Heated gloves, or heated grips with a good winter glove, make year-round commuting far more comfortable.
- 4
Plan for the office
Riding shoes, jeans you can wear at your desk, or a locker to change in: think about what you'll wear once you've parked up.
Commuting questions
Flip-front or full-face?
A flip-front is handier for short stops, and many riders find them better for commuting. They're heavier and usually noisier than a full-face, so if you ride longer motorway stints a full-face may suit you better.
Laminated or drop-liner: what's the difference?
A laminated jacket has its waterproof layer bonded to the outer fabric, so rain runs straight off. A drop liner sits inside, so the outer layer gets soaked before the liner stops the water. Laminated costs more but dries much faster.
Do I have to wear hi-vis?
It isn't a legal requirement on UK roads, but it makes you easier to spot, especially in the dark winter months.
Are heated gloves worth it?
For winter commuting, yes. Battery gloves are easy to use on any bike; gloves wired to the bike run as long as you ride but need a lead fitting.
When is gear cheapest?
Black Friday and the end-of-season sales in late summer and January are the big ones, but shops drop prices all year. Join our Discord, pick your sizes, and we'll ping you when any of these drops.
Get pinged the moment a deal lands in your size. Pick your products and sizes, and only hear about those.
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