1. Waterproof your digits
When your hands and feet are freezing, it ruins the whole ride. As you pedal, your body pumps blood to your working muscles instead of your toes. Add in rain, road spray, and biting wind, and your toes are the first things to suffer.
For spring or early autumn riding, a lightweight waterproof cover is ideal. It keeps the wet out and stops the wind from freezing your feet.
When deep winter hits, switch to a neoprene overshoe. Neoprene repels water and adds a thick layer of insulation to keep you warm in the coldest conditions.
2. Keep in the loop
Protect your phone from water damage so you can stay in contact. It is likely you keep your phone in your back pocket and, even with a gilet sitting snug over your jersey, moisture is likely to get in there, especially if you go splashing through puddles or your outer jacket doesn't allow your kit to breath.
Wrap it in a cheap and cheerful sandwich bag and available from every supermarket worth their salt. Word of warning: these bags aren't terribly rugged, so replace them every couple of rides.
Grab our Condor Weatherproof Case with a waterproof zip, zipped money pocket and a neoprene insert to help protect your phone screen from getting scratch by keys and other essentials.
3. Be the king of versatility
Sometimes the weather delivers three seasons in a day. Autumn sun, rain, hail and back to sun. Combining a thermal undershirt, arm warmers and a short-sleeved jersey beats a long-sleeved jacket, because the warmers can come off when the day heats up. But if there's one failing to most warmers, it's that they absorb water like a proverbial sponge. Choose a pair of arm warmers with DWR treatment. This super-warm and ultra-stretchy the fabric has an exterior coating which creates a waterproof barrier. Assos's new teflon coated waterproof warmers.
5. Use your head
You lose substantial body heat through your head, your feet and your hands—and you need all three of those working well to be able to make it home safely. A helmet cover or cap will help your head stay warm and keep the water which can feel even colder with windchill when you ride.
Try a waterproof cap. Made from the water resistant yet breathable fabric, you are guaranteed to stay dry plus the peak will shelter your eyes from the worst of the deluge.
Top Weatherproof Products
Condor Essentials All Weather Cap
Condor Essentials All Weather Cap
Lightweight and versatile with shower resistance to keep the rain away from your head.
Assos R Winter Leg Warmers P1
Assos R Winter Leg Warmers P1
Updated, full-length protection for cool, wet conditions, engineered with a warmer textile, water-repellency, and versatility for layering in fall, winter, and spring.
Condor Essentials Reflective Oversocks
Condor Essentials Reflective Oversocks
Take the sting out of early morning starts and chilly rides.
Spatzwear Aquasokz Short Aero Oversocks
Spatzwear Aquasokz Short Aero Oversocks
The brand new Spatz Aquasokz (Lo version) were designed specifically for the Alpecin Deceuninck Pro Cycling Team.