Wet-weather kit

1 Eye protection Protecting your eyes from trail spray, mud and rain will improve your ride no end. If you don’t have to stop to clear muck and grit out of them, you’ll be able to concentrate on the trail ahead and maximise your fun. We like goggles in winter, especially for bike park duties, because of the extra protection. For XC rides, riding glasses with large, untinted lenses work best.

2 Gloves Your extremities will be the first things to get cold, so a warm pair of gloves is essential. It’s tricky to find designs that balance warmth and waterresistance with a good feel on the bar, but 100%’s Briskers are a solid choice.

3 Waterproof gear Here in the UK, you’re inevitably going to get wet riding in winter, so a good set of waterproofs can massively improve comfort. If you’re heading out for a long ride, a decent jacket with good breathability, combined with some waterproof shorts and a pair of MTB tights underneath, is invaluable. Heading to the bike park or sessioning trails? Something more robust is an option, like the Dirtlej one-piece waterproof suit seen here.

4 Footwear Your feet are right in the firing line of puddles and are sure to get soaked. A pair of winter riding boots like these Shimano MW7s will make a world of difference to your toes. With a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and some insulation, they’ll allow you to ride all day in comfort. Add some waterproof socks to help keep your feet warm if your shoes do soak through – or if you ride flat pedals, in which case there aren’t many waterproof shoes available.