Suited and…

Alpinestars Guayana jacket/bryce pants

Used for: six months Price: £569/379 Info: alpinestars.com

I’m always daunted by the cost of good quality textile kit, but this suit has been 100% waterproof, is made with breathable Goretex and has convincing armour. It kept me warm and dry all through last winter. I’ve now removed the lining, tightened the adjustment straps to suit and am wearing it into spring. You pay for the brand name, and because Alpinestars kit fits really well. Multiple panel construction and properly positioned stretch panels mean you can actually walk in this stuff, and bend over to pick up your keys. Irritations? The zip on the right cuff is sticky, and fumbling fingers sometimes fail to open it. I should have taken it back, but it feels a bit late now. This kind of kit, with a waterproof outer shell, is a far better bet for UK road riding than ‘Adventure’ suits with a zip in liner.