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This winter I will mostly be wearing...

It’s usually better to speak to other bikers to see what kit they use and would recommend, or to look at kit reviews. So here’s a look at some of the gear I’ll mostly be using this winter, and you can be safe in the knowledge that everything on the following pages has been used thoroughly by us. Stuck for a Christmas present for the biker in your life? Treat him or her to one of the products on these pages, they won’t be disappointed.

Spada Adventure jacket & trousers: £124.95 (jacket) £104.95 (trousers)
Quite often it’ll take a few weeks to try riding kit out to the extreme but on the day these arrived I experienced 200 miles of the worst torrential rain I’ve ever ridden in, near zero visibility and motorway speeds forced down to 40mph in places. Despite the conditions, I arrived at the ferry port warm and as dry as a bone, and the only area to suffer leakage was an external pocket which turned my spending money to pulp. The Adventure range has CE approved armour, ventilation and removable liners, loads of pockets to lose your keys in and it’s stylish too. I’ve recommended it to most of my riding friends. www.feridax.com

Alpinestars Tech heated vest: £223
I mentioned this vest last winter in UBG and since then it’s become my best friend in the colder months. The vest simply plugs into your bike’s battery and with the optional temperature control unit you can select from four heat settings, number three is usually the highest it ever has to go. Without the temp control unit you get a simple on/off switch but the vest gets too hot so it’s worth splashing out a bit extra for the ETR. Since wearing it I’ve found that my fingers stay much warmer, thanks to my core body temperature being raised and warm blood getting pumped to my extremities, also I can get away with just wearing a thermal top rather than a jumper under my jacket. If you’re a year round rider who wants to significantly improve cold weather comfort don’t hesitate to buy one of these. www.alpinestars.com

Keis heated inner gloves: £49.99
I’ve tried heated grips and heated gloves in the past but the grips are always a bit ugly and the gloves aren’t as pretty as my usual winter ones. These new heated inner gloves are a great idea, they’re thin enough to wear under my ordinary gloves without restricting movement and they’re quite cheap as well. They use the latest Encapsulated Element Technology to provide reliable, even heating. Simply connect the harness to the bike’s battery (or use optional Li-on battery pack), plug them in and feel the toasty warmth. There’s an optional temperature controller for £29.99 (well worth getting) and the gloves can plug directly into the Keis heated vest (great value at £99.99 including free temp controller). www.motohaus.com

WEISE Symphony: £119.99 (jacket) Papillon trousers £89.99
Not all ladies like garish ‘feminine’ colours but they do like a bit of style and they like to keep warm and dry. My other half has been testing these Weise items out for a few months and so far she’s been very impressed with them. They’ve proved to be comfortable and warm, and they’ve kept her dry too. The jacket comes with removable 120g thermal quilted lining, CE approved shoulder, elbow and back protection, (trousers have CE armour in the hips and knees) and both garments come with a zip to attach to other Weise products. www.weise-clothing.co.uk