Best and worst cycling kit purchases

[BoysofMelody]

My best: wind proof packable jacket from Decathlon - £10 and has proved an absolute lifesaver on many an occasion. Plus a Belgian style cap I wear under my helmet in winter made by Madison.

Worst purchases: The pear of bib shorts I've just bought from Evans' own FWE range. Absolute bloody agony in the bum cheeks after 20 miles. I thought the pad looked slightly thin, but didn't realise how quickly it would start to hurt.

What's everyone else's best/worst kit purchases?

[Iwantmoretimetomyself17]

I have some Evans FWE shorts and I quite like them.

Worst for me was Decathlon leggings and shorts. Pad too small and fell apart. However they were cheap and did the job for when I first started cycling and wasn't sure if I'd like it. Wouldn't buy them again though.

Pretty disappointed that my Castelli gloves fell apart given the price.

I can't really say I have anything I've found to be outstanding

[BoysofMelody]

I've had quite the opposite experience Decathlon tights had a lovely thick pad, but the FWE shorts left me sore. Mind you, my wife always complains that Decathlon is rubbish for women's stuff.

Oh I got some great gloves from Galibier, very highly recommended and we'll priced. Sorry to hear about the Castilli gloves falling apart.

[BikeRunSki]

Best: Winter mountain biking boots. Keep my feet warm and dry all winter, particularly cozy paired with merino wool socks. I wear them on my road bike too. Or my Buffalo wind shirt that I bought in a charity shop in 1989 and is still going strong! And all shorts/bibs/knicks made by Pearl Izumi.

Worst: Decathlon hydration pack, that just leaked everywhere.

[CMOTDibbler]

The Decathlon mens stuff is great, but the ladies is rubbish. My bib shorts rub me raw, but DH has had some great stuff. DS's Decathlon bib shorts showed his bum crack they were so thin.

Currently my best is my lovely new Threo jersey, or my tiny little cafe lock. And love my merino necktube.

Worst. Lots of competition here. From back lights which fall apart, assorted gloves which fell apart, were waterproof and so collected puddles of sweat inside, or the jersey I got a sunburnt back with as it is so short its unwearable (though plenty big round)

[BarchesterFlowers]

Best - my sandals. All I take on touring holidays. I wear then with sealskins waterproof socks of differing thicknesses whenever it is above about 8 degrees.

Worst Altura night vision jacket which I find isn't breathable - like wearing a plastic bag.

[BoysofMelody]

Are they spd sandals?

I have the altura night vision jersey and it does get a bit sweaty, but for deep winter in Scotland that's not an issue!

[BarchesterFlowers]

Yes, they are fab. There is a little bit of plastic to fasten over the cleats, so you can walk round stately homes etc on your travels without feeling guilty.

here.

I splurged on a showers pass elite recently - it is like night and day in breath ability terms.

[BikeRunSki]

I'm also not very keen on my Night Vision waterproof jacket.

[BoysofMelody]

My wife really likes her night vision for some reason. I've been a bit meh about most Altura things I've owned. I kind of think of them as the Tesco of cycling clothing.

[TheLongRider]

I had a pair of Altura tights that I hated, they were just so baggy and I'm not small of leg. I've seen the fit described as "Scottish" rather than "Italian".

Cheap best buys have been Lidl winter gloves, wore them all winter on really long rides with no problems. Merino buff that I wear every ride for 9 months of the year. I second the recommendation for Pearl Izumi tights especially the ones with windproofing on the thighs.

I've an Assos winter jacket that has survived five winters and will probably do another five. Staying the same dress size has its advantages.

[BrexitSucks]

I have SPD sandals!! Shimano. Woohoo, my kind of thread :). LOVE my sandals. Will cry if I can't replace them after they wear out (this is my 3rd pair).

"Women's" stuff never works for me (yes I'm female). Like special seats & tops & shorts. Don't like any of 'em.

[paganmolloy]

My Aldi cycling tops and jackets have all been great as well as my Endura shorts. My DHB Winter Bib tights are spectacular though.
Worst was the the Aldi shorts - pad was huge and felt like I was wearing a nappy. Aldi winter gloves also a bit keck. There was just too much of them so hands overheated and soaked with sweat. Meant if you took them off trying to get them back on was impossible. Hit or miss with Aldi stuff.

[Piffpaffpoff]

Ooh, this is interesting. I have been very unimpressed with my Altura Night Vision coat too, the quality is quite poor imo. And I also had a pair of winter tights from them that were huge and had to go back. I kind of avoid them now. I'm liking the newer Madison stuff and will probably get my next coat from them.

My very Best Buy has been a pair of 3/4 fleece-lined tights from Edinburgh Bike Co-op's own range. They are ideal for Scottish 'summer' cycling but they only did them one year. They are now on their last legs so I am on the hunt for another similar pair.

Finally Specialized BG gloves were a game changer in terms of comfort. No more numb hands/ulnar nerve pain.

[BoysofMelody]

My very Best Buy has been a pair of 3/4 fleece-lined tights from Edinburgh Bike Co-op's own range. They are ideal for Scottish 'summer' cycling but they only did them one year. They are now on their last legs so I am on the hunt for another similar pair.

I live in Scotland and had the self same problem, too warm for tights, still not warm enough for shorts was reluctant to shell out on another bib so I ended up getting some knee warmers to wear with my shorts. They're ideal for riding in Scotland from April onwards.

I got this pair in the salewww.evanscycles.com/louis-garneau-knee-warmers-EV151967 which was the cheapest pair I could find, they're absolutely fine for the money.

I'll check out Edinburgh cycling coop next time I'm in, I get my bike serviced there but for some reason never really looked at their clothing range.

[Piffpaffpoff]

The clothes at EBC are not as good just now as they used to be IMO. Their own brand range was quite good (they told me my tights were made for them by some brand name that I knew at the time but now can't remember) but I don't see much, if any, own brand stuff these days. I quite fancy trying Findra, a new brand they've got that is based in Innerleithen I think, nice looking stuff but slightly pricey. Birthday present perhaps.

I've got a thinner pair of Madison 3/4 tights for summer or I have slim cut mtb shorts. The days of tight cycling shorts are, for me, well and truly over I think!

[FlaviaAlbia]

Best has to be my gabba jersey I think, I love it and have worn it for nearly every ride since I got it. Castelli 3/4 length knickers are so comfy they'd be up there too.

I'm eyeing up a galibier shorts and jersey set at the minute, I love their gloves.

Worst, same as pp, my altura nightline jacket, it was sweaty, the zip on the pocket broke and the reflective stuff began to peel quickly. Very disappointed in it and I got it in the sale.

[BrexitSucks]

I quite like my Endura Luminite jacket. I don't love it like I do my SPD sandals, but it's been a durable great winter jacket for several yrs now.

[paganmolloy]

Findra - how could I miss out Findra. Best Best Best ever cycling top. Because I wear it all the time, out in town, walking, cycling, yoga - constantly. It was expensive but a Xmas pressie from hubby. It is the best item of clothing I've ever owned never mind cycling clothing. I'm adding them to my Xmas list for this year. Customer service is great too.

[BoysofMelody]

SPD sandals.. I'm interested in the idea, bit given vi live in Scotland and have just ventured out without thermal overshoes very recently, I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of them.

I am a big fan of SPDs in general though, only one clipless moment so far, but I can't imagine riding without them now. my pedaling feels so much smoother now. Mind you I don't know anyone who's tried them and then gone back.

[Piffpaffpoff]

Oh, that's good to hear about Findra, their pieces look great so it's good to hear they are!

[paganmolloy]

Also got Findra socks and my feet are toastie warm (also in Scotland)

[LapCatLicker]

Worst:
An Altura pannier that had a weird plastic strap that was supposed to secure it to the side of the pannier when in reality it came loose and got tangled in the spokes.

Best:
My brand new Ortleib shopper pannier which has a proper strap so I can carry it when out on errands but is waterproof, easy to get on and off and a lovely maroon colour.

I'm a fairweather bike to work kind of gal but I would love to do more of it so i'm watching this thread with interest. I also had an Altura Night Vision jacket and the pockets were small and tricky to zip up and down. This has been resolved now though as the zip has ripped out of the jacket completely. Also, it didn't fit over my ginormous hips.

[BoysofMelody]

The message seems to be: Altura sort your shit out!

[Cooroo]

I'm happy at the thought of SPD sandals. Definitely on my next shopping list.

Worst buy was Aldi bib tights with cardboard nappy inside (other Aldi purchases have been fine).

Best is probably my new Castelli tights with cosy reinforced knees and a pad that made my 2nd day of 65 miles comfy despite starting out with a very sore bum!

[BoysofMelody]

Worst buy was Aldi bib tights with cardboard nappy inside (other Aldi purchases have been fine)

Yes, it seems to be a bit of a lottery with the quality and the fit is sometimes a bit odd. I did get some really good lobster gloves in the autumn cycling event, they fit well and look far more expensive than they were.

My wife also got some very good aluminium LED lights that look almost identical to the Moon Nebula. I passed on them for some reason.