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Short answer: For wet trail rides, the Specialized Trail Rain Jacket ($70, regularly $174.99) is the shell bargain. For cold, dry days, pair the Endura MT500 Polartec Jacket ($110) or the POC Guardian Air ($95) with a thermal base layer. Then add the Endura SingleTrack Windproof Glove ($22.94) and, for real winter, the Lake MXZ120 boot ($173.99). Fall riding clothing is marked down hard right now, so this is a good time to fill gaps in your kit.

Cold-weather mountain biking is mostly about layers: something wind- or waterproof on top, warmth underneath, and dedicated hands, feet and face coverage. We picked 11 pieces from Jenson USA and Competitive Cyclist that are on sale now, grouped by job.

Quick picks

  • Best rain shell: Specialized Trail Rain Jacket (Men’s), $70.00, regularly $174.99. Polartec NeoShell with fully sealed seams and an over-the-helmet hood. Competitive Cyclist
  • Best wind shell: POC Guardian Air Jacket, $95.00, regularly $190.00. Windproof 4-way stretch with a stowable helmet-compatible hood. Jenson USA
  • Best thermal jacket: Endura MT500 Polartec Jacket (Men’s), $110.00, regularly $200.00. Polartec fleece warmth with a helmet-compatible hood. Competitive Cyclist
  • Best value gloves: Endura SingleTrack Windproof Glove, $22.94, regularly $55.00. Windproof softshell backhand, zero palm padding for bar feel. Jenson USA
  • Best winter shoe: Lake MXZ120 Cycling Shoe (Men’s), $173.99, regularly $289.99. Thinsulate-lined leather boot with a 2-bolt SPD cleat box. Competitive Cyclist
  • Best wet-weather pants: PEARL iZUMi Summit AmFib Lite Mountain Bike Pant (Men’s), $105.00, regularly $175.00. ELITE AmFIB softshell with three zippered pockets. Competitive Cyclist

Jackets: rain shell, wind shell or thermal

Verdict: Pick by the weather you ride in most. A sealed rain shell for wet trails, a light wind shell for cold, dry days, or a warm Polartec layer when it’s properly cold.

Specialized Trail Rain Jacket (Men’s): $70.00 at Competitive Cyclist

$70.00, regularly $174.99.

  • Polartec NeoShell face fabric with fully sealed seams
  • Over-the-helmet hood with drawcord adjustment
  • Relaxed, hip-length fit for layering
  • One zippered chest pocket and a reflective strip

Who it suits: Riders in wet climates who want a real waterproof trail shell for well under $100. There are no hand pockets, just the chest pocket. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

POC Guardian Air Jacket: $95.00 at Jenson USA

$95.00, regularly $190.00.

  • 120 g/m² 4-way stretch fabric with Cordura and ripstop zones
  • Windproof, with a fluorocarbon-free DWR for wind and light rain
  • Underarm vents and a stowable, helmet-compatible hood
  • Zipped chest and rear pockets, Lycra cuffs

Who it suits: Cold, mostly dry rides where wind is the problem. It’s a shell, so add a base or mid layer under it in deep cold. Check price at Jenson USA.

Endura MT500 Polartec Jacket (Men’s): $110.00 at Competitive Cyclist

$110.00, regularly $200.00.

  • Polartec fleece for breathable warmth
  • Stretch woven panels against wind and light trail spray
  • Helmet-compatible hood and a drop-tail rear hem
  • Dual underarm and dual front zipper vents
  • Large zippered chest and hand pockets; regular fit, hip length

Who it suits: Cold trail rides where you want warmth more than full waterproofing. It works alone on dry days or under a shell like the Specialized Trail Rain Jacket when it’s wet. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Winter gloves

Verdict: The Endura is the pick for cold but dry rides where bar feel matters. The GOREWEAR is the warmer, waterproof option for wet, near-freezing days.

Endura SingleTrack Windproof Glove: $22.94 at Jenson USA

$22.94, regularly $55.00.

  • Windproof softshell backhand with knuckle protection and a lightly brushed lining
  • Synthetic leather palm with silicone print
  • Zero palm padding for dexterity and bar feel
  • Velcro adjuster strap; unisex sizing XS–XXL

Who it suits: Trail riders who run hot and want wind protection without losing feel on the bars. At this price it’s an easy second pair. Check price at Jenson USA.

GOREWEAR Endure GORE-TEX Insulated Glove (Men’s): $60.00 at Competitive Cyclist

$60.00, regularly $100.00.

  • GORE-TEX ePE membrane
  • PrimaLoft Gold insulation (90% recycled polyester)
  • Textured palm and silicone grip at the fingers
  • Touchscreen compatible; hook-and-loop closure

Who it suits: Wet, cold rides where your hands go numb first. Competitive Cyclist lists it for road cycling, so expect more insulation and less trail feel than the Endura. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Pants

Verdict: Full-length trail pants keep mud and spray off your knees and legs when shorts and knee warmers stop working.

PEARL iZUMi Summit AmFib Lite Mountain Bike Pant (Men’s): $105.00 at Competitive Cyclist

$105.00, regularly $175.00.

  • ELITE AmFIB softshell
  • Relaxed fit with an adjustable waist; 32 in inseam
  • Two zippered hand pockets and one zippered thigh pocket
  • BioViz reflective detailing
  • Claimed weight 13.5 oz (size 32)

Who it suits: Riders who want a softshell pant for wet, frosty trail and commute rides. The relaxed fit leaves room for knee pads or tights underneath. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Winter shoes

Verdict: Clip in? The Lake MXZ120 is a true insulated winter boot. On flats, the Five Ten Freerider Pro Mid adds ankle coverage and a grippy sole. See our MTB flat pedals guide to match it.

Lake MXZ120 Cycling Shoe (Men’s): $173.99 at Competitive Cyclist

$173.99, regularly $289.99.

  • Water-resistant leather upper with a DWR coating
  • Outlast temperature-regulating liner and Thinsulate insulation
  • Semi-rigid nylon midsole
  • 2-bolt SPD-compatible cleat box
  • Rubber and EVA Enduro sole; laces

Who it suits: Clipless riders who keep riding through real winter. The retailer notes it runs large, so size down. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Five Ten Freerider Pro Mid VCS Cycling Shoe: $113.97 at Competitive Cyclist

$113.97, regularly $189.95.

  • Mid-top design with an impact-resistant toe box
  • Stealth S1 Dotty rubber sole
  • OrthoLite sock liner with added D3O impact protection
  • Abrasion-resistant, quick-drying synthetic upper
  • Hook-and-loop closure

Who it suits: Flat-pedal riders who want more coverage than a low-top for muddy, chilly rides. It isn’t listed as insulated or waterproof, so pair it with warm socks. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Base layer, socks and neck

Verdict: These are the cheap pieces that make the expensive ones work. A wicking base layer, merino socks and a neck gaiter you can pull up over your nose and mouth.

GOREWEAR Base Layer Thermo Long Sleeve Shirt (Men’s): $51.00–$55.25 at Competitive Cyclist

$51.00–$55.25, regularly $85.00.

  • 92% polypropylene, 8% elastane midweight thermal fabric
  • Extra-long back for coverage on the bike
  • Flat-lock seams; slim crew fit
  • Claimed weight 4.73 oz (134 g)

Who it suits: Anyone building a winter layering system. It goes under any of the jackets above. Price varies by color and size. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Giro Merino Winter Sock: $15.37 at Competitive Cyclist

$15.37, regularly $27.95.

  • 70% merino wool, 15% polyester, 10% Lycra, 5% elastic
  • Midweight, calf height
  • Thin enough for a precise fit in a cycling shoe

Who it suits: Riders who want warmer feet without upsizing their shoes. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

45NRTH Vindkast Reversible Neck Gaiter: $28.00 at Competitive Cyclist

$28.00, regularly $40.00.

  • Double-layer merino wool blend (50% merino, 50% polyester face fabric)
  • Reversible, with two wearable sides
  • Asymmetrical top hem pulls up for nose and mouth coverage
  • Flat-seam construction

Who it suits: Riders who want neck and lower-face warmth that’s easy to pull down on climbs. Merino resists odor on back-to-back rides. Check price at Competitive Cyclist.

Building out the rest of your kit? See our bike lights guide for shorter days, our MTB helmets guide, and everything else in Gear.

FAQ

What should I wear mountain biking in cold weather?

Layer it: a wicking base layer, a windproof or waterproof jacket, full-length pants or tights, winter gloves, warm socks and something for your neck and face. Add or drop the insulating layer based on the temperature.

Do I need a waterproof jacket or a windproof one?

If you ride in rain or wet snow, get a sealed waterproof shell such as the Specialized Trail Rain Jacket. For cold, dry days, a windproof shell like the POC Guardian Air breathes better on climbs. For extra warmth, add the Endura MT500 Polartec Jacket.

Are winter cycling shoes worth it?

If you ride clipless through freezing temperatures, an insulated boot like the Lake MXZ120 keeps feet warmer than summer shoes with covers. On flats, a mid-top shoe with merino socks works for cool, wet rides.

How did we pick these?

We compare listed specs and live sale prices from Jenson USA and Competitive Cyclist, and pick one or two pieces for each job: shell, insulation, gloves, pants, shoes and accessories. We haven’t tested this gear.

We compare listed specs and live prices; we haven’t tested this gear. Prices subject to change. How we research

Sources

[1] Competitive Cyclist: Specialized Trail Rain Jacket (Men’s)

[2] Jenson USA: POC Guardian Air Jacket

[3] Competitive Cyclist: Endura MT500 Polartec Jacket (Men’s)

[4] Jenson USA: Endura SingleTrack Windproof Glove

[5] Competitive Cyclist: GOREWEAR Endure GORE-TEX Insulated Glove (Men’s)

[6] Competitive Cyclist: PEARL iZUMi Summit AmFib Lite Mountain Bike Pant (Men’s)

[7] Competitive Cyclist: Lake MXZ120 Cycling Shoe (Men’s)

[8] Competitive Cyclist: Five Ten Freerider Pro Mid VCS Cycling Shoe

[9] Competitive Cyclist: GOREWEAR Base Layer Thermo Long Sleeve Shirt (Men’s)

[10] Competitive Cyclist: Giro Merino Winter Sock

[11] Competitive Cyclist: 45NRTH Vindkast Reversible Neck Gaiter