7mesh Outflow jacket

This insulating jacket weighs just 250 grams and is easy to carry in your rucksack thanks to its small pack size. Filled with Primaloft Gold, it provides plenty of warmth on autumn outings. But it won't let you down in the depths of winter either and can even withstand sub-zero temperatures. The Outflow jacket impresses with very good moisture absorption and dries surprisingly quickly during breaks. The fit is comfortable and not too tight. Although it is not waterproof, it can easily withstand a short shower. Thanks to two front pockets, you can also warm your hands efficiently while waiting for your companion. Only the zippers let something through in very strong winds.

www.7meshinc.com

Protective Zero 0.1 trousers

Mission Duck Rescue? We wondered what it said on one of the many labels. And then it also says something about "kapok, vegan and functional". Vegan trousers - why not? But it was only when we spoke to Protective's Swiss distributor that we were able to shed some light on the dark forest of marketing terms. Kapok is a fruit that has a hollow fiber insulation, i.e. a purely plant-based insulation material. Protective does not want any animal padding and prefers this natural product to other synthetic fibers. And rightly so, because kapok is in no way inferior to other insulation materials.

Although the trousers are only lightly lined, the kapok material is warmer than other padding. It is therefore an advantage that the back of the trousers is not lined, but "only" has a robust outer material. You could probably only ride in double-digit sub-zero temperatures without getting cold. At the start of a ride, the trousers only provide moderate protection from the cold, but after around ten minutes the body heat is transferred to the mid-layer, where it stays and keeps you pleasantly warm. The Zero trousers have reinforcements at the leg ends to protect against dirt and damage caused by the drive.

The side zippers make it pleasantly easy to get into the pants. The wind protection is impeccable. As the waistband is a little tight, we recommend trying them on first. The pants accompanied me through the whole winter in Davos and let me survive it without a trace. The only thing that is not ideal is the waistband adjustment. If the waistband of the trousers is tightened a little too much or if you are wearing a kidney belt, the plastic parts pull uncomfortably into the fabric.

www.protective.de

Roeckl Moro gloves

The Moro model is advertised as a waterproof summer and transitional season glove. And they are perfect for the latter. When the days get a little colder, it not only protects against the cold, but also efficiently protects against rain. Although the glove has a breathable membrane, it does get a little too warm in double-digit temperatures or higher. If it is colder, however, it ensures a good hand climate and keeps you dry even in persistent rain. If it rains heavily for a longer period of time, the weather protection will no longer keep up. The moisture penetrates, but the hands only get damp and not completely wet.

The cut is tight and rather small. The workmanship is very high quality and can withstand a trip to the botanical gardens. The grip is pleasant and thanks to the silicone coating, you have a good grip on the handlebars and brakes even in adverse conditions. It is also touchscreen-compatible. The palm has impact-absorbing foam. Personally, I don't like padding under the palms, but this is not a negative feature.

www.roeckl.de

Five Ten Freerider EPS High shoes

Until now, it wasn't easy to have plenty of grip and still stay warm on cold days with flat pedals. You either had to focus on mountain shoes or buy the always summery bike shoes one size bigger and wear thick socks. But now Five Ten has launched a shoe insulated with Primaloft that is suitable for fall and winter. From plus five to minus 15 degrees, the Freerider EPS keeps you nice and warm; outside this temperature range, the foot climate is no longer as optimal.

The more it drops to minus temperatures, the harder the rubber sole becomes. However, this is primarily reflected in a loss of walking comfort; the grip on the pedals always remains good. The workmanship is impeccable and thanks to the DWR coating on the upper material, it is reasonably waterproof and therefore very easy to clean. However, if, like me, you accidentally step into a deep puddle and don't get out immediately, you'll find that it's not fully waterproof. The ankle protection is very efficient without being annoying.

www.fiveten.com

Incirca Phaethon bike lamp

For a long time, "good light" was expensive, until cheap lamps from the Far East came along, which often had a limited service life and didn't even last a winter. In the meantime, however, there are a few suppliers that offer a lot of "good light" for little money. Incirca, the house brand of distributor Velok, is one such product.

Despite its compact design, the Phaethon has over 2000 lumens and provides sufficient illumination for fast single trail rides. Thanks to adjustable brightness levels and remote control, the battery lasts for several rides. The remote control is radio-controlled and can be quickly and easily attached to the handlebars using Velcro. Thanks to its compact dimensions and low weight, the light is ideal for mounting on a helmet. However, it can also be attached to the handlebars.

I have exposed the Phaethon to every conceivable weather condition, from constant rain to snowstorms and minus 15 degrees Celsius. It was unimpressed by this and performed its lighting work flawlessly. At times, I mounted the lamp on the handlebars and therefore also attached the battery to the frame, which remained in place even in rough passages and bravely defied the weather.

Practical detail: The lamp comes in a textile box where all accessories can be easily stowed away.

www.velok.ch