It’s true what they say about having good kit, it really does change a ride. Ill-fitting or poorly designed clothing can make you sore and uncomfortable and in my case grumpy, especially when the elements are against you! My staple pieces of winter kit are as follows.

I am particularly attached to my Endura WMS Knickers. These things are in their third season. I have worn them racing road, XC, Gravity Enduro and even DH. They work immensely well at keeping you that bit warmer – pull your socks up and who needs tights!? These are a must have for cold night riding, I can tell you!

Over the top of these I wear either my sweet women’s Troy Lee Designs Skyline shorts for enduro riding or my trusty pair of Altura Attack waterproof shorts. These are men’s shorts though – I simply cannot find a pair of women’s waterproof shorts at a reasonable price so men’s ones will have to suffice.

A dry bum when riding keeps you snug and smug when all those around you are drenched!

Lastly, a good jacket that you can move about in is a must have. The Race Face Chute women’s specific jacket is hard wearing, fully waterproof, it fits body armour underneath and looks good on or off the trail. It has also survived many a crash on rocks in a recent Gravity Enduro in Scotland.

When I’m all wrapped up like this, the bits of kit you can’t see are usually a merino wool base layer, and a cool jersey. At the moment I’m loving this Altura Baroque jersey, sophisticated, huh?

On my feet for enduro riding I’m in Seal Skins socks and Five Ten Elements shoes, definitely the stickiest, grippiest shoes ever to keep me firmly on the pedals.

I seriously couldn’t ride without this kit through the winter!

Rachael Gurney is an avid mountain biker, regularly competing in XC, gravity enduro and DH events, and reporting back for Total Women’s Cycling.