Alternatives to typical outfits 7 clothes for autumn and winter

The right mountain bike clothing is often of great importance - especially in autumn and winter, when the weather is changeable and the temperatures fluctuate at a cold level. But what alternatives to the classic autumn and winter outfit are there? We took a closer look at some unusual clothes for wet, cold and uncomfortable conditions!

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Which alternatives to the jacket are particularly good? Our conclusion!

7 extraordinary outfits for autumn and winter

No other season places such diverse demands on mountain bike clothing as is the case from the beginning of autumn to winter. In the best-case scenario, the outfit should keep you warm and dry, be waterproof and at the same time offer high breathability, not restrict freedom of movement, not tear a gigantic hole in your wallet and of course be chic. We'll spoil things first: There is no piece of clothing that masters this balancing act - especially in the changeable months of the year.

# In autumn and winter, the weather often shows its changeable, unstable and cold side. Many choose the typical hard shell jacket here - but there are some alternatives that work much better depending on the situation. Using seven different clothes, we want to show you in this article which MTB clothes can play to their strengths and when.

Usually, an autumn outfit consists of long pants, which can be waterproof, or at least, depending on the wind and weather offers splash protection and a MTB jacket. The latter also definitely have their right to exist, especially when the gates of heaven open. But much more often it happens that you start with a jacket and open all the ventilation openings after a few minutes once you have reached operating temperature. Now you have the choice of keeping the jacket on but taking a dip in your own sweat and then cooling down completely – or getting rid of the jacket somehow, for example by tying it around your waist.

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In short: If it's not raining, then there are very sensible alternatives to the classic mountain bike jacket in autumn and winter. Here we have already extensively illuminated for you how to get through the wet well dressed. But what do you wear when the weather is changeable in autumn? There are different approaches to this, all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses - and are therefore ideally suited to different weather conditions. And of course the top is just one of several components that make up the perfect outfit. After we have already tested some autumn and winter gloves and waterproof MTB socks for you, we would now like to take a look at seven exciting outfit alternatives to the classic jacket for you!

Versatile protection against the cold: Vaude All Year Moab Zip Off jacket

At first glance, the Vaude All Year Moab Zip Off jacket looks like a relatively ordinary soft shell jacket. But on closer inspection, the jacket, which is available in two different colors for €200, turns out to be a versatile all-rounder. This is made possible by two small zippers in the armpit area. In just a few seconds, you can turn a warm jacket into a significantly better ventilated vest - and vice versa.

# The €200 Vaude All Year Moab Zip Off only looks like an ordinary jacket at first glance - the relatively warm softshell jacket can be quickly transformed into a vest that protects the torso from wind and weather.< p>The greatest strength of the Vaude All Year Moab Zip Off jacket is its versatility. So you can easily separate the sleeves and hood from the rest of the jacket on the way up, so that you only wear a vest. This ensures the necessary fresh air supply. For the way downhill or the rain shower in between, you can attach the sleeves together with the hood in a flash. Within our editorial team, the vest has established itself as a much more popular choice in cool temperatures than the classic jacket - Vaude combines the best of both worlds here. In the chest area, the Vaude shirt is additionally equipped with a warming material. In general, the construction is water and wind resistant. So don't expect complete rain protection here. However, in light rain or humid conditions, the Moab 2-in-1 solution should keep you warm and dry. The sleeves and hood can be rolled up relatively compactly when you don't need them - the half you don't need fits in the trunk of the frame or the hip bag, and in the backpack without any problems. Once again, Vaude collects bonus points for production under fair working conditions with a special focus on sustainability.

# Here you can see the 2-in-1 solution from Vaude without sleeves - we have had very good overall experiences with vests in autumn and winter, as they allow enough air to the upper body when the pulse is high, but a good amount when going downhill offer wind and weather protection.# The sleeve and hood area is attached with a zip in a few seconds.# The upper part overlaps on the back, but is only attached to the rest of the vest at the front.# There are additional applications in the chest area , which provide extra warmth.# The hood can easily be pulled over the helmet if necessary.

The wind blocker: Rapha Men's Trail Windblock Jersey

Rapha clothing has been enjoyed on the road for many years absolute cult status. Since this year, the style-conscious Brits have also been offering a number of products especially for mountain bike use - including the Rapha Men's Trail Windblock Jersey, which is available in six sizes at a price of €120.00 and is also available as a women's version. As is typical for Rapha, the jersey has a very classic, understated design and has an interesting structure that should make the Trail Windblock Jersey an optimal choice, especially on cool, dry and autumnal days.

# Rapha is one of the most popular clothing brands in the road bike sector - since this year the British have also been offering clothing for MTB use. The €120 Windblock Jersey is said to be the perfect choice on dry autumn days.

The jersey's Rapha Performance Merino Off Road fabric is designed to keep you warm without sacrificing breathability. At the front, the Windblock Jersey has an additional nylon layer over the merino blend. This keeps the cool wind outside well. The sleeves are made of a relatively thin and flexible nylon-elastane mix with a comfortable merino cuff. This makes the beautiful and well-made jersey suitable for rides on mild and dry autumn days when you need protection from the cool headwind. However, the jersey is not suitable for rainy days. On colder days you should also combine it with a warming base layer. Bonus points are given for the included and self-adhesive patches to mend sleeve holes and the free repair service that Rapha offers.

# In the Windblock jersey, Rapha combines a merino blend with a windproof front section - this means you neither get cold nor overheat.# The typical Rapha styling can also be found in the MTB collection.# The sleeves are made of a mix of nylon and elastane .# Here you can see the transition from a windproof front part and a breathable back made of warm merino material - this merino mix is on the front under the gray nylon layer.# The scope of delivery includes self-adhesive patches with which you can sew the sleeves yourself can repair - Rapha also offers a free repair service. Top!

The short-sleeved rain jacket: Specialized Trail-Series Short Sleeve Rain Anorak

The name is bulky, the concept unusual: The Specialized Trail-Series Short Sleeve Rain Anorak is a short-sleeved, waterproof slip jacket. The sleeves of the anorak reach to the elbows, the zip ends just below the chest and, due to the sewn-in gusset, is more for easier dressing and undressing than for additional ventilation. The hood fits easily over the helmet. In addition, the Specialized Short Sleeve Anorak can be stowed away relatively compactly and, thanks to the integrated strap, can be attached to the frame or around the waist when going uphill.

# Looks like a jacket with the sleeves cut off - and that's exactly what the Specialized Trail-Series Short Sleeve Rain Anorak is. The short-sleeved rain jacket is changing hands for around €180.

This makes the Specialized Trail-Series Short Sleeve Rain Anorak an unusual choice at first glance, but in practice it is a very practical choice for changeable days with the occasional shower. The torso and kidneys are kept warm and dry by the waterproof 3-layer construction. Uphill ventilation is significantly better than with a regular jacket thanks to the short sleeves. Due to the small pack size and the low weight, you can also take the Specialized anorak with you in case of an emergency. Thanks to an additional zipper on the back, you can also easily access the back pockets of a jersey or the Swat Bib. Last year we tested the Specialized Trail-Series Short Sleeve Rain Anorak extensively in this article on the Specialized Trail Series and found it very practical. This season, Specialized continues to offer the jacket - the colors have changed.

# The jacket shown here is a variant from last year - the colors offered by Specialized have changed for 2021. However, the good functionality has remained the same: the unusual approach works.# On the inside of the zipper there is an elastic insert, which is intended to make it easier to put on and take off the anorak.# In bad weather, the hood can be easily pulled over the Pull off the helmet.# On the back there is a large pocket with a zip - this is where the Rain Anorak can be stowed away.# The jacket can then be attached like a hip bag - perfect for the arduous climb to the top if you don't put it on afterwards want to do without a jacket!

The inexpensive one-piece suit: claustrophobic DFL Suit

If you think of one-piece suits for mountain biking, also known as onesie in modern English, then the first thing that comes to mind is the one that now comes in numerous different designs available dirtlej dirtsuit classics (to the article: dirtlej dirtsuit test). In the meantime, some other manufacturers also offer one-piece suits in which pants and jacket are fused together - which increases the rain protection even more on particularly uncomfortable days compared to a multi-piece outfit. The crux of the matter was the usually very high price of these one-piece suits. This is where the claustrophobic DFL Suit comes into play, which is significantly more affordable at €129.90 for the short version and €149.90 for the long version.

# Various one-piece suits are known, but the DFL suit from Platzangst, at €130 for the short version, is significantly more affordable than the competition.

The one-piece suit, which is available in sizes XS to XXL, does not completely reinvent the rain suit wheel. Thanks to a water column of 10,000 mm and breathability of 10,000 g/m², the claustrophobic DFL Suit is designed to keep water out and at the same time offer a certain degree of breathability. The waist size can be adjusted using two Velcro strips. The DFL suit also offers two zipped pockets, ventilation openings under the arms and a large hood. As a one-piece suit, the claustrophobic DFL suit, like all rain onesies, is not an all-rounder, but a specialist for very uncomfortable conditions. Anyone who has toyed with the idea of buying such a product but was deterred by the high purchase price now has a chic and affordable option with the claustrophobia DFL Suit. However, you should try on the claustrophobic DFL suit before you buy it: While the torso is true to size, the knee and crotch area is relatively wide.

# One-piece suits like the claustrophobic DFL Suit are designed to offer maximum protection from wind and weather on particularly rainy days.# The width on the upper body can be adjusted using two large Velcro strips.# Large ventilation openings under the arms ensure a certain supply of fresh air.# Of course, a hood is also integrated here.# Two side pockets with zips offer sufficient storage space.

Alternatives to typical outfits 7 clothes for autumn and winter

The perfect piece of the puzzle on cold days: Fox Defend Thermo Jersey

The Fox Defend Thermo Jersey has become one of our absolute favorites, especially on the particularly cold autumn and winter days. The long-sleeved jersey is made from a warm yet breathable Polartec Powergrid fleece. This should reliably keep you warm even in temperatures below freezing and at the same time be breathable - which in our experience works very well. In contrast to the body-hugging torso, the sleeves are a little looser. The jersey also offers wind protection here. The back section is cut very long and has a large pocket at the bottom, which has proven to be practical.

# The Fox Defend Thermo Jersey is one of our favorite pieces of clothing for autumn and winter - the jersey, which has been slightly modified for 2021, offers a lot of warmth and practical details even in the dead of winter.

The thermal jersey from Fox offers another practical thing Detail what sets it apart from a typical jersey. A scarf is integrated into the high collar, which you can pull over your mouth and nose in particularly cold conditions - or downhill. A hood is integrated on the back, which can be worn under the helmet on very uncomfortable days. It reliably keeps the neck warm. Due to the lack of protection against moisture and wind on the torso, the Fox Defend Thermo Jersey is best complemented with a warming vest. This is exactly the combination we tried out for you in this Fox clothing test. Fox has revised the Defend Thermo Jersey for 2021 and changed some details. The rather high price of €130.00 has remained the same. Based on our very positive experience, however, we can give a clear recommendation for the jersey.

# As the outermost layer, the Fox Thermo Jersey tends not to be worn - instead, depending on the weather, it can be combined with another piece of clothing. In our experience, the combination of thermal jersey and a matching windproof vest often works very well.# In contrast to the torso, the sleeves are slightly wider and looser.# The Polartec Powergrid fleece keeps you warm even in temperatures below freezing.# On A practical detail is the elastic collar, which can also be pulled over the nose on particularly cold days.# The fit on the torso is rather tight. Here it makes sense to throw on a vest for the descent.

The Peter Lustig memory dungarees for the trail: POC Consort

The most extraordinary and at the same time most expensive piece of clothing, the one from the usual autumn series dances, POC delivers with the Consort dungarees. The Swedish safety and style experts charge a whopping €490 for the one-piece suit, which is said to combine the best elements of typical autumn clothing. The POC Consort is not just another one-piece suit that combines jacket and pants, but extremely weatherproof dungarees that should be combined with other items of clothing at the top.

More on the topicGet everything out of bike clothing This is how Gore-Tex, Merino and Co work!Well dressed through the cold Clothing tips for biking in winter!Animoz Wild Range Sustainable MTB clothing from FranceGobik Black Series outerwear for the dark season # Proud 490 € call the Swedes from POC for the Consort - the extraordinary dungarees should also offer maximum protection against wind and weather.

Surprisingly, putting on and taking off is a little more complicated when you slip them on for the first time than you would with pants or a jacket is used to. The dungarees can be opened wide with a large, three-part zipper on the right side. Then, of course, you have to fasten the suspenders, which are typical for such a garment. This is done using a combination of two snap buckles and two Velcro strips that can be used to adjust the length. You can also adjust the width above the hips.

A few utensils can be stowed in a chest pocket - the POC Consort also has two side pockets that also function as ventilation openings. For the worst weather conditions, the POC Consort offers significantly more protection compared to normal rain pants and, in combination with the matching top, proves to be more breathable than a long one-piece suit. At the same time, you will not be able to do without additional protection on top on really rainy days, which negates this advantage again. However, the POC Consort is ideal for cold days when it is relatively dry from above and extremely wet from below. At the same time, it has a very high price and a rather idiosyncratic look - definitely a piece of clothing that stands out from the crowd.

# The optics definitely takes some getting used to. But one thing is certain: the POC Consort covers a much larger area than normal rain trousers. This also keeps the back and kidney area warm and dry.# The length of the suspenders can be adjusted using Velcro.# The protection on the back is not quite as extensive as on the front.

# The long zipper serves as a ventilation opening, under the short one there is a pocket on each side.# The POC Consort also has an additional pocket on the front in the chest area.

Perfect for afterwards: Decathlon Olaian Surf-Poncho 500
Okay, we admit it: Nobody from our editorial team has dared to hit the trails with the Olaian 500 so far. The poncho, which is available from Decathlon for around €25, is not even designed for this. Instead, the cotton one-piece comes from the surf collection - but the surf poncho can also be a useful addition to the wardrobe of mountain bikers.
# The Decathlon Olaian poncho is actually designed for surfers as a mobile changing room - but that can also be very practical for mountain bikers on days when wet trails are surfed rather than ridden.
Of course, the Olaian surf poncho is 500 is not suitable for riding on the trails, but can be a sensible choice afterwards. So it can be easily thrown on within a very short time. Thanks to two side openings, you can now take off your muddy and completely soaked underpants without suddenly being half-naked in the parking lot. At the same time you are dried off by the cotton material including the generously dimensioned hood. At the top, changing the soaked clothes gets a little more complicated. Nevertheless: As a mobile drying wardrobe, the Decathlon Olaian Surf Poncho 500 is a practical piece of clothing for afterwards.
# The poncho is very large and can easily be thrown on - then you can easily change clothes without standing half-naked in the wild, and it is dried at the same time.# Practical if you have your hands left and right in the best gangster rap style want to put in the hoodie: the kangaroo pocket.# The highlight are the side openings. This allows you to change your pants discreetly, for example.

Which alternatives to a jacket are particularly good? Our conclusion!

The classic hardshell jacket definitely has its right to exist - but not as an all-rounder for all weather conditions, but as specialized protection with strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, there is no one perfect piece of clothing for the months from October to March. However, it is definitely worth taking a look at the bigger picture of jackets. In our experience, it makes more sense to be diversified than to put all your savings into a single and specialized piece of clothing. Variability is key - and the advantages of the onion system still apply. With the right combination, you can get through almost any weather!

Which of the items of clothing shown is your favorite for the most uncomfortable months of the year?

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144 comments

FJ836
participated since 09/2016
Photos Videos
Just the first time the claustrophobia MR LS Jersey performed for the first time ... awesome part. Short wintry home trail round with 15km and 130hm, sometimes up sometimes down, -5°, light wind. Together with a thin base layer and the Fox Neoshell jacket over it and it was never really too warm or too cold.FJ836,
walkingsucks
with me since 12/2015
Photos Videos
but then it's about 400 euros on top - would be sad if that didn't work welljust sayin walkingsucks,
FJ836
participated since 09/2016
Photos Videos
I was able to get the Fox jacket from EK, otherwise I wouldn't have afforded the thing. But yes, the part should definitely work for what the guys at Fox are calling for! 😜 I was more concerned with the claustrophobia jersey, which is really good for half the price of the Fox counterpart. FJ836,
walking sucks
with me since 12/2015
Photos Videos
also looks suitable and the price is still okay - the Fox part is already very expensive walking sucks,
Laufrad0815
participated since 06/2020
Photos Videos
I have the 2021 Leatt DBX 4.0 and 5.0 jackets, both are clearly longer in the back than the front. Thanks to silicone strips, they don't ride up at the back either. The cut suits me, although the 4.0 fits more casually than the stiffer 5.0. I also have the 5.0 shorts from 2021, which are still in 1a condition after a number of uses in rain, mud and mud. As a breathable wind jacket, I use the Vaude Moab IV Softshell, which is very light and thin and can also be taken in a backpack or hip pack. When I am claustrophobic, I have now also ordered the Thermo Jersey, the Breeze Jersey and the DFL Suit III. Should arrive tomorrow. Laufrad0815,