What Kit Would I Suggest You Order (And Why)?

What would I suggest you order?

First one needs to consider the reasons behind selecting kit.

• Flying one's team colours
• Comfort and protection against the elements: warmth, breathability, wicking, support, UV protection, etc
• Does it enhance your performance (separate from point 2): where we ride over 90% of our effort goes to overcoming wind resistance and 70-80% of that is caused by our own bodies and clothing. A three to four thousand dollar set of deep section wheels can save 10-20 watts. A fitted cycling top can easily equal that with a skinsuit almost doubling that at 35 watts.

Gary's suggestions in order:

1. Jersey. The Performance+ and Apex+ jerseys cover off these three requirements far better. Although a step up in price from Tech+, they are one of the cheapest routes to saving watts. Cycling gear can add up quickly, but with a price difference of $30 from Tech+ to Performance+ that's 1% of the cost of a $3000 set of wheels.
2. Bibshorts. More of a style decision. While one can wear black, the sartorially inclined will insist on navy. One can save some money by opting for one of the pre-dyed versions*. 
3. Vest/Gilet and warmers (arm and knee). A vest should come before one even thinks about a jacket. A vest and arm warmers are far more flexible than a jacket. They breath better, regular temperature better, and properly fitted don't hamper performance whereas a jacket most often is about as aerodynamic as a tent. The only time a jacket wins is when it's raining or below freezing. See the general post regarding specific information about the Champion System knee warmers.
4. Performance+ Intermediate Jacket (Fleece). It's a long sleeve fleece (so heavy weight) jersey. Unlike a jacket you wouldn't normally wear anything else underneath apart from a base layer. It's a brilliant piece for spring and fall. Everyone who bought one with the previous kit said this was the piece they were happiest they bought. If you wear a race cut jersey I'd ignore ChampSys' advice to size up.
5. BONUS PICK: Aero Socks. It's important that they don't scrunch up. As long as they don't you're looking at a 4-8 watt saving**. Half the watts those $3000 wheels will save you for 1/100th the cost.

These pieces will cover almost every single FOG ride from spring till fall. For speciality cases like riding in the rain or winter a jacket makes sense and for racing a skinsuit or racesuit is an option. 

*The majority of a bibshort, especially the parts subject to wear, is constructed from pre-dyed lycra, a heavier fabric that comes from the factory in limited colours. The parts that are sublimated with our design are much thinner material. The pre-dyed bibshorts replace the side panels (the large 'FOG') on our bibs with a solid panel of the pre-dyed material.

**How can socks make such a difference? Our legs are essentially cylindrical, but aerodynamically a cylinder is about the worst possible shape.