It's been years since I've road a bike in the cold, I have high hopes this year. I got lots for stuff for most weather conditions: heavy tights, light tights, arm/knee warmer, Zephar vest, long sleeve jersey, ear warmers, helmet cover, toe cover and booties, etc... So I'm able to match my layers with the conditions fairly well. The thing I lack is a jacket. I've tried on some heavier jackets like a LG Norway, and also the shells, like the Zephar. Any ideas? I think I can dress ok into the mid-40's and sunny, but I would like to still be able to ride in mid-30's and overcast. I think I'll need at least a shell, but more likely a jacket with some lining.

Thanks - John

For cold weather I wear a Performance-brand GoreTex rain jacket over a long-sleeve t-neck jersey. The GoreTex is warmer than a light wind-shell and a good idea if there's any chance of rain. Rain at 37F is bad news.

If that doesn't prove to be warm enough, then add in a layer or two: light polypro under your jersey and/or a thin wool sweater over the jersey.

I usually find that if the head and feet and hands are well-insulated, keeping the wind off is the only thing I have to do for the core -- excercise keeps it warm enough.

Thanks - John

Mind if I ask what kind of heavy tights you have? I have a pair of Assos Airblock bib tights. They're nice, but I'm very cold-blooded, so below 50° or 55° they're not enough. I need a heavy jacket myself as well. I've worn my everyday jacket, which is the inside shell of my winter coat. It's nice and warm, but the arms aren't long enough for being in a bike riding position, and it doesn't breathe well, so I get very sweaty in it.

Pearl Izumi makes very good windbreakers that can be worn through the coldest Chicago winters. As long as you layer well, you can get a nice, very light Pearl Izumi windbreaker that will totally block the wind. Sometimes, I was even sweating through cold Chicago winters.

Koffee

thats the problem I have found with most jackets, they don't breath well enough to keep you from sweating a lot.. I have an old favorite I keep going back to, it's an old performance super-U team jacket I got real cheap almost 20 years ago.. its wool with a nylon covering in front and on front of sleeves to keep the wind from going thru while letting the rest breathe...its awsome.. from anywhere in the 30's down below 0 when you layer under it... no way around it tho when it gets good and cold, if you are not freezing before you start to work hard, you will be sweating when you do..so you want clothing that will breathe well.. over dressing is as much of a problem as under dressing...

I find a good Moisture Wick Sweatshirt under a Windbreaker type jacket works great.

I have a AlertShirt Sweatshirt and a Performance Iluminlite jacket, I will put on another Sweatshirt if it drops below FREEEEEEEZZZZING!

I cant wear a jacket,to much. I layer.

I cant wear a jacket,to much. I layer.

I layer UNDER the jacket

http://www.performancebike.com/product_images/150/10_5673HVZ.jpg

You can layer all you want under this jacket

That doesnt make sence to me.

That doesnt make sence to me.


um...

Put on a Shirt
Put on a Sweatshirt
Put on a Jacket

= Layers

I think of layering as to not have a heavy item on like a jacket. Now the most i've used was 2 ls base and a ls jersey and a sleeveless windbreaker. The windbreaker and both base layers go into my jersey pockects as it heats up. Thats what i consider layering and why.

The Jacket is probably the Lightest piece of clothing.

I get too hot, I take off the sweatshirt. Leaving a nice windbreaker jacket.
The wind can be a real *****.

yup, in agreement withe veryone here.

the jacket has to be LIGHT and _not heavy_. the heavy ones make you sweat huge. a light jacket that's rainproof and waterproof is a _must_, and without any fleecey undersides/heavy fabric. pitzips is also a must.

so:
pitzips
rainproof
waterproof
light, no fleece

in this category, goretex and other nylon/poly/neo/etc. cycling-specific jackets are good. the cost will run you at least $130

sd

Yeap, this time of year price is up to $120. Come spring it'l drop to about $60.
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?sku=19310&slitrk=search

But if you need a jacket, you need a jacket. I like a fleece full zipper as the middle layer so if it gets too hot I can open the jacket and unzip the fleece.

Makes a good brake to.

I just picked up one of these in yellow: http://www.rei.com/product/47914343.htm?

I like it a lot. It has long sleeves, unzips under the armpits if it's not too cold, has a section that drops down to cover your but if need be, and has a waterproof pocket in the front--for the computer in the rain maybe?

It also has a reflective strip accross the back and on the sleeves. Nice and bright :)

I just picked up a fall cycling jacket in orange for $39: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.25040/dept_id./est./qx/product.htm

This jacket has all the basic features I am looking for; wind and water resistant, breathable fabric and vented underarms. The scotchlite accents and back packets are just a bonus for me. I figure with this jacket, under armour cold gear base layers, cool weather jersey and tights, and acorn polartec socks, I should be okay until we get some serious winter weather.

I have a great skiing jacket with a fleece liner that I could use if it gets really cold but otherwise I would have picked up this jacket: http://www.sierratradingpost.com/xq/asp/base_no.25041/dept_id./est./qx/product.htm
I have only read one review of this jacket but it was a positive one. The only draw back for this and other heavier jackets is the lack of breathability. FYI, there is a $10 off $100 coupon for Sierra Trading Post available at the moment.

That REI Stratos jacket looks nice but it is more than I'd like to spend on a jacket. (yeah I am cheap) :)

IMHO you don't need to spend the outrageous amounts they want for the better cycling specific jackets. I usually wear a baselayer shirt, a cotton/poly or wool sweatshirt, and a Sedona jacket that I picked up at a department store for like 40-50 bucks. The jacket is plenty wind and water resistant, the hood folds away into the collar, it has zippered pockets, cinches for the waist, and is large enough to give me freedom of movement even with lots of other layers underneath. I've also used my old USMC field jacket, which has a removeable liner.

That REI Stratos jacket looks nice but it is more than I'd like to spend on a jacket. (yeah I am cheap) :)
Well, I got it on sale for 119.99, which is still a chunk of change, I agree. But, what can I say, I splurged. I'm a bit reluctant to buy clothes off the web as I like stuff to fit well. At 6'3" with long limbs and all, I find it quite difficult to get clothes that fit well. :rolleyes:

Hey maci, I hope you didn't take it the wrong way. I wasn't judging how you chose to spend your money. I was simple busting on myself for being a bargain hunting cheap SOB. In any event I have been really lucky to be an off-the-shelf fit my whole life. I guess that balances out the custom fit my wife requires for everything :P

I couldn't agree more with chipcom. Even this time of the year when new products hit the shelves and the prices are marked closer to full retail, you can still find great deals. Especially if you shop around on the internet for prior seasons' styles.

My choise:
When it gets cold and windy enough I use a hard-shell breathable. (Mine is not bike-specific because I use it for other activities too)
If I were shopping for a bike-jacket now, I would buy this one (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442541829&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343&bmUID=1129924718662)

My advise:
Dress in many thin layers, it's far more effective than fewer thick layers.
The outer-layer should absolutely not be an insulation, only a shell (for wind and rain).
I recomend not to wear sweatshirts or other cotton layers under the breathable, they collect the moisture. Use wool or fleece.
The armpit zippers are really good for temperature control.

just my .02$

Yea, i was looking at exactly the same one before getting on the forum...

going to try to do the commute to the GO Train station through the winter on the bike... so this is really helpful info.. thanks

The new soft shell materials from Polartec like PowerShield fleece look like they would make a nice cycling jacket. Very breathable and highly wind and water resistant. Does anyone have any experience with these materials or similar?
Craig

It's been years since I've road a bike in the cold, I would like to still be able to ride in mid-30's and overcast. I think I'll need at least a shell, but more likely a jacket with some lining.

Thanks - John

Check out Gore Bike-Wear Tool Tricot jacket. I did my first-ever sub 40 road ride today. I was toasty with just a longsleeve polyester T shirt on underneath. Soft shell with windstopper. They run small, so buy the next size up, if you go the mail-order route.

I'm on my third winter with a Louis Garneau Spotlite jacket, it has great ventilation - adjustable sleeve cuffs, pit zips and back vents. It's warm and dry.

These jackets look interesting. They are able to be ordered with custom fabric choices for the jacket panels, and at a reasonable price. These jackets were featured on the ICEBIKE.COM site. Anyone have any experience with these jackets?

http://www.foxwear.net/products.htm

I like this thread; it's interesting and funny. By now everyone knows that "cotton kills", I'm sure. At least I hope so. Anyway, I am a moutain climber first, and a cyclist second. This will be my first season of "winter" cycling here in Massachusetts. I've already done some long rides in some pretty nasty weather, and I have to say, the logic isn't too different from winter mountaineering. Yesterday I rode in 40-degree weather along the coast and was a little too warm until the last twenty miles. I had on a Patagonia silk long-sleeve base, a Mountain Hardware Gore Windstopper long sleeve shirt, and an Arc T'eryx soft shell (also Windstopper). Very light, very breathable, very aerodynamic. A little hot at 4 p.m., but much better by 5.

I demo'ed a new pair of waterproof pants by Craft even though it wasn't raining. They were very breathable and plenty warm. I had on a new pair of Lake winter shoes; again, plenty warm for 40 degrees, although I can't seem to keep my toes warm no matter what I do. I am a total believer in Gore-Tex, and haven't found anything remotely close for waterproof breathability. Being naked is the best for breathability, short of cotton, nothing is really breathable in the rain, and I prefer being warm than cold. So it's Gore-Tex for me. I went to the Gore cycling store on-line and bought a nice tapered shell with a big back pocket. I use that for any weather as well (although not yesterday).

I'll keep playing with materials and keep reading everyone's posts. I have enough climbing clothes to experiment on the bike. It's fun to play with the combinations. I think I'll try riding a bit "colder" this weekend, and just ride harder to stay warm!

Good luck everybody! This is a fantastic site!