Winter Cycling - Would this keep me warm?

I live in Palmdale, California, which gets cold and WINDY in the winter. It was 22 F this morning. I'm looking for a windbreaker jacket. Got an email about a coupon from REI-Outlet this morning and found this jacket.

http://tinyurl.com/bb37l

Would this keep me warm?

Thanks!
Michele

Nice jacket...great price!

Your best bet is to call or e-mail REI and ask them the estimated temperature rating for this jacket. Other questions include how long is the back of the jacket, arm length, and whether there is a windproof barrier in the front of the jacket.

It looks like my jacket!

I just came back from a ride, and I wore my jacket, which just happens to be my "summer-weight rain jacket". I wore it today over layers of (from inner to outer): thin wicking tshirt, capiline long sleeve zip tneck, and a thick wool sweater. I used the jacket to protect me against wind. It's thin as paper (almost) but, has enough room for me to wear all these layers.

The result: my core and arms were much too warm. The high today was supposed to be 42F. I started riding around 1pm, so, it was probably close to 42F. Next time I'll wear just the capiline tneck and a lightweight (100 or 150) fleece. I get chilled fast if I sweat too much; starting with less is better for me.

good luck!

I have a polyester microfibre jacket that is great as a spring-autumn windbreaker but is not quite windproof enough for cold blasts. It depends on the particular material, some weaves are tighter and more windproof than others.

Hey Michelle good to see you here. It certainly does get cold in the mornings dosen't it? For me the biggest thing I have found so far is that if I can keep the wind from biting at me I am usually okay and that jacket is windproof. For warmth you can always layer underneath it if need be with long sleeve jerseys, arm warmers, etc.

Good luck.

~Mike
High Desert Cyclists

I bought my windbreaker (with detachable hood) from Target for $25. I wore it today with 2 tee shirts (one long one short sleeve), sweatshirt and vest. I shoulda ditched the vest.

Hi Mike,

Thanks. Nice to see you here as well! I think I will go ahead and buy the windbreaker...after I check my bank balance. I guess I'll see you on Sunday at Bicycle John's.

Michele

I live in Palmdale, California, which gets cold and WINDY in the winter. It was 22 F this morning. I'm looking for a windbreaker jacket. Got an email about a coupon from REI-Outlet this morning and found this jacket.

http://tinyurl.com/bb37l

Would this keep me warm?

Thanks!
Michele

Depends on what you wear underneath it. 22 F is pretty cold for a lightweight cycling jacket alone. You would need a decent mid layer. I switch to a gore tex jacket when temps get much below freezing..

Depends on what you wear underneath it. 22 F is pretty cold for a lightweight cycling jacket alone. You would need a decent mid layer. I switch to a gore tex jacket when temps get much below freezing..

Hi Ranger,

I should have clarified that I did mean over the 2 to 3 layers that I am already wearing. I seem to be fine with tights on my legs, but my arms get very cold. So, I'm hoping that a windbreaker or something similar will help. I just don't have a lot of money to work with.

Michele

In my experience an ultralight windbreaker/windproof jacket over a base layer lowers the temp at which those layers are comfortable by nearly 20F. If you are nearly comfortable with what you are wearing now you will need to lose a good layer when you put the windbreak on. I found that I sweated too much in my windproof jacket because it did not breath well. I am having better luck with my softshell jacket but most of those are expensive (I got mine closeout for $15, most are > $100).
Craig