Southern California - Vest/Arm Warmers Vs. Jacket

What seems more versatile for dry cool rides (50-60 degrees) in So Cal a wind vest and arm warmers or wind jacket?

I tend to be on the warm side and would prefer to be cold than hot just not numb. Pack size is a big issue as well, I want something that is as small as possible.

Base layer, jersey, vest, long fingered gloves
FTW!

What seems more versatile for dry cool rides (50-60 degrees) in So Cal a wind vest and arm warmers or wind jacket?

I tend to be on the warm side and would prefer to be cold than hot just not numb. Pack size is a big issue as well, I want something that is as small as possible.

I tend to be warm, too. Actually, I'm on the verge of thermonuclear. For me, that temp range is probably base layer, ss jersey, maybe a vest, unless it looks like rain, though frankly if it is up around 60 I may skip any extra layers at all and just pedal harder. If it looks like it might get wet I'll take a real light water/wind resistant jacket instead of the vest. The one I have about half fills a jersey pocket when it's scrunched up. Arm warmers are for when my ride is going to start in that range but finish warmer. Long finger gloves come into play under 45 or so. I usually ride wearing a doo-rag; at around 50 adding something to cover your skull is a good idea. Jackets are for temps under 50.

That is a good point. At what point, i.e. temperature, does a jacket make more sense? <50? <40?

arm warmers are most easiest to peel off and hardly feel them in the pockets after uses. I carried a jacket 95 miles in teh pockets on Sunday because I lost one arm warmer DOH

Fingers are the key for me. If I keep them warm, everything else is usually fine.

I'm a cold weather puss, I need to be warm when I start a ride even though I know it will be 90* later I'll still start with the warmers on LOL

Fingers are the key for me. If I keep them warm, everything else is usually fine.

Do you ride naked except for full fingered gloves?

I love arm warmers. Cut down a lot of wind, don't have that sauna effect of a wind jacket, and easy to peel off.

I suffocate in a full jacket.

wind vest, arm warmers, leg warmers is the most I've ever needed in So. Cal.

Wind jackets make me steam, but I wear one occasionally. Going up Baldy last week I wore a light wind jacket over a SS jersey and fleecy arm warmers until I warmed up. The jacket came off and was packable enough to stow in my back pocket for the climb. Halfway up the mountain, the arm warmers came off, too. They both went back on for the 8 mile descent, though, and I was glad I had them.

On flatter ground, I don't like the wind jacket. They just don't breathe well.

If you are too warm at the start of a ride, you have too much ... for that weather, I prefer arm warmers.

For those temps, arm warmers and vest make more sense. They can be peeled off separately, stuffed into jersey pockets later (separately) and are just a whole lot more versatile (for those reasons) than a jacket.

With the jacket (upper-body wise) it's all or nothing, whereas you can wear a vest without arm warmers or vice versa. Plus, the arms warmers have the additional feature of being able to push them down around you wrists on the climbs, then pull them up again on the descent.

If, however, the temp is another 10 deg. cooler, I'd probably go for the jacket with the arm warmers, then take the jacket off as the day goes on and the temps rise.

Rick / OCRR

Base layer, skull cap with built in sweat guard, arm warmers, high visibility vest and long finger gloves. Add in knee warmers too. You can do a lot of damage to your knees if you ride in 60 or below and you are not warmed up. All of this, but probably not the base layer, can come off and easily be stuff into your jersey pockets or the front of your shorts.

Wind jackets are too sweaty. Arm warmers rule.

No All of the above?

vest and warmers for me..i get really warm easily..

Arm warmers, full gloves and ear warmers.

I might have worn that and tights once last year.

And I usually have the arm warmers off in 15 minutes

Base layer, skull cap with built in sweat guard, arm warmers, high visibility vest and long finger gloves. Add in knee warmers too. You can do a lot of damage to your knees if you ride in 60 or below and you are not warmed up. All of this, but probably not the base layer, can come off and easily be stuff into your jersey pockets or the front of your shorts.

:lol:

"How you doin'?"

I rarely take a jacket along unless I plan on removing it and stuffing it in my jersey pocket, because unless it's under 50 the whole ride I sweat like a pig in a waterproof shell. Some day I'm going to break down and buy a jacket with removeable sleeves.

:lol:

"How you doin'?"

It’s up or down depending on how cold or how hot it is.

for socal weather.. armwarmers and knee warmers at the most... and never ride in the rain.. but that doesnt happen that much anyways.. thats if im in full cycling gear on the roadie... then ususally when im bar hoppping or casual riding with friends im on the fixie and wearing street clothes...

It’s up or down depending on how cold or how hot it is.

Just don't make the mistake I did and stuff it down the back. :(


At least it discouraged the wheel suckers...

Vest. 25 to 60 degrees (http://showerspass.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=33&osCsid=9627b69ee89e75e116f00e132f0d0f37).

Get a jacket, where you can take the arms off, so it becomes a vest. With arm warmers and knee warmers I feel like I've closed all pores of my body, I can't breath. I like the jacket/vest.

For me, it depends on the jacket. I have some that breathe really well and I can wear them in the low 60's without any discomfort. The material I favor most is good ol' Gore-Tex.

Get a jacket, where you can take the arms off, so it becomes a vest.

Can you recommend a product?

Can you recommend a product?

I have a Canari..sorry dont have a name...its blue with a large rear pocket...but honestly...once i took the sleeves off, I never put then back on...just sweated too much....

I have a Canari..sorry dont have a name...its blue with a large rear pocket...but honestly...once i took the sleeves off, I never put then back on...just sweated too much....
Might be the Eclipse.

I bought one at their outlet sale for $30. Misread the size tag and it was too big. I just sold it on ebay for $15.50.

Might be the Eclipse.

I bought one at their outlet sale for $30. Misread the size tag and it was too big. I just sold it on ebay for $15.50.

I looked..doesnt have a name...but the pocket in the back turns inside out and lets you store the vest and sleeves and has a strap so you can carry it like a fanny pak..

I think I have the same product from Canari. $30 at the warehouse sale. I pretty much always wear it sleaveless.

I have a Canari..sorry dont have a name...its blue with a large rear pocket...but honestly...once i took the sleeves off, I never put then back on...just sweated too much....
That's been my experience with anything that has sleeves with tight fitting cuffs and no pitzips. On the other hand, the addition of zippers and pockets just adds to the bulk making things harder to carry.

BTW, nobody's mentioned the effects of wind chill or color.

Thanks for the tip on the Canari jacket/vest. I ordered one yesterday.

nike thermal arm & leg warmers ftw

Can you recommend a product?

Sorry I've been gone for a bit. The jacket I have is a specialized jacket. I really like it b/c the material allows the sleeves to fit nicely in my jersey pocket. I think it's called the specialized deflect hybrid jacket. Retails for $115, and comes in either blue, red, or yellow with accent colors of gray or black.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=24994

:D