Fifty Plus (50+) - Help Me Find A Cycling Specific Jacket

All these years of riding a bike, and I've never owned a cycling-specific cool weather jacket. I was riding with some folks today, and I must say I admired them in their Pearl Izumi gear as my old windbreaker flapped about in the wind. I'm looking for something that would get me through the cooler months in Virginia, where temps can range from the mid-thirties upward to the 50s. Any colder, and I might just ride the trainer.

Any recommendations?

I got a bright greenish-yellow wind jacket, Louis Garneau. The sleeves are removable to transform the jacket into a vest, which I did for the first time yesterday. This jacket has made a huge difference in cooler weather. Recently, I tried a ride in two layers of jerseys, but the wind cut through both of them. I donned the jacket, and the two layers of jerseys worked perfectly to keep me comfortable. The jacket is not lined. Also, someone would have to be beyond legally blind to miss this jacket. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Pearl Izumi Gavia should be perfect. I wear it from 30's to 50's. Good deals many places.

I have two jackets....both cycling specific. For 30's/low 40's I wear an old Bellweather with zip rear pockets, a nylon windblocker front with knit back for ventililation. For mid 40's, sprinkles, cool wind I go with a Pearl Izumi cycling shell neon green. I wear the shell with underlayering a lot because it can be (important point!) scrunched up in jersey pocket, stops the wind, easy zip allows ventilation. Elastic cuffs and a zip collar are also importan-- and HiViz.

If you go to sierratradingpost.com and search on cycling jacket, there are many choices, from economical to expensive.

Not cheap, but my Christmas gift to myself was an Assos Airjack jacket. Didn't believe anything so light could be so warm but their wind block fabric is amazing. The pocket design is very nice too. 4 instead of the usual 3 and the side pockets are easily accessible while riding. 1 zip up pocket as well. Expensive but worth every pennny. I'll probably use it for x-c skiing as well.

I really love my Performance Transformer jacket (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=19314&subcategory_ID=1130). It's thin and light, but with layering underneath, it's plenty for the coldest days I ride, but it has to be pretty cold before you'll want anything more than one layer underneath. You can unzip and remove the sleeves, leaving a mesh-back vest. It's on sale for $54.99 right now.

Not cheap, but my Christmas gift to myself was an Assos Airjack jacket. Didn't believe anything so light could be so warm but their wind block fabric is amazing. The pocket design is very nice too. 4 instead of the usual 3 and the side pockets are easily accessible while riding. 1 zip up pocket as well. Expensive but worth every pennny. I'll probably use it for x-c skiing as well.

With a heads up from the road forum, I posted info on our club site about Airjacks going for $203!! Only problem for me, there were only XL and XXL. One of my friends got the last XL, and another got shut out. The guy with the new one wore it Saturday, and he really likes it. Enjoy yours!

Jet.... I have a Pearl Izumi Vagabond jacket in hi-viz color. Till I got it, I hardly ever rode comfortably in the winter. The sleeves zip off so if you get warm along the way you can turn it into a vest. To my suprise, the zippers still work perfectly after about four years. It has three pockets in front and the vest pocket is perfect for an ID, a few bucks, or cell phone. I ride in mine in temps from the 20's to the 60's with one or two layers underneath. Its pretty much windproof and somewhat water resistant.

With a heads up from the road forum, I posted info on our club site about Airjacks going for $203!! Only problem for me, there were only XL and XXL. One of my friends got the last XL, and another got shut out. The guy with the new one wore it Saturday, and he really likes it. Enjoy yours!

The sizes run small. I would normally wear a large but got an XL, and even still its very snug with 2 layers underneath.

I have two Gore windstopper jackets and love them. Both have the zip off sleeves, two front pockets and a large zip pocket in the back that allows me to fold the jacket up and attach it to the handlebars if I no longer need it. This is a handy option when the temperatures get warm later in the ride.

Most brands will have something suitable for your weather.....just choose the options you want. The zip off sleeves are nice since it can double as a vest.

Get a jacket. But for me at least the key to cold riding has been Under Armour. It's made it possible for me to ride comfortably where in the past I just wouldn't go out.

That said, i have an old Plumbline with a Gore front that's amazing, but usually too warm for California.
Usually my base, my jersey and a Performance Illuminite is enough.

Go go Gottaridebikes and check out the clearance section-very very good value on some L Garneau jackets and vests. I just got a vest and use it from anything below 60 degrees. My arms seem to get too warm if covered with a jacket. Anyway, their vest has pockets in the back just like a jersey which make it very easy to get stuff out while riding.

http://www.gottaridebikes.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=OUT

I have been very pleased with Craft products. The fit is right for me. I also like Pearl Izumi but I usually am between their Large and X-Large sizes. I currently have an XL PI Vector that is terrific except that it's a bit loose (the L was too tight). I just ordered a Craft Flex from Performance, they have a 11% discount on it now plus a 10% coupon (0001400000001601) until the 14.
These jackets offer just the right warmth (I had a warm base layer if needed) but their best feature is the wind blocking fabric in the front of torso and arms. That's means no extra wind cover to carry for cold descents.

I shall cast yet another vote here for a lightweight Pearl Izumi cycling jacket, preferably in the Screaming Yellow color. In San Diego Conty, the only downside is that you will be dressed identically to half the cyclists you encounter on Pacific Coast Highway 101.

I prefer a thermal wind proof vest and armwarmers. If it is raining, I add a PI rain jacket. Here is a link to the thermal vest I have. http://www.velowear.com/category.aspx?cat=CAT-TOPS-MENS-OUTERWEAR. I am not sure which one it is since I get it through my club. On colder days, I wear two pair of armwarmers. The vest fits tight and integrates with the armwarmers such that there is not any material flapping around in the wind. I have the classic green PI windvest and PI jacket. They are okay but on me there is too much flapping in the wind and the jacket is too warm once I warm up. YMMV.

There are plenty of Cycling jackets around but the most important thing about any of them- is that it must be made of breathable material.

I have several and the Ultimate must always be Goretex. Not cheap by any means but Being small- I managed to get mine half price in a sale and it is Cycling specific and fits- even after 10 years of redistribution of my weight. This is 100% waterproof, completely windproof and breathable.


Next down my line is a Polaris jacket. Cycling specific again but Mountain bike form and this one is not waterproof. Then I have a Nike Showerproof- Ideal for if it might rain just a bit but not fully breathable.

The ultimate for DRY- windy days though is Pertex.Breathable- lightweight- packs up into your fist and completely windproof. Not waterproof in any way-and no warmth to the material either. Mind you- if you get to the top of a climb and it turns cold- just keeping the wind away does retain body warmth instead of having it whisked away at 90 mph.

I picked up my day-glow yello-green Canari wind breaker at REI for about $50. It has a soft velour collar, full vented back, and the sleeves unzip. It doesn't breath, but boy does it cut the wind chill like no other. With a warm jersey underneath, it makes riding in the low 30's possible. The best feature is the large rear pocket that the whole jacket collapses into with a zip to close it. Elastic straps then clasp around your waist to carry the stowed jacket.

If temps are only in the say high 40's to low 50's Louie Garneau's Speed TS Jacket is pretty nice with a long sleeve base layer. If you want to spend more $$ check out Rapha's lightweight softshell. They're both breathable and rain proof.

I got one of the pricey Showers Pass 2.0 Elites a year ago - expensive but simply a great jacket for both cool and wet.

- Mark

+1 on the Showers Pass 2.0 Elite.

One other thing, in addition to material, I would suggest you take into consideration... I've had numerous jackets over the years, and finally learned to try them on while sitting in my riding position. The way a jacket feels is much different standing up vs. in your normal riding position. And unless you want to get a tailor made jacket, it's important to get one that feels good.

Can we assume you need something in Orange and dark blue????