Fifty Plus (50+) - Jacket Question

I'm looking for recommendations on a good jacket I can wear in 40-50 degree am temps with a strong headwind. My legs don't get cold at all, but my core . . . And I'm allergic to wool. Any suggestions?

I use a Northface windstopper fleece jacket in colder temps in the 40s and a gortex windproof shell in the 50s

I'm looking for recommendations on a good jacket I can wear in 40-50 degree am temps with a strong headwind. My legs don't get cold at all, but my core . . . And I'm allergic to wool. Any suggestions?

I have such a variety of jackets that I am spoilt for choice. No rain so no requirement for waterproof. Presume it has to be lightweight so it can be stowed when it does warm up and as for all cycling jackets it has to be made of breathable material to allow moisture to escape.

I have 3 that meet the bill. First a pertex. Completely windproof and breathes. Does not give any warmth but by keeping wind out the body soon warms up. Then I have a jacket new to me made by "Karrimor" It is waterproof-windproof and has arm vents and a long zip to keep me cool and it is supposed to be breathable.

Then there is the ultimate. The Assos Longsleeve jacket that is completely windproof- warm- showerproof and breathable and can be worn all day. Well it has to be as the amount you have spent on the thing- you have to show the other riders that you are serious about your riding. The other reason for keeping it on is that it is a bulky jacket that does not pack down small.

http://www.indiebike.com/Brands/Assos-Jackets/Assos-AirJack-851-Jacket#

Rhiannon,
My choice of jackets is probably a bit unusual. Mine are all just nylon windstoppers, one is a vest, and one is long sleeve. I sometimes wear them together if it is really cold and windy. Sometimes I wear a short sleeve jersey under the jackets, sometimes a long sleeved jersey, and sometimes I wear both a short sleeve jersey and a long sleeve jersey underneath the jackets. On cold mornings in the mountains I usually take off the jackets on the way uphill, then stop at the top and put the jackets back on. But then I am not riding for speed.
In any event, these jackets give me a lot of choices for the particular conditions and they are inexpensive.

After a few years of resistance, I quickly became a fan of cycling-specific jackets when I finally bought one.

I like the gorilla-length arms, the long tail and the contouring around the neckline. Cycling jackets are generally breathable and water-resistant too. They also generally have vents you can open as necessary, which lets you wear them in warmer temps or under extreme exertion.

I have an Endura Gridlock jacket (http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=122&prod_id=128). I can wear it up to 55 or so. Below freezing, I use it as the outer layer.

Most other cycling-specific jackets are similar.

Then there is the ultimate. The Assos Longsleeve jacket that is completely windproof- warm- showerproof and breathable and can be worn all day. Well it has to be as the amount you have spent on the thing- you have to show the other riders that you are serious about your riding. The other reason for keeping it on is that it is a bulky jacket that does not pack down small.

http://www.indiebike.com/Brands/Assos-Jackets/Assos-AirJack-851-Jacket#

Wow, now that is a hefty price for a jacket, how long have you had it?

Wow, now that is a hefty price for a jacket, how long have you had it?

just on a year and last years model at a special price for a special customer from my LBS- paid about $150 and it is worth it.

But TSL has said it all. Cycling specific is made of the right material and fits.

I have a Goretex that is cycling specific but I did try on the Hiking versions and they were not comfortable on a bike. Same with a few other non cycling specific I have bought over the years- they just don't work.

Edit----Forget the Assos Sizing chart. Unless you are tall- VERY thin and have long arms.

Wow, now that is a hefty price for a jacket, how long have you had it?

I like this one from Craft (http://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/item/CRAXMRLH). Much cheaper and very nice.

My wife and I each have Pearl Izumi Zephyrr jackets. Very light but do a good job of stopping wind and fit easily in a jersey pocket when it warms up. We also have wind vests (hers is Pearl Izumi and mine is the Performance knock off of PI) and they are nice when a jacket is too much.

Got my jacket from this outfit. Also have their touring shorts and other accessories.

www.bicycleclothing.com (http://www.bicycleclothing.com)

Good stuff at reasonable prices.

As mentioned above, Craft makes some really nice jackets for less money than most. They can be found on sale every so often which is even better. I would first wear a good base layer. Again Craft rules the roost with their pro zero layers. Get a long sleeved one and wear it under your jersey. You might find all you need in addition to that is a light wind jacket.

After a few years of resistance, I quickly became a fan of cycling-specific jackets when I finally bought one.

I like the gorilla-length arms, the long tail and the contouring around the neckline. Cycling jackets are generally breathable and water-resistant too. They also generally have vents you can open as necessary, which lets you wear them in warmer temps or under extreme exertion.

I have an Endura Gridlock jacket (http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=122&prod_id=128). I can wear it up to 55 or so. Below freezing, I use it as the outer layer.

Most other cycling-specific jackets are similar.

Once again - good gear find. I guess you have a lot of time in the library to find the best options. At this point I am not willing to commit to cycling specific gear for cool weather cycling. I am using ski gear that is close to end of life.

I have a Gore Bike Ware jacket. It is quite windproof. I have worn it down to mid 30's with
a coolmax longsleeve running shirt and did not have any problems...

Jerry

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. The choices out there are bewildering - it's nice to hear from people who like - or don't like - what they have.

Once again - good gear find. I guess you have a lot of time in the library to find the best options.

Actually, it was on the sale rack at my LBS for 15% off. I already had (and love) their bib tights and booties. In the winter I look like EnduraMan!

And sadly, no, we don't have a lot of time for anything at the library. They just keep cutting staff…

This link is just an example but me thinks this might be what you are looking for: a wind jacket with sleeves that zip off to make it into a vest. Gore has one $$$, Sugio, Canondale in a rain jacket version and Pearl also.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSU_70770F.html

For that temperature range I have a "wind shirt" that I bought for less than $20.00 at some event. It's a long sleeve t-shirt that has some kind of rubber-feeling fabric. The good news is it does an excellent job of blocking the wind and repelling light rain. I can also roll it up and stuff it in a jersey pocket. The bad news is I have to stop and take off my helmet to either don or doff it and it has no pockets.

If it gets a little colder I have a Craft jacket (model unknown) that's made from some miracle Gor-Tex like fabric and has a gazillion zippered vents.

Nylon sleeveless vest +/- armwarmers as needed.

I would suggest trying a wind vest unless you need coverage on your arms. I use a Louis Garneau model that has rear pockets just like a jersey.