Winter Cycling - Jackets that block the wind from the front and breathe in back

I love winter biking, though my preferences run toward I'll-bike-no-matter-how-cold-but-not-if-it's-wet. (So I've never had a need for waterproof gear.)

I'm not a big fan of the if-you-are-overheating-just-slow-down school of thought, so I've been building up clothing that allows me to manage my heat on the fly. One of my revelatory moments was when I got the Novara headwind (http://www.rei.com/product/801494/novara-headwind-bike-jacket-mens) jacket last year at clearance prices.

The whole idea of blocking the wind from the front but having breathable materials in the rear is great. After nearly getting clobbered by an inattentive driver, I decided I wanted to move toward a fluorescent wardrobe. I ordered a Gore Bike Wear Phantom Neon Jacket, but I've been a little underwhelmed by the details, which I think should be a given on such a premium priced piece of gear.

Some examples of what I'm not thrilled with: pockets sans zippers (so I'm having a hard time trusting putting anything more valuable than a granola bar in them); micro sized zipper hardware - tiny pulls and insertion pins make use with gloves difficult (no way I'd get them open as-is without removing gloves); the removable arms are in no way operable on-the-fly - the bottom stops of the are located just above my triceps, so even if I add a zipper pull extension, it's awkward to unzip while moving.

[Oh complain, complain, complain.]

Can anyone recommend similar jackets that might have more carefully considered details? In short, what I'd like is 1) windproof at the front, highly breathable* in the rear; 2) thoughtful detailing to allow access to venting, etc, while still wearing gloves 3) ideally available in safety colors - I would so just buy another Novara Headwind if it came in safety yellow.

*whereas there are no shortage of jackets with made completely with "windproof and breathable" fabric, I'm talking breathes-so-well-you'd-have-a-hard-time-building-up-a-sweat, not just "remarkably breathable compared to a garbage bag."

I used to have a Sugio that was pretty good .... not sure they still make it.

I've been holding on to my 10 year old Bellwether jacket because it has the features you describe and due to the fact that I haven'y come across a suitable replacement. It has a stiff, sail cloth like shell in the front and breathable cotton/poly backing. It's also my favorite winter running jacket so it's getting a little long in the tooth! I'm going to check out the Novara you mention.

LePatron, check it out for sure! I may end up just getting a fluorescent safety vest with scotchlite panels and using it over. I thought the thumbholes were a particularly neat feature.

Fair warning, a small part of the stitching above the thumbhole is coming loose. It will be a simple fix, but still a (slightly) disappointing failing in an otherwise stellar jacket.

I have been on the same quest myself. After finding this exact item on REIs website, I came here to find some reviews. I think I will probably pull the trigger and get it. I also value high visibility, so maybe will add some sort of reflective leg/arm bands, or just taping on the jacket back itself.
Now got to start reading up about a better rear light....

That Gore jacket also has a mostly black back. Doesn't seem to help visibility. I almost bought one but that's what held me back.

Sounds like you're looking for a gilet that has a mesh back and wind-proof front... lots around. If you're asking for one that has windproof arms that is a little more tricky.

I bought a castelli mortirolo windstopper jacket and it is really nice for what you are asking. It also has vent zippers in front for when you get warm.

http://www.foxwear.net/

Call Lou and tell him your needs- he makes everything from scratch and is priced under the name-branders.
I own a pair of pants, a jacket and a vest- all custom and all great quality.

This is my first winter cycling. It was chilly yesterday in DFW land, and windy too. It was 60 when I left home for the regular evening ride, with 18mph or so winds, and 55 when I got home after sunset.

I knew that I wasn't going to survive without extra clothing so I popped down to performance bike at lunch time. I tried on a few jackets, the one I settled on was the Louis Garneau Electra. The arms come off exposing an upper mesh back. Back pocket for it all to fold into, small pocket on left chest. Wind proof at front. Worked great. I should have taken the arms with me as I needed them on the way home.

I saw that nashbar also sells the same item.

I have an XL Burly Rain jacket , its caped back (+pit-zips) ventilates well..
just too big for me .. So FS .. [hint]

http://www.foxwear.net/

Call Lou and tell him your needs- he makes everything from scratch and is priced under the name-branders.
I own a pair of pants, a jacket and a vest- all custom and all great quality.

+1

http://www.foxwear.net/

Call Lou and tell him your needs- he makes everything from scratch and is priced under the name-branders.
I own a pair of pants, a jacket and a vest- all custom and all great quality.

This looks pretty amazing! I'm excited to contact him. Plus it looks like his Windbloc is overstocked and especially affordable.

So many great answers! Thanks, all. I'm going to look into the various jackets recommended, and also the foxwear link.

It may not be a neon color, but REI sells the Novara Headwind jacket in a pretty bright orange color they call "spice".

http://www.rei.com/product/801494/novara-headwind-bike-jacket-mens



I love winter biking, though my preferences run toward I'll-bike-no-matter-how-cold-but-not-if-it's-wet. (So I've never had a need for waterproof gear.)

I'm not a big fan of the if-you-are-overheating-just-slow-down school of thought, so I've been building up clothing that allows me to manage my heat on the fly. One of my revelatory moments was when I got the Novara headwind (http://www.rei.com/product/801494/novara-headwind-bike-jacket-mens) jacket last year at clearance prices.

The whole idea of blocking the wind from the front but having breathable materials in the rear is great. After nearly getting clobbered by an inattentive driver, I decided I wanted to move toward a fluorescent wardrobe. I ordered a Gore Bike Wear Phantom Neon Jacket, but I've been a little underwhelmed by the details, which I think should be a given on such a premium priced piece of gear.

Some examples of what I'm not thrilled with: pockets sans zippers (so I'm having a hard time trusting putting anything more valuable than a granola bar in them); micro sized zipper hardware - tiny pulls and insertion pins make use with gloves difficult (no way I'd get them open as-is without removing gloves); the removable arms are in no way operable on-the-fly - the bottom stops of the are located just above my triceps, so even if I add a zipper pull extension, it's awkward to unzip while moving.

[Oh complain, complain, complain.]

Can anyone recommend similar jackets that might have more carefully considered details? In short, what I'd like is 1) windproof at the front, highly breathable* in the rear; 2) thoughtful detailing to allow access to venting, etc, while still wearing gloves 3) ideally available in safety colors - I would so just buy another Novara Headwind if it came in safety yellow.

*whereas there are no shortage of jackets with made completely with "windproof and breathable" fabric, I'm talking breathes-so-well-you'd-have-a-hard-time-building-up-a-sweat, not just "remarkably breathable compared to a garbage bag."

This looks pretty amazing! I'm excited to contact him. Plus it looks like his Windbloc is overstocked and especially affordable.

Lou is great, and will make you exactly what you want, and the price will be unbeatable.

+1 for Lou's work. I used a simple jacket from him all last winter and it worked great. But what I got from him was pretty basic although very well priced. Now though I am looking for something with better "options". For one thing I'd get cold air in at the zipper since there was not a cloth barrier there. The pockets close with a square of velcro only so they are not secure. No back pockets at all or other storage. While the jacket breathed pretty well I would like more options for venting. And then the collar does let freezing rain/snow in sometimes.

So, if all you need is a basic outer jacket the foxwear is awesome. But if you need something a bit more technical you might either look elsewhere of see what Lou can do for you in terms of customizing. A basic case of you get what you pay for. I should mention that even when my foxwear jacket did get soaked through it would retain heat.

+1 for Lou's work. I used a simple jacket from him all last winter and it worked great. But what I got from him was pretty basic although very well priced. Now though I am looking for something with better "options". For one thing I'd get cold air in at the zipper since there was not a cloth barrier there. The pockets close with a square of velcro only so they are not secure. No back pockets at all or other storage. While the jacket breathed pretty well I would like more options for venting. And then the collar does let freezing rain/snow in sometimes.

So, if all you need is a basic outer jacket the foxwear is awesome. But if you need something a bit more technical you might either look elsewhere of see what Lou can do for you in terms of customizing. A basic case of you get what you pay for. I should mention that even when my foxwear jacket did get soaked through it would retain heat.

Mine jacket from Lou has a strip of fabric to block the wind at the zipper, so he is able to do that. As for the pockets, I agree about the velcro lacking. I had zippers put in mine for around $10 at the local seamstress. I'm sure he'd do a back pocket if you asked.

Mine jacket from Lou has a strip of fabric to block the wind at the zipper, so he is able to do that. As for the pockets, I agree about the velcro lacking. I had zippers put in mine for around $10 at the local seamstress. I'm sure he'd do a back pocket if you asked.

Yep, I'd agree. That was actually my original plan but all this dang biking made me lose too much weight and now my jacket is too big!:p

Still debating on having another custom Lou job or going with something off the shelf.

Yep, I'd agree. That was actually my original plan but all this dang biking made me lose too much weight and now my jacket is too big!:p

Still debating on having another custom Lou job or going with something off the shelf.

I still believe that the torso is the easiest thing to keep warm in winter cycling. It essentially a matter of finding something that blocks enough wind, and retains enough heat while losing any extra heat. While that sounds complicated it really isn't because the zippers (front and pit zippers) are the thermostat that allow for any miscalculation.

I have been using the same Performance Gore Tex jacket for 9 yrs or so. It has a back vent and pit zips with a mesh lining. I wear this jacket in any temp below freezing and it always works. Get a little steamy...unzip, a little chilly zip up. Presto! :thumb:

I still believe that the torso is the easiest thing to keep warm in winter cycling. It essentially a matter of finding something that blocks enough wind, and retains enough heat while losing any extra heat. While that sounds complicated it really isn't because the zippers (front and pit zippers) are the thermostat that allow for any miscalculation.

I have been using the same Performance Gore Tex jacket for 9 yrs or so. It has a back vent and pit zips with a mesh lining. I wear this jacket in any temp below freezing and it always works. Get a little steamy...unzip, a little chilly zip up. Presto! :thumb:

I've tried using my Gore Tex but it just does not breathe well enough for me. I also will ride in any weather so it would be nice to have a jacket where I can seal the neck to keep the sideways driving freezing rain or snow out. Form fitting is also nice to help negate wind drag. Then good fitting wrists that will go over the gloves/mittens and stay in place. Keep the wrist warm and then hands will be much happier.

I don't have the jacket but the Peal Izumi Elite Barrier vest is working out nicely for me. The zippers have pull-tabs on them, really good open mesh on the back, reflective trim (mine is black but they're available in safety-yellow). The jacket is convertible, I'm thinking I should have gone with that instead...

The ghetto solution to this is to wear your jacket front-side back and leave the "front" (that's now on the back) unzipped.

I love winter biking, though my preferences run toward I'll-bike-no-matter-how-cold-but-not-if-it's-wet. (So I've never had a need for waterproof gear.)


Obviously "I'll-bike-no-matter-how-cold" is not very cold if it is even close to liquid water being present.

The ghetto solution to this is to wear your jacket front-side back and leave the "front" (that's now on the back) unzipped.

:love::lol:

http://monkeydungeon.com/cotton%20web%20still%202.jpg
You might need a friend to zip it up!

I was just about to ask this same question... ;)

One of my LBSes has these on hand - an LG Massimo 2 (blue) and an Endura Windchill (red, not low-vis black):
http://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/product/345206/1030125/JacketsVests/MASSIMO_2_JACKET#
http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218

Ay opinions on these? My attempts at using a rain jacket for wind proof-ness are done. That idea sucked (and it was my idea, too).

I was just about to ask this same question... ;)

One of my LBSes has these on hand - an LG Massimo 2 (blue) and an Endura Windchill (red, not low-vis black):
http://www.louisgarneau.com/us-en/product/345206/1030125/JacketsVests/MASSIMO_2_JACKET#
http://www.endurasport.com/Product.aspx?dept_id=123&prod_id=218

Any opinions on these? My attempts at using a rain jacket for wind proof-ness are done. That idea sucked (and it was my idea, too).

Both of them claim to use waterproof fabrics so i'd assume they're gonna be garbage bags. That is if their claim of waterproofing is to be believed.

Either one is sure to be less garbage bag-like than the Showers Pass rain jacket I've got... :D :D

Fynn - It's a great point. The gilet has never made sense to me since I have no problem keeping my core warm.

gbg - my way of saying I need to keep warm, but I'm not worrying about waterproof, because screw biking on wet roads. It might make me a wuss, but I hate wet feet, and I really hate how much grit accumulates in the chain and on the bike... it's like 6 months of dry riding = 1 day of rain riding in terms dirt accumulation.

Try cross-country (Nordic) ski jackets. They often have windproof panels in the front and arms, with breathable panels under the arms and in the back. Honestly I think the MEC cross-country jackets are better than the cycling-specific ones!

Try cross-country (Nordic) ski jackets. They often have windproof panels in the front and arms, with breathable panels under the arms and in the back. Honestly I think the MEC cross-country jackets are better than the cycling-specific ones!


Don't you end up with a bit of plumber's butt? Most cycling jackets are cut to cover a torso and arms in a hunched over position whereas classic skiing is standing up?

No, most of the Nordic jackets I've seen have a little extra length in the back actually, as one leans forward a bit in skiing as well, and a draft over the kidneys is never enjoyable... The arms could be a problem for a very long-armed person, I suppose. I'm sure the rider's position and body proportions would make a difference also - I don't actually ride in all that hunched a position, myself, plus I am quite short through the torso (long limbs).

You can also avoid the exposure issue by wearing pants/tights that are cut a bit higher in the back. Cross-country oriented softshell pants often have this, and of course cycling-specific pants/tights almost always do.

Running jackets have the problems you describe, as they are definitely cut for a very upright body position.

Running jackets have the problems you describe, as they are definitely cut for a very upright body position.

Generally, yes, although I have a Nike jacket that has a drop tail. Not as deep as some cycling tops, but more than I had expected, too.

At the same time, some cycling jackets have less of a drop -- or a longer front -- than others. If you can try one in person, you'll figure it out. :thumb:

I use my Northface shell which is waterproof and blocks wind. It has pit zips, the area where heat builds up most.

Yep, I'd agree. That was actually my original plan but all this dang biking made me lose too much weight and now my jacket is too big!:p

Still debating on having another custom Lou job or going with something off the shelf.

That is exactly why I am leery of buying nice stuff right now! I think I am going to try and muddle through this winter and determine what exactly it is I want. Hopefully by the end of next summer I'll be down at my fighting weight and can reward myself with good kit like some custom gear from Lou!

;)

I was at REI this weekend. I wouldn't mind having a jacket that will keep me warm AND dry. The Novara Stratos looked to have good feature set (pit zips, pockets, closable wrist holes, butt cover). I've never been impressed with the Showers Pass; they don't fit me right; by the time I find a size that fits my torso, the arms are about 2" too long. I am a normal sized human, though. Hopefully my cheap yellow wind jacket will be OK in light rain.

+1 on most anything Nordic XC skiing gear being good for biking. Requirements are closely related (long arms, long back for hunched over position, wind proof front). Also, good XC skiing gloves have padding/heavier material in exactly the right spots for brakes and shifters.

A lot will depend on what kind of "winter" OP is referring to. Cold and snow means you can steer clear of waterproof garbage bag stuff except for the transition period, warmer and rain is obviously different.