Wheels Of Steel

To commute in the winter up until now I've always used whatever high-density shell I had lying around with a few layers underneath. I'm wanting to be more visible on these bleak, cold nights around the bend. Is a hood necessary? I like the construction of the Endura Flyte:

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1836

but it doesn't have a hood. Any recommendations?

pdlamb

I've never used a hood, even when I had a jacket with one. The rattling of the hood fabirc drives me nuts, and my peripheral vision takes a hit.

Go with a thin skull cap, or balaclava, depending on temperature. A bright helmet cover blocks wind through the holes in the helmet, and makes dark helmets more visible.

cale

Showers Pass makes a great jacket with vents to keep you dry on the inside and quality construction that stands up to the elements. I've got the Touring Jacket in Yelling Yellow. It isn't cheap but will last for years. https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...touring-jacket

HardyWeinberg

How many years have you had yours for? I didn't think mine would make it through a 2nd year w/ all the interior delamination from the 1st year, but it did, and then this 3rd year I'm not commuting through the winter (injury) so it's going to far exceed my drastically downscaled hopes for it after all. But I'm going to look to some other company for its replacement for sure.

edit: SP does change their designs/specs a lot so maybe they will come up w/ something I'd consider for next fall after all, you never know.

somedood

I've got the same Showers Pass Touring jacket in yellow, and am on the second year of use. I have had no visible wear on the jacket, and the inside has not be coming apart at all. I don't wash it very often, though, maybe 1-2 times a month. I've heard the lighter weight jackets wear a lot faster than the Touring jacket, which model was yours?

joshuatrio

https://quickrelease.tv/?p=231

cale

Sorry, not long enough to answer your concerns. But Showers Pass has a very generous warranty. You can probably get your replaced. Think of it, a new jacket!, that would be pretty sweet.

mtbikerinpa

https://women.duluthtrading.com/store...ece/25003.aspx

I've been using this one for 2 years everyday. It is not the brightest reflective but it is windproof and not crinckly/noisy. To an extent it is also water proof. A little cold at the start of a 30 deg ride but just right when the intensity gets up. The most comfortable general use coat I have ever owned and almost has the fit of a shirt.
For extra vis I wear a loudly colored hat and gloves, or reflector vest, but the bike already has a ton of light anyway.

spare_wheel

i have a 5 year old red endura gridlock that i use in cold weather. its a touch heavy but the fabric and design are terrific. if you buy from universal be sure to join their vip club for a 10-15% discount.

Jaye

I just bought the Showers Pass Transit jacket (which replaces the Touring jacket for this year) and so far I am very happy with it after only a few days of commuting. It does a good job of keeping me dry while also having plenty of venting via enormous pit zips and a back vent as well as oversized cuffs to help with airflow. One thing to consider with the Touring/Transit jacket is they are cut pretty loose. I am a fat guy at 6' 270lbs and the XL still has plenty of room to layer so if you like your stuff to fit close to the body be cautious when ordering and hopefully try it on before buying.

Wheels Of Steel

After doing some research I'm zeroing in on the following

Showers Pass
Touring
Transit
Elite 2.0

Endura
Flyte

Anyone have experience with SP jackets other than the Touring model? What about Endura?

chefisaac

This one is awesome. Bought it a month ago and it is really well made!

https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Wind-Jackets.html

Wheels Of Steel

What a great recommendation! How affordable! This one shot right to the top of the list. Cheers chefisaac!

chefisaac

You will love it..... enough said!

maidenfan

Focus your search (this is hard as every person is different) on something that will keep you comfortable, not dry. I'm a big guy and sweat a lot. I initially thought keeping the rain out was the way to go and was wrong as there is no product out there that will keep me dry for the style of riding that I do (short commute, hard riding, hard sweater). I purchased a Showers Pass Elite 2.0 (2010 model) jacket with that in mind and almost never zip the jacket as it absolutely will not breathe as fast as I sweat. Its a good jacket, and keeps the moisture out (but I produce more in). I focus my clothing on temp ranges now and always go minimal (and be cold for the first few mins). For example, right now in Portland, Or, the temps are 50's to 60's, maybe 40's in the morning - hardest one for me, but I wear knickers, 150 weight wool shirt and my showers pass jacket unzipped in the morning. Colder and I'll add another layer of wool or wind protection on the chest. Hands and feet are the only thing that bother me in the colder weather and I used gortex for that and deal with the sweat (cuz they're warm).

david58

I also have a Showers Pass jacket, and the fact that it is breathable is lost on me. I sweat so well that the breathable fabric is a joke. Been that way forever (I happen to own one of the original GoreTex parkas, made by Gorilla - Products with Appeal), but the thing I like about the SP is the super long pit zips and the vent across the back. It is totally windproof, so is great on cold days. But if it isn't COLD, I plan on sweating. But great jacket - I really like the pockets, the wind-proof fabric, and the YELLOW color.

HardyWeinberg

It's the elite, I've never washed it. I had high hopes for it because it's supposed to be modeled on the Burley Rockpoint, a truly most awesome jacket, and it even has better pitzips than the Burley. And it is windproof, so a lot of that good stuff is still good.

Bluish Green

+1

I have one too, and I love my J&G Yellow Jacket. I'm wearing it almost every day now. Great for wind blocking and has pitzips, reflective trim, drop tail, all designed for biking in the wind. For mornings in the low 30's, I wear it over a merino wool shirt. In the 40's, I'll wear it over a polyester compression shirt. When it gets colder, I'll add another base layer.

I was so happy to find the J&G. It is my MVP of autumn biking so far.

aggiegrads

J&G makes good stuff. Pick up one of their helmet covers while you are at it. They are one of the few companies that make a helmet cover that will go over a visored helmet.

megalowmatt

Thanks for that. I just ordered one.

stringbreaker

You won't be disappointed I have the wind jacket and the W/B jacket the W/B item keeps me nice and dry. I think I prefer it over the windjacket only because we get a lot of rain here.

Leo H.

For another way to do this, you might consider: https://www.vizwear.com/cat/High-Visi...oduct/JERKIN/2 this long sleeved vest over your jacket and sweaters you normally wear.

Although I'm one of those 'bent riders who isn't overly concerned with my 'look', I've found that these light long sleeved vests or jerkins are convenient to use all year round. In the summer, they function as a sunscreen, since they're light, you get very efficient cooling with them, imo.
They're inexpensive, so you get 2 or 3 and rotate them so none gets overly dirty too quick, I've found. I first used something like this on my motorcycle years ago. It was a product called the ICU-UCME jacket and it was designed to make motorcyclists and motorists visible in darkened situations on roadways. I appreciate the feature of the extra stripes of reflective material on the arms.
The fit is loose, so there's no problem with putting it over your winter clothing.

chefisaac

If it is the yellow one I linked to (the wind breaker) they have changed fabrics.

chefisaac

You gonna try any more products like the rain coat?

somedood

I heard annother similar account of the Elite from someone else which is pretty disappointing. That one is thin enough that it can fit in a jersey pocket right? The touring version for me has been durable, but I don't own a jacket that can roll up small enough to just take off and store if it warms ups and I'm on my road bike (though i do want one)