I need a top layer that's breathable. Right now, I've got a wind-proof, water-proof jacket that seems to be keeping IN the sweat just as well as it keeps the water OUT.

On the coldest mornings (only about 20 F ) I don't have as much trouble as I do when the temps get a little above freezing and I sweat a little bit more. The couple of times I've ridden home in that weather, I seem to catch a "mini cold" from being sweaty and cold at the same time.

Suggestions and recommendations please (and I'd like to keep the price down if possible).

Purple hayes, I ride about ten miles a day in the winter, and use a Canari Eclipse Biovent. It was about $60, and it keeps about 90% of the persperation out. (Body types will vary.) It has sleeve zippers for warmer weather and a built-in pouch. I liked it so much after buying the cobalt color, I bought the yellow (I ride at 4 a.m. and need the safety color). I also use a polyester base layer $10 at Target, and a thin polyester fleece mid layer $8, also Target. Now, truth is, nothing is 100% wicking you dry, but this set-up seems to do the trick for what I do. If you use the three layers, the sweat (if any) should stay between the mid and top layer:jacket. Oh, weather around here, Northern California, gets around 20-25 degrees low. Good luckl

Urbanmonk

Would that be this jacket :: https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...446&Store=Bike

Looks like maybe it has been renamed.

The Eclipse doesn't have the reflective trim in the same places. The one you posted doesn't appear to have the zip out sleeves either. I can't see the back of the jacket in the post, but the Eclipse has a vent in the back. But since this posted one does have a full zip out back (not too familiar with it), it might work better for water evaporation. I might just consider this one.

Urbanmonk

I have a Gore Tex cycling jacket that I wear below freezing. These jackets are not made to be worn in above freezing temps. At least that is my view. If the temp is anywhere near freezing I put this baby in the closet.

Anything over around 30F I wear a very simple inexpensive nylon shell. It is an LL Bean that I bought used on Ebay. I paid $4 for it. It is a Big and tall size so the extra length is great for cycling. Also it is vented in the rear.

When it is cloudy and around freezing I often add a nylon cycling vest underneath. Of all my gear, this $4 jacket is absolutely my favorite. It gives great wind protection and some rain protection. I wouldn't trade it for any cylcling jacket made for these temps.

A quick search online found this jack is on sale for $40....cobalt only

https://maxvps008.maximumasp.com/v00...&ProductID=537

I recommend you try breathing air. Breathing a jacket is likely to cause asphyxiation :=)

Under rain ware see the precip and oracle, Marmot rocks

https://marmot.com/

I ride with a North Face Jacket. It has zippers near the arm pits so you can control how much air gets into your jacket. You should look into getting something similar. For when it gets too cold you can just zipper the thing up.

Miyataphile

You only need a waterproof when there is wet stuff falling (rain/sleet/wet snow).
If it is dry, wear a non waterproof, but highly windproof jacket. Windproofs are far more breathable than even the best waterproofs, at a fraction of the cost. A dense weave polycotton will work, but a microfibre (Pertex nylon or polyester) is lighter and very effective. You dont need any high tech stuff to keep dry wind out.

Goretex is over-rated. I only wear mine during rain. If it is dry, you always get too clammy. In the cold, you just get cold and clammy.

Some windproofs are not quite proof enough. I do a huff test. If I can huff breath right through the material, its not good enough. If I cant huff at all, it is not breathable enough. If I can force breath through under pressure, it should be OK.
For winter, you need a high neck, and good seals at the waist and wrists. If the material is good, there is less need for vents.

You can carry a waterproof for when it rains.
This winter I have been using a jacket made by Paramo, which is as waterproof as my gortex and as comfortable as a windproof, but it is better for cool-cold conditions. It is probably not for high intensity training, but works well for commuting around town.

I got a new jacket for this winter. Thus far (I've ridden with it about 10-15 times) I like it very much. I wear this jacket up to the freezing mark with generally only one layer underneath. It has pit zippers, and vent zippers in the rear for temp modulation:

Gore Jacket

When it gets above freezing, I generally wear 1 long sleeve under-layer, covered by a long sleeve jersey and this vest. The back of this vest is mesh, so the heat flows out well. It’s just enough to keep the cold off my chest. It's also easily folded up, so it can be stowed for use on those spring rides when the temps bump up during the ride.

PI Zephyr

If it gets REALLY cold, I wear 1-2 under layers, topped of with the jacket, which I then top off with the vest. I ended up spending a bit more than I wanted, but I now have a great system for about any weather. I really feel than I can now ride in relative comfort in any kind of weather. That’s how I’m justifying the cost anyway!

I tend to judge temp's differantly. So if the temp is 10F and I'm riding 20mph, 10F -20mph = -10F <--- I dress for this temp.

I wasn't clear what the vest does for you. Does it just add visibility? Sounds like a good idea. At what sort of temperature do you wear the vest with the 2 under layers and jacket?