postmansi

What are you favorite winter jackets?
There are a lot of sales now on winter stuff
and I was hoping to pick something up as it
is still cold here. Any one have the Izumi Vagabond?

Thanks!

Brillig

I have a PI Zephyr. Same material as the Vagabond but the sleeves aren't removable.

But it's a lot cheaper and that "Screaming Yellow" color is BRIIIGHT. You won't be overlooked on the road.

(Seriously, it's actually hard to look at in the bright sun when it's new)

And you're aware that these are just wind/water resistant shells, right? You need to layer with other things to provide the warmth.

Urbanmonk

I use the Canari Eclipse Biovent. I have two: a cobalt and yellow. The temperature gets as low as 24 degrees here in Northern California, so I'm fine with a base layer, a mid (thin fleece), and the shell, gloves, tights, windpants, helmet undergear, etc. It's really not too much when you consider that anything worth doing is worth preparing for. Believe it or not, I used to ride in this weather when I was younger with only a sweatshirt and gloves--nuts. I LOVE IT!!!

Urbanmonk

postmansi

And you're aware that these are just wind/water resistant shells, right? You need to layer with other things to provide the warmth.[/QUOTE]

...yes I know the layering is important...What's the coldest temp you were
comfortable in using this shell and the necessary layering?

Thanks!!

Brillig

Freezing (32 F, 0 C) is my lower limit for riding.

I've never had a problem with my body while wearing a shell, a base layer and a fleece jersey. My feet are always the first to get cold. Even with wool socks and neoprene toe covers they start to get cold before anything else, usually after an hour or so. Maybe I need booties...

When it's that cold I'll also be wearing a balaclava, tights and long fingered gloves.

slvoid

I have one of those "Softshell" jackets.
Down to about 32F, I'm fine with a long sleeve t-shirt and the jacket on.
Lowest I've gone out was about 4F and I had on a fleece sweater plus the jacket and a hat. The jacket's extremely warm, the only thing was that my lungs were freezing and my toes were frozen. So yea, remember to layer up in the extremities.

cdale56

I have an Ultrex Jacket from
Col d'Lizárd formerly known as Gekko Gear.
Currently on sale for $65.

It has, with various layering, kept me warm in the single digits and kept me dry on a century in the warmer months when it poured the entire ride. I have taken many long rides in it and never felt uncomfortable.

In the cooler months, I wear it everyday on my commute and never get wet or cold.

Nice features are zip breast pocket, (for my glasses) three rear pockets and a vented back.

Other jackets I have used (Cannondale, Bellweather) have not been waterproof in rain, and my Goretex jacket was too bulky and hot in warmer rains.

Service is great too, (I had to return for a larger size)

https://www.coldlizard.com/cgi/wc.dll...alog~DETAIL~41

cyclezealot

[QUOTE=Brillig]Freezing (32 F, 0 C) is my lower limit for riding.

I've never had a problem with my body while wearing a shell, a base layer and a fleece jersey. My feet are always the first to get cold. Even with wool socks and neoprene toe covers they start to get cold before anything else, usually after an hour or so. Maybe I need booties...


When it's that cold I'll also be wearing a balaclava, tights and long fingered gloves.Quote.

Would not the whole neopreme booties do the job..They seemed pretty insulating.... I for one need full fingered gloves below the mid-40's..

Bruco

Mine is a Löffler Colibri (gore tex) jacket. One the plus side: it's 99.9% waterproof (not -resistant) and windproof, is comfortable and ultra light. The minus is the high price and the gallons of sweat I produce in it...

Layering is the way to go. I use Brynje shirts as the first layer (works both in Summer and Winter), choose the second layer according to the temperature and finish it off with the Colibri.

vrkelley

This is the route I'd like to go. The other day it was 31F and I just didn't feel like dressing in all those layers. So I grabbed my REI Softshell with pitzips and left the zips open and a jersey. That worked great!

For the pants I wore the Shower's Pass rain pants and a 2nd thin wind pants. Worked great. Less stuff to hang up upon arriving at work!

Edited: Opps about 3/4 of the way I got too hot and had to just ride the rest of the way in the jersey. The first mile or so was chilly but after about a 2mile climb I warmed right up.

vrkelley

Guess I'll go back to my tried and true method:

I discovered some months back that I can leave layers together. Then put them on at the same time. They seem to dry OK like this also.

So a zip-down jersey stays with the zipdown outer jacket. They both seem to dry OK. And are easy to put on together. For the pants, a thin wind pant under a heavy rain pant.

Haven't figured out how do this with all 3 layers. Or when tights are needed. The tights, though not tight are too hard to get on and off over the foot. wha???

Also this only works till it warms up. But then... is it ever gonna warm up?

naisme

The best solution I have had presented to me, was to wear a base layer, a wool sweater and a PI wind shirt with the zipper sleeves. I've ridden in that all winter even in the extreme cold we get in MN, I did -4F, and although due to my own thoughtlessness became mildly hypothermic, it wasn't the clothing, it was my not eating and drinking enough. The body needs energy to stay warm and I didn't provide any. Currently I'm riding in 20F-30F with just a long sleeve base under the wind shirt, and it is warm enough to get through my 23 mile commute.
I use to ride with a rain jacket as a shell, but I got just as wet in it as if I hadn't worn it. So I'm opting for the current set up. I do have a Sugio jacket that is water repelant, but I get so hot in the damn thing, and it's a dark color, so commuting at night in it isn't the best.
Layering with the right materials is really important, for a long time I rode with cotton, and it sucked, cause it would get wet and cold and I was using energy to stay warm, that could have turned pedals, and bonked a couple times.
Just experience.

vrkelley

[QUOTE=naisme]The best solution I have had presented to me, was to wear a base layer, a wool sweater and a PI wind shirt with the zipper sleeves. QUOTE]

Naisme
What is a PI wind shirt? Do you have have a URL or a brand name?

Thanks!

-V

naisme

Yes Perl Iszumi, not sure of the style, has a pocket on the chest for a cell phone. I'll have to search for it on the web, sure there's one at Nashbar.

vrkelley

Gee I thought mine was the best winter or rain jacket. The inside of mine is covered with sweat but I feel dry. It's waterproof and has a back vent...

So the INSIDE of the jacket should be pretty dry then??

Brillig

Not necessarily. As long as whatever is against your skin is dry.