a1penguin

It seems that it's easy to get waterproof. Just buy a cheap plastic jacket. But it won't breath and you will sweat under the thing. A lot of the jackets I see claim to be "water resistant" not "water proof". Rain jackets will probably hold up better in any measurable rain. I looked at a couple of rain jackets at REI and they had a nonporous lining.

Breathable and waterproof are like oil and water.

riff

I used a Loki softshell all last year for commuting. Granted, it is a lot colder here, but I found that it repelled light rain for a couple of hours at least, snow was no issue, and it breathes a lot better than hard shells.

Eclectus

I went out for a 10 mile ride, after-dark 44 deg F last night in my Gore Bike Wear Function II WS jacket, LL Bean fleece, Craft Storm bib tights, fleece gloves, Turtle Fur neck gaiter, Mountain Hardware WS beanie. Completely comfy, with the jacket unzipped 6-8 inches.

CastIron

^^ My god I'd have died from the heat in that get up at 44*.

Eclectus

It was night, and my speed was 4 mph slower than in the daytime. My double-800L + 400L helmet DiNottes could have supported faster on full power (I had them on half), but I was just relaxedly cruising. I doubt my HR got above 105. I'm old, I like to be warm. Also 44 at night is "colder" than 44 in the day. If you disagree, try do your own test-ride comparison, and report back.

antilogy

Has anyone bought and tried any of these from swrve?

https://www.swrvecycling.com/topsMilwaukee.html
https://www.swrvecycling.com/topsWindblock.html

Is it me or is $150 expensive for these kind of jackets?

Eclectus

It would be better with adjustable pit zips. Otherwise, anything with wind-blocking properties like this jacket will raise your body-surface temperature and you can play with your layering to suit your riding intensity, distance and surrounding temperature.

For longer 3-5 hour rides, I have found that a change of damp and clammy tops to dry ones is wonderful, and a down parka for extreme exigencies (fix a flat not generating heat anymore, or sh*t I am feeling really cold and I really want a major warmup fast) is amazingly effective. Extra "cargo" to carry, yeah, but it's not summer and I'm going slower anyway on my MTB instead of my roadbike.

vec

castelli jackets? any thoughts on those? a little pricey, but anyone try them out? https://www.castelli-us.com/pm-1178-5-spunto-jacket.aspx

Eclectus

Since it's new, you may have to wait a bit for reviews. Castelli is considered a good brand. Like everybody else now, including Assos, Campy, Giordana, Campy, Gore, Sidi... they outsource production on most products, either former Soviet Bloc, Mexico or Asia, so you get Italian (or Swiss) design, not necessarily Italian fabrication, except for their premier-tier stuff.

I got a Transparente WS (X-Lite elastic, Spunto is X-Fast elastic) on a pre-season special, too early to comment, but build seems good, and the stylin is very nice. This has strategically placed frontal WS, so it's made for warmer, not so windy conditions, as a completely WS (or nearly so) jacket.

If you get the jacket from realcyclist.com (backcountry.com), you can try it for up to 30 days, and if it doesn't suit your needs, you pay only return postage and get your money back. They have an open-form Q&A, so you can ask detailed questions, which a rep or customers can answer.

You might also look at Gore Bike Wear there, a GBW rep, Dave, will personally answer any questions you may have. For what it's worth, I don't see X-Lite or X-Fast designations on GBW. So, you might ask if GBW does or doesn't have the newest-generation elastic WS in its jackets.

Anyway, WS's benefit is it provides warmth due to windblocking in a lighter, less bulky manner than multiple layers of woven fabric. This being said, WS worn with woven fabric under- and midlayers for cold conditions extends WS's usable temperature change substantially. if you get a sleek, tightish size, there will be less space for layering, and thus a smaller comfortable temp range to use it, which can be fine in Cali, not so much in Colo. A larger size is not so "racy" looking, but is more functionally versatile.

green814

How are the jackets from Specialized?

I am looking for a jacket that will possibly be good down to 20ish* or so. From the sounds of it, a true rain jacket isn't as good as a water resistant one since the wr model will breath better, correct**********

As for sizing, do you get a jacket (if only buying 1 jacket) that you can possibly fit an extra layer or 2 under, but may be a little baggy with less layers?

Thank you for all the suggestions so far, and future help!
Chris

eddiepliers 

What I've been using was the Adidas CP Storm Jacket. It's paper thin, but quite warm. It also doubles as a rain jacket, because after all, you're in Seattle. when it get to be about 40 degrees, I wear a thermal or maybe Underarmour coldgear underneath and I'm toasty warm. And it's also very form fitting.

I actually found an XL at excelsports.com https://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...dorCode=Adidas

usherenko

I'm looking for a jacket like this one, but without that price tag. I really like the fit and the design. anyone know of anything similar at all?

https://www.finisterreuk.com/technica...-p133-c26.html

TurbineBlade

I don't know how you guys wear an actual "jacket" for anything above 20F. I would sweat to death at those temps with a proper jacket of any kind.

For the morning 40's I have now, I just wear a couple of LS shirts and thin jogging pants.....which is almost too much honestly.

daredevil

That's what I have but it took some looking to find one reasonably priced. I wasn't going to pay over $100 for a jacket. I only wear it when it's wet outside, otherwise a simple fleece jacket layered over other stuff gets me by in temps down to zero.

xtrajack

I am leaning toward this:
https://www.bicycleclothing.com/Water...n-Jackets.html

MorganRaider

I know you want to stay in the $150 range, BUT I recently picked up a Showers Pass Elite 2.0 and am over the moon with it. Even though it's for rain, one can wear it anytime because it breathes so well. I did a few rides already where temp varied from 55 down to 45 during ride and was totally comfortable. It has the pit zips and adjustable cuffs for varying ventilation. It does not flap in wind, fabric is quiet. Supposedly the E-vent fabric breathes much better than Goretex. I purchased it from here - they have a 1 yr guarantee. I talked to them over the phone and we got the fit right. It arrived in 2 days from West coast to Ohio - free shipping. It may be the only jacket I end up needing. Pay attention to the sizing chart at bottom of page. The jackets run a little big.

https://www.bicyclinghub.com/shpaelraja.html

Eclectus

If you need downpour . extended rain protection, look at Gore-Tex and eVent (out of patent Gore "teflon" membrane) and other "breathable" laminates. Not as sweat-transpiring as woven-fabric softshells that can take some rain, especially for under- 1 hour rides.

Bulk-air-moving designs including pit-zips, bottom-and-top zippers, back vents and adjustable velcro cuffs allow maximal heat-retention vs. dumping.

In my experience, I like different jackets for different conditions. I mean, where I live it can vary from heat index 110 to windchill -20. Dry, light drizzle, downpours.

I'm AARP eligible. Not so self-adjustable as 30 years ago.

For different ages and temperature "comfort ranges" you will choose kits that you feel comfortable in.

Choccy

I've worked that out to be 6-7C which seems pretty warm to be wearing a beanie and neck gaiter. I've started doing what I learnt off this forum and try to wear less at the beginning of autumn/winter so my body gets used to riding in cooler weather. Found that I've not been cold the last 2 winters doing this.

Choccy...

moleman76

Santini Breeze Extreme - got mine last year at the Cascade Bike Swap for about $75; couple weeks later at the Bike Expo, same guy was selling them for $90. I did get a Showers Pass jacket - not the very top of the line one - for a good price at the Expo.

The Santini Jacket is like a softshell, but with a wind-proof layer in there, and really fits like a jersey more than a jacket.

You might do some looking at some of the UK bike-related on-line stores -- their climate is a lot like ours, and air post shipping can actually be pretty reasonable.