tarwheel 

I alternate between two jackets, depending on temperatures, wind and outlook for precipitation.

Gore Phantom. This has been my primary winter jacket for several years. It is very good at blocking wind and reasonably well ventilated if you unzip the sleeves about halfway so they function as pit zips.

Showers Pass Elite 2.1. Bought this last fall as a rain jacket, but it has quickly become my general purpose jacket for bike commuting. It is excellent at blocking wind, yet also extremely well ventilated. With appropriate base layers and/or jerseys underneath it, I've worn it comfortably in temperatures ranging from 12 F to 60+ F. It's also the best rain coat I have ever used, keeping the water out without giving you a steam bath.

Huffandstuff

I have some NAU jacket that I wear over the base layers I normally wear. I'd recommend the jacket but it's garbage outside of being the only non-snowboarding jacket I have.

Normally I have a T-shirt, long sleeve then the jacket over all that but it's the PNW.

erig007

Hope you're not talking about the wool patrol hoody, i hesitated for a while but went for another wool jacket

plodderslusk

Bought on sale, a Specialized jacket from their 2010/11 collection called Transformer. Tight fitting with removable arm and back outers, leaving a fall/spring jacket as a bonus. Great product but probably to expensive to make. Very, very tight fit. (the smallest Large i have ever come across)

Huffandstuff

Nah, it's some discontinued model from 2010 or so. Got it for fifty bucks from some sale, it's waterproof but the build quality of it is lacking since I've had it for two years and it's about to fall apart already.

erig007

Biodegradable jacket. At least it is eco-friendly.

thechemist

+1 same here. Neck collar could be a bit taller but works great

FanaticMN

Novara Headwind Jacket

https://www.rei.com/product/852904/novara-headwind-bike-jacket-mens

With either short sleeve jersey, long sleeve jersey, or long smartwool base layer, depending on how cold it is. Good to at least -5F. I have the older model, without a hood, which might also be useful.

ModeratedUser01142019a

+1 Novara Headwind Jacket. It has excellent wind protection, had out standing ventilated on the back, and has a comfortable fit. I've worn my with appropriate base layers as stated by FantasticMN in temps down to about 27 and was a happy camper.

RoadHolland

The Amsterdam Cycling Jacket with windproof panels:



https://roadholland.com/collections/m.../the-Amsterdam

erig007

Interesting! I've heard all the magic words: merino, pockets, windproof front panel, reflective stripes, up to 3XL.
Wondering how it stretch especially at the arm area and if there is windproof panels on arms

El Cid

I used to do the same thing, but just this winter I bought a more expensive one made from Gore-Tex because I really wanted waterproofing. This jacket (and pants) will get me through the winter and spring, layered underneath accordingly. Every time it rains I'm glad I spent the money.

illusiumd

Sorry to revive such an old thread - but a good friend of mine recommended this Arc'teryx Atom LT thing for winter biking - I tried it on - but it seems like just fancy insulation. Anyone else have this jacket?

From what I'm reading - the key for a lot of folks is good layering with a good shell on top? I'm looking at the new Chrome Storm 2.0 and Marmot Minimalist jacket. Thoughts?

Hypno Toad

For me and winter/cold riding, the shell is the primary thing - it needs to be wind-proof but breathable. Under that, I add the layers that match the weather, typically a lot of merino wool. For me, my rain jacket is the perfect shell for temps down to 20F. After the temps get below 20F, I switch to a snowboard jacket and a fatbike.

illusiumd

Thanks for the link! That jacket (O2 Nokomis) for the price has risen to my #1 spot - was looking at a Showers Pass 2.1 - but I like this price point much more.

bikemig 

For really cold weather, I really like my marmot leadville jacket:

Leadville Jacket | Marmot.com

I bought it oversized for layering. It is a gore windstopper soft shell and has venting side panels. It is a fine outer layer for doing high exertion activities in the cold.

erig007

If you like merino then why do you add synthetic fabric at the top?

You do whatever you like but for me all my layers are made of wool including the outer one. I use synthetic fabric when it is necessary which is when it is raining. The wool outershell being water resistant enough for snow (and wind resistant). No more smelly fabric for me.

Hypno Toad

I'm not opposed the wool shell, I've just never found one that is as versatile as the O2 jacket. Mostly price-point, any wind proof wool jacket I've seen is 2x the price of the O2. The O2 is extremely breathable and water/windproof - I had a Showers Pass jacket, that jacket didn't breath and trapped my sweat, making me a stinky mess.

Fly2High

I have a Pearl Izumi Elite Softshell jacket. With the proper base layering, I have worn it down to 20 F

CharlieFree

I like the Gore Bike Wear stuff because it fits me well (long arms, slim) and is well- made. I have the Phantom for Fall/Spring in Medium so it fits a little closer, and an older version of the Alp-X for winter, and rain. The Alp-X is a Large so I can layer underneath depending on temperature. I've had that one for 5+ years and probably use it 100+ days a year with no problems so it was a great investment for me, even though they are not cheap.

Sixty Fiver

I also have a work jacket with a built in hoodie that has worked well when the temps are flirting with -40... the 10 oz cotton duck is water resistant and windproof and the insulation value in the liner is great.

I wore this a lot last season.

tclune

I wear a Gore-Tex lined leather jacket all winter, biking or walking. It is snow-, rain-, and wind-resistant, and warm without being suffocating. It is a bit heavy, but I kind of like that. I switch to my comfort bike with studded snows in winter, so I'm not exactly setting any speed records when I travel. If you are less of a fred, you might get overheated in this outfit.

scoatw

I bought the Nokomis back in May. It's a good jacket waterproof and all. And makes for a good outer shell. But I wouldn't say it ventilates better than the Showers Pass 2.1. Even though the Nokomis has the zip off sleeves, which I rarely used. I prefer the pit zips more. The Nokomis doesn't have adjustable cuffs, nor does it have a double zipper both of which are handy in warmer temps. Because of that is why I use the J&G in warm weather. I've had two Showers Pass jackets in the last nine years. I wore both of them out due to year round use. And they both had zipper issues as in they both broke over an extended time. Since 2014 I've been wearing the J&G waterproof, breathable jacket. At $99 its just as superior as the Showers Pass 2.1. The pit zips are twice as big and it has adjustable cuffs and a double zipper. Side pockets are nice but a rear pocket would make it better. It doesn't cinch in the neck or waist like the Showers Pass. But the zippers are big and beefy. It performs great in a downpour and its windproof and coldproof to the negative digits (with proper mid layering). Excellent outer shell for winter. Between the three jackets, go with the J&G jacket. For the money you can't beat it.

As for the O2 rain pants. I've had a pair of the black ones since 2007. They breathe good and are excellent in a downpour.

etw

This is a great jacket. It is very versatile, as the sleeves con be removed. With various combinations of layers it can be used in a range of temperatures.

illusiumd

Tried on the Phantom - just a bit too tight for my tall frame. Nice jacket though.

Found the Leadville Jacket by Marmot on 6pm for $65 and while not maybe a great biking jacket - the cut and fabric are pretty great - so decided this along with an old REI fleece will be my general wear coat/jacket - and biking jacket below 30F. First time I rode this "Windstopper" was against a head-on 15-20mph lake wind and did indeed stop it. Is a little too hot though with Tshirt in the mid 50s. Thanks for the rec on this jacket!

Tried the SP 2.1 today in low 50's with another crazy wind - this one behind me thank God - cool lakefront blustery drizzly riding with the jacket on top of a Nike Pro Combat tshirt with pits and cuffs wide open. After an hour ride my tshirt was pretty wet. I'm agreeing with some reviews that the breathabliity of the fabric doesn't matter all that much when you've got big vents here and there. I will say this was the first time I was excited to ride in drizzle/light rain.

So probably will return the SP and will keep looking for a good jacket that with layering will keep me dry 50-30F and then probably buy a much cheaper dedicated rain jacket.